I thought it would be a cool idea to show you one complete run, on the Red Bull Long Beach Dockyards drift course. This way, those of you who can't travel out to the event can get a feel for the track.
The following sequence of photos is shot from the judge's tower:
You can see the course is laid out on a vast expanse of tarmac.
The entry is fairly high speed… and there aren't very many visual reference points to work with….. I spoke to Vaughn and he is using the three cones on the top of the wall…
Here is the first initiation zone. The drifters are supposed to initiate between cones 2 and 1. You can see Millen has initiated his drift before Mad Mike. I'm told that the fastest entry so far was recorded by Conrad Grunwald in the Corvette… he broke 100 mph.
The best drifters are taking a nice wide line…. The judges are looking for the cars to ride the wall all the way around.
This entry has been separating the men from the boys…
They flash past the clipping point next to the wall.. JR tells me that hitting this clipping point is vital for a good setup to the next section of the course.
At this point the course narrows up…. a few of the drifters didn't like this… as it more forces you to run single file… you can't put the entire side of your car next to your opponent, only front wheel to rear wheel….
The key here is to be out next to the wall for a late apex to the next clipping point.
And here is the next Clipping point….
… look at the huge Red Bull hospitality area :>
Next it's a case of following the cones out to the next set of walls…
These are very long connected, continuous drifts by Formula Drift standards.
And on the course goes, to another switch back.
Finish line….
:Rod