Drift Association Competition and Drift Day Rules and Regulations 2006
Safety Guidelines  |  Technical / Safety Standards    |  Downloads

  1. Course and Venue Safety Rules and Standards

    2.  

    1. Attendance to the Driver’s Meeting held at the start of each day is MANDATORY.   If a driver fails to attend the driver's meeting, he or she will not be allowed to drive.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. Any person or persons behaving in a manner deemed unsafe or engaging in acts of aggression as defined by track officials, hosting entity and/or venue staff, will be removed from premises without refund.

    5. Refueling is prohibited in paddock and grid and is applicable to all cars, tools, and generators.


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

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. Flag rules must be obeyed and observed as signaled.

    4. 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 threaten the driver).

    5. Driver’s side windows must be closed while on course, or protected by approved safety nets if no windows exist.


  3. General Competition Rules and Guidelines (Competitions Only)

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

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

    3. Driver changes and car changes are not allowed.

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

    5. Ignorance or violation of event rules will result in immediate disqualification, and in certain circumstances, removal from the event and premises.

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

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

    8. Contact with another car will result in “following” or trailing car with no score, as determined by starting position.

    9. Multi-car contact will be resolved by “fix own car only” rules.  No exceptions.

    10. Contact with course borders will result in no score.


  4. 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.

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Technical Inspection and Vehicle Safety Standards:

PRE TECH INSPECTIONS - (MANDATORY) only if you live within 25 miles of Los Angeles Area.   Pre tech inspections are preformed free of charge at the locations below:

Please pre-check yourself in such case to ensure you can pass the inspections in the morning.

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

The following is designed to better explain specific points listed on the technical inspection sheet.  It is highly recommended that all drivers ensure all points listed below are met, prior to an event to save time and trouble.  Although minor repairs can be made on the day of the event, drivers should keep in mind that only one hour is allocated for tech inspection, and failure to pass technical inspection during this period will prevent a driver from participating.

Modifications– any modification to a vehicle must meet a standard of safety in design and installation.

  1. Hub spacer/ adapter – Hub spacers or adapters must be installed properly and torqued to specifications. Lug nuts used in conjunction with these adapters must retain minimum threading to hold tension and be present on every stud. 


Drifts Speed
14971 Chestnut St Ste D
Westminster, CA 92683

For appointments and all inquiries from the public, please email info@driftspeed.com

  1. Engine – Modifications to the engine must not interfere with required safety systems (brakes, steering, etc) of the vehicle.  Engine modifications must also not create a fire or fluid leakage hazard.  All aftermarket piping must be properly secured to the frame of the vehicle.  Vehicles with transplanted engines must have all intake channels, intercooler piping (if present), and exhaust piping properly secured to the vehicle.

  2. Suspension – If present, aftermarket roll center adaptors, alignment compensation brackets, and steering linkages must be torqued to specifications and meet required tensile strength.  

  3. Wheels / Tires – Aftermarket wheels and tires must not rub against the fender of the vehicle.

Brakes – Brake systems must be able to handle extended periods of hard driving conditions 

  1. 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.

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

  3. Master cylinder and calipers must be within specification.

  4. Brakes must be free of fluid leaks.

  5. Brake lamps must be functioning properly.

Body / Suspension – The body of a vehicle must be able to adequately protect the driver.  

  1. Tires and Wheels – Tires must retain a minimum of 3/32 inch of tread, and not have exposed belting or show any other signs of failure.  Minimum tread wear rating for tires is 100 (no race compounds allowed). Temporary spare tires are not allowed on participating vehicles.  All drivers must have 2 spare mounted tires that are not used on the course. 

  2. Lug Nuts – All lug nuts must be torqued to 80 ft/lbs. on approved fasteners, and be used on every stud.  Lug nuts must have a minimum of 4 turns worth of thread.

  3. Steering System – Steering system and linkages must be in proper working order.

  4. Suspension – Suspension bolts must be torqued to specification.  Suspension mounts must not be damaged. 

  5. Windows / Windshields – Windows and windshields must be free of cracks or breaks over 1 inch in length, or 0.5 inch in diameter.

  6. Body Panels – body panels must be present and secured by fasteners.

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

Engine – The engine must be able to perform safely under hard driving conditions  

  1. Battery – The battery must be secured by a standard battery bracket, and at least one terminal covered by proper electrical insulation.

  2. Air Cleaner – The intake air cleaner system must be adequately secured to the frame of the vehicle with proper fasteners.

  3. Oils and Fluids – All necessary fluids such as engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, and other important engine fluids must be filled to manufacturer specifications.  Leaks of any of these fluids are not permissible.

  4. Throttle – The throttle action must be smooth and the throttle spring must be to specification.

  5. Ignition / Fuel System – The fuel system of the vehicle must be responding properly and free of any leakages.  Any wiring or tubing associated with the fuel delivery or ignition system must be clear of hot areas to prevent potential fire hazards.

  6. Wiring Harness – Any insulation associated with the wiring harness must not present a potential fire hazard (i.e. clear of hot areas of the engine).

  7. Exhaust System – The exhaust system of a vehicle must be properly secured to the frame of the vehicle.  

Safety Equipment – All forms of performance driving require proper safety equipment be functioning on a vehicle  

  1. Helmet – For practice events, a Snell rated SA or MA 95 helmet (or newer) is required.  Loaner helmets are not available.

  2. Seatbelts / Harnesses – Seatbelts must be properly attached and in good working order.  If present, aftermarket racing harness of at least 4 points must be attached to the chassis by methods approved by manufacturer, and must meet racing use requirements.

  3. Roll Bar (Convertables / Open Topped vehicles) – All convertibles / open top / soft top cars must have roll bars equal or exceeding 4 points and be connected to the unibody or sub frame.

  4. Tow Hooks – Tow hooks must be present on at least one location on the vehicle.

  5. Loose Items – Any loose items in the vehicle including floor mats or aftermarket audio systems must be removed.  

B) Additional Rules when Tandem driving runs are scheduled during competitions and practice.

  1. Approved Nomex™ material full length racing suits are required
  2. Approved Nomex™ material fire resistant gloves and shoes are required.
  3. Four 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.
  5. Fire extinguishers installed in unlocked portion of the cabin, secured in approved manner.

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Document Downloads:

The following documents are available for download.  To print out any of them, use the PDF version to guarantee results.

Technical Inspection Sheet  (The document used at all Drift Days)

 PDF HTML
Technical Inspection Sheet  (Black and White version) PDF