The following are a preliminary set of rules and regulations for the
Elite Karting League
to run under, these rules are still being written and may change before the start of the league when you will be issued with the correct rules, regulations and guidelines for the EKL.
The following rules and regulation apply to both endurance and sprint racing.
1. Entry
1.1. Entries are confirmed only when accompanied with full payment.
1.2. Entries for all Elite Karting League (referred to hereafter as EKL) Matches should be made, by the team manager/administrator, in the administration area of the EKL website.
2. Registration/Drivers Briefing
2.1. Teams will be required to pre register all drivers online, by completing the online registration form.
2.1.1. The online registration form will be available for each event from the beginning of the season. The closing date for submitting the completed form to the organiser (by pressing the submit button located at the bottom of the form) will be 14 days prior to the match date shown at the top of each form.
2.1.2. Changes to the driver line up can be made on the day for any unexpected absences. An administration fee may apply.
2.2. Any driver who fails to sign-on on the day will not be permitted to participate in any matches. Signing on times will be published for each event.
2.3. Any driver who fails to attend the drivers’ briefing will not be permitted to participate in any matches.
2.3.1. Drivers must attend a briefing at every match weekend.
2.3.2. Drivers must attend any additional drivers’ briefings as advised by the organiser on the day.
2.4. THE ABOVE RULES APPLY WITH NO EXEPTIONS.
3. Weight
3.1. It is each Team Owner/Managers responsibility to check his or her race weight at each event using the EKL scales.
3.1.1. A driver’s race weight will be measured including their full kit. I.e. crash helmet, race suit and boots as well as seat inserts and ballast. Nassau panels and transponders must not be included on the scales.
3.2. Karts will be fitted with two weight posts, which hold a maximum of 16kg of lead. It is recommended that teams purchase their own lead. Lead is available from BIZ Karts (020 8443 3300).
3.3. Random checks will be done throughout each match weekend during the season. Any driver found to be under weight will be excluded from that match, together with his or her team.
3.4. The weight limit for sprint drivers will be 90kg.
3.4.1. All drivers will have to obtain this weight using additional weights including a lead seat insert.
3.4.2. See SR’s for additional information for weight limits.
3.5. The minimum weight limit for a driver and kart weight together is 220kg.
4. Transponders
4.1. Upon registration each team will be issued with a timing transponder, which is to be fitted to their allocated kart before each race.
4.1.1. It is the sole responsibility of the team to ensure correct fitting of the transponder to their allocated kart.
4.1.2. Transponders will be required to be signed in and out at each event.
4.2. A team who forgets to fit the transponder to their kart will score no points for that match.
4.3. Teams not fitting their transponder correctly to their kart and subsequently losing the transponder on the circuit will score no points and risk charges relating to the transponder.
4.4. Drivers driving with the wrong transponder fitted to their kart will score no points for that match.
4.5. Any team who loses or misplaces their transponder whilst in their possession will be charged the full cost of a replacement value at a cost of £180 + vat.
5. General
5.1. The Clerk of the Course has the right to make post-race decisions after an inquiry.
5.2. EKL reserves the right to issue an official warning to any competitor where deemed appropriate. Further misconduct by a competitor may result in his/her exclusion from the event, their next race or the whole series at the discretion of EKL officials.
5.3. Suits, helmets and gloves must be worn correctly. Drivers failing to comply will be black flagged.
5.4. On board timing devices are not permitted.
5.5. Competitors are responsible for the behaviour of their supporters, family and friends.
5.5.1. Foul and abusive behaviour by the above aforementioned, may result in drivers receiving penalties.
5.6. Competitors are reminded that any use of foul language or threatening behaviour, either towards a member(s) of EKL staff or other competitors may be subject to a BAN from their next heat, final or further events.
5.7. EKL and its organisers Teesside Karting Ltd are covered by its own public liability insurance.
5.7.1. Competitors are responsible for their own personal accident insurance.
5.8. Competitors are not permitted to make any mechanical adjustments to their karts.
5.8.1. EKL mechanics will set the tyre pressure on the day. Drivers are not allowed to alter or check tyre pressures. Staff will check pressures if requested.
5.9. All drivers must use a clear or yellow visor in dusk and dark conditions.
6. Flags
Drivers must observe the following flags whilst on the circuit:
Union Flag/Lights Race start
Red Race stopped. Slow down and be prepared to stop on any section of the circuit where directed.
Yellow Obstacle ahead. Raise hand and slow down. No overtaking allowed until the obstacle has been passed.
Red/yellow striped Caution: slippery surface.
Black/White diagonal Driver warning for contact, kerbing etc.
Black Return to pits.
Black with orange circles Mechanical failure. Return to pits.
Chequered End of race. Complete lap and return to pits.
7.
Yellow Flag – applies to both sprint and endurance races
a. Drivers must acknowledge the yellow flag by raising one hand. This helps to protect drivers and marshals in the vicinity of the yellow flag incidents.
b. Should a driver overtake under a yellow flag and realise the mistake, that driver may decelerate and signal for the other driver to re-pass immediately. It is incumbent on the other driver to re-take their original position, or the first driver is at liberty to carry on racing without penalty.
c. Deliberately overtaking under yellow flag conditions will result in a penalty.
