Tech rules

Burning Tire Garage - Drift Tech Rules



Driver Requirements

  • DOT helmet is required for all drivers and passengers.
  • Helmet must be in good condition and show no cracks. Chin strap must be present and always fastened while on track. 
  • All drivers are required to wear closed toe shoes. 
  • Driver must be 16 or older and possess a valid driver’s license. If under 18, parent or legal guardian must be present and sign waiver.
  • Driver’s meetings are mandatory. If late, you will not be permitted to drive, even if pre-registered. No exceptions. 
  • No drivers permitted on track if consuming any alcoholic beverages. 
  • No “cart” style vehicles. 
  • No full size trucks. “Mini” trucks will be approved only on a case by case basis if properly modified for drifting. Please email us at info@burningtiregarage.com if you have any questions.

On Track and Pit Guidelines 

  • All drivers are required to have their own tire pressure gauge and are required to check tire pressures before going out on track.
  • Passengers must adhere to all Burning Tire Drift rules for drivers. All passengers must be 18 or must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign waiver. 
  • Driver must pay very close attention to all flaggers and course workers. If any of their instructions are ignored, the driver will be, at a minimum, kicked off track for the session. If the offense is repeated or unsafe, the driver will be ejected from the event and possibly banned from further events.
  • Under no circumstances should the driver ever exit their vehicle on a hot track. If assistance is needed, remain in the vehicle and flag over course workers.
  • All driver and passenger arms must remain in the vehicle at all times. Action cameras (gopro, contour, etc.) are allowed out of the window but only if held by a pole w/ mount.
  • Pit area must be kept clean of all trash at end of event. All used tires must be taken with you at the end of the event.
  • No burnouts, donuts, or warming of tires in the pits or grid/staging lanes.
  • If you spill any automotive fluids, you must clean it up immediately. Notify the Staff of any spills. DO NOT dispose of any motor oil, antifreeze, and gear oil in the trash cans. 
  • Failure to follow rules or any instruction from racetrack staff will result in immediate ejection from the event and, depending on severity of offense, cause you to be banned from future events.
  • All media must be registered, attend media meeting, and wear a high-vis vest while shooting. 

Driver Groups 

  • Drivers are broken into A and B groups based on experience. Driving in the right group gives you, and all of the other drivers in that group the best experience on track. Trying to drive in a group that you are not ready for is dangerous and will not happen. You must be approved by Burning Tire Garage staff before moving up to a higher level of run group.
    • A Group- These are the drivers that have no issues making it around the track and are working on getting closer to other cars and running a better, faster line. Just because you have a roll cage does not put you in A group. These are also the drivers who need very little policing when it comes to grid and driving with others. These are the only drivers allowed tandem drifting.
    • B Group- Drivers that are just starting out with drifting or are those still learning their cars, learning the track, or learning the rules. These are the drivers working to link the course, and starting to understand what the right driving line is. They are figuring out what they need to do in the car to make it work and move up to A Group. They are not permitted to tandem with any other cars.  

Vehicle Requirements

At minimum, your car should have the following:

  • LSD or Welded rear differential
  • Properly working suspension; Coilovers recommended
  • A working handbrake
  • A supportive drivers seat is recommended
  • Without these, you may not be successful at drifting your car. Contact us to rent a fully setup car or if you need professional help modifying your vehicle. 

      General Safety

  •      General vehicle inspection may include inspection of brakes, suspension, engine, drivetrain and chassis for proper operation, condition and potential issues. 
  •       Everything loose in the car must be removed, including floor mats, license plates, tools, dirty clothes, old cd cases, empty packs of smokes, etc. 
  •       Fire Extinguishers are required for all cars. Must be mounted within the drivers reach. If you or someone around you catches fire, be prepared to help put it out. Cannot be mounted on the A pillar. 
  •       No aluminum lug nuts. All lugnuts must be steel, chromoly, or titanium. A front and rear crash/bash bar is required. Aftermarket or factory OEM is acceptable. 
  •       No “cart” style vehicles. Vehicles must retain all factory metal from front strut towers to rear strut towers. Factory floor and frame rails must remain intact as well as factory A,B,C pillars and roof.
  • All vehicles must have an accessible tow hook both front and rear. Stock or aftermarket is fine. Tow hooks must be accessible without removing bumpers.

      Engine/Drivetrain 

  •       No fluids can be leaking or dripping from the car. If signs of a fluid leak are present, evidence must be shown that leak no longer exists.
  •       No antifreeze is allowed in the coolant system. Only water with water wetter is allowed. Spilled antifreeze requires significantly more time to clean, this slows down the track flow drastically.
  •       Coolant overflow required on all cars. Oil overflow required on cars which have removed or modified OE oil recovery system.
  •       Gas cap must be present and completely sealed.
  •       Fuel cell: if your car runs a fuel cell, it must be placed in the trunk area with some sort of barrier between that area and the drivers cabin. It must also be mounted with the proper bracing/strapping. ANY play in the mounting of a fuel cell will fail tech inspection.

      Lighting and Electrical 

  •    Battery must be securely tied down with plastic or metal strap and proper hardware. No ratchet straps or zipties will be permitted. Positive terminal must be covered.
  •       Brake lights must be operational. At least 2 brake lights must come on when using the brake pedal. 
  •       All wiring should be protected, insulated and properly mounted.

     Roll Cage

  •    Aftermarket roll bar (single hoop), at a minimum, is required for ALL convertibles in all run groups. Double hoop “style bars” are not permitted.
  •    Full roll cage (6 point minimum, halo, door bars, harness bar if using harnesses) is recommended for Group A Tandem Drivers. Roll cages are not required for A Group entry, but if present, must not impede driver or spectator safety due to placement. An improper fitting roll cage may be grounds for tech inspection denial.

     Harnesses and Seats

  •    Harnesses must be properly mounted on a harness bar.
  •       If harnesses are not properly installed and in compliance with FIA or SFI specifications, you will not be allowed to drive until this rule can be met. 
  •       If stock seats or non-FIA approved reclinable bucket seats are used, stock seat belt must be used. 
  • Acceptable seat and harness configurations: 
    •       Stock seat, stock seat belt, no cage
    •       Reclinable seat that is NOT FIA approved, stock seat belt, no cage
    •       Reclinable seat that is NOT FIA approved, 4- 5- or 6-point harness, harness bar
    •       Fixed back race seat (FIA approval not required), stock seat belt, no cage
    •       Fixed back race seat (FIA approval not required), 4-, 5- or 6-point harness, harness bar
    •       Fixed back race seat (FIA approval not required), 4-, 5- or 6-point harness, roll cage
  • Passenger seat must also meet the configurations above to be approved to take any passenger.

Passenger Ride-Alongs

  •    Passengers 16 and older are permitted with any driver if they have signed the waiver upon entry.
  •    All passengers must have helmets that meet tech requirements
  • Drivers are responsible for passenger safety
    •       This includes, but is not limited to: seat belts/harnesses, proper helmet attachment and sizing, neck bracing, and keeping limbs inside the vehicle.

Remember, drifting is fun. These rules and requirements are in place so that we can ensure a safe environment for having fun. All rules must be met in order to participate in the events. Any behavior or vehicle found to be unsafe or questionable by Burning Tire Garage staff will be reviewed and decided upon by staff. If deemed unsafe by the staff, the car will not be allowed to run. The decision will be final. If the infraction is minor and not a safety concern, the driver will have the choice to sit the day out or fix the issue. No exceptions will be made at the event. No refunds will be given for lost track time due to inability to meet these requirements. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us prior to the event at info@burningtiregarage.com.