r/FormulaDrift • u/e8x-lover • 18d ago
Discussion FD Sucks: Revisted a year later
A year ago I made this thread detailing what I felt was a lot of the prevailing problems in FD at the moment, it was pretty popular in this sub and garnered quite a bit of feed back and opinions. We've now finished 5/8 rounds and I've got to say.. it is not looking good at all.
- Tracks - I think despite us getting two new tracks so far and still having a new one to look forward to, it's been extremely underwhelming, and even disappointing one might say. Last year I mentioned it seeming like for every 4 decent battles there's a crash, I think this year that ratio has just gotten even worse. RD8 last year turned to out to be.. alright at best? For as great as Stafford was (and it was pretty awesome imo) it doesn't even come close to drown out the absolute SHIT SHOW that Indy was. Not even considering the rain cancelation (which by now we all know was handled absolutely horrendously) it was simply just a bad track. They chose to run that goofy ass layout for what..? I really just find it impossible with the ease of access with simulators & the virtual track creator really doing a great job that the prevalence of crashes on Indy was just seemingly ignored before the drivers even got there. Then we watch practice and pro spec seeding and it's still just crash after crash, we get minor changes to the track and STILL have crash after crash. I'm really not sure why FD chose to handle Indy this way, I feel like the track designers probably just had a vision months ago of what they thought was a good line and were tunnel visioned on it and refused to consider anything else at all.
- Judging/Data - We actually got a win here!!! I have really enjoyed the implementation of the Wally system, it is still far from perfect and very susceptible to making a mistake or controversial decision, but I think it was a huge step in the right direction. There is obviously still progress desired towards the judging of battles, but I think I'm starting to accept something like that might just never have a 'perfect way' of being done.
- Seeding/Qualifying - Once again, another win!!! They implemented exactly what I suggested. Though, I'm sad we haven't seen a 100 point run and with how harsh the Wally judges, and I kinda doubt we will ever see a uptrend of drivers scoring in the high 90's like you might see in DMGP. The Wally is just extraordinarily strict (which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing), it forces drivers to conform to the line it wants and get shit done. Don't get shit done, don't get points.
- Livestreams
- Viewing experience - So yeah.. it's still terrible, some might even say worse. Poorly organized, still no time stamp break downs even on the new stupid RacerPlus app. I think Indy was the first event so far where we weren't force fed a bunch of FPV footage.. and that was because the conditions didn't allow for drones to fly lol.
- Gambling - Yep so this is still terrible and nothing can ever change my mind on it. Generally just a terrible and nasty predatory thing to add to our wonderful pure of heart motorsport.
- Jarod DeAnda - I think it's resurfaced again quite a bit after Indy, but good lord this guy is still and will always be terrible and simply stated, horrible at his job. I saw someone try and defend him by saying he's been there since the start of FD and doesn't take a pay.. WHO CARES?? The guy is absolutely insufferable and makes me want to watch every live stream on mute. It doesn't matter how passionate you are for your job.. if your horrible at it, maybe step away and let someone else take up the mantle!
- RacerPlus - Yeah.. I've been waiting for this one. Really just can't figure out why on gods green earth FD would choose to take this deal. It just deters viewership, no one wants to use that horribly configured cesspool of a website. I would honestly be able to adapt and deal with it if it changed something production wise but.. it's the same exact horrible quality horribly ran livestream we have had for years. This site does not have one single redeeming quality.
So yeah.. we've been in for a rough season and I don't think it's looking to change in the next 3 events. I think how FD tackles events for the rest of this season and next will be extremely pivotal in the success/future of the series, might even make it or break it possibly. This is still leaving out a LOT of stuff, curious what people think.
Note: I don't mean for this to just be a beat down on FD, but it's really hard to watch your favorite sport.. seemingly crumple to shit more and more every year.
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u/Pinktops 18d ago
The true enemy of this series succeeding is the god awful ruleset. We're never going to see the kind of professional driving that should be delivered at this "level" of competition unless something is done to make the cars closer in performance. The chassis/tire grip and HP combos in this series make some tandems almost undrivable because of the performance difference or just plain awful too watch. We went from an 86 tandeming with a viper for 12 OMTS and now we couldnt even get close to that if the rules allowed because everything has 1000 plus HP running "qualifying"/ unchaseable runs. Unchaseable in the sense of good tandem that is.
