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Understanding the In and Outs of Formula D Racing
If you are a car enthusiast, chances are you might be familiar with stockcar racing. NASCAR has created a great impact of auto fanatics since it started in United States. The speed and challenge of the game can really get you on you feet. But today, with the influence of the Japanese, there is a new twist to what we know as stockcar racing- Formula D Racing.
Formula D racing is also known as Formula Drifting, or simply Formula D. Although this type of racing started out underground, it has attained global appeal in the market since movie ‘The Fast and The Furious’ hit the silverscreen and other similar TV series and movies that focuses on the lifestyle of the said motor sports.
If you wanted to get into this sport, the first thing that you should know is what exactly is all about? Drifting is actually a driving technique wherein your vehicle’s rear slip angle is so much greater compared to your front slip angle. When this happens, your vehicle’s front wheels would point to the opposite direction.
So if you are turning left, the wheels of your vehicle are actually going to the right. In this instance, a normal driver would naturally lose his control over the car. You are on a drift, if you can control your car in this situation. Drifting is intentionally losing traction of your car and allows it to slide at a specific angle.
Although Formula D is referred to as some type of racing, it is very different from stockcar racing where the objective of the competition is to simply reach the finish line at the fastest time possible.
In Formula Drifting competitions, speed may be a factor, but the main thing judges would look after is a player’s drifting skills and drifting techniques. To become a professional drifter, it does not only take a good car with high-end car specifications, but it also takes a big amount of practice, effort, hard work, focus and determination to become one.
There are two types of Formula D racing. These include the qualifying rounds & tandem battles. In the traditional qualifying round, a single driver completes the courses on his own.
When it comes to tandem battles, it involves two drivers on a drift and the judges give them scores at the same time. Scoring involves carefully evaluating a driver’s drifting techniques.
Some of the factors that they look into are the car’s speed and the drifting line that the car has taken. It is also important to remain on track while drifting. During tandem battles, some of the things that are important when judging are the car’s collisions and passing.
Today, the only professional drifting series competition held in the United States is the Formula Drift Championship. It is the only series recognized by the SCCA Pro Racing.
The fact that the SCCA Pro Racing sanction the Formula Drift series, it only means that its aim to make the competition very objective and go by a certain set of rules. Being sanctioned by SCCA also means that Formula D has been accepted as a legitimate motor sport.
Because of the sponsors and organizations behind this sport, the crews and drivers are now getting the latest equipments that they need. This does not only benefit the drivers, but it also makes the competitions more entertaining for car enthusiasts.
Formula D Racing is fairly new to the racing industry in the United States. The first professional drifting competition is held last 2004 in Atlanta Georgia. There are a lot of car fans that are impressed by the car’s breathtaking stunts. They are also astounded by the skills of drivers in maneuvering their vehicles.
Although Formula D racing was not so popular in the United States up until 2004, it has received global attention already. In Japan alone, it is recognized as one of the most popular car sports. Because of the adrenaline rush and the challenge drifting brings to its players and audience, it has been popular in the US and all over the world.
If you wanted to watch Formula D competitions yourself, you might want to check out your local state for racing events. California, Georgia, New Jersey and Washington are just some of the states that are common race areas for drifting.
But if you cannot watch the competition live, you can always tune in to G4TV where they cover most Formula D events with live interviews, behind the scenes and a lot more. Get into the rush and have a glimpse of Formula D racing today!