MBN The Monte Bubbles Network

Drifting Video

Mar 25

Konig Wheels has signed on with NOPI Motorsports to make the 2007 season that much better. Konig Wheels has been a leader in the wheel marketplace for many years now, and it’s great to have them apart of not only the NDRA Season but also the NOPI Professional Drift Series. Konig has setup a special contingency program for NOPI Motorsports and is looking forward to working close with both drag racers and drifters that are looking to get further involved with Konig Wheels. Right now Konig is looking for cars to sponsor and is open to proposals regarding this.

“I love the fact that Konig Wheels is not just coming into NOPI Motorsports as a sponsor, but they are also coming into this whole thing with the willingness and desire to work with the drivers on both NDRA and the NOPI Professional Drift Series. This is the attitude that we love and know will make a great impact.” Said Michael Meyers, President of NOPI Motorsports.

NDRA – $200.00 for the winner and $100.00 for the runner up.

NOPI Professional Drift Series - $500.00 for the winner and $350.00 for the runner up.

If you would like to inquire about a sponsorship package with Konig Wheels, you can email your questions and proposals to John Miles at jmiles@theoryconcept.com. Sign onto www.konigwheels.com for more information on Konig Wheels.

Mar 13

Section 4: NOPI DRIFT Payouts and Awards
4.1> NOPI DRIFT 2006 Payouts: Thanks to the support of dozens of manufacturers, NOPI DRIFT is able to post the largest payout in US Drifting. The NOPI DRIFT issues your payment at the track. Full discretion on the payouts is left up to the Paying Agent. In addition to payouts, several companies have posted performance bonuses where noted. Contingency awards information is provided to ALL competitors at the track.


Event Winner - $5,000.00
Event Runner-up - $2,000.00
Third Place - $1,000.00
Fourth Place - $600.00
Fifth Place - $500.00
Sixth Place - $400.00
Seventh Place - $300.00
Eight Place - $200.00


Grand Total $10,000 Per Event


Must be NOPI DRIFT member to receive payouts

4.2> Special Bonus Programs: In addition to NOPI DRIFT's huge cash purse, bonuses are frequently offered. These will be posted to the NOPI DRIFT web site when available. Participants must be members of NOPI DRIFT in order to receive these bonuses.
4.3> Contingency Awards Program: This program is open ONLY to NOPI DRIFT members. In order to be eligible, participants must meet each of the following requirements:
• Buy and install the components as listed on the 2006 NOPI DRIFT Contingency Information Sheet.
• Obtain and attach 2 decals of the appropriate size (maximum of 36 SQUARE inches), 1 on each side of car for the entire event, plus wear 2 NOPI DRIFT & NOPI decals, 1 on each side of the vehicle and be wearing no decals of series competing with NOPI DRIFT or competitor of NOPI.
• Provide proof of purchase for those items that cannot be seen in a visual inspection
• Report for an inspection of eligibility at the conclusion of each NOPI DRIFT event
• Do not have decals of competing products attached to the vehicle
• Finish in first or second place. Contingency awards are NOT posted for semi-finalists or beyond. NOPI DRIFT inspectors will examine the vehicle at the end of each event and fill out a sheet that is mailed directly to the sponsor within days of the event. Sponsors are allowed 4-6 weeks to determine eligibility and process payments to the competitor. It is your responsibility to report to the designated area at the event within the time allotted. Cars will NOT be inspected in your pit area or on your trailer. If a competitor has not received payment within 8 weeks, prior to NOPI DRIFT taking action, competitors must first contact the sponsor and make a written request (NOPI DRIFT) to obtain a written statement as to why payment has not been issued. NOPI DRIFT will not take any action until this step has been taken. Those sponsors that do not issue accounting of payments to competitors when requested by NOPI DRIFT or those that do not produce valid explanations as to why payment has not been rendered shall have on-site and display privileges revoked until they are in full compliance.

