What is the Return of the 5/8?

The RETURN OF THE 5/8 competition presented by Toyota of Seattle is an 8 driver single elimination tournament that emphasizes speed, angle, and proximity on the biggest bank in the Northwest.

The Return of the 5/8 competition will be held at DRIFTCON AFTERDARK on September 28, 2024.

Invitational

This is an invitational competition that will be filled based on level of experience and quality of vehicle. Please reach out using the form below to express interest in competing. A private registration link will be sent if selected.

Cost

Car + Driver: $400 (includes Friday practice)
Maximum of 8 Qualified Drivers (12 drivers will be allowed to sign up)

All competitors can register for Double 8 Showdown for an additional $100 (half price) if they would like to compete in both events.

Presented By

Return of the 5/8 Competition Interest Form

Please provide some basic information and we will reach out if we think you would be a great fit for this competition!

Name(Required)
Accepted file types: jph, heic, png, gif, jpeg, Max. file size: 20 MB.

Schedule

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 – MAIN GATES OPEN 2PM

8:30 – Back Gate Open / Tech Inspection
10:00 to 10:30 – Staging for DriftCon Drift Showcase
10:45 – MANDATORY MEDIA Meeting on Car Show Midway
11:00 – EARLY ACCESS GATE OPENING
11:00 – MANDATORY Double 8 Showdown Driver’s Meeting on Car Show Midway
11:30 – Judging Results and Bracket Creation
12:00 – MANDATORY Team Tandem Driver’s Meeting (Tech Trailer – 1 Member Minimum)
12:00 to 12:30 – Double 8 Showdown Practice Group 1 (5/8 Competitors)
12:30 to 1:00 – Double 8 Showdown Practice Group 2
1:00 to 1:30 – Return of the 5/8 Practice (Optional)
1:45 to 2:15 – Return of the 5/8 Qualifying
2:15 to 3:00 – Fan Fest Meet & Greet on Track
2:00 – MAIN GATE OPENING
3:00 to 3:30 – Team Tandem Practice
3:30 to 4:30 – Return of the 5/8 Competition Top 8 to Finish
4:45 to 6:00 – Bracket A & B Competition
6:00 to 7:15 – Bracket C & D Competition
7:15 to 8:00 – Final 8 Competition to Finish / Solo Drifting (Downtime)
8:00 to 8:15 – Hoon-Off Burnout Competition
8:15 to 8:30 – 360° Drift Challenge
8:30 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.

(5/8 MANDATORY PRACTICE DAY)
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

3:00 – Back Gate Open / Tech Inspection
5:00 – Double 8 Showdown Layout 1 Practice
6:00 – 5/8 Practice
6:30 – Double 8 Showdown Layout 2 Practice
7:30 – 5/8 Practice
8:00 – Double 8 Showdown Layout 1 Practice
9:00 – Practice Day Ends

Qualifying

Drivers will get 2 (TWO) qualifying runs each. It is the driver’s responsibility to be ready with fresh tires and gas after practice and once qualifying starts. Drivers should stage for qualifying when ready.

Qualifying order will be posted at the Tech Trailer. Drivers must be staged and ready when it is their turn or they will forfeit that qualifying attempt. 5 minute timeouts cannot be used during qualifying.

Top 8 Bracket

Top 8 standard tandem competition bracket style elimination. Highest qualifying driver will lead against the lower qualifying driver (1 vs. 8, etc.).

Layout

Judging

The panel will consist of 3 Judges (Joe Lin, John Danyal, and Cameron Moore). 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.

Return of the 5/8 Payouts

GUARANTEED PODIUM PAYOUTS

1st – $4000

2nd – $2000

3rd – $1000