Some text I summarized from Formula D's website. Basically gets at how competitive drifting works for those that are new to drifting.

ENTRY, LINE, SPEED, ANGLE, IMPACT

ENTRY: The manner in which a driver “attacks the course” is critical. If the initiation of the drift is poorly executed then, more than often, the driver will be spending the rest of the time correcting the drift. This is not a judged criteria but usually informs the rest of the drift.

LINE: The race line is the ideal path a driver must take on course. Straying too far from the race line will result in points being deducted from this criteria. Inner Clipping Zones are points on the course where a driver’s score will be determined by how close the nose of the vehicle’s front bumper clears the zone. Outer Clipping Zones are points on the course where the driver’s score will be determined by how close the corner of the vehicle’s rear bumper clears the zone. Anything more that an foot away from the zones points will be deducted.

SPEED: Drivers must optimize and maintain their speed as they enter and exit corners as they make their way through the course.

ANGLE: Drivers should be holding the optimal angle at which a driver can maintain and control the vehicle throughout the course of the run. The angle of the vehicle will be judged as they enter and exit the corners. If a vehicle loses all angle and is essentially not drifting, a large deduction (if not a 0 score) will result.

IMPACT: The energy and excitement a driver emanates throughout the run. A driver’s entry and initiation usually sets the tone of the entire run.

Deductions:

Anytime an Inner Clipping Cone is hit, the vehicle will be considered to be off course, depending on the degree of the hit. Points will be deducted.

Coming into contact with a wall or cone in the Outer Clipping Zone will not result in a point deduction if the hit does not disturb or affect the course of the drivers run. This means no major corrections were needed after the hit and the driver was still able to maintain good line, speed, and angle.

How to get a 0 score:

If at anytime a driver spins out or understeers an automatic score of 0 will be given for that run.

Unless specified otherwise during meetings, if at any time 2 tires are off course during a run, the driver will be given a score of 0.

Hitting an Outer Clipping Cone with anything other than the driver’s rear bumper will be counted as 2 tires off course and is considered a score of 0. (ie. hitting the cone with the rear tire, door, etc.)