Section 5: Championship Points Fund
5.1> Program Details-
In order to be eligible, follow the guidelines set forth below:
• All 8 NOPI DRIFT events count for points. Any and all Competitors can earn points at every event.
• Some events may be counted for double points this is done in deference to the fact that a majority of the schedule is at east coast tracks. NOPI DRIFT reserves the right to designate double points event with 30 days notice to NOPI DRIFT web site (check NOPI.com)
• Champions will be awarded at the end of the season.
• Points are awarded to driver, but driver may not change cars after qualifying starts. Drivers may substitute a different car prior to start of Qualifying, but once that car is qualified, another driver cannot take the helm or score any points with it nor can driver switch cars.
• Cars used to qualify or earn points must be legitimate Drift cars. NOPI DRIFT reserves the right to make the final determination.
• Points cannot travel with car or team. Points travel with driver only.
• In situations where driver has a bye-run, driver will be considered the winner only after he stages and starts in accordance with the rules.
5.2> Championship Points Structure:
32 CAR FIELDS:

100 points: Event Winner in class
80 points: Event Runner-up in class
60 points: Third round loser
40 points: Second round loser
20 points: First round loser
32 points: #1 Qualifier
30 points: #2 Qualifier
28 points: #3 Qualifier
26 points: #4 Qualifier
24 points: #5 Qualifier
22 points: #6 Qualifier
20 points: #7 Qualifier
18 points: #8 Qualifier
16 points: #9 Qualifier
14 points: #10 Qualifier
12 points: #11 Qualifier
10 points: #12 Qualifier
8 points: #13 Qualifier
6 points: #14 Qualifier
4 points: #15 Qualifier
2 points: #16 Qualifier

16 CAR FIELDS:

100 points: Event Winner in class
80 points: Event Runner-up in class
60 points: Second round loser
40 points: First round loser

16 points: #1 Qualifier
14 points: #2 Qualifier
12 points: #3 Qualifier
10 points: #4 Qualifier
8 points: #5 Qualifier
6 points: #6 Qualifier
4 points: #7 Qualifier
2 points: #8 Qualifier




10 points: To each competitor that completes at least one qualifying pass

POINT DEDUCTIONS:
10 points: per oil down after two per event.
20 points: for Competitor or Team mis-conduct. Per occurrence.
All applicable standards on staging and event wins must be met for points to be awarded.
Points travel with the driver, not the car, meaning that any one driver can substitute cars from one event to another, as long as it is in the same class. Driver must have a valid run recorded in order to be placed into Eliminations.
Points Awards: Points cannot be transferred to other drivers. If any event is postponed for any reason prior to the start of Eliminations for that category, it is necessary that any car and driver still eligible for competition be in attendance at the rescheduled date to be eligible for all points and cash awards based on Eliminations. Drivers not returning for the make up will not have the event charged to their quota (no points deducted for not attending all events, if applicable). NOPI DRIFT, at our discretion, may insert alternate drivers who shall be eligible for all cash and point's awards based on their performance in Eliminations. If the event is called during Eliminations for weather, contestants unable to return will be awarded points up to the round completed prior to postponement. NOTE: NOPI DRIFT may choose, in the case of multiple rainouts, and where make-up events are not possible or convenient, to calculate the championship based off of fewer than all scheduled events solely at our discretion. This means that every performance at every event may be crucial.


Section 6: NOPI DRIFT Approved vehicle list (Others may apply, check with NOPI DRIFT) (nopitec@nopi.com)


6.1> Vehicle List.
A) Coupes, sedans, or wagons of no more than 4 doors and a rear hatch are allowed to compete. Sport compact trucks and midsize SUV’s are allowed. All vehicles must be RWD for competition.
Please see the approved vehicle list for exact listings.
Must be a production vehicle. No kit cars will be allowed.
C) Original unibody or frame structure between front and rear suspension mounting points must not be altered. Any modifications in front of the front suspension mounting points and behind the rear suspension mounting points are allowed.
D) Vehicles that are questionable may petition NOPI for approval 60 days prior to an event. No petitions will be granted at events

Acura
NSX

Audi
A4 Quatro
S4
A6
A8
RS4
RS6
TT

BMW
3 series
5 series
6 series
7 series
8series
Z series

Buick
Grand National

Chevrolet/Pontiac
Camaro
Canyon
Colorado
Corvette
El Camino
Grand Prix (RWD Chassis only)
GTO
Monte Carlo (RWD Chassis only)
Solstice
S-10

Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth
300C
Nitro
Prowler
Stealth
Viper

