Tandem Rivals – DriftCon Track Takeover July 18, 2026

What is Tandem Rivals?

Tandem Rivals is a 32 driver single elimination tournament that pits rivals in the NW drifting scene against each other on a Mini Jersey 3/8th’s layout. The overall winner will take home $3000 and a $400 certificate to BC Racing. Top finishing Kenda drivers and Tire Agent Motorsports (RaceTreads) Racers Program drivers will take home additional prizes.

Qualifying will determine the 1-32 position, and the LOWER qualified 16 competitors will be allowed to pick their rival and first battle competitor from the pool of 16 available higher drivers. Bracket will be a standard single elimination NCAA style bracket.

TANDEM RIVALS will be held at the DRIFTCON TRACK TAKEOVER on July 18, 2026.

A maximum of 40 drivers will be allowed to register and only 32 drivers will qualify. A partial refund will be offered to anyone who doesn’t make it into the top 32.

Note: Drivers competing in the Tandem Rivals competition are allowed to drive in the Drift Games or Team Tandem Tryouts for a 50% discount. Discount code will be provided via email.

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. All drivers will stage for qualifying when ready. A maximum of 40 drivers will be allowed to register and only 32 drivers will qualify. A partial refund will be offered to anyone who doesn’t make it into the Top 32.

Qualifying order will be posted at the Tech Trailer. You must be staged and ready when it is your turn or you will forfeit that qualifying attempt. 5-minute time outs cannot be used during qualifying.

Call-Out Seeding

Once qualifying is finished, the 17-32 drivers will be placed in the bracket in their respective positions. Starting with the #17 driver, each driver will have an opportunity to pick their first competitor (Rival) in the Top 32 from the pool of the 1-16 qualified drivers. These call-outs will be done in person and in front of the Tech Trailer.

This will continue until the entire Top 32 bracket is filled with battles. If there are BYE runs, they will be given to the highest qualifying drivers before the picking begins.

Judging

The panel will consist of 3 judges (Mike Hilyar, Frank Mirabelli, and Matt Rusiecki). Judges want to see use of the entire track. A nice high and wide line on the bank and utilize the whole width of the infield for transitions. Focus on the clipping point and multiple outer zones. In tandem battles they want to see proximity.

Competition

Standard tandem competition bracket style elimination. Higher qualifying drivers will lead against the lower qualifying drivers in all battles.

The top 3 will report to the front stretch at the conclusion of the event for the awards ceremony.

Tentative Schedule

8:00 – Back Gate Opens
9:30 – MANDATORY Drivers Meeting
10:00 – MANDATORY MEDIA Meeting
10:00 to 11:30 – Tandem Rivals Practice (3 lead runs/3 chase runs)
11:00 – Early Access Gates Open
11:00 to 11:45 – Ride-Along Session #1
11:45 to 1:15 – Tandem Rivals Qualifying
1:00 – Main Gates Open
1:15 to 2:00 – Team Tandem Practice / Tandem Rivals Call-Out Seeding
1:30 to 2:15 – Ride-Along Session #2
2:30 to 3:30 – Tandem Rivals Top 32 to Top 16
3:30 to 4:15 – Intermission on Track
3:30 to 4:15 – Ride-Along Session #3
4:15 to 6:00 – Tandem Rivals Top 16 Introduction to Finish
6:00 to 7:00 – Team Tandem Tryouts
7:00 to 7:15 – 360° Drift Challenge
7:15 to 7:45 – Big Entry Contest
7:45 to 8:00 – Drifting Awards Ceremony