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The Buckmore Park Kart Drivers Club (BPKDC) Elite GPL Series 2010
(In partnership with Club 100)

RULES & REGULATIONS SPRINT SERIES 2010

1.ENTRY

Entry for each event is on a first come, first served basis. Entries are confirmed only when accompanied with full payment. All entrants must have been issued with an Elite permit number.

Entries can be made online with your Elite Permit number entered in the ‘membership No box. Alternatively bookings can be made by telephone to 01634 201562

2.CANCELLATIONS

Bookings, once made and paid for, are non refundable.

3.EVENT SCHEDULE

13:30: Arrival and sign on (Clubhouse)
14:00: Safety Briefing (Clubhouse)
14:30 — 17:15: Practice/heats and final(s)
17:45: Presentation and club bar (Clubhouse)

4.REGISTRATION/DRIVERS BRIEFING

a.Drivers will not be permitted to participate in any part of the event if he/she fails to register (sign on).

b.Any driver who fails to attend the drivers briefing will not be permitted to participate in any part of the event.

c.THE ABOVE RULES WILL APPLY WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

5.WEIGHT

a.The Standard weight limit is 83kg (read 5b below) and the Super Heavy limit is 90Kg (read 5C below). It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they check their weight at each race using the Buckmore scales. Recommended way of achieving the limit is weight fitted to a seat insert or attached to the weight posts situated by the seat on the Karts. All the karts are fitted with two weight posts, which hold a maximum of 12Kg of lead. We will not allow any extra weight to be fitted to a driver. The lead can be purchased from BIZ karts (020 8443 3300 ext 2, contact name — John Scutchings). You may also purchase lead from The Kart Shop at Buckmore 01634 672256 but this is NOT a stock item and must be ordered well in advance. Sheet lead (for seat inserts) can be purchased through builders merchants. Buckmore staff will check all such seat inserts to ensure they are safe.

b.To determine a Lightweight driver’s weight limit, each driver should include their full kit i.e. Crash Helmets, Overalls, Boots and seat Inserts.

c.Entry level for Super Heavy drivers will be 90Kg in full race kit and including crash helmet but without any added ballast. A driver is not allowed to use their seat insert to achieve this 90KG limit. Any driver not making this limit will not be allowed to race in the Super Heavyweight class. Random checks on this entry weight limit will be carried out during the season. Random checks will be made throughout the day during the season on both weight categories. Any driver found to be lighter than the required weight will be excluded from that race.

6. TRANSPONDERS

Upon registration each driver will be issued a computer transponder, which will be fitted to his or her left ankle by means of a Velcro strap. It is the sole responsibility of each driver to look after and ensure the strap remains correctly fitted to the ankle throughout the event. Drivers who race without the transponder on their ankle will score no points in that particular race.

Any driver who loses or misplaces their transponder whilst in their possession will be charged the full value rate of £180 plus VAT.
Furthermore, drivers not checking their transponder is correctly strapped to their ankle, and who subsequently lose the transponder on circuit, will receive no points for that race.

If a driver races with the incorrect transponder (ie for someone else or through carelessness in looking after their own transponder), he/she will score no points in that particular race.

7. PRACTICE

a.Practice will precede a driver’s first heat and will be a minimum of 5 laps. If a driver makes a kart change after the chequered flag that marks the end of the practice laps, then they will not be allowed to re-test their kart. They will have to join the pack and then pick up their grid position without re-testing their kart.
Once competitors receive the chequered flag they should form up behind the Pace Kart that will then be on the circuit. Competitors should then take up their correct grid positions for their 1st heat during the subsequent rolling up laps. (SEE RACE PROCEDURE)

b.Drivers that commit an offence of any type will be black flagged and will stay in the pit lane for the remainder of practice.

8.HEATS

a.Grid positions for the heats are calculated to give each competitor a share of front middle and rear positions.

b. Drivers compete in 3 heats of up to 8 laps. However, the amount of laps will depend on the circuit, weather conditions and time available.

c.Points in the heats will be awarded for finishing positions thus:

1st = 24 then decreasing in increments of 1

9. FINALS

a.All drivers will compete in one of the Finals (A, B or C final).

b.Grid positions for the finals are calculated by the addition of each competitor’s points accrued in the heats i.e. the highest point scorer will gain pole position for the A Final.

c.In the event of a tie between two or more competitors, the driver with the fastest lap during the heats takes the higher grid position.

d.The top 2 drivers from the B and C final (if required) will race again, from the back of the grid in the next final. There will only be 22 direct qualifiers for the A, 22 or 24 for the B and a maximum of 24 in the C Final if a C final is required and run.