Datsun/Nissan
180SX
200SX
240SX
210/510/610/710
Z-Car
Skyline
Silvia
Pick-up

Eagle
Talon

Ford/Mercury
Mustang/Capri
Pinto/Bobcat
Ranger



GMC
Cyclone
S-15
Senoma
Typhoon

Honda
S2000


Infiniti
G series
M series
Q series



Lexus
IS250/300/350
GS300/400
SC300/400
LS300/400/430



Mazda
RX-3
RX-4
RX-7
RX-8
Miata
B-series Pick-up

Mercedes
C-class
SLK
CLK

Mitsubishi
Evolution
3000GT
Eclipse
Starion/Conquest

Saturn
Sky

Subaru
Brat
Forester
Legacy
Outback
Impreza
SVX
WRX

Toyota
Aristo
Altezza
Corolla
Mr2
Supra
Tacoma
Pick up


Pit Exhibits:
Pit exhibits are prohibited unless approved by the event director. The NOPI DRIFT does not allow sales activity in the pit area. Special provisions can be made for NOPI DRIFT sponsor’s exhibits but must be arranged prior to the event.
Vehicles sponsors are identified on vehicle and trailer within pit area. No displays of merchandise, samples, literature, catalogs, inflatables or etc are allowed without written permission from the NOPI DRIFT or event director. Vehicles sponsors (if not current NOPI DRIFT sponsor 

Mar 3

What is drifting?

 Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motorsport that calls for drivers to control a 450hp car while it slides sideways at high speed through a marked course. It is similar to rally racing, but is done on a closed course and judged on execution and style rather than who finishes the course fastest. Drifting takes all the thrilling moments of traditional motorsports and packs it together into non-stop competition. The D1 Grand Prix takes the excitement one step further by being the only drifting competition that features aggressive side-by-side action as finalists burn up the course two-at-a-time often only inches apart.

Drifting pros finesse their cars into spectacular powerslides around a series of corners of a set course as powerful engines roar and the tires bellow smoke. The driver controls engine power, shifts gears and feathers the brake pedal, while at the same time spinning the steering wheel in a precise fashion from left to right linking corners with pinpoint accuracy. The driver is controlling and maneuvering the car beyond the limits of the tires' traction.

History

Drifting started in Japan approximately 10 years ago. Today, drifting is so accepted and popular that drivers have become recognized celebrities. 

In time, drifting evolved into an officially sanctioned sport called the D1 Grand Prix in which top Japanese professional drivers compete in a series of events to determine the best drifter. Amateur drifting events take place in Europe, Australia and now in the U.S., but the D1 Grand Prix remains the only pro drifting series in the world. 

U.S.-based drifting has been an underground sport for the last few years but professional drifting has only taken off in the States recently. In Spring 2003, top professional Japanese drivers participated in a demonstration event in front of a large audience at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA. Now, only six months after that electrifying debut, Slipstream Global Marketing, along with Yokohama Tire Corporation as title sponsor, have brought the D1 Grand Prix All Star Invitational to the U.S. in its official debut appearance outside Japan. 

The American Drifting Scene

As the more mainstream compact performance enthusiast or "import tuner" scene continues to explode across the U.S., it fuels the demand for Japanese-inspired trends. 

What is Drifting

As car club leaders and magazine editors look to Japan for the newest trends, they began to take notice of the hugely popular D1 Grand Prix. Today there are several small U.S. based drifting teams, primarily on the West Coast, that meet at local tracks to practice and compete, as well as learn new techniques.

Mar 1

Nopi Drift Drivers Meeting

 Drift Association Competition and Drift Day Rules and Regulations 2004

(Rules in effect November 2003 and through 2004 and may change at any time)



I. Technical Inspection and Vehicle Safety Standards



A) Basic Standards for Single Competitions and Practice, Open Track and Schools

1. At least 2 spare tires (no one will be allowed to run with "temporary spare" tires or tires with no tread left)

2. Brake pads must have more than 25% of original condition

3. Brakes must be properly bled and all seals in good condition, pedal and linkages must be free of excessive wear, play and malfunction or missing parts.

4. Snell SA95, MA95 or newer rating approved helmet (drivers and passengers where allowed) NO LOANER AVAILABLE

5. Remove floor mat, loose items.

6. Remove all hubcaps, and cosmetic trim from all wheels

7. Seatbelts must be properly attached and in good working order, or aftermarket racing harness of at least 4 points attached to the chassis by methods approved by manufacturer, and must meet racing use requirements.

8. Throttle linkages and cable, pedals must be in good working order.

9. Steering linkages must be in good order

10. Brake lamps must be operational

11. All lug nuts tightened to 80ft/lbs torque, with at least 4 turns on thread, and present at all studs on the hub.

12. Suspension parts, modifications checked for proper installation

13. Windows and windshields must be free of cracks or breaks over 1" in length, or 0.5 inch in diameter

14. All body panels must be present, and secured by fasters.

15. Rear wings, spoilers and other aerodynamic or cosmetic additions must not protrude over 2 inches over the overall width of the vehicle.

