DEFINITION
A penalty is any sanction imposed by judges or stewards for a rule infringement. In drift these range from a points deduction (for a missed clipping point or hesitation) to a strike, a battle loss, or even disqualification for serious infractions like ignoring a black flag.
All penalties are announced over PA, posted on the timing screen and recorded in the event documents.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Penalty structures in drift follow the FIA Appendix L framework and the series-specific supplementary regulations.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
There is no driving technique here — the term defines a consequence. Common penalties: −5 for missed clip, −10 for hesitation, automatic battle loss for two-wheels-out off the course.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Read the supplementary regs at every event. Penalty structures vary between series and even between events.
• Common mistake: arguing penalties at the time. File a protest if you have evidence; shouting at race control just makes it worse.
The −10 penalty for hesitation in the OMT was the deciding margin.