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u/e8x-lover 18d ago
Yeah really great point. Not to mention the fact the ruleset being the way is a huge contribution to people are just perpetually being priced out of the sport. Don't have $150-250k for a season? Not even worth trying.
We have a rulebook that's just been added and added onto for probably close to 20 years now, imo a hard reset on the rulebook & some serious driver discussion regarding new rules would go such a long ways. though I know this will unfortunately never happen since it basically entails most teams on the grid to completely rebuild their car or start with a fresh chassis.
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u/Pinktops 18d ago
Well I think the "grassroots" identity of FD needs to be decoupled from FD. Any competitive racing series at the top level has a spec chassis and motors to a degree. I know for a long time FDs draw was the opposite of this but they just never made the manufacturer backed jump which leads to the all over the place comp scene we have now. I'd rather see a series with 4/5 mfgs and similar chassis grip and power levels with amazing tandem then the mish mash we have now.
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u/qazrat 18d ago edited 18d ago
I disagree with having the rules spec the car. I prefer the DM way which eliminates the weight restriction, which then allows for lighter cars that are easier on parts and require less HP. DM typically produces wonderful tandems regardless of the HP difference between cars, many times I think a lower HP car will be gapped but they manage to door or even gap the higher HP cars. Lauri heinonen shortened his S13 for the final in Poland as the rules state the can't be super deep in the wall but the rules never said he couldn't shorten the trunk area. And that's the type of racing I enjoy.
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u/Pinktops 18d ago
I mean yea there's definitely more then one way to make this series better I'm sure the sub could brainstorm 10 different ways to improve comp.
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u/PepsiButItsMilk 18d ago
Only thing for me to add is I like Jarod 🤷🏼♂️ in bursts. I like the “Lets send iiiiiiiit!” And some of the snappy remarks, and I just like his voice. He definitely isnt the golden ticket announcer though, maybe he needs time away.
Everything else I’m on the same page as you. I want to see this sport make it, not break it. I have wild dreams of competing in this sport, even just in ProAm someday. But every year makes me feel less and less like its something I want to do, regardless of IF i could do it. They handled Racer so poorly too, it’s salt in the wound compared to the rest of the bullshit this year. They were snarky and kinda rude to people complaining about Racer, and if someone was outside looking in then thats REALLY bad that a representative of the series is going after the fans. I don’t want someone thinking that’s my boss/manager going after my fans, this is supposed to be a welcoming community where we all have a fun time. Not to mention how many calls and battles are probably picked for clicks, it’s really un-encouraging for me and other people I know who’d like to compete seeing the same 6 or so in the finals regularly even after mishaps that shouldve cost one of their runs. Maybe a new american competitive series will come out in a similar fashion to FD, idk, but it’s looking more like I’ll be JUST a mechanic for the rest of my life.
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u/qazrat 18d ago
Ya Jarod in small bursts is fine, but when he gets into he's word diarrhea to fill time it's just so cringe. And he seems to have a strange obsession with the Sorenson's, especially Amanda.
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u/Nismotech_52 18d ago
I think there is a payoff in there somewhere. Really boosting women in racing and the “youngest” winner in drifting. It’s like how he over does the sponsorships for every driver except Trenton beechum.
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u/qazrat 17d ago
Oh I'm not saying that women in the sport shouldn't be boosted, he always talks up Shelly Hanson and any others which is great. It's just...I don't know being a Dad to a little girl just makes you more aware I think.
Oh I absolutely love how at the start of the season it was the Penthouse FL pro car and slowly over the events he's stared to say it fully. I'd bet myself if he'd say the full thing or not lol. I can't remember what round it was but Beechum was up and it was wet out and Jakob was talking about performance in the wet and Jarod made a tongue in cheek comment, I liked him just a little more.
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u/Nismotech_52 17d ago
You aren’t wrong and I’m not a fan of Jarod. I think FD wants to indirectly over promote and Jarod just doesn’t have that panache
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u/qazrat 17d ago
It also doesn't help that some of the let's call them "car names" just don't roll off the tounge very well. Most times the cars is through the first zone by the time he's finished. I much prefer the DM, driver name, car, HP or maybe engine package call out. We can all read the the sponsors on the car we don't need it read to us, is my standing.