16. Tires must have over 3/32 of an inch tread left on the tires and compound tread wear rating must not be under 100. (No race compound tires allowed.

17. All convertibles / open top / soft top cars must have roll bars equal or exceeding 4 points from unibody or sub frame

18. Tow hooks must be present on at least one location on vehicle

19. 1979~1987 Toyota Corolla (E70~E86) Corolla RWD with front roll center adjusters must have adapter bolts tightened to 55ft/lbs and meet required tensile strength. Front tension rods and rear lateral bars must not be bent.

20. Converted Nissan 200SX/240SX (S12/S13/S14) with SR20/RB25/RB26 must have all intake channels, intercoolers and piping secured to the frame.



B) Additional Rules when Tandem / multiple car driving are scheduled during competitions and practice.

1. Approved nomex¢â material full length racing suits are required.

2. Approved Nomex¢â material fire resistant gloves and shoes are required.

3. Approved 4 point¡¡Drift Association LLC approved, "occupant protection bars¡± or approved 6 point roll cages with door-side impact protection beams are required and installed by approved methods.

4. Helmets must be rated and no older than SNELL MA/SA 2000,or FIA 2000

5. Fire extinguishers installed in unlocked portion of the cabin, secured in approved manner.



II. Course and Venue Safety Rules and Standards



A) Attendance to the Driver¡¯s Meeting held at the start of each day is mandatory and no drivers will be allowed to run if not attended in person.

B) Passenger Rules are enforced accordingly at each event and will be conditionally changed per event and during the course of the day. In no circumstances will a passenger be allowed in car during a ¡°competition¡± event.

C) Drivers arriving after driver check-in deadline time on the date of the event will not be allowed to run, nor be refunded for any incurred driver entry, admissions and/or tech inspection fees.

D) Any conduct deemed unsafe or misconduct, acts of aggression as defined by track officials, hosting entity and/or venue staff, will be removed from premises without refunds.

E) Refueling is prohibited in paddock and grid and is applicable to all cars, tools, or generators.



III. Driver conduct and regulations of the venues, and course.

A) Drivers are required to obey all orders, commands and requests signaled to or communicated by other methods by ¡°officials¡± of the Venue, Course and Track Officials.

B) ¡°5 Miles per Hour¡± Speed limit in paddock, grid and all areas accessible by the drivers that are not part of the competition or practice designated course. No drivers shall be allowed to proceed onto any course until directed by a starter signal.

C) Flag rules must be obeyed and observed as signaled

D) In case of a collision, malfunction, other reasons of inability to move the car while on course, the driver is asked to wait in the car with seatbelts and helmet worn until directed or assisted by course marshal (exception to this rule will be any pending or visible fire, chemical hazards that threatens the driver)

E) Driver¡¯s side windows must be closed while on course, or protected by approved safety nets if no windows exist.

F) Drivers must not tamper, assist or offer use of tools to another car without the respective owner or driver¡¯s consent.



IV. General Competition Rules and Guidelines (Competitions Only)

A) Drivers must stay on course, and any 2 wheels off the course will result in no score

B) Contact with course bordering objects will not be penalized but will incur the cost of repairs on the venue if damaged

C) Driver changes and car changes is not allowed:

D) Mechanical failure or personal injuries after the start of competition rounds will not be eligible for replacement of car or driver entry.

E) Ignorance or violation of event rules will result in immediate disqualifications and certain circumstances, removal from the event and premises.

F) Tampering with other participant cars will be grounds for disqualifications and removal from venue.

G) Cars must keep a minimum of 5 car length distance margin while in practice sessions, this rule is removed in competition.

H) Contact with another car will result in ¡°following¡± or trailing car with no score, as determined by starting position.

I) Multi-car contact will be resolved by ¡°fix own car only¡± rules. No exceptions.

J) Contact with course borders will result in no score.



V. Additional Rules

A) Additional Rules specific to the event and/or venue may be enforced in addition to these regulations. Please check the official event page for the additional requirements.*

*These preliminary rules may change at any time so please check back before each event to make sure you are equipped to attend and enjoy the day informed and in a safe as possible way.

Drifting from Sema

(C) MBN 2007  William Hoehne