Grassroots Drift Competition at Slideways Showdown
Welcome to Slideways Showdown, Ohio’s premier grassroots drift competition. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or new to the scene, our events provide the perfect blend of competitive drifting and community vibes. All drivers are welcome at Painesville Speedway to test their skills and enjoy seat time with other passionate drifters.
What Makes Slideways Showdown a True Grassroots Drift Competition?
At Slideways Showdown, our focus is on keeping drifting accessible, affordable, and fun for drivers of all skill levels. Our grassroots drift competition format ensures that drivers can learn, grow, and compete without needing high-dollar builds or professional sponsorships. From first-timers to seasoned tandem drivers, everyone is welcome to throw down and have fun.
How to Prepare for a Grassroots Drift Competition
Whether you’re signing up for your first grassroots drift competition or you’ve competed before, prepping your car and understanding the rules is key to having a successful day at the track. We recommend:
- Reading the full competition rulebook (see below) to understand judging criteria, driver responsibilities, and safety expectations.
- Ensuring your car passes tech inspection (we also have a full tech requirements page [link to tech page]).
- Attending the mandatory driver’s meeting to understand how the event will run.
- Asking questions! Our community of experienced drivers and event staff is here to help you get the most out of every Slideways Showdown event.
2025 Drift Competition – Payout Rule Book
Below are the official guidelines for entry fees, how prize funds are allocated each round, and the end-of-season payout structure for the 2025 Cash Comp Drift Series.
1. Entry Fees
- Standard Entry Fee
- Each driver pays a $50 entry fee per round.
- There are 16 spots available per round.
- Total Per-Round Revenue
- With 16 drivers, total revenue per round = $50 × 16 = $800.
- Adjustments to Entry Fee
- Drivers may vote to adjust the entry fee (e.g., $60, $100) if there is unanimous or majority agreement.
- Any change must be announced during the drivers meeting before the round begins.
2. Season Points Fund
- Allocation Percentage
- A portion of each round’s total revenue is set aside for the Season Points Fund.
- Two common allocation options:
- 25% of $800 = $200 per round
- 50% of $800 = $400 per round
- Accumulated Total
- The total Season Points Fund = (Allocation per Round) × (Number of Rounds).
- Example (8-round season):
- At 25%: $200 × 8 = $1,600 total
- At 50%: $400 × 8 = $3,200 total
- Additional Contributions
- Any driver or sponsor may add to the Season Points Fund at any time.
- Sponsors may also offer additional cash or prizes to expand the pool or create additional reward tiers.
3. Round Payouts
- Per-Round Prize Structure
- From the remaining revenue (after setting aside the Season Points Fund), the top 3 finishers each round may receive a payout.
- A common breakdown for the per-round payout is:
- 1st Place: 50% of the designated round payout
- 2nd Place: 30%
- 3rd Place: 20%
- Announcement of Payouts
- The exact payout amount per round should be confirmed at the drivers meeting, depending on the final entry fee and participation.
4. Season-End Payout
- Top 3 Drivers
- At the end of the season, the total Season Points Fund is distributed to the top 3 drivers in overall points.
- Standard breakdown:
- 1st Place: 50%
- 2nd Place: 30%
- 3rd Place: 20%
- Expansion of Payout Spots
- If sponsor contributions or additional funds increase the Season Points Fund, additional places (e.g., 4th or 5th) may also receive a share.
- Points System
- A separate points system will determine final standings. Drivers must compete in multiple rounds to maximize their points.
5. Rule Amendments
- Voting
- Any modifications to entry fees or payout structures require a vote or organizer approval.
- Final decisions must be announced clearly before the next round begins.
- Sponsor & Driver Contributions
- Any new sponsorship deals or driver donations will be clearly communicated.
- Changes to the fund are recorded and announced so drivers understand how payouts may be affected.
6. Summary
- Transparency: A fixed percentage of each round’s revenue builds the Season Points Fund.
- Incentive: Round and season-end payouts encourage consistent attendance and performance.
- Flexibility: The entry fee can be adjusted if drivers collectively agree, keeping the competition accessible yet rewarding.
Ready to Compete? Register for the Next Grassroots Drift Competition
We invite all drivers to test their skills in our grassroots drift competition series. With multiple rounds at Painesville Speedway, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to improve, compete, and have fun.
Questions About the Rulebook or Competition Format?
We know rules and judging formats can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to competition drifting. Our team is happy to clarify any rulebook sections, help you understand judging criteria, and make sure you’re fully prepared to compete.
📧 Contact us or message us in the NE Ohio Drifting Facebook Group for assistance.