In the A finals, drivers will be given 3 practice laps to test their karts prior to the race. They may change their karts (up to a maximum of two changes are permitted) at any time during these three laps. If a driver changes their kart after taking the chequered flag at the end of these practice laps, then they will not be allowed to re-test their kart. They will have to join the pack and then pick up their grid position without re-testing their kart.

Championship points will be awarded in the finals as follows (this allows for a maximum entry of 72 drivers per round):

A Final
1st = 100, 2nd = 95, 3rd = 90, 4th = 85, 5th = 80, 6th = 75, 7th = 70, 8th = 65, 9th = 60, 10th = 55. Then decreasing in one point increments to 24th = 45. A DNF will count as 44.

B Final
The first two finishers will join the A final
3rd = 44, 4th = 43, 5th = 42 and so on, in one point increments to 24th = 23. A DNF will count as 22

C Final
The first two finishers will join the B final
3rd = 22, then decreasing in one point increments to 24th = 1. A DNF will score no points.

e.Drivers best 5 results from 6 rounds will count towards the championship. In the event of a tie on points between drivers at the end of the season, the winner shall be the driver with the most 1st places. If the drivers are still tied, we go to 2nd places and so on until a result is achieved. In the unlikely event of a tie at this point, the driver with the highest raced position from round 1 will be crowned champion.

10.RACE PROCEDURE

a.Karts are randomly allocated. Drivers may not choose their own karts.
Prior to each race, drivers should check the following items (although this is not an extensive list) on the kart allocated to them in the pits:
Fuel, Tyres & Rims, Plug Cap, Exhaust & Fittings, all steering components, Chain (for tension), Seat Stays and Seat, Nose Cone, Side Pods, Front & Rear Bumpers, Brakes, Accelerator & associated cables.

b.Once a driver starts a race, it will be assumed that s/he is satisfied with the performance of his/her kart.

c.Drivers are reminded that they must help each other to bump start the karts.

d.Karts are hand built; therefore each and every kart will be different. Drivers should explore the handling capabilities of their kart during the rolling-up laps.

e.During practice/rolling up laps, if a driver finds a SERIOUS problem with their kart, they may overtake the pace kart and return to the pits where upon they will be allocated another kart. Only ONE kart change will be permitted per heat, including practice laps. Also, if a driver spins during the rolling up laps, the starter is not at liberty to wait and may start the race, regardless of his/her position.

f.Grid formation will be 2 by 2. Whilst on rolling up laps, drivers should stay to the outside of the track and leave gaps to allow other drivers to take up their allocated grid positions. Once the karts are all on the track, the front row should establish a steady and even speed behind the pace kart. Drivers should maintain this steady and even speed after the pace kart pulls off just prior to the start and should not floor the throttle. Drivers must ensure they do not break formation before crossing the start line (i.e. they must not pull alongside the driver in front until they have crossed the start line). Any driver who floors the throttle or breaks formation will receive a penalty See Penalties (Section 14).

g.It is the responsibility of each driver to start in his/her correct grid position. Competitors may signal to the Clerk of the Course and/or the start line marshal if other drivers are preventing them from getting into their correct starting position. Drivers will receive a penalty if they jump the start. See Penalties (section 14). If a driver fails to make any effort to take up their correct starting position, those other drivers who may benefit from this will not be penalised. Any driver seen excessively weaving during the rolling up laps will receive a penalty. See Penalties (section 14).

h.During the rolling up laps, drivers in trouble should raise a hand. Furthermore, following drivers may overtake competitors obviously in trouble i.e. not keeping up with the pack.

i.The pole-man will control the pace as the pack approaches the start line, taking into account the appropriate pace noted in 10f above. No other driver may overtake the pole-man before the start line.

j.If a driver spins and stalls, s/he must move the kart to a safe position off the racing line and await a pusher kart. Drivers are not permitted to push start themselves under any circumstances. Any driver push starting themselves will receive the black flag in that race.

k.Competitors must accept the safety of the pusher kart drivers is of paramount importance; therefore, they are at liberty to refuse to start a kart in a dangerous position.

