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Press Release: Team SA R34 deemed ineligible For Formula DRIFT

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  • Press Release: Team SA R34 deemed ineligible For Formula DRIFT

    The Team SA R34 has recently been deemed ineligible for the Formula DRIFT series in it's current state. The team has been accessed several fines, penalties, and faces possible removal from the series if the issues are not remedied.

    The main issue stems from the vehicle's current OEM front strut suspension setup. The setup, being OEM, is in compliance with the Japanese version of the rulebook but apparently not with the English version according to the current interpretation. Despite the suspension setup remaining OEM and from the same chassis, Formula D currently has deemed it ineligible. The decision has come as quite a shock to many in the series as a decision to allow the Scion tC to compete in the series seemingly put to rest the same issue at the start of the season. The decision effectively made the chassis, not the model, the deciding factor in vehicle eligibility. (a decision we are very much in agreement with) Unfortunately, for Team SA, consistency with this ruling is not being seen, leaving many to wonder how level the playing field is when what applies to one vehicle, does not apply to another.

    The other question that has been left unanswered at this point is why, if the model of the car is now the deciding factor instead of the chassis, the current OEM suspension setup on the R34 has not been allowed. Considering that it is using OEM parts and does not give the vehicle an unfair advantage, the question remains. We must also note that several other vehicles in the series have more drastic changes in suspension design. Are these suspension changes unapproved and deemed ineligible now as well? At this point, we cannot comment on the situation as we have more unanswered questions than answers.

    Formula DRIFT has yet to respond to requests for a description of the appeal process to this decision, or a detailed list of previously given rule exemptions. We fear that neither exist, and the series is unprepared for this type of action. The lack of both puts several vehicles in the series in question. Formula DRIFT Chief Steward has already stated that "we have several other actions pending with other competitors," leaving us to wonder if they will be subject to the same fines and penalties.

    Despite the rulebook's lack of a appeal process, or a list of previously allowed exemptions for specific vehicles, and TIME, Team SA is continuing to explore options to have this decision overturned, seeking a sense of consistency, balance and fairness to be restored to the series.
    Last edited by sa-drift.com; 07-01-2008, 08:08 PM.

  • #2
    wonderful job Formula D.

    You're really starting to shoot yourself in the foot.

    Comment


    • #3
      ^^ agreed.

      why the sudden change FD? you approved the car TWICE...why do you say NO now?

      Comment


      • #4
        time for a new series? all star bash cup?

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Brian View Post
          wonderful job Formula D.

          You're really starting to shoot yourself in the foot.
          +1

          Why the SA R34 is not allowed to compete, or is this just a mystery to everybody? If the suspension layout is the OEM, then how can it not be allowed to compete? What was the specific reason FD gave for making it ineligible?
          Last edited by Inferno; 07-01-2008, 11:06 PM.

          Comment


          • #6
            I don't get it.

            The way the rules are worded it sounds like every single car in the series is in trouble.

            I mean So if I swaped my front control arms for E30 M3 arms then that could be illegal even because thats more out there than stuff from a C34 to a R34

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Inferno View Post
              +1

              Why the SA R34 is not allowed to compete, or is this just a mystery to everybody? If the suspension layout is the OEM, then how can it not be allowed to compete? What was the specific reason FD gave for making it ineligible?
              OEM - Original Equipment Manufacture

              This word is misused all over the place. If you put a Corvette suspension on a Camaro, that would be an OEM suspension swap. Both cars are made by the same OEM.

              Does nobody know that OEM means?

              If you want people to maintain stock suspension you need to say Stock, and not OEM.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by GBC View Post
                OEM - Original Equipment Manufacture

                This word is misused all over the place. If you put a Corvette suspension on a Camaro, that would be an OEM suspension swap. Both cars are made by the same OEM.

                Does nobody know that OEM means?

                If you want people to maintain stock suspension you need to say Stock, and not OEM.
                Well there you go...by definition there shouldn't really be an infraction...and yet here we are.

