OVERVIEW

2024 brings a brand new format to Formula DRIFT, doing away with single-run Qualifying rounds in both PRO and PROSPEC and introducing an All-Tandem format for the entire competition.

These changes promise to make for an even more exciting series and provide fans with all-out drift battles right from the start, while still keeping progress merit-based for drivers.

INTRODUCING SEEDING BRACKETS

In place of single-run Qualifiers, Seeding Brackets will take place.

Depending on the number of competitors (based on full season registrations), Seeding Bracket formats will change. There are 3 in total:

• 41 or More Competitors
• 33 - 40 Competitors
• 32 or Less Competitors

Here’s how each Seeding Bracket is formatted:

41 OR MORE COMPETITORS

• The highest ranked 16 drivers from the previous round will be “locked-in” to the “Main Event Top 32” bracket (excluding Round 1 which is based off of the previous season ranking).
• The remaining drivers will populate a 32 driver “Seeding Bracket” that will be sorted by a random number between 2 and 15.
• The “Seeding Bracket” will conclude with 16 winning drivers (one round of tandem only).
• The 16 “locked-in drivers” and the 16 winning drivers from the “Seeding Bracket” will populate the “Main Event Top 32” bracket.
• Bye runs will not be implemented.
• Winners will be determined in accordance with the Tandem Elimination Format.

33 - 40 COMPETITORS

• The highest ranked 24 drivers from the previous round will be “locked-in” to the “Main Event Top 32” bracket (excluding Round 1 which is based off of the previous season ranking).
• The remaining drivers will populate a 16 driver “Seeding Bracket” that will be sorted by a random number between 2 and 7.
• The 16 drivers in the “Seeding Bracket” will compete until there is a winner (number of rounds not specified).
• The 24 “locked-in drivers” and the 8 winning drivers from the “Seeding Bracket” will populate the “Main Event Top 32” bracket.
• Bye Runs will not be implemented.
• Winners will be determined in accordance with the Tandem Elimination Format.

32 OR LESS COMPETITORS

• The highest ranked 24 drivers from the previous round will be “locked-in” to the “Main Event Top 32” bracket (excluding Round 1 which is based off of the previous season ranking).
• The remaining drivers will populate an 8 driver “Seeding Bracket” that will be sorted by a random number between 2 and 4.
• The 8 driver “Seeding Bracket” will continue until there is a winner (number of rounds not specified).
• The 24 “locked-in” drivers and the 8 winning drivers from the “Seeding Bracket” will be placed in positions 25-32 of the “Main Event Top 32” bracket based on their finishing rank in the Seeding Bracket.
• Bye Runs will not be implemented.
• Winners will be determined in accordance with the Tandem Elimination Format.

RANDOM NUMBER SORT PROCESS

1. Before every round, all drivers are placed on a ranked list based on their last round performance (Again, for Round 1, previous season ranking is used).
   • Depending on the number of drivers, 16 or 24 drivers are then “Locked In”
   • The remaining drivers are then numbered 1 to 8 or 1 to 16 in accordance to their ranking
2. Final Seeding Bracket placements are then determined by random-number draw.
   • A number is drawn from a hat
   • The remaining drivers whose pre-draw position matches the drawn number is now in Position 1 for the Seeding Bracket
     • The range in which the number is drawn from will depend on the number of Competitors:
       • 32 or Less Competitors: Between 2 and 4
       • 33 - 40 Competitors: Between 2 and 7
       • 41 or More Competitors: Between 2 and 15
   • Position 2 goes to the next driver in the list, and on, etc.

EXAMPLE

Let’s say in a 33 - 40 Competitor Bracket, number 4 was randomly drawn. Seeding Bracket placements would be determined in the below manner:

• The number 4 was drawn.
• Since Joao Barion was in the number 4 Pre-Draw position, he is now in the number 1 placement for the Seeding Bracket.
• All drivers following him get assigned the subsequent placements, looping to the top until all drivers are seeded.

Resulting Seeding Bracket is as follows:

2024 SEASON

For the 2024 season, the PRO series will be using the 33-40 Competitor Seeding Bracket format (#4 drawn) - which means fans can look forward to an intense Top 16 battle out of the gate on April 12th, 2024.

PROSPEC will be using the 41 or more Competitor Seeding Bracket format for an intense, one-round shootout for a spot in the main event at FDATL on May 9th, 2024 (Seeding TBD).

MORE RESOURCES AND DETAILS

You can learn more about our new format from the below videos and our rulebooks (updated frequently).

Download our Judging Regulations Rulebook for complete details:

View Rulebooks