DEFINITION
A sight lap is an official slow lap of the course — sometimes literally on foot, sometimes in the car at minimal speed — before any timed running begins. Drivers and crew use it to confirm clipping point positions, surface condition, run-off areas and any course changes since the last event.
On long or complex layouts a sight lap is part of the briefing schedule.
HISTORY & ORIGIN
Sight laps come from rally and circuit racing. Drift inherited the format directly, particularly for street-course events like the Long Beach round of Formula Drift.
TECHNIQUE BREAKDOWN
Drivers walk or drive the layout at minimal speed, stopping at every clipping point and zone marker. The chief judge typically narrates the line and answers questions on the spot.
PRO TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
• Walk the sight lap if you can. You see surface texture and camber on foot that you miss from the seat.
• Common mistake: skipping the sight lap because you ran the same course last year. Surface and clip positions change between events.
On the sight lap the chief judge moved the third clipping point a metre tighter.