                Chances are after this Formula D is going to do just as you suggested.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by deadpirate View Post
                  ^^ agreed.

                  why the sudden change FD? you approved the car TWICE...why do you say NO now?
                  5.1 INFORMAL INQUIRY
                  Prior to lodging a formal protest, participants are encouraged to attempt to resolve their disputes informally. Immediately upon acquiring knowledge of facts that could potentially be the subject of a dispute, affected parties may verbally notify a FORMULA DRIFT OFFICIAL of these facts. The OFFICIAL will determine the appropriate response will attempt to respond immediately, but may defer the issue to the CHIEF STEWARD. It may be necessary to defer
                  any decision or response and participants should not always expect an immediate resolution.
                  An Informal Inquiry shall in no way interfere with the duties of the OFFICIAL, or the operation or safety of the event or other participants.

                  --

                  I believe an "informal inquiry" was made at Long Beach, CA (Round 1). Perhaps the decision was deferred until recently.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Brian View Post
                    wonderful job Formula D.

                    You're really starting to shoot yourself in the foot.
                    No...no. They pulled the trigger, but the gun didn't fire. They get 5 minutes to fix it, right ;-)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by MonkeySlide View Post
                      Well there you go...by definition there shouldn't really be an infraction...and yet here we are.

                      Chances are after this Formula D is going to do just as you suggested.
                      ...but but but...."OEM" just sounds more expensive. "Stock" just sounds cheap.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Inferno View Post
                        +1

                        Why the SA R34 is not allowed to compete, or is this just a mystery to everybody? If the suspension layout is the OEM, then how can it not be allowed to compete? What was the specific reason FD gave for making it ineligible?
                        There's another thread on this board that has discussed all this in great detail. I'll let you find it yourself. ;-)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by GBC View Post
                          OEM - Original Equipment Manufacture

                          This word is misused all over the place. If you put a Corvette suspension on a Camaro, that would be an OEM suspension swap. Both cars are made by the same OEM.

                          Does nobody know that OEM means?

                          If you want people to maintain stock suspension you need to say Stock, and not OEM.
                          We're not talking Corvette to Camaro...it's more like if you put Trans Am suspension on a Camaro would it be ok? Same chassis, same part #'s. So are the parts Trans Am parts or Camaro parts? Both OEM for the same chassis like what we have on the Skyline.

                          To be specific, Formula D has acknowledged that it's all OEM, but take issue with it not being OEM Skyline, even though the Stagea is the "Skyline Wagon" and the dbl arm suspension setup on Stagea, Laurel, and Skyline are all the exact same pieces...the strut pieces we used are the same on both the Stagea and Laurel...making them chassis-specific parts, not model specific. It was also mentioned that a Skyline with struts suspension is unheard of but that if the parts used were OEM Skyline from another model, we'd be safe....



                          R31 anyone? The skyline was nothing but strut setup til the 32....
                          Last edited by sa-drift.com; 07-02-2008, 05:27 AM.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Formula D is still a relatively new organization. Just like the mess with Rhys Millen's points deductions last year, I'm sure that a lot of this stuff hasn't been thought through completely and won't be until something comes up that makes them take another look at how things are done. Safety guidleines are the same way, until someone is seriously hurt or killed in a competition drift car we won't really know if the current requirements are good enough.

                            Unfortunately, someone like Team SA occassionally has to bend over and take it while Formula D revamps the rule book so that it's consistent and fair. You guys weren't the first and I'm sure you won't be the last. All we can hope is that you getting screwed means that the rules will be clearer and more consistent in the future.

                            I'm sure Nascar, NHRA, Formula 1 and all of the other racing organizations that have been around for decades have had this same problem at one point or another. It sucks, but it's just part of the process.

                            I hope you guys can get this whole thing squared away so you can compete again.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              continue the discussion on this thread
                              http://www.drifting.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25200

                              Comment

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