DEFINITION
A proximity zone is a course section — usually a clip or a transition — where judges weight chase proximity above all else. The chase has to be close in this zone, even if angle suffers, even if line drifts a little.
These zones were introduced to make chase scoring more predictable: drivers know exactly where to risk and where to protect.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Proximity zones were introduced in Formula Drift's 2018 rulebook and quickly spread to other series, including TOSFED Drift Şampiyonası.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
The chase commits to closing the gap entering the zone, holds bumper-to-bumper through it, and accepts a brief loss of angle if necessary.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Risk proximity in proximity zones; protect angle in angle zones. The course design tells you what counts where.
• Common mistake: trying for door-handle proximity in a momentum zone, where it scores nothing extra.
His chase had door-handle closeness through the proximity zone after the second clip.