DEFINITION
Gain (or 'gaining') describes the chase car visibly closing the gap on the lead car. Judges reward gaining when it happens in a hard part of the course — entry, transition, clipping point.
It is one of the strongest positive signals a chase can send. A chase that gains on every transition will almost always win the run.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Gaining as a positive scoring criterion was elevated in Formula Drift's 2014 rulebook revision and is now standard across major series.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
The chase commits harder on entry, runs a slightly inside line through clips and carries more momentum out of transitions. The gain is most visible at the clipping points where lines naturally compress.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Don't gain on a straight. Gaining only counts where it shows skill.
• Common mistake: gaining so aggressively into a clipping point that you bump the lead. That stops being a gain and becomes contact.
Her chase run had visible gain through every transition and door-handle proximity at the final clip.