“The Big Entry Show” was introduced for the first time at Vålerbanen in 2024, to wild cheers from all the stands! We’re repeating the success this year, but this time all the participants have got their blood pumping – and know even better what they’re getting into. “Big entries” – the very definition of good car control! Gatebil is aware that several of the drivers who did well last year are talking about going even harder in 2025! With drivers like – triple world champion in drifting – Fredric Aasbø at the forefront, this can’t be anything but super intense! As this example demonstrates:
DRIVERS AND COMPETITION:
12 – 15 of Norway’s most skilled “gossip drivers” do what they can to set up the car as spectacularly as possible before gossiping through the turn (after the straightaway) on the Våler track. The elimination method applies: First 12 – 15 participants, then 8 in the semi-final and finally 4 in the final.
Participants are selected on the basis of qualifications shown on the track during previous drifting heats and merits. So it’s all about putting your money where your mouth is! You are allowed to participate with all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Pull on the front – and be awesome at using the break – pull all you can!
Tire choice? Completely free and up to you! Other rules? Nothing other than Gatebil’s fixed rules. We’re looking for everything from ordinary street cars to pure drift cars. It’s open for anyone to win! Just make sure you show what you’re made of on Friday – and come back with a trophy for the mantelpiece on Saturday.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
– commitment
– angle
– speed
The judges are looking for the most aggressive and fastest drivers, rather than lots of gossip and banter. To quote Redric Aasbø; Think of the run as a “knit that charges”: You tighten the knit as much as you can, and release all the energy in the entry to the chicane.
Unlike regular drifting, we don’t pay much attention to racing lines or optimal track selection. On the contrary! Instead, we want you to propose to the audience. Show off in the way that Gatebil has become known for and that the drivers on the track have been doing for decades, only here it’s systematized. And you could be the one to take home the victory!
Good luck to you.
The perfect run looks like this:
- Roll off at the start without wheel spin and drive with grip out of turn 10 (out onto the depot area)
- Accelerate as hard as you can down the depot flat to get as much speed as possible into a backwards entry.
- Aggressive flick past the start/finish, into the backwards entry with the rear end of the car towards the audience stand.
- Important: It is better to have a slightly smaller angle, but keep the speed up and be in control, than to send the car into a spin, lose speed and have to correct out of the entry.
- Controlled transition into the left turn out of the chicane,
- Absolutely 100% full throttle out of the chicane and down past the cafeteria.
TRACKLineupand service cars: Between turn 8 and turn 9 (the start of the “driving lane”)
The Big Entry: Into turn 1 (the chicane after the start/finish)
Finish line: Turn 3 (past the cafeteria building)
Lineup and service cars: Between turn 8 and turn 9 (the start of the “driving lane”)
The Big Entry: Into turn 1 (the chicane after the start/finish)
Finish line: Turn 3 (past the cafeteria building)
Judging criteria: Impact, angle and speed. The judges want as aggressive and fast driving as possible, rather than a lot of angles and “burnout” over the entire course. Think of the run as a “knit that charges”: You tighten the knit as much as you can, and release all the energy in the entry to the chicane.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
– Impact
– angle
– speed
The judges want as aggressive and fast driving as possible, rather than a lot of angles and “burnout” over the entire course. Think of the run as a “knit that charges”: You tighten the knit as muGatebil is not just about what happens on the track. In 2025, there will of course be Meguiar’s Showgarden at all Gatebil festivals.
The Showgarden is a large exhibition area where everyone who has a special and nice car that stands out from the crowd can participate. Both new and old – original and rebuilt.
Lineup and service cars: Between turn 8 and turn 9 (the start of the “driving lane”)
The Big Entry: Into turn 1 (the chicane after the start/finish)
Finish line: Turn 3 (past the cafeteria building)
Interview with Fredric Aasbø – three-time Formula Drift champion:
Who came up with the concept of The Big Entry Show?
Fredric: – After 15 years of drifting around the world, it has started to feel a bit stale and repetitive. I also feel like Gatebil is the perfect place to try new competition formats… So I simply suggested the competition to Hans Jørgen (“Bassan”) at Gatebil. He loved the idea.
Tell me how The Big Entry Show is different from other drift competitions?
Fredric: – The Big Entry Show is different from other drift competitions in a few ways: It’s a very compressed show of just one major highlight: The high speed entry, which is arguably the coolest part of drifting. Also, we’ve removed all the technical rules from regular drifting, in an effort to removed the politics, the long waits and some of the drama that often hurt a typical drifting show. We want this to be a fun, high action experience for everyone.
Are you going to be judging this competition in the first time Gatebil is having it?
Fredric: – Yes, I will be the head judge and will be placed with the spectators and the other judges. The goal is to feel the energy within the grandstand and judge in line with what the fans want to see.
What is going through your mind while you yourself are driving as in the video about it? What are you thinking about?
Fredric: – Well, anytime I’m on track, I’m just focusing on the next corner. But – sending the car into a deep, aggressive entry probably makes me focus a little bit extra… When you get it right, it’s the best feeling ever.
Do you still get adrenaline from drifting?
Fredric: – I absolutely still get adrenaline from drifting, but not until it’s really “ON”. The traveling and waiting has gotten old, but going into battle or trying to stick that one corner you’ve been struggling with definitely makes my blood flow. This is what keeps me going. But: I’m also getting a kick out of being behind the scenes, letting other people shine and help develop new experiences and ideas.
What kind of skills a driver needs to master to drive the Show?
Fredric: – Of course, you need excellent car control. But, you also need to be able to hold back that little bit – because if you charge too hard, you’ll send your car into a spin and possibly roll in the treacherous sand pit at Vålerbanen.
Why should people come and watch the Show?
Fredric: – If we get this right, it’ll be the coolest one hour show at Gatebil ever. A perfect pit party and a good time with your friends, watching some kick ass driving from the best seats in the house. See you there!
