[section last updated 09.09.08]
Section X.
Tandem drifting (“twin battle”) is one of the most exciting aspects of RC drifting. Here it’s driver vs. driver, where both competitors not only try to match their opponent, but also wow the crowd. Each driver will try to “out do” the other by drifting at speed, in proximity to the other driver, with aggressive yet smooth lines, good drift angle, and no driver errors. The driver judged best of each tandem will advance in the bracket.
A. The higher-seeded driver will be given the choice: lead or follow for the first judged lap. Drivers will switch positions for the second lap, and for every lap afterward.
B. A lap-by-lap run-through of a battle is as follows:
1. Drivers will start on a warm-up lap, and once they reach the start/finish line, they will line up so that the lead driver is up front in lead position. The chasing driver should line up no more than approximately three feet behind the lead driver; both drivers should now be ready to go.
2. When the cars are lined up, the judges will signal, “go” and the cars (driver 1 leading, driver 2 chasing) will start on their first judged lap.
3. Once both drivers pass the start/finish line at the end of the first judged lap, both drivers will switch positions in order to prepare for the second judged lap. Judges will debate and select scores.
4. Lap 1 Scores will be announced, and when the cars are lined up (this time, driver 2 is leading), the judges will signal, “go” again, for the second judged lap.
5. At the end of lap 2, scores will be combined and the higher scoring driver will advance to the next round.
C. Each battle lap will have a lead car and a chase car. Two battle laps will be done where each driver gets a chance to be the lead car. The following is expected of each car:
1. The front car is the “lead position”. It is easy to get a clean run while leading, and therefore you have a better chance of winning the battle lap. The lead car will want to do the following:
a. Drift a aggressive yet clean lap, with good speed, high angle, and smooth lines
b. Do not commit a driver error
c. Do not get cleanly passed
d. Keep or gain distance in front of the chase car
2. The second car is in the “chase position”. Precision and anticipation in this position can make or break the battle lap. The chase car will want to do the following:
a. Drift a clean lap, mimicking the aggression, speed, angle, and lines of the lead car
b. Do not commit a driver error
c. Take advantage of a clean passing opportunity
d. Keep or close the distance between themselves and the lead car
e. Do not deliberately come in contact with the lead car
D. The following situations are deciding factors in whether a driver wins or loses a battle lap:
1. The lead car may lose the battle lap if they:
a. Commit a driver error
b. Cannot maintain or extend the distance between themselves and the chase car
c. Get cleanly passed
2. The chase car may lose the battle lap if they:
a. Commit a driver error
b. Cannot keep or close the distance between themselves and the lead car
c. Initiate contact that causes the lead car to crash, spin, or jump an apex
d. Perform an illegal pass.
E. Including the above, judges will also take into consideration vehicle speed, angle of drift, proximity to the other car/corner/wall, fluidity of driving line, and overall visual impact of the drift.
F. Each driver will do three (3) laps, with one (1) warmup and two (2) tandem battle laps per run, thus:
LAP 1
Warmup, no points
LAP 2
Higher seed chooses to lead or chase.
Drivers line up at start line, then perform one tandem lap.
After crossing the finish line, drivers switch positions for next lap.
Judges formulate Lap 1 score based on all judging factors.
LAP 3
Drivers line up at start line, opposite lap 1 (lead is now chase, chase is now lead)
Drivers then perform one tandem lap.
After crossing the finish line Judges formulate Lap 2 score.
Lap 1 and 2 scores are combined to determine winner.
If there is a tie after Lap 1 and 2, then Drivers go to “Sudden Death” (below)
SUDDEN DEATH(S)
Lap 1 and 2 scores are thrown out.
Drivers repeat Lap 1 similar to above.
After crossing the finish line Judges formulate Lap 1 score.
Drivers repeat Lap 2 similar to above.
After crossing the finish line Judges formulate Lap 2 score.
Lap 1 and 2 scores are combined to determine winner.
If there is a tie, then Drivers repeat “Sudden Death”
G. For tandem battles, a “driver error” is defined as:
1. Loss of control – car is visibly out of control and not on the intended line or direction.
2. Stalling – car comes to a complete stop before, during, or after a drift or slows down to a point that the vehicle is no longer “in a drift” on a section of the course that is normally drifted when following the correct line.
3. Abrupt change of direction due to impact – situations of contact when car touches the corner dot or outer wall, and the drift direction, angle, and/or speed are abruptly altered.
4. Spin – car “overdrifts” at an angle so deep that the rear end of the car is leading the front.
5. Understeer/Washout – car’s front end goes away from the corner apex (or towards the wall during an outside line), lessening the overall drift angle of the car and causing the vehicle to drift wide.
6. Abrupt braking (brake checks): car comes to a complete or near-complete stop before, during, or after a segment of the course where normally a drift would occur.
7. Shallow drift: (at outside line section only) car takes a shallow line away from the outside line wall section.