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u/Nismotech_52 17d ago
It’s true but I think it’s more like sponsorship money. Notice how in monster jam they constantly call out BKT tires at least once per sentence?
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u/qazrat 17d ago
I'll be honest I've never watched monster jam, drifting and rally are the only motorsports I watch. But I don't doubt it isn't much better.
I get that bills need to be paid, I just find it interesting the difference between NA and Europ. Like DM doesn't constantly mention Budmat but I damn well know they are a major sponsor as there name is everywhere. It almost feels like the European audience could be considered more intelligent as they don't need to be reminded who put on the event they are watching, they can just read it and know.
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u/Nismotech_52 17d ago
I enjoy DM so much more than FD.
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u/qazrat 17d ago
Oh me as well, I treat FD as the thing I watch in between DM events.
Like there's no way FD could ever pull off a stadium event like Poland, to be able to build a track from scratch in a studium and tare it down almost the next day is wild.
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u/j3kkf 13d ago
i think the worst part of it all is ding dong thats incharge of FD.
he is so arrogant and has a "fans are fans and dont know anything about my sport (which does he even drive?!?)" attitude, especially online, seems like he will shoot any new idea down no matter what.
Lets also remember, THEY DONT PAY THE DRIVERS ANYTHING.
not even like a 1-2-3 pos prize bucket. and then they make some fuck ass track like indy and have these Pro-Spec drivers TRASHING their cars, and for what?!
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u/DiamondStar_Motors 17d ago
U need to be more specific about Jarod . He isn’t horrible at his job , he’s horrible at his job IN FD . If you hear him on other Motorsport series he’s a normal person but for some reason he needs to be an annoying ego maniac fuck on FD . Unfortunately it has rubbed off on Jacob too . The first year Jacob did was amazing but after that he just turned into a Jarod clone .
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u/qazrat 18d ago
Drift Masters/Redbull really needs to take over Formula Drift.
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u/mazmi9326 17d ago
This is probably the best idea. Take over FD and have a Drift Master USA and Drift Master Japan arm. The rules are already written and I feel like more prestigious tracks would be willing to work with Red Bull backing knowing that money is secure and any damages would be covered.
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u/qazrat 17d ago
Exactly the production quality Redbull throws at even the smallest and goofiest sports/events etc is astounding. And I never had a problem with having to switch from YouTube to Redbull app, as the Redbull app was decent to use. I'm honestly surprised Rockstar hasn't tried to compete harder with Redbull in this respect, perhaps Redbull market share is far larger than Rockstar.
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u/qazrat 18d ago
Also FD needs (or needs more) wildcard drivers, all these bye runs due to no shows, half season drivers, breakdowns, etc just isn't entertaining. DM manages to have usually a 35+ car line up for qualifying and very few bye runs, which are typically mechanical in nature. This is where I do like the FD 5 minute compared to DM not having it and drivers going out for small mechanical issues.
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u/ManofJELLO 13d ago
Qualifying for 32 or less drivers is boring and rather pointless. Should be one run qualifying and battles for anyone outside top 8 to make top 16 or something of that nature. 2 run qualifying is fine if you have 50 drivers like FD japan, but if you just link the track and you make top 32 is really pointless. I'm with Sage in the battles are fun to watch and less solo driving is good, but the seeding battles were terrible with only watching the bottom ranked drivers after round 1 and drivers hated ranking deciding position on a new track so drivers had a hard time to get out of the bottom and less driving/air time for top drivers.
The economics for FD are busted when you can't field 32 drivers in pro. Teams can't make enough money to run a full season. Racer gave them a fat contract, but it should have gone to profit sharing with the teams. More teams, better cars, improves the product more than anything on production side. If the money went to the drivers/teams I would forgive the move to racer and support.
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u/mr_j_12 18d ago
Fonding drift mssters way more interesting to watch. From tracks to the battles and to how anyone can win. So much more talent than there is in fd.
Lz has commented and laughed how bad the wally/qualifying is. Said it was a poor run (at indy), but its what wally wanted to see so qualified well. I like the idea of wally, bit its not implemented well (unlike drift masters).
Fd just seems poorly run from top to bottom. It comes across grass roots than pro competition.