D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2020
D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 INDEPENDENT DRIVERS RULES
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2020 DRIVERS D1NZ DRIFTING RULES
THE D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2020 SEASON
These Judges Rules shall be read in conjunction with Appendix Two Schedule A, Appendix Five, Schedule DR, D1 and C of the New Zealand Motorsport Manual and the Motorsporting code.
1) ANNOUNCEMENT AND JURISDICTION
These rules have been compiled by D1NZ in conjunction with feedback from drivers in relation to changes for the 2020 Season.
A) The D1NZ Organising Committee consists of:
Track Operations Brendon White 021 274 5580 / [email protected]
Chief Series Technical Advisor Brendan Duncker [email protected]
Publicity and Media Kenny Ruddell [email protected]
Grid and Operations Jo Maulder 021 142 7174 [email protected]
Live Scoring and Google Docs: Phil Coleman 021 265 3626 [email protected]
VENUE, DATES AND TIMING
2020 D1NZ National Drifting Championship Pro Series Calendar:
R1 – Teretonga Motorsport Park Invercargill
24-25 January 2019
8 - 9 February 2020
R3 - Bay Park Arena, Tauranga
28 - 29 February 2020
R4 - Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Waikato
27 - 28 March 2020
R5 – The Grand Final, Pukekohe Park, Auckland
8 - 9 May 2020
2019-2020 D1NZ National Drifting Championship Pro-Sport Series Calendar:
R1 - Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park, Taupō
16 - 17 November 2019
R2 - Bay Park Arena, Tauranga
28 - 29 February 2020
R3 - Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Waikato
27 - 28 March 2020
R4 – The Grand Final, Pukekohe Park, Auckland
8 - 9 May 2020
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1) Judges Role Descriptions:
LINE The line judge has 35 points total to award to each driver during each qualifying pass. The point division and allocation will be determined by the Line judge at each course prior to competition and conveyed to the drivers during the driver’s briefings. Points will be allocated to outside zones and inner clips. Drivers will be judged on their ability to adhere to the line stipulated by the line judge during the driver’s briefings.
ANGLE The angle judge has 35 points total to award to each driver during each qualifying pass. The point division and allocation will be determined by the Angle judge at each course prior to competition and conveyed to the drivers during the driver’s briefings. Points will be allocated to outside zones and inner clips. Drivers will be judged on their ability to achieve and maintain a high level of angle, as described by the angle judge during the driver’s briefing.
STYLE The style judge has 30 points to award to each driver during each qualifying pass. His 30 points are divided into 3 categories.
FLUIDITY – (10pnts) Fluidity refers to how smooth the vehicle’s movements are as it completes the course. As the driver transitions between turns, the vehicle should flow from high angle in one direction to high angle in the next without any hiccups, bobbles or shaky movements. Fluidity is based on the vehicle’s movements on its rotational axis. The vehicle should flow smoothly throughout the entire run without visually breaking the course up into sections. IMPACT – (10pnts) Impact refers to how aggressively the driver attacks the outside zones and inner clips, how close to the edge of control the driver gets and how high-risk the run looks overall. Drivers will be judged on their overall boldness and confidence in the vehicle’s abilities, as well as their own. COMMITMENT/SPEED – (10pnts) Commitment refers to how confident and aggressive the driver is setting up for outside zones, inner clips and initiation. Drivers will be judged on their ability to use momentum, measured speed and throttle to approach the scored areas while using minimal e-brake to position their vehicles.
2) Driver Behaviour:
• A professional level of presentation and behaviour must be maintained at all times. • Any contact between competitor’s Vehicles outside of the judged section will result in disqualification at the COTC’s • discretion. • Drivers who repeatedly contact other Vehicles and are deemed dangerous by the Judges and/or Clerk of the Course will be disqualified from the event and potentially fined. • During testing, warm up and qualifying, drive according to your own skill (i.e. do not pass on the straights and then slow right down in front of other Drivers into the corners). No burnouts or speeding in pit lane (circuits pit lane speed limits to be obeyed – usually 20kph). • Any person or persons behaving in a manner deemed unsportsmanlike or engaging in acts of aggression as defined by track officials, hosting entity and/or venue staff, will be removed from the premises without refund. • In the case of a collision, Vehicle malfunction, or other reasons causing an inability to move the Vehicle while on course, the Driver is asked to wait in the Vehicle with seatbelts on and helmet worn until directed or assisted by a course marshal (exception to this rule will be any pending or visible fire or chemical hazards that threaten the Driver, then the Driver is advised to exit the Vehicle and proceed to a safe area away from the track). •
3) Use of Multiple Cars a) Multiple cars in Free Practice b) The use of a second car in the free practice sessions is permitted.
