What is the Double 8 Showdown?
The DOUBLE 8 SHOWDOWN is a 32 driver single elimination tournament that emphasizes style, skill, and adaptability.
There will be no traditional “qualifying” at this event as it will be comprised of mostly active drivers that have been approved for competition. This approval will be based on their driving at past events this season and the overall quality of vehicle. There will be FOUR separate 8 driver brackets that only first and second place will advance to determine the FINAL 8 drivers. All battles in the early brackets will be held on cageless LAYOUT 1. Once the competition transitions to the FINAL 8, all battles will be done on cageless LAYOUT 2. That’s right! TWO layouts in a single drift competition!
To make things even more interesting, to seed the early brackets, all 32 cars will be JUDGED in the DriftCon Drift Showcase early in the day. Since the actual event doesn’t start until 2pm, we will line up the 32 cars on the midway for some epic photo opportunities and a veteran set of judges will award points based on the cleanliness of the build and execution of a theme. We know these are race cars and not show cars, but the goal should be to start the event with all matching panels and critical components and put effort into the car being as nice as possible. Drivers can choose whether to be present for judging or not. Judging will be quick and ultimately 1-8 is the most critical in terms of ranking.
The top 4 ranked cars will make up the #1 spot in each of the A, B, C, and D brackets. The next 4 cars will make up the #2 spot in each of the A, B, C, and D brackets. The first driver from each bracket will help us build their respective brackets by calling out their competitors that they want in THEIR bracket. All four brackets will be completed in real time on the midway as a group. Note: It will not be possible for a driver to pick their immediate competitor as it will alternate between the 1 and 2 spots. Full details and example bracket can be found below.
The Double 8 Showdown will be held at DRIFTCON AFTERDARK on September 30, 2023.
DRIVER MEDIA COVERAGE:
We are partnering with APEXIEL to enhance media coverage for competitors. Competitors now have the opportunity to proactively book with approved media HERE. From DSLR photography to FPV drone chase footage, there is a diverse range of media services available at various prices. Instead of relying on being captured by chance, pre-booking media guarantees comprehensive coverage and content delivery in a timely manner.
Schedule
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 – MAIN GATES OPEN 2PM
9:00 – Back Gate Open / Tech Inspection
10:00 to 10:30 – Staging for DriftCon Drift Showcase
11:00 – MANDATORY MEDIA Meeting on Car Show Midway
11:15 – MANDATORY Double 8 Showdown Driver’s Meeting on Car Show Midway
11:30 – Judging Results and Bracket Creation
12:00 to 1:00 – Double 8 Showdown Practice (Layout 1)
12:30 – MANDATORY Drift Games / Team Tandem Driver’s Meeting
12:30 to 2:00 – Car Show Roll-In
1:00 to 2:00 – Team Tandem Showoff Practice / Solo Drifting (Optional)
1:30 to 3:00 – VIP Parking Roll-In
2:00 to 3:00 – Fan Fest Meet & Greet on Track
2:00 to 3:00 – MAIN GATES OPENING
3:00 to 3:20 – Opening Ceremonies / Matt Hamilton Memorial
3:30 to 4:45 – Bracket A & B Competition
4:45 to 6:00 – Bracket C & D Competition
6:00 to 7:00 – Final 8 Competition to Finish / Solo Drifting (Downtime)
7:00 to 7:15 – Hoon-Off Burnout Competition
7:15 to 7:45 – 360° Drift Challenge
7:45 to 8:15 – Big Entry Contest
8:15 to 9:45 – Team Tandem Showoff Competition
9:45 to 10:00 – Drifting & Car Show Awards Ceremony
*It is the driver’s responsibility to follow the schedule and stay on time. We will make constant announcements in the pits, so please stay alert to keep the show rolling.
(OPTIONAL PRACTICE)
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
3:00 – Back Gate Opens
5:00 – Track Goes Hot
8:00 – Practice Day Ends
Seeding Brackets / Show Judging
Drivers will pass through tech inspection in the morning and then proceed to park their car on the midway for display. Early spectators will be present, but the judging process should not take longer than 1 hour. Cars will be judged on their style, engineering, cleanliness (within reason), and execution of a theme.
After judging is completed the TOP 8 cars will be announced in order as a group and the A thru D brackets will be created in real time during the Driver’s / Qualifying Meeting. These TOP 8 drivers will then perform a “schoolyard pick” of their competitors in their bracket. For example, the overall Best of Show will be the #1 qualifying spot in Bracket A and will choose the #7 spot to do battle with the #2 qualifying spot (5th place Best of Show). See Bracket A example below and this will be explained in detail before it is done at the Driver’s / Qualifying Meeting.
Early Bracket Competition
Once all brackets are created, we will move onto practice for LAYOUT 1. We will have brackets A and B on track practicing at the same time. Then brackets C and D will then practice on track at the same time.
Bracket A and B will be the first to compete. We’ll run through both brackets at the same time. There will be no battle for 3 or 4 as the prize money they receive is the same and they do not advance. Then we will move onto Bracket C and D. First and second place are the only positions that will advance so it is critical that you finish in the top 2 if you want to move on in the event.
Final 8 Bracket
After all early brackets have been finished, we will have a short break and allow Drift Games or Team Tandem on track for practice. The Final 8 should mentally prepare for the layout change. There will be no practice on Layout 2 before moving into competition. The only opportunity for practice on LAYOUT 2 will be on the designated Friday practice day.
Layouts
Judging
The panel will consist of 3 Judges (Mitchell McGarvey, Patrick Heald, and Jon Burnstad). This will be judged like a typical drift competition with style, angle, and line judges picking their winner or electing for a One More Time.
Competition
Each Battle will consist of two runs. The higher ranked competitor will lead on the first run and be the chase driver for the second run.
On the first run the lead car will be directed into the burnout box and will have 20 seconds to stage at the start line. The chase will then be released into the burnout box and will have 20 seconds to stage at the start line.
The starter will then make sure that both competitors are ready at the line and then trigger the start light sequence. The lead car cannot leave the line before the green light illuminates. The chase driver can leave the line any time after the yellow light illuminates but must not beat the lead car to the initiation zone. Judges will make all decisions at who is at fault when a start has been fouled. Any fouled starts will be recalled. The at-fault driver will be warned and multiple offenses by the same driver may be cause for disqualification.
At the completion of the first run. Drivers will return to the start line immediately with them swapping starting line positions. No crew may touch the car in between runs without approval from the Tournament Director.
At the completion of the second run, Drivers will stop at the designated area and await a decision from the tower. As we get deeper into the tournament and the time in between battles narrows, Officials will allow 10 minutes for competitors to fuel, change tires and/or cool down their cars. Bring enough crew and tools to be prepared for this.
The tournament will continue until we have a winner. The 3rd place position will be determined by pairing up the two eliminated drivers from the top 4 in a standard battle. The highest qualifier will lead first.
The top 3 will report to the front stretch at the conclusion of the event for the awards ceremony.
Payouts
