Formula D replies to the Super Autobacs R34 debacle
Posted by Wrecked Magazine on 03 Jul 2008 at 02:37 am | Tagged as: Formula D
Formula D gave a long reply of the details of the conflict currently stirring in the garage with the Super Autobacs R34 Skyline. Formula D went into great detail talking about other teams and the actions that were taken to keep the cars legalized for Formula D. The cliff notes version is as follows for the events that have been under discussion.
Long story short…
- C34 suspension is OEM to C34 chassis vehicle not R34 chassis
- Formula D was never contacted or consulted on the build prior to Round 1
- Vehicle was brought to Formula D Long Beach Round 1.
- Suspension was suspicious and Formula D tech staff did through research to investigate.
- Team did not supply need information to support the legitimacy of the change.
- Formula D assessed the issue and issued the penalty; qualifying points from Roundd 1 till the suspension is fixed and monetary penalty.
- Super Autobacs team has until Round D 6 (Sonoma) to fix the suspension.
OEM- An abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Used normally in reference to the parent company in reference to origin of parts for an automobile.
I.E. The OEM Air filter for your Infiniti G35 is made by Nissan; the tail light bulb for a 1971 Datsun 510 wagon is OEM Nissan as well.
Since it has been very common lately for people to mis-interpret…
8.3 CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
8.3.1 Basic Design
The basic OEM suspension design type must remain. Any changes to design type suspension must be pre approved by FORMULA DRIFT.
What this means is… R34 comes with double wishbone suspension. C34 comes with macpherson strut. Putting a strut setup onto a R34 without prior approval is no legal.
give me a break…
Jim@FD
Your role is owner of the series and marketing correct? Have you ever even owned the metric wrenches required to dismantle and reassemble the parts in question here? I’d think those who tech your cars should be responding here.
You guys need to just fine these guys an unreasonable fucking amount and re-write your shit-ass vauge rulebook. Hell you charge $10k+ now for licenses although you “wont sell out.”
Also this crap about “coilover corvettes” and “s14 shocks on gto” is enough. Are people really so ignorant to a point they do not understand there is only one leaf spring on an entire corvette, and a coilover assembly uses stock mounting points? Are people really so ignorant to most aftermarket coilover manufacturers only make a handfull of shocks, its the hats and collars/sleeves that make them application specific?
You may also want to take some close measurements of JR’s mustang compared to a stock one. Go rent a v6 mustang, the measurements are the same on the back and so is the design.
Also while on your OEM spree, SCION (OEM for the TC, in the context you are bringing as far as specific chassis) does not manufacture any Toyota products, and this is a converse statement again according to your current stance.
There are also several s13’s that I’m sure are running s14 spindles.
S2000’s running Nissan rearends and mazda steering racks? No the steering is legal because steering modifications are OPEN.
Wait a minute, isnt this technically a STEERING MODIFICATION which would make it LEGAL due to 8.3.4 which clearly states modifications to steering components are free.
Now last time I checked, a component can be stretched as far as anything related to the movement from steering, in which the shock and all front suspension does indeed move with the steering.
Let these guys off, make an example out of them since they’ve already made a big deal in the public eye about it, re-write your rulebook and move on.
Also with this crap about drivers unions again, lets not forget the 2004 Atlanta decision by the fucking DRIVERS!
“Does anyone here have a problem with MOPAR running a Tube Frame Competition Coupe Viper with Samuel Hubinette driving for the 2004 season in a car that is not legal, do you as DRIVERS approve?”
Formula D. Admit your rulebook is shortcoming, Super Autobacs team admit your internet persona jumped the gun, both of you come to an agreement, and then let the drivers take a unanimous vote without sponsor implications from companies who tend to be unhappy about their ROI from drifting. I.E. Falken Tire, Cooper Tire, and those with just gerneral poor attitudes at time because they cant draw the line between being genuinely competitive, and a cheap whiney ass dick. I.E. Rhys Millen, Tanner Foust, Falken Tire, and anyone else who has protested for no other reason than their own shortcoming.
At least this isn’t over damn brake lights not working. Way to go Formula Drift. Way to go.
my question would be… lets say in a perfect world that if autobacs would have sent their suspension setup to FD for approval… would it have been approved?
if the answer is yes (which i believe it should be)… wtf is the big deal?
if no… you know that their are other cars running way more intense suspension setups than their car
fine them some points for not getting it approved and lets get off this issue… making them change the car back to OEM specs is ridiculous!
Ban the Autobachs car!
i just read all this crap, did FD actually say car was bannzored from vegas?
and quit whinign about the OMG 4 CARVETTE WITH COILOVERZ OMGOMG, thats the lamest thing ever. the tc i can understandz, subarus/evos mayyyybe.
honestly i dont see the problem with this. why cant we have cool kuztom stuff on the draft racing circusts of te nation? who cares, if the work is done and done right let it fly i say. fine them for not goin thru the pre-approval process.
i got a verbal okay about my subframe when i hinsonsupercarjacked it up using their mount kit, and there was no paperwork, i think this could lead to problems, so unfortunately the end result of this is gonna lead to more paperwork, which is gay but must be done.
i mean this is 2008, if you dont allow custom fab and stuff, how am i gonna drift my donked up dodge magnum with a challenger front end, solid axles and 30’s? dont take away my dreams , dont take away my dreams.
mike peters
daydream beleiver
homecoming queen.
that car sure is ugly!