Qualification and Twin Battles: a) Once a driver is lined up at the qualifying start line for their first pass a driver cannot change cars. b) A car once on the start line must start under its own power. There will be no assistance or rolling starts from a standing start line.
4) Line Up & Scrub Drivers will be lined up on a Dummy Grid awaiting scrub before battle commencement. If a driver is not present on Dummy Grid when asked to scrub for battle- they will forfeit that battle. A maximum and minimum allocated time to return to the starting line after a run shall be allotted and if the maximum time is exceeded, this will result in disqualification. For this event, this time is 1 minute, timed from the moment the other competing Vehicle has lined up and is ready to go. The event organisers may disqualify any Driver for deliberate, on or off track, time wasting. All timeouts will be timed and at the discretion of the COTC. Scrub prior to a run may not exceed 30 seconds, or the driver may be disqualified from that battle
5) Starting Flag and Procedure Flags will be in compliance with Schedule DR
6) Qualifying Judging System – Single Pass • D1NZ Qualifying is Single Pass. During this time, Judges will select either a Top16, 24 or 32 standout drifters (according to the judging categories) to compete in the Drift Battle elimination heats. The Dummy Grid will be run in a marble draw format for Pro (Pro Sport will be in Reverse) so drivers with higher competitor numbers will start first and then it will proceed in reverse order from the Championship standings Post R1. • Each Driver will receive two non-consecutive single passes the highest scoring run will be counted as your scoring run. • Drivers can choose to only do 1 qualifying pass. • If a driver fails to attend the start line when required in the qualifying order that has been advised. The driver will forfeit that pass and not be awarded the 1 point for attendance of that pass. • Test runs - After a crash, the driver or a team member of the car(s) involved may ask the judges, through a COC, if he can test the car for a maximum of 1 run before his qualification run(s).
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7) Qualifying Scoring • Each Judge will receive one criterion to judge. The judged section will be broken down into (usually 2) smaller sections, each section will be worth a portion of the allocated points. The breakdown is as follows. Line 35. Angle 35. Style 30. D1NZ reserves the right to change this allocation on a per event basis and will send an amendment to drivers no later than two weeks prior to the round date. Drivers will be allocated 1 (one) point per qualifying run once their vehicle is positioned on the start line (on time) and can leave the line under their own power whether or not they complete the judged section.
8) Spinouts /Straight lines • Anytime a Driver spins out or experiences major under-steer or straight line during a run, a zero score will be awarded. A Low score will be awarded for minor straight lines/bobbles . A zero scored straightline is defined as ‘all 4 wheels gripped up and moving in the same direction for at least 1foot (30cms).
9) ReInitiation/Opposite Drift • Drivers will be deducted points for a reinitiation on entry to a judged section. If a driver has to reinititate during a run (without straightlining, and not due to the other driver) points will be deducted. If a driver performs opposite lock drift to that required in a judged course (without straight lining, and not due to the other driver) heavy points deduction will occur. Multiple opposite lock drift may result in a Zero.
10) Off Course • Unless otherwise specified during the judging meetings: -One (1) wheel off the track at once = minor set deduction points for that track. -Two(2) wheels off the track at once = major set deduction points for that track. -Three/Four wheels off the track at once = Zero. - In the event of a heavy wall collision it is at the judges discretion if the line carried; (1)how many wheels would have resulted off track and (2) the appropriate deduction.
11) Clipping Zones • Cones or other similar sign markings will denote all clipping points and zones, either inner or outer. Anytime an ‘Inner Clipping Cone’ is hit, the Vehicle will be considered to be off course and points will either be deducted or the Driver will be scored low depending on the severity of the hit. • Hitting an ‘Outer Clipping zone cone’ will be counted as off course and will be scored low. • Light contact or multiple scuff/rubbing with a wall in the ‘Outer Clipping Zone’ may result in a small point deduction if the hit does not disturb or affect the course of the Drivers run. This means no major corrections were needed after the hit and the Driver was still able to maintain good Line, Speed and Angle. If a major hit occurs judges may refer to the off course rule.
