III. Vehicle Requirements
RC DriftClub’s “Drift Showdown” championship points series, “Streetstyle” competitions, and other events sanctioned by RC DriftClub will all adhere to our official rule set as listed here.
Vehicle Requirements
A. Chassis Type
If you wish to compete in an RC DriftClub drift event, here are vehicle specifications and chassis requirements for our events. We DO check cars and we DO ban anything that may be dangerous or may provide an unfair advantage over other drivers.
1. Classification: Any 1/10-scale 4WD/AWD electric-powered chassis specifically designed and labeled as a TC (touring car) can be used. No M-chassis or “off- to on-road conversions” allowed (i.e. off-road chassis with sedan body).
2. Generation: Chassis does not have to be the current model, but must be “competition ready.”
3. Powerplant: No nitro-powered vehicles allowed.
4. Upgrades: Any upgrade or hop-up, factory or aftermarket, is allowed unless specified elsewhere in these rules.
6. Fabrication: Custom changes and/or use of parts from other manufacturers are allowed as long as the chassis itself does not break any other rule listed here. RC DriftClub staff reserve the right to not allow any questionable chassis or chassis modifications.
B. Electronics Specifications
1. Radio System: Any 2 or more channel radio system specifically designed and marketed for RC surface use may be used. 2.4gHz Spread-Spectrum radio systems are highly encouraged. Examples of spread spectrum-type radio systems include Spektrum, Futaba FASST, Airtronics 2.4gHz, etc. For those using crystal based AM or FM radio systems, frequencies must be clearly marked for identification. Please bring a spare set of crystals if you’re running crystal-based systems in the event that we have a frequency conflict. We will not be able to make concessions in the event that two drivers are using crystal-based radios with the same frequency.
2. Speed Controllers: Any electronic speed controller (ESC) designed and marketed for RC surface use may be used. Reversible and/or brushless ESCs are allowed. All ESCs must be correctly wired, with no potentially dangerous situations such as frayed wires, broken FETs, etc. Mechanical speed control units are not allowed. ESCs designed for flight or water applications are not allowed.
3. Power Source: Any battery specifically designed and marketed for RC use may be used, with a capacity no larger than 6500mAh. Any LiPo, LiFe, Ni-MH, or Ni-Cd up to 7.4v is allowed, provided it fits the stock battery location. Please exercise proper safety procedures if using Li-Po packs.
4. Light kits are allowed and are encouraged – especially for our evening events. Light kits may be powered by the main battery pack or a separate battery, provided that each power source is on its own circuit. In other words, vehicles using 2 batteries (one for main power, one for lights) no part of the light circuitry should be providing extra power to the vehicle’s motor/receiver/servo.
5. Other Electronics: On-board electronic driving aids are NOT allowed during competition, including “drift boxes” or gyros. Telemetry systems are allowed as long as no part of the system functions as a driving aid or enhances the performance of the vehicle.
C. Drivetrain Specifications
1. Transmission: All vehicles must be single speed, with only one pinion gear and one spur gear transferring motor power to the transmission.
2. Differentials: One-ways and spools (direct couplings) are allowed.
3. Motor Limit: No dual-motor drivetrains allowed.
4. Gearing: Any combination of pinion gear and spur gear designed to be used with the chassis is allowed. No clutch-type transmissions, no multi-speed transmissions, no transmissions or drive systems that allow for alteration of internal gear ratio during driving. Any vehicle with a slipper clutch must have the slipper locked or disabled.
D. Tire Regulations
1. Tire Specifics: Competition requires the use of RC-specific drift tires. All competition chassis must run drift tires mounted securely on wheels that are made and designed for 1/10-scale touring cars. No “plus” sizing or use of “mini”-scale wheels/tires.
2. Allowed Tires: All drivers may use any branded, production, “plastic-type” drift tires listed here: HPI Racing T-Drift (slick or tread pattern), Tamiya Super DriftTech, Yokomo Single or Double-ring (must have rings installed). These are the only tires allowed for bracket competition.
3. Banned Tires: The following tires are not allowed for bracket competition (with the exception of any “special” event add-ons that do specify a particular tire): HPI Racing LP Series, HPI Racing Stage-D Slicks, RP Tires RP-D, Tamiya Type-D Slicks, HPI Racing Radial Type-A, Pit Shimizu D98J Radials, Yokomo R03 Radials, ABS / E-taped rubber tires, and any other drift tire not listed as “allowed.” No racing tires are allowed.
4. Tire Identification: Tire branding (label on the sidewalls) must be easily identifiable by RC DriftClub staff. Anyone using a tire that is difficult to identify by outside markings may be asked to change to legal tires, or will be subject to disqualification.
5. Tire Changes: During the course of competition, drivers are allowed to switch to different tires at their discretion during practice, before and after (but not during) qualifying, and before and after (but not during) a twin battle bracket matchup. In Twin Battle, drivers must select one tire set per bracket round. Drivers may not switch in between laps, i.e. run one tire when you lead and one tire when you chase.
6. Tire Change Penalty: In the event that a driver must switch tires in between a battle due to wheel/tire failure (the only reason allowed for switching in between a battle), they may only swap to identical brand/type/compound tires as the ones they are replacing. Any tire swaps in between battles are subject to the TWO MINUTE RULE for on-track emergency repairs (see “How We Judge” for more information.)
7. Tire Approval: Anyone using a non-approved or a suspect drift tire, may be asked to change to legal tires, or will be subject to disqualification.
E. Vehicle Appearance
1. General Type and Appearance: All chassis running on the track must have a painted, mounted body designed for fitment on 1/10-scale touring car chassis. Bodies must be cars that resemble actual RWD or AWD vehicles.
2. Finishing and Accessories: Bodies must be finished and must be in reasonable, presentable shape. Light kits and cosmetic modifications such as mirrors, wipers, rear wings, etc. are allowed and highly encouraged.
3. Mechanized Body Parts; Use of mechanically operated body panels, suspension, etc. is not allowed on the track during competition.
4. Banned Body Types: Racing-type bodies (examples: Protoform DNA, Mazda6, Stratus, etc.) are not allowed. FWD bodies, trucks, vans, and/or SUV-type bodies are not allowed. Metal, hard-shell or styrene-plastic molded bodies are not allowed during on-track competition.