Rules and regulations for ages 8-16

Summer 2010 and Winter 2010/11 Championship Rules & Regulations

Introduction
The Junior Kart Club is open to drivers that have some experience of driving karts and will be divided in to two categories. 8 to 13 and 11 to 16 year olds (these may further be sub divided). The Club is set up to encourage young drivers into the sport of karting and to produce a competitive but friendly atmosphere.

Event Officials

A Race Director will be appointed for each event. Deputies may also be appointed to assist. The Race Director will have full control over the event including the imposition of penalties and these penalties will not be subject to appeal.

Event

All drivers must sign on the appropriate form and must be signed by their parent or guardian.

Karts

The karts that will be used for the event will be the fleet of Sodi junior karts and will be prepared by the Buckmore Park Workshop Staff who will be on hand for any repair work that may be needed.

Clothing

All drivers must ensure that they wear all clothing that is provided or has been cleared by the Race Director. The crash helmets are different sizes and assistance should be obtained in selecting the correct size. If the helmet is supplied by Buckmore Park then a balaclava must be worn. Rib-Tecs will be supplied and fitted to each driver as will neck collars. Race suits will need to be worn and are supplied in various sizes, the zips must be done up when on the circuit. We recommend that you wear either race boots or trainers. Sandals are not acceptable.

Safety Briefing

All drivers must attend the safety briefing. Ever effort will be given to brief any drivers that may arrive late. However if this is not possible then the driver may have to forfeit their racing. No refunds can be given.

Practice

Each driver will have a 3 lap practice period in which they can learn the circuit and acquaint themselves with the vehicle.

Grid positions

These will be selected at random from the computer and it will give a fair selection of grid positions i.e. the person that starts in pole position for one race should start from the rear of the grid for one heat and approximately the middle for the other heat .

Timing and lap scoring

Timing and lap scoring will be computerised utilising small electronic transponders. Any person found attempting to tamper with this equipment will be excluded. Transponders must be returned at the end of the event. In the event of transponder or computer failure manual lap scoring will be carried out by the Race Director whose decisions shall be final.

Starts

The start of the race will be from a standing start and will be signalled with the lights changing from red to green. In the event of the lights failing then the races will start when the union flag is dropped.

Breakdowns

Should your kart break down you should make your way to the side of the track in a safe position and remain in the kart with your seat belts on. A member of staff will come to your assistance as soon as possible. Re-runs will not be allowed in the event that a kart is deficient in any way or breaks down during a race. However, should a kart become impossible to drive during a race (engine seized, chain off, throttle cable snapped etc) then the driver will be credited with 8 points in the heats or the equivalent of a midfield finish if in the finals. This will not affect the points given to other drivers in the same race. Points will not be added in the case where the driver simply stops on track when the kart is still able to be driven, however slowly. A mechanic will check any karts that have stopped on track and will be the final judge as to whether the kart could have continued or not.

Rejoining the circuit

Care should be taken when rejoining the circuit and this should only be done when a clear gap is available and it is safe to do so.

Driving standards

Drivers must conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the general safety of themselves and others. Drivers are reminded that there will be a considerable variation in the skill and pace of drivers. Slower drivers must pay attention to the faster drivers catching them and should indicate which side the faster driver should pass them. Faster drivers should take care passing slower drivers. Karting is a non-contact sport and drivers choosing to ignore this rule will be penalised and could be excluded from the event or even the series.

Drivers must obey the signals and instructions of officials and marshals of the event. Blocking or weaving to prevent a faster driver from passing is not permitted. Drivers are reminded that the edge of the track is marked by white lines. Karts should not drive off the edge of the track and a driver doing so and gaining advantage may be penalised. Any driver seen persistently or deliberately missing corners may be black flagged. If a kart leaves the circuit either accidentally or deliberately, the driver is to rejoin at the point nearest to the place where they left the circuit. Any driver observed using a “cut through” will be deduced that lap.

Race Finishes

At the end of the race the chequered flag shall be shown at the start/finish line. Drivers will slow, remaining in the same order and make their way back to the gird. Overtaking is not permitted after the chequered flag.

General
As the drivers are minors it is deemed that their parents/guardians are also 'signed on' and therefore bound by the rules of good sportsmanlike behavior. Should any member of a drivers 'entourage' be behaving outside the sprit or the letter of these rules then his or her driver may be disqualified from the event or even the series.

The Race Directors decision in all matters is final. There is no appeal procedure.

Results

All results, including individual laptimes, will be uploaded to the "results" section of the website as soon as possible after each event. No print outs are prepared.

Awards

Trophies will be provided by the organisers for First, Second and Third place in the “A” Final.

Presentation

Awards will be presented at the end of the event. Championship awards will be presented at the Annual Awards evening (summer) and at a date to be agreed (winter).