l.After the race, if a driver feels that the kart has developed a problem, s/he must return it to the mechanics bay and report the fault to a member of staff in the pit lane. If a kart is placed back in line for the next race, then it is deemed good enough for use in the next race.

m.During the heats and finals, drivers suffering the following circumstances will receive points for their position on the score sheet on the previous lap:
Engine seizure, complete ignition unit failure, complete carburettor failure or complete brake failure (unless sustained by driver error). If the failure occurs on the first lap, then the driver’s starting position will be used to determine the amount of points scored. No points will be awarded until the problem is verified by a member of staff.

n.Should a driver be in a qualifying position in the B or C final on the lap prior to the mechanical failure (see 10m above), then they will be allowed to compete in the next final, but will have to start from last place on the grid.

o.Non finishers will be awarded points as above. If more than one driver fails to finish, then points will be awarded based on the number of laps completed (i.e. the driver completing the most laps will be awarded second last and the driver completing least laps being awarded points for last etc). If two drivers break down on the same lap, the points will be awarded based on the relative positions at the end of the lap before the breakdown.

p.In the event of a red flag incident, drivers that have been involved in an accident resulting in damage to his/her kart, will not be allowed to exchange karts before the restart. Rule 10b applies. The driver that is the reason for a red flag on the grounds of injury, if cleared to re-start by the medics, will start from the back of the grid.

q.In the heats and finals the following circumstances will be regarded as force majeure: Puncture, plug cap failure, snapped chain, exhaust failure (including fittings), brake and accelerator cables failure, track rod/steering column/stub axle failure, bumper on rear tyre, broken nose cone (on safety grounds if deemed dangerous by the Clerk of the Course) plus any other items not covered by rule 10m which identifies the criteria for non force majuere items.

r.In these circumstances, points for last place will be awarded to the driver.

11.FLAGS

a.The following must be adhered to whilst on the circuit:
Union/Lights = Race starts

Red = Race stopped, slow down and be prepared to stop on any section of the circuit where directed. See rule 17

Yellow = Obstacle ahead, raise hand, slow down & no overtaking allowed until the obstacle has been passed

Red/Yellow striped = Caution, slippery surface ahead

Black/White diagonal = Driver warning for contact, kerbing etc.

Black = Driver excluded, return to pits

Black/Orange circle = Mechanical failure, return to pits

Blue = Give way to competitors behind, you are being lapped

Chequered = End of race, return to pits or as indicated.

b.Yellow Flags: Should a driver overtake on a yellow flag and realise the
mistake, it is permissible for this driver to decelerate and signal for the other driver to re-pass immediately. It is incumbent on the other driver to re-take their position, or the first driver is at liberty to carry on racing without penalty

c.Penalties will be given to drivers who ignore these signals.

12. ACKNOWLEDGING THE YELLOW FLAG

DRIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE YELLOW FLAG BY RAISING THEIR HAND. THIS PROCEDURE HELPS TO PROTECT YOU WHEN APPROACHING YELLOW FLAG INCIDENTS.

13.GENERAL

a.The Clerk of the Course has the right to make post race decisions after an inquiry.

b.In some circumstances, a competitor may receive an official verbal warning. Any further misconduct by the competitor may result in his/her exclusion from the event or the whole series.

c.Suits, helmets and gloves must be worn correctly. Drivers will be black flagged if they fail to comply with this rule.

d.Competitors are responsible for the behaviour of their supporters, family and friends.

e.Competitors are reminded that any use of foul language or threatening behaviour, either towards a member(s)of staff or other competitors may be subjected to a BAN from their next heat or final.

f.Buckmore Park Karting Ltd. are covered by their own public liability insurance. Drivers should consider seeking personal insurance, at their own expense, for full protection.

g.Any further regulations will, where possible, adhere to the MSA Blue Book 2010.

h.The Club100 technicians will set Tyre pressures on the day. Drivers are not allowed to alter or check tyre pressures. Staff will happily check pressures if requested

i.All drivers must use a clear or yellow visor in dusk and dark conditions.

14.PENALTIES DURING HEATS

The Clerk of the Course, his deputy and assistants on the day decide the penalty (and hence the number of positions deducted — see below) depending on the severity of the incident.

