[section last updated 09.09.08]
Section IX.
After individual qualifying, all drivers in each class will be placed in a two brackets - a “high” and a “low” bracket. The top 15 drivers who qualified with the highest points will be placed into the High bracket, seeds 1-15. Qualifying drivers from 16-on will be placed into the Low bracket. Both brackets will be used to determine the tandem battles (two cars simultaneous drifting) and drivers will be eliminated one by one until a winner is determined.
NOTE: For smaller events, an alternative method is by doing Single Elimination. For details on this method, check the Ruleset Downloads page.
The top 15 drivers with the highest qualifying points automatically fill seeds 1 to 15 in the High Bracket. Qualifying drivers 16-on are placed into the Low Bracket. Because there are two brackets, the Low Bracket goes first. At the conclusion of the Low Bracket, the winner of the Low Bracket will have the option to take the win, or forfeit the win and bump up into the 16th seed in the High Bracket.
Advantages to “High/Low” method:
- High Bracket tandem competition will be tighter
- Drivers more likely grouped by similar skill in tandem battle
- Low Bracket allows lower qualifiers to experience a Best-16 format
- Consolation prize offered to the the winner of the Low Bracket
- Low Bracket winner can forfeit the prize and bump up into the High Bracket at seed #16
Details to consider when using the “High/Low” method:
- Top 15 qualifiers seeded in High Bracket must wait for Low Bracket to conclude first
- Every tandem battle is “do or die” for all drivers
- Prizes should be offered to top-3 in High bracket and top-1 in Low bracket
The “High/Low” method essentially involves two (2) separate brackets. The High Bracket is a Top-16 bracket, just like full-sized drifting competitions. The Low Bracket can be any size, since it must accommodate all qualifying drivers who finished qualifying in the 16th position and lower.
A. BRACKET 1 (Low bracket)
1. All drivers #16-on are placed in a single bracket in order of qualifying.
2. All drivers will battle in tandem competition until there is a winner of the Low bracket.
3. The winner of the Low bracket may choose one of two options:
a. Take the win in Low Bracket, get the Low Bracket 1st place prize.
or
b. Forfeit the win and consolation prize in Low Bracket, and bump up to compete again in the High bracket from seed #16.
4. If the winner of the Low Bracket chooses to bump-up, then the driver that finished 2nd place in the Low Bracket will receive the Low Bracket 1st place prize.
5. If the winner of the Low Bracket chooses to bump-up, they will still be recognized as the winner of the Low Bracket; finishing order does not change.
6. If the winner of the Low Bracket does not choose to bump-up, the 2nd place finalist in the Low bracket will be given the opportunity to bump up.
7. If neither Low Bracket finalists chooses to bump-up, then the High Bracket will commence with 15 drivers (the top qualifier will get a by-run.)
B. BRACKET 2 (High bracket)
1. The high bracket consists of the top 15 drivers who advanced through the main bracket and have avoided elimination upon entering the “Best-16.”
2. The 16th spot is reserved for the bump-up from the Low bracket.
3. This is the main event, and the drivers remaining will battle it out, single-elimination style, until a winner is crowned.
C. In the event that there are less than a “full” bracket (8/16/32/64), certain drivers (the higher-seeded drivers, in order) may receive a “by run” (automatic advance to the next bracket level) in order to accommodate the bracket layout.
D. Prize handouts should be given to the top-3 drivers in the High Bracket and the top-1 driver in the Low Bracket.
E. Qualifying zones no longer apply during twin battle, and the drivers have the entire width of the lane to use for or against them in battle. However, if the judges announce beforehand that they want to see a certain line being driven during tandem battle, the staff will address this. Usually at least one of the clipping points used during qualifying will play a role during tandem battle.
F. If, after qualifying but before tandem battle begins, a driver cannot compete in their bracket battle for whatever reason, the bracket order may be revised so that no drivers receive two “by runs” in a row.
G. Tandem battles will always begin with the match-up involving the lowest-seeded driver.