IASCA's IDBL vs DB Drags
07-04-2003, 12:55 AM
#1
Hello,
I get alot of questions about IDBL, here's the scoop. The only differences between the two events is: the classes (woofer sizes) and microphone placement. IASCA IDBL is just as easy, if you hits the highests number you win. Its that easy. Also with IDBL, there are classes for the guy with a single 10" and an amp. There are classes for every level of competitor. I hope to see you guys out and about, checking out an IDBL contest in the future...
I get alot of questions about IDBL, here's the scoop. The only differences between the two events is: the classes (woofer sizes) and microphone placement. IASCA IDBL is just as easy, if you hits the highests number you win. Its that easy. Also with IDBL, there are classes for the guy with a single 10" and an amp. There are classes for every level of competitor. I hope to see you guys out and about, checking out an IDBL contest in the future...
07-04-2003, 04:37 AM
#2
dbdrag equals more fun and more competitive. There is some strategy involved as well as consistency comes into play. Also I know a guy who broke the stock 161-260 record last weekend (I think that is the class...it is the one with 2 12s in a stock class). He is like 17th in dbdrag and now has an idbl record...and he didn't even have all the equipement that the rules allowed (only one batt instead of one per amp). Sure IdBl is good for local shows but I feel that dbdrags are more fun and also more challenging cause that is where the big boys play
07-04-2003, 06:21 AM
#3
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,692
personally i know the db drag rules more than i do iasca. heck i've never even looked at iasca. but all i know is that heck, it's funner then hell to know that there is a choice out there. Getting that choice makes it more fun. Moe told me several times to learn all the different types(formats) before i build my car, but i tried to stay true to db only cause it was the first competition that i was exposed to. but in due time i will learn all of them.
07-04-2003, 07:28 AM
#4
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 610
Shocking, you make some very valid points about dB Drag... however I have to say that your comment that "dB Drag is where the big boys come out and play" is a truly unfair statement.
What makes dB Drag so popular, in my opinion, is the format. Having a bracket racing style format where you go head to head against another competitor is very exciting. The downfall (no disrespect intended) is the second round, when the format, as an example, puts the 7th place competitor up against the 2nd place competitor. Also, if you don't place in the top 8 in the first round, you're out! That means that a competitor who paid his entry fee to a show pays the same amount of entry fee for one run as the competitor who makes it to the top 8 and gets two, three or more runs. For someone who goes out to have fun and doesn't expect to win it is very costly. Just because that competitor isn't in the top 8 doesn't mean he's a lesser competitor, it means he's there because he wants to have fun with friends and enjoy the day, what's wrong with that?
As far as the rules are concerned, the major differences are classing and frequency caps. dB Drag caps the frequency at 80 hz while IdBL, MECA, USACi and SLAP cap the frequency at 100 hz. Everyone has differing opinions on where sub bass starts and that is not the issue here; the question posed was what are the differences in the rules between dB Drag and IdBL and I am simply pointing them out. With classing, dB Drag bases it on the amount of subwoofers whereas IdBL bases it on cone area. In dB Drag Street classes, you have a maximum of a 12" sub in a 1 woofer, two woofer or 3 to 4 woofer class. In IdBL Stock classes, you have a 1 to 160 inch cone area class, which allows for a single 12 or two 10's. In Stock 161-260 class, you are allowed two 12's, three 10's or one 15, your choice. In Stock 261+ class, you're allowed to run whatever you like as long as the box height doesn't exceed 25 inches and the box is in the OEM cargo area.
So you could say the difference is not what size of sub you're using, but rather how many square inches of sub (cone surface) you're using.
Suffice it to say that all formats of competition have a valid rules structure, it's just which format you like more. One organization is not "better" than the other, it's just different.
Personally, I am a fan of IdBL and my car is built to compete in that format. That doesn't mean I don't compete in other formats like dB Drag, USACi and MECA, I have on many occasions. As a matter of fact, I competed against Shaker Turgeon at the IASCA World Finals and placed second to him, 1.5 dB down (172.6 to 171.1). I also competed against Shaker at the Spring Break Nationals in MECA and beat him (164.3 to 162.7). I also came third at Audiothunder last March with a hit of 158.2 on the new dB Drag mikes and at the USACi competition at Darknights last summer with a hit of 160.7 on the B&K meter.
All the organizatons are great and they give us, the competitors, the option to choose which format we want to play in. The "big boys" don't necessarily only play in dB Drag, they play in all the formats, be it Chris Norris, Jimmy Leonard, Shaker Turgeon, Jaime Delapaz, Frank Valenti or Scott Harris. They compete for the thrill of competition and the love of the sport.
I admire and respect your love and support of dB Drag, Shocking, but please don't belittle the other organizations because you personally are not a fan or supporter of them. We're all on this forum because we love car audio and car audio competitions in any format, and that's what it's all about.
What makes dB Drag so popular, in my opinion, is the format. Having a bracket racing style format where you go head to head against another competitor is very exciting. The downfall (no disrespect intended) is the second round, when the format, as an example, puts the 7th place competitor up against the 2nd place competitor. Also, if you don't place in the top 8 in the first round, you're out! That means that a competitor who paid his entry fee to a show pays the same amount of entry fee for one run as the competitor who makes it to the top 8 and gets two, three or more runs. For someone who goes out to have fun and doesn't expect to win it is very costly. Just because that competitor isn't in the top 8 doesn't mean he's a lesser competitor, it means he's there because he wants to have fun with friends and enjoy the day, what's wrong with that?
As far as the rules are concerned, the major differences are classing and frequency caps. dB Drag caps the frequency at 80 hz while IdBL, MECA, USACi and SLAP cap the frequency at 100 hz. Everyone has differing opinions on where sub bass starts and that is not the issue here; the question posed was what are the differences in the rules between dB Drag and IdBL and I am simply pointing them out. With classing, dB Drag bases it on the amount of subwoofers whereas IdBL bases it on cone area. In dB Drag Street classes, you have a maximum of a 12" sub in a 1 woofer, two woofer or 3 to 4 woofer class. In IdBL Stock classes, you have a 1 to 160 inch cone area class, which allows for a single 12 or two 10's. In Stock 161-260 class, you are allowed two 12's, three 10's or one 15, your choice. In Stock 261+ class, you're allowed to run whatever you like as long as the box height doesn't exceed 25 inches and the box is in the OEM cargo area.
So you could say the difference is not what size of sub you're using, but rather how many square inches of sub (cone surface) you're using.
Suffice it to say that all formats of competition have a valid rules structure, it's just which format you like more. One organization is not "better" than the other, it's just different.
Personally, I am a fan of IdBL and my car is built to compete in that format. That doesn't mean I don't compete in other formats like dB Drag, USACi and MECA, I have on many occasions. As a matter of fact, I competed against Shaker Turgeon at the IASCA World Finals and placed second to him, 1.5 dB down (172.6 to 171.1). I also competed against Shaker at the Spring Break Nationals in MECA and beat him (164.3 to 162.7). I also came third at Audiothunder last March with a hit of 158.2 on the new dB Drag mikes and at the USACi competition at Darknights last summer with a hit of 160.7 on the B&K meter.
All the organizatons are great and they give us, the competitors, the option to choose which format we want to play in. The "big boys" don't necessarily only play in dB Drag, they play in all the formats, be it Chris Norris, Jimmy Leonard, Shaker Turgeon, Jaime Delapaz, Frank Valenti or Scott Harris. They compete for the thrill of competition and the love of the sport.
I admire and respect your love and support of dB Drag, Shocking, but please don't belittle the other organizations because you personally are not a fan or supporter of them. We're all on this forum because we love car audio and car audio competitions in any format, and that's what it's all about.
07-04-2003, 01:32 PM
#7
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 342
how are the rules hard to understand? just like any contest. pick your class ( the hardest part ) then go as loud as you can. really seems way more simple then some try ro make it. we just ran our first contest this last weekend and it took me 5 min of intensly looking like i was reading to figure it all out. all of these cntests are only as hard or as easy as we make them.
07-04-2003, 01:51 PM
#8
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 244
I have not been in serious competition for the last two years, wbut when I was it was all about DB drag to me. I felt that the IASCA rules at the time were not properly thought out. STock class could have an upgraded alternator, addition batteries, WALLS,(most people don't want to put a wall in their everyday driver, especially if you travel 150kms a day on the highway). I had no wall, stock alt., stock battery, but I worked at a shop, I'm in advanced. Sounds pretty dumb. If they did their research they would know that not every shop pays their employees very well or has the opportunity to get equipment at a special purchase program simply due to the little volume a shop may do.
Now I have skimmed over the IASCA rules for 2003 and they look a bit better. As well I have looked over the DB Drag Calender for 2003 and things look like they're getting worse for DB Drag.
I also agree with shocking in that the whole issue of consistancy. If you have one good run and blow your equipment to pieces you'll love IASCA but come on, Db Drag is just more fun.
[ July 04, 2003, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Rob ]
Now I have skimmed over the IASCA rules for 2003 and they look a bit better. As well I have looked over the DB Drag Calender for 2003 and things look like they're getting worse for DB Drag.
I also agree with shocking in that the whole issue of consistancy. If you have one good run and blow your equipment to pieces you'll love IASCA but come on, Db Drag is just more fun.
[ July 04, 2003, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Rob ]
07-04-2003, 05:28 PM
#9
Any organizations will have thier pros/cons..
But most people will build thier cars to adhear to the rules of thier organization of choice. Then the hardcore competitors will enter in others even if they are bumped up a class, or make certain changes to stay in a class..
Either way I think all organzations are good.. too bad there is not enough support of them.. (I'm not saying the people that do hold the shows dont support them, im saying that we need more people to hold shows)
I have the upmost respect for people like Moe that give time, money and support to the car audio scene and help support organizations, too bad every shop can't do this!
[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
But most people will build thier cars to adhear to the rules of thier organization of choice. Then the hardcore competitors will enter in others even if they are bumped up a class, or make certain changes to stay in a class..
Either way I think all organzations are good.. too bad there is not enough support of them.. (I'm not saying the people that do hold the shows dont support them, im saying that we need more people to hold shows)
I have the upmost respect for people like Moe that give time, money and support to the car audio scene and help support organizations, too bad every shop can't do this!
[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
07-04-2003, 06:21 PM
#10
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,692
i too had to change my plans in mid flight. i went from building an spl car for my brother(really simple car), to going to extreme only because i work for a distributor. i did get some sponsorship but sponsorship just fell in my lap. Now it's ballooned into 4 sposorships and i'll never be able to afford the glass to go all out extreme, and i won't be able by a trailer to haul it let alone a truck to pull it. so i'm stuck with an extreme 1-2 that doesn't stand a chance against the big boys in eastern canada. but i'm saving my pennies and well see what we come up with for next year. We try to build for one thing and rules have to be followed so now we have togo into a higher class due to these rules. but well still have fun doing it. that's what it is all about , isn't it? fun, fun, fun, frustration, fun.