Any offences committed during the heats, drivers will be deducted grid places for their final.

a.Drivers that gain a single place advantage, as a result of contact with another kart = 2 grid deduction.

b.Drivers that gain an advantage by knocking another driver off = 4 grid deduction

c.Drivers that commit offence 14b again in the same race meeting = Black Flag (0 points)

d.Drivers that cause a multiple incident (2 karts off or more)= Black Flag (0 points)

e.Drivers that deliberately force another driver off the circuit = Black Flag (0 points)

f. Excessive kerbing is prohibited. After one warning = 2 grid deduction

g. Deliberate use of contact is prohibited. After one warning = Black Flag (0 points)

h. Carburettor adjustment is prohibited = Black Flag (0 points)

i.Drivers that gain a position advantage under yellow the flag = 2 grid deduction per place gained

j.Drivers losing control (spinning out) under the yellow flag = 2 grid deduction

k.Drivers that short cut any part of the circuit = 1 lap deduction

l.Drivers that deliberately block other drivers from overtaking, ie changing direction more than once on any one straight per lap = Black Flag (0 Points)

m.Any driver abandoning their kart on circuit = 0 Points for that race

n.Drivers that attempt to start themselves after a spin = Black Flag (0 Points)

o.Drivers that excessively weave during the rolling up laps = 2 grid deduction

p.Drivers that deliberately jump the start = 2 grid deduction

q.Drivers that deliberately make contact with another driver after the chequered flag = Black flag (0 points)

Note: grid deductions above refer to the grid positions for the final.

15.PENALTIES DURING FINALS

a.All penalties listed in rule 14 apply, with the exception that grid deductions are replaced with place deductions.

b.If a driver finishes too far down the grid for the penalty to take any affect, 2 points per place deduction will be taken off the drivers finishing points.

c.In the B and C finals, any driver that gets a penalty and thereafter finishes in the top 4 will be deducted places as follows. 1st place – docked 4 places to 5th
2nd place — docked 3 places to 5th 3rd place — docked 2 places to 5th 4th place — docked 2 placed to 6th This means that any driver committing an offence in the B or C final will not progress to the next final.

d.If a driver makes deliberate contact with another driver after the chequered flag = Black flag (0 points)

16.APPEALS

a.When a black flag is given there will be no right of appeal.

b.There is no right of appeal in the finals

c.Appeals during the heats – Video evidence will not be accepted

d.Appeals during the heats – Spectators or other competitors may not be used as witnesses.

e.The COC and/or his deputies/assistants will only listen to the offended driver as a witness.

f.Dialogue with third party drivers will only take place at the full discretion of the Clerk of the Course.

17.SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Points for the super-heavyweight championship will be awarded as per their finishing position points in the main championship. All SHW drivers will run with on orange arm band (supplied) and will have the letter H_ preceding their name on the grid/results sheets.

18.RED FLAG PROCEDURE

a.In the event of a red flag all drivers must slow to rolling lap pace, and stop where direct by the marshals.

b.A result will be taken from the positions at the end of the previous full lap completed by the leader.

c.If the result covers less than one quarter of the original full race distance the race will be restarted using the original grid positions. Where one quarter distance is less than 2 laps then 2 laps will be used as the cutoff point.

d.If the result covers between one quarter and three quarters of the original full race distance, the race will be restarted in single file with the starting order determined by the result of the first part of the race. The final race result will be taken from the result of the restarted race only, the first part of the race being used purely to determine the starting order for the restart.

e.If the result covers more than three quarters of the original full race distance, then the result will be declared final.

f.If the race is restarted the number of laps will be determined by the Club100 officials, based on time remaining, the number of laps already completed and the fuel consumption at that circuit.

g.No driver may change their kart

h.No work may be carried out on the kart. This includes adding fuel

i.Any penalty received in any part of the race will be applied to the final result.

j.No replacement karts will be given to any driver under any circumstances.

k.Any driver injured in the red flag incident must be cleared by the paramedics prior to taking the restart and their kart must be checked and declared race worthy by the chief mechanic. The driver must start from the back of the grid.

l.In the event of the fastest lap being used in a tie break (e.g. for calculating final grids) the fastest lap will be taken from the second part of the race only.

19.MSA BLUE BOOK 2010

a.These rules and regulations are written with the intention of fair play to all of Buckmore's competitors. Any further regulations, where required will be referred to the MSA Karting blue book 2010.