DEFINITION
The leading run is the half of a battle in which a driver runs as the lead car. Each battle has two leading runs: driver A leads first, then driver B leads.
Judges score the leading run on line accuracy, angle, speed and how hard the lead made itself to follow. A clean, committed leading run is the foundation of a battle win.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
The two-runs-per-battle structure (lead + chase, then swap) became standard in D1GP and is now identical across Formula Drift, DMEC and TOSFED.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
On the judges' signal the lead initiates the entry, runs the prescribed line through every clipping point, and exits across the finish gate. The driver should treat it as a qualifying-style run with the chase as a secondary concern.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Treat your leading run like a qualifying lap. Don't change anything because someone is behind you.
• Common mistake: brake-checking. Brake-checking the chase is a near-automatic deduction.
His leading run was perfect — full angle into entry, three clipping points hit, exit gate cleared.