[section last updated 09.09.08]
Section XIII.
Because of the nature of high speed drifting, in tight quarters, on low-traction tires, there will be situations where cars competing will physically touch each other. These situations are unavoidable (especially in the lower skill level classes) and should be dealt with as follows.
A. Incidents of contact will have to be judged on a “case-by-case” basis, depending on the following factors:
1. If contact occurs during the normal course of drifting, and neither car moves out of the desired driving line.
2. If contact occurs when chase car was attempting a legal pass.
3. If contact occurs due to an abrupt change in speed by the lead car.
B. If an incident of contact occurs, once the judges have formulated a score for that lap, it is suggested that the judges explain to the drivers why they score the lap the way they did, so that the drivers will get a good explanation of what to expect if they are involved in an incident of contact during competition.
C. Some incidents of contact may be very “light” in that the contact might be something like a light tap, or fender to fender contact, in which neither driver’s speed, angle, or line is dramatically affected. Each of these situations should be talked over by the judges while formulating a lap score.
D. Judges have the final say on if an incident of contact is considered or not during the formulation of lap scores.