12) Fixed Point deductions •Fixed Point deductions will be set out in driver’s briefings and pre event judges notes prior to each event. Fixed point deductions may entail the following categories. a) 1 or 2 Wheel off b) Straight Line/Bobble c) Hand Brake d) Missed Clip
e) Proximity
13) Drift Battles • If a Top 24 Format is run - The Top 8 Drivers from qualifying will automatically gain entry into the Final Top 16 bracket. The Qualifying drivers 9-24 will battle out for the remaining eight places in Top 16. Drivers will compete in single elimination head-to-head battles and win their way through a standard driver bracket. Tandem rounds are based on two (2) runs in head-to-head format, with competitors paired up based on their rank determined by qualifying in both top 16 Brackets. The higher ranked Driver leads the first run and lower ranked Driver leading the second run (e.g. Top 9-24 battles, 9 vs 24, 10 vs 23, 11 v 22 / Top 16 Battles would be 1 vs 16 ( Number 16 being the Lowest qualifier out of 9-24 battle tree) For Top16 and Top 32 a standard Battle tree will be run and placed off qualifying as above. Lead Car: • At all times the lead car must run the line given by the judges and also maintain adequate speed throughout the course. If the lead car measures untypical speed, this may result in a score against that Driver. Untypical speed is defined as speeds of equivalent measurement from qualifying speeds. Drivers must be within 90% of their qualifying speeds. If the lead car loses drift, goes off line or reduces speed too drastically in comparison to that particular Driver’s qualifying speeds and the chase car hits the lead car, the lead car will in most cases be deemed at fault for the contact. It is each individual Judge’s job to ascertain fault. There may be circumstances where the lead car is not at fault for the contact but this will be left to each individual Judge to ascertain fault. The use of Speed guns, slow-mo replays and camera footage from Qualifying and battles only from D1NZ TV maybe used to ascertain fault. Chase Car • In general, the chase car needs to treat the lead car as a moving clipping point. The chase car needs to run the same basic line as the lead car. The chase car should attempt to gain proximity to the lead cars A Pillar, unless outlined otherwise by the Judges in briefing (This Proximity is measured at the Chase cars front wheel). Taking a lower line than the lead car (diving) will result in a loss of advantage if the lead car is on the correct line. If the lead car is slightly off line, then the chase car will gain advantage points by staying in close proximity to the lead car. The chase car should keep as close to the lead car as possible to gain the advantage. If the lead car is well off line, the chase car may use this as an opportunity to gain proximity on the lead car. In the event the lead car is unsafely heading off the track (Anticipating that the lead car will leave the course) drivers can revert to the Passing rule. In the event of the lead car driving off course into a wall, it is the chase cars responsibility to know where their car is placed on the track to avoid wall contact.
14) Passing • Passing is not encouraged during tandem battles. Passing is only allowed if the lead car is well off-line anticipating heading off track, or is clearly specified by a Judge in the Drivers meeting. Passing must be executed in a safe and professional manner. A safe pass is one that is done in such a way that the car being passed does not lose any speed after the pass is complete. Passing must be done while in drift, without interrupting the line of the car being passed and in the proper line. If a pass results in contact, the passing car may be penalised. If a Chase car passes the lead car but the lead car remains on track it does not automatically give the win to the chase car. If the chase car passes the lead car, it then becomes the lead car and must complete the judged section according to the lead car criteria, in order to be awarded a score.
15) Spin Rule • During tandem battles if the lead car spins or leaves the track the chase car is awarded a 10-0 automatically and is not required to drift the remaining section of the course. • During tandem battles if the chase car spins or leaves the track the lead car must still complete the full judged section to be awarded the 10-0 however if the Lead car also spins or leaves the track the score will be 0-0.
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16) Damage Due to Contact • Once contact is made and damage occurs to either Vehicle, the Judges using majority rule will ascertain fault. If damage due to contact occurs, both Drivers have a right to have their Spotter enact a ‘5 Minute Rule’. It is expected that in most cases, damaged Vehicles can be repaired in this time frame. • In some cases, damage sustained to the Vehicles may require more time to repair. At this point ONLY the Vehicle not at fault may ask for additional time. The team may, at the organisors discretion, have until the current tier of the battle tree is complete & the team is required to run in their next battle; or up to 10 minutes total repair time- whichever is the longer amount of time. • NOTE: This does not pre-empt team’s ability to call 5 Minutes for other purposes. In the spirit of time and the show, the COTC also reserves the right to continue the competition with the outstanding head- to-head matches of that particular round. The COTC will reassess the Vehicle between subsequent head-to-head match-up’s or even at the end of the Round. • In most cases, D1NZ will encourage Teams and Drivers to finish the head-to-head match-up, but there will be cases where Vehicles may not be able to be repaired or contact happened on the last run of a head-to- head in which case the Judges can make a call on the winner of the match. If a Team cannot repair their Vehicle and the Team was also not at fault during the incident, a D1NZ Official will verify that indeed the Vehicle is not repairable in time for the next round and declare the Driver the winner of the match. The Driver may move onto the next round or if the damage is too extreme, may exit from the competition.
