[section last updated 09.09.08]
Section VII.
The 3-point method is a combination of objective and subjective scoring. During qualifying, points will be earned when a driver can combine speed, smoothness, and angle while hitting the specific scoring zones (or clipping points) that are marked on the course. Drivers will want to hit all scoring zones while driving fast, smooth, and with good angle to gain qualifying points. These qualifying points will determine each driver’s position in the tandem bracket battle.
Advantages to using the 3-point method:
- Drivers may earn extra points for speed and/or fluidity
- Drivers earn more through consistency
- Drivers are required to qualify at high speed
- Smooth lines earn points
- Less points to calculate for seeding
Details to consider when using the 3-point method:
- More pressure on drivers to impress judges
- Driver performance and judges evaluation determines qualifying score
- Scoring zones must be visible by all scoring/judging staff
A. Driver earn points by drifting their vehicle through a series of scoring zones. The scoring zones are specific points on the track (usually positioned at a corner dot or an outside wall) that is placed within the natural driving flow of the course.
B. No zone will be randomly placed in an awkward spot away from the natural flow of the course and/or the desired driving line.
C. There are 3 scoring zones per lap, placed as consecutive as possible, in an area of the course that can be easily seen and judged by the event staff.
D. Upon approaching a scoring zone, the goal of the driver is to:
1. Enter the zone in a drift
2. Proceed through the zone while in a drift
3. Drift as close to the clipping point as possible
4. Exit the zone in a drift
5. Do not allow front tires or body to make contact with the clipping point (the front bumper may ride over the corner dot, but must not make actual contact with the corner dot)
6. Do not stall, spin, crash, or lose the drift.
E. Zones should be marked using the following specifications:
1. Zones should be marked with sidewalk chalk, 1 to 2″ wide high-adhesive colored duct tape, or 1 to 2″ wide reflective vinyl strips. They should be in bright colors, easily visible from the driver’s area and the judging area. Two parallel lines measuring 18″ long should be made parallel to the angle at which a vehicle would be if rifting through that apex. See diagram above.
2. Corner Apex and Switch Back scoring zones should have hash marks with 6” of space for the 3-point area, 6″ of space for the 2-point area, and 6″ to no limit for the 1-point area. Marks should be easily visible from the drivers area and the judging area.
3. For Outside Line zones where the arc of the intended drifting line is large, the zone width can be extended, as long as the zone depth (18″) and scoring area spacing (6″) remain the same.
F. There are three (3) types of scoring zones where drivers can earn objective qualifying points for bracket seeding. These are shown in the diagrams below:
1. Corner Apex - A standard apex point of a corner
For a Corner Apex zone, the driver must initiate a drift before reaching the scoring zone, facing the nose of the vehicle toward the clipping point. The driver will then pass through the zone in mid-drift, scoring points for their qualifying score.
3-points awarded if nose of vehicle is inside the “A” section
2-points awarded if nose of vehicle is inside the “B” section
1- point awarded if the driver simply executes a drift
0-point if the driver does not execute a drift
0-point for driver error (spin, stall, crash)
2. Outside Line - A section of the course where drivers must take a wide line in order to drift as close as possible to an outside wall or retainer
For the Outside Line zone, the driver must initiate a drift before reaching the scoring zone, facing the nose of the vehicle away from the outside wall. The driver will then drift through the zone in mid-drift, while trying to get the tail of their vehicle as close to the outside wall as possible, scoring points for their qualifying score.
3-points awarded if tail of vehicle is inside the “A” section
2-points awarded if tail of vehicle is inside the “B” section
1- point awarded if the driver simply executes a drift
0-point if the driver does not execute a drift
0-point for driver error (spin, stall, crash)
3. Switchback Entry - A zone that requires drivers to enter drifting to one side, then “switchback” and drift the other side as it approaches the clipping point
For a Switchback Entry zone, the driver must first be drifting facing the nose of the vehicle away from the clipping point. Before they reach the clipping point, the driver must perform a “switchback” and turn their drift the opposite direction so that the nose of the vehicle is now facing the clipping point.This “switchback” maneuver should be done in one fluid motion, without losing the drift in between. The driver will then pass through the zone in mid-drift, scoring points for their qualifying score.
3-points awarded if nose of vehicle is inside the “A” section
2-points awarded if nose of vehicle is inside the “B” section
1- point awarded if the driver simply executes a drift
0-point if the driver does not execute a drift
0-point for driver error (spin, stall, crash)
G. Along with zone points scored, judges will determine for each driver if that driver has earned two (2) available “bonus points”:
1. One (1) point bonus for displaying aggressiveness and high speed during their qualifying run.
2. One (1) point bonus for driving with smooth and fluid lines during their qualifying run.
H. Each driver will do three (3) laps, with one (1) warmup and two (2) scoring laps per run. Each lap will have three (3) scoring zones, thus:
LAP 1
Warmup, no points
+
LAP 2
Zone 1 = 3 points maximum earned
Zone 2 = 3 points maximum earned
Zone 3 = 3 points maximum earned
+
LAP 3
Zone 1 = 3 points maximum earned
Zone 2 = 3 points maximum earned
Zone 3 = 3 points maximum earned
+
Possible +1 bonus point for high speed
+
Possible +1 bonus point for fluidity
=
20 TOTAL AVAILABLE POINTS PER QUALIFYING RUN
I. There are no points deductions during qualifying; either the driver earns points or they don’t.
J. A driver will have a perfect qualifying score if they accumulate 20 points in one qualifying session.