It looks like Formula Drift has issued some updates on the new tire/weight rules which appears to be what Conrad Grunewald spoke of earlier in a post. The whole section seems to have some changes so we went ahead and posted it all up. The weight/tire rule is now divided by 100lbs. each instead of the 200lbs. as previously listed in November. What are your new thoughts on the rule update?
9.1 TIRE SIZE REGULATION
Cars are limited to the size of the rear tire that can be used, depending on the weight of the vehicle. There are 13 weight classes, each spanning 100 lbs. A car must be track-ready, and running when it is weighed and registered to a weight class. A car will be weighed WITH the driver, and once the car is registered to a weight class, it will be recorded, and issued a class-specific sticker that must be displayed prominently on the windshield. A car’s weight may fluctuate within the limits of its weight class, but it can never weigh less than the minimum weight for its registered class. Tire sizes are AS MEASURED in mm, across the span of the contact patch. Tires will be measured on the rim, while on the car, while the car is on the ground. Tire size must not exceed the maximum size dictated by class at any time on track. Tire size will be measured and verified on track before the start of every tandem round. A Formula D official may also check tire size at any time during the event.
Weight and Tire Classes-
2000-2099lbs up to 215mm
2100-2199lbs up to 225mm
2200-2299lbs up to 235mm
2300-2399lbs up to 245mm
2400-2499lbs up to 255mm
2500-2599lbs up to 265mm
2600-2699lbs up to 275mm
2700-2799lbs up to 285mm
2800-2899lbs up to 295mm
2900-2999lbs up to 305mm
3000-3099lbs up to 315mm
3100-3199lbs up to 325mm
3200-3299lbs up to 335mm
Weight Compliance
All cars must be weighed in a ready to drive state. Formula Drift will include this weighing at a mandatory pre-event inspection before the first event. Cars will be weighed WITH driver, complete with all required bodywork and safety equipment installed. Drivers must be fully suited with helmets during the weigh-in process. Cars may only be weighed and registered upon passing their annual safety and technical inspection.
A car can only be weighed and registered before the official start of a Formula Drift event. Cars may be weighed before any event, only during the regular technical inspection hours provided. The vehicle may not change weight classes at any time during an event. It is required of each competitor to inform Formula Drift Professional Drifting 2011 Rules and Regulations 39 As of 1/28/2011
the Formula Drift Technical Manager in writing of any modification(s) to their vehicle that alters the weight of the vehicle by more than 10 lbs. Formula Drift will be impounding all podium finishers immediately after end of competition and they will be checked for weight and tire size compliance. There will also be random compliance checks at any time during the Formula Drift events, at Formula Drift’s discretion. Formula Drift reserves the right to weigh cars at any time before, during or after an event.
Ballast
A car may have up to 50 lbs of ballast weight added to it. Ballast must serve only the unique purpose of adding weight to a vehicle. Formula Drift officials must approve all weight material. Blocks must weight no less than 5 pounds each and cannot be made of liquid of any type, pellets or any other granulated material. Added weight must be securely bolted in place on the vehicle. No weight shifting devices are allowed. This included but not limited to hydraulic or electronic devices. Ballast must be mounted ahead of the rear axle.
Tire Measuring Procedure
Rear tires will be measured while on the vehicle, on the ground, in a ready-to-drive state. Tires will be measured across the width of the tread 3” up from where the tread meets the ground, from the rear of the car. The measuring device is a flat sliding ruler with 2 legs extending out from the flat at 45 degrees. With the legs contacting the sidewall, and the flat contacting the tread, the measure “A” is the width of the tire, measured across the tips of the legs.
For a tire to be compliant for a certain weight class it must fall within the designated size range within the measuring device.
The official measuring tool will be available from Formula D directly for purchase.