17) Pace Zone • A pace cone, or comparable marker, may be placed on the starting straightaway to keep the Tandem Battles fair and close together. The use of a Pace Zone will be specified during the Driver’s briefing.
18) Start Chicane • Judges may elect to set up a Start Chicane at the startline. The chicane shall be used by the lead car to slow their start and allow the chase car to keep pace. The lead cars start shall be straight as normal. Lead cars that ‘sandbag’ or not perform the chicane as quickly as they can may have points deducted.
19) Bail Out Cones • Judges may elect (instead of a start chicane) to set up a pair of cones a certain distance after the start line and before the start of the Judged section. If a driver feels the other driver has ‘jumped the starter lights/flag’, or they have been unfairly ‘gapped’ from the start line; they must come to a complete stop before the Bail Out Cones to activate a ‘Bail Out’ • This method cannot be used if a driver makes an error (stall, missed gear etc) or a vehicle failure occurs. • Judges will have the final call if a Bail Out is legal or not.
20) Inactive Chase • Where two judges rule an inactive chase is present by the chase car the battle can be called to be re-run of the particular run that has been deemed inactive. If the re run battle is deemed to be also in active the judges may award the 10-0 win to the lead car. The judges may use qualifying or practice speed gun information to attain whether a chase is inactive.
21) Vehicle Service During Tandem • Competition vehicles cannot be serviced by their crew between the first and second runs of a tandem round to give an advantage. This includes tire changes, tire pressure adjustments, suspension adjustments, cooling of vehicle with water sprayers is allowed not on the start line however.
22) Five Minute Rule • At any time during the competition, a driver may elect to take a 5 minute 'Time Out'. Each driver gets 1 (one) 5 minute 'Time Out' per event. Any part of the 5 minutes not used will be forfeited, the driver can only use this 'Time Out' once. • A drivers 5 minute 'Time Out' can not be donated to; or used for another drivers benefit. • The five(5) Minutes Timeout will commence at the moment the competitor’s vehicle is placed in their allocated pit or area, or the competitor’s team commences work on the vehicle, whichever is the sooner • The 5 minutes will be officially timed by grid staff or representative and relayed to the Judges/Officials • The 5 minute rule cannot be used to change tires or make adjustments between passes.
23) Tyre Changing – Debead rule • A set of tires is expected to last a complete battle (2 passes) • Should a tire debead or be damaged during the judged section, they will be required to take their 5 minutes to refit or change that tire if the debead occurs on the first pass. Only the tire at fault may be refitted or changed. • At all times fault will be determined by the judges and whether the drivers 5minute rule will be engaged.
24) Tandem Eliminations • Three Judges will observe both runs during a head-to-head battle. There will be no declaration of scores between the two runs to give drivers an advantage. At the conclusion of the head-to-head battle, each Judge will individually declare a winner. Judges are allowed to converse but are not permitted to show their written winner to any other Judge.
Judge separation devices may be used. Judges will select from three options: Driver ‘A' / Name wins Driver ‘B’ / Name wins ‘One More Time’ (OMT)
• The majority will rule and a winner will be decided. In the event there is no clear majority, there will be an OMT or OMR as decided at the start of the season:
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1 - ‘One More Time’ will mean the competitors will begin another 2-run head-to-head battle. A maximum of 1 (one) re run will be allowed and a winner must be picked (Sudden Death) If a winner cannot be determined from the re run battle the Judges must pick a winner from the overall performance of the drivers from both battles. 2 ‘One More Run’ will mean there will be one more pass only. The highest qualifier will choose whether they will lead or chase. The judges must make a decision after the pass, the previous battle may be factored into their decision. The OMR pass will usually be done on the same tires as the previous battle- i.e NO tire change.
3 Examples of Decisions:
Judges Area and Viewing: a. All judging is performed from the top of the Judging Stand. If a clipping point is not visible from the Judging Stand, a flag system may be used to communicate whether a Driver properly scores the clipping point. b. Only Judges/Staff are permitted in the Judges Box/Area during Qualifying & Battles; unless specifically invited by the Judges.
END OF REGULATIONS: