PA-01
Purpose and Boundaries
The protest and appeal process gives drivers a structured way to raise serious issues with evidence.
Know what belongs
Use protests for reviewable technical, conduct or administrative issues.
Bring facts
Staff needs clear information, not vague frustration.
Keep it private
The correct channel protects the event and everyone involved.
PA-02
What Can Be Submitted
Use the protest process for issues that can be reviewed with rules, evidence and event context. Judging decisions themselves are final and are not protested; if a driver wants an explanation, they may submit a private post-event clarification request.
| Can be submitted | Example |
|---|---|
| Technical concern | A car may not match EFVD technical requirements. |
| Conduct complaint | Harassment, threats, retaliation or serious event behavior. |
| Administrative issue | Roster, bracket, result entry or process error. |
| Disciplinary appeal | A driver requests review of a conduct or eligibility decision. |
| Judging explanation request | A private request for explanation after the event, not a live challenge to the call. |
PA-03
What Cannot Be Protested
The protest process is not for every disagreement. Decisions cannot be protested when the issue is a judging call, including disagreement about a judge's objective read of a run. Drivers may still ask for a private explanation after the event if they want to understand a call better.
| Not for protest | Why |
|---|---|
| Personal dislike of a judging call | Judges have live authority over run evaluation. |
| Objective judging disagreement | Judge interpretation and live run evaluation remain final for the event. |
| Public drama thread | Public pressure makes fair review harder. |
| No evidence | Staff cannot review vague claims or frustration alone. |
| Closed final decision | Repeated escalation after closure may become a conduct issue. |
| Live arguing with judges or staff | Live event flow must stay clear and controlled. |
PA-04
Submission Deadlines
Deadlines protect event flow and make sure evidence is still available when staff reviews the issue.
Do not wait
Use the announced deadline for that event or the issue may not be reviewed. If no event-specific deadline is posted, submit within 24 hours after the event ends.
Keep it private
Submit through the announced ticket or staff process.
Make review possible
Late reports need clear timestamps, replay references or message context.
PA-05
Evidence Requirements
Good evidence lets staff review the issue without relying on public pressure or incomplete context.
Show the incident
Use replay files, stream clips or recordings when available. Avoid cropped clips that remove important context.
Point to the moment
Include exact times, run numbers, battle names or message links.
State the rule concern
Keep the description short, factual and connected to the rule or issue.
PA-06
Protest Flow
Protests and appeals are handled privately so staff can review evidence without public pressure or event disruption.
-
01
Submit privately
Use the announced staff channel or ticket process.
-
02
Provide evidence
Include replay, screenshots, timestamps or relevant context.
-
03
Staff review
Authorized staff reviews the issue and applicable rule.
-
04
Outcome
Staff communicates the result and closes the matter when final.
PA-07
Review Authority
Only authorized EFVD staff can decide how a protest is reviewed, who is involved and what information is shared.
Assigned by EFVD
Drivers do not choose the reviewer or pressure specific staff members.
Evidence-based
Staff may limit the review to the submitted issue and available evidence.
Controlled process
Private reports, internal discussion and sensitive evidence may remain confidential.
PA-08
Possible Outcomes
A review can confirm the original decision, correct an administrative issue where staff chooses to do so or create a separate conduct or technical action. EFVD staff reserve the right to edit results, brackets or standings, but there is no obligation or guarantee.
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No change | The original decision or result stands. |
| Correction | A clerical, roster, bracket or technical process issue may be corrected at staff discretion. |
| Penalty or restriction | A conduct, technical or procedure issue creates an event action. |
| Further review | Staff needs more evidence or leadership review before closure. |
PA-09
Anti-Drama Rules
The protest system exists to solve issues, not to create public pressure campaigns.
Use official channels
Do not turn a protest into a public argument.
Stay factual
Insults, threats or harassment can create conduct action.
Accept closure
Once staff closes a review, continued escalation may be treated separately.
PA-10
Policy Changes
EFVD may modify this guide when needed to support sustainability, fairness and the continued growth of the championship.