8. Red Flag
a. In the event of a red flag, all drivers must slow to a walking pace and stop where directed by the marshals and EKL staff.
b. A result will be taken from the positions at the end of the previous full lap completed by the race leader.
c. If the result covers less than one quarter of the race distance, the race will be restarted using the original grid positions. Where one quarter distance is less than two laps, two laps will be used as the cut off point.
d. If the result covers between one quarter and three quarters of the original race distance, the race will be restarted in single file with the starting order be determined by the result of the first part of the race. The final race result will be taken from the rest 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 race distance, the result will be declared final.
f. If a race is restarted the race time or number of laps will be determined by the EKL officials.
g. No replacement karts will be issued during a red flag stoppage under any circumstances.
h. No work may be carried out during a red flag stoppage. This includes adding fuel.
i. Any driver injured during a red flag incident must be cleared by paramedics prior to continuing to race, their kart must be checked and declared as race worthy by an EKL mechanic.
i. They must also start from the back of the grid.
j. In the event of a fastest lap being used in a tie break situation the fastest lap is to be taken from the second part of the race only.
k. Any penalty received in any part of the race will be applied to the final result.
9. Points
a. Points will be awarded based on the finishing position within a match irrespective of overall finishing position.
b. At the end of a match day these points will collated into individual points and team points.
c. Points will be award for a teams’ finishing position in a given match, the team with the least points at the end of the day will be the winner.
d. The results will then be transposed into a points table; which will be simple and easy to understand.
NB. This points table has yet to be agreed by the NKA and will be published as soon as available.
Championship Points
i. The team points will be what constitutes the overall league table.
ii. Team points will be based on the overall score from all the races.
e. For Sprint events the driver points from each race will be added together and divided by 100. This will be rounded to the nearest one point.
i. For Endurance events the team points from each race will be added together and divided by 10. This will be rounded to the nearest one point.
ii. Both of these totals added together will form the league match weekend score. This figure will determine the teams’ position in the League Table.
f. In the event of a tie on points between teams at the end of the season, the higher position will be awarded to the team with the most 1st place finishes.
If the teams are still tied, the position will be decided based on the number of 2nd place finishes, and so on until the tie is broken.
Sprint Race Rules and Regulations
10. Practice
a. Practice will precede the start of racing for one hour.
b. Each driver will be required to practice for a minimum of five laps.
c. All team members will be required to practice in this open practice session for all of the day’s matches.
11. Qualifying
a. There will be no qualifying. Random grids for each match will be automatically generated by the timing system.
b. Each team will have grid positions throughout the grid during the day.
12. Race Procedure
a. Karts will be randomly allocated. Teams will not be permitted to choose their own karts.
i. Karts are hand built, therefore every kart is different. Drivers should get to know their kart throughout the practice sessions.
b. Grid formation will be two by two. During the formation laps, drivers should stay to the outside of the circuit and leave gaps to allow other drivers to take up allocated grid positions.
c. It is each drivers own responsibility to start in the correct grid position.
i. Drivers may signal to the clerk of the course or the start line marshal if other drivers are preventing them from getting into the correct grid position.
ii. Drivers will receive a penalty if they start ahead of their grid position.
d. Once all karts are on the circuit the front row should drive around behind the pace karts at a steady and even speed.
e. Drivers who spin in the rolling laps will start from the back of the grid.
f. Drivers who fail to use circuit cut-troughs as directed during rolling laps must start from the back of the grid.
g. Weaving excessively during rolling laps will receive a penalty.
h. During the rolling laps, drivers in trouble should raise a hand.
i. Drivers may overtake competitors who are unable to keep up with the pack during rolling laps.
i. The driver in pole position will control the speed of the pack when approaching the start line, maintaining a steady and even speed.
j. No driver may overtake the pole position driver before the start line.
k. Drivers may not move across the track until they have passed the start line.
l. If a driver spins and stalls a driver must move their kart off the racing line and await help. Drivers are permitted to restart their own engines.
m. After the race, drivers who feel that their kart has developed a problem must return it to the mechanics’ area and report the fault to a member of EKL staff.
i. When the kart is deemed to be fit for use it will be placed back in line for the next race.
n. Drivers who ‘did not finish’ (DNF), will be awarded 0 points,
o. Drivers who fail to finish due to mechanical failure will be awarded five points the same as last place.
i. Drivers who fail to finish due to damage will be awarded NO POINTS.
p. Drivers must complete a full lap of the circuit after passing the chequered flag, unless otherwise directed by an EKL official.
13. Penalties
The following penalties will be applied by the Clerk of the Course, their deputy or their assistants. These are to be read in conjunction with rule 13, Application of Penalties.
a. Gaining a single place advantage as a result of contact with another kart: two position deduction
b. Gaining an advantage by contact resulting in another driver coming to a halt: four position deduction
c. Committing offence 14.2 twice in the same race meeting: Black flag
d. Causing a multiple incident (two or more karts coming to a halt): Black flag
e. Deliberately forcing another driver off the circuit: Black flag
f. Excessive kerbing. After one warning: two position deduction
g. Deliberate use of contact. After one warning: two position deduction
h. Over taking under a yellow flag: two position deduction for each place gained.
i. Losing control and spinning under a yellow flag: two position deduction.
j. Omitting any part of the circuit: one lap deduction.
k. Deliberately blocking other drivers from overtaking, i.e. changing direction more than once on any one straight. (Penalty?)
l. Abandoning a kart on the circuit: penalty will be the same as a black flag.
m. Excessive weaving during rolling laps: two position deduction.
n. Deliberately jumping the start: two positions deduced for every position gained.
o. Deliberately making contact with another driver after the chequered flag: black flag
p. EKL reserves the right to adjust penalty values at any time during the season.
i. EKL reserves the right create additional penalties and values as incidence require.
14. Application of penalties
a. Where an offence punishable by position deduction is committed during a qualifying or a pre final, the penalty will take the form of a grid position deduction for the offending drivers final.
b. Where an offence punishable by position is committed during a final, the penalty will take the form of a position deduction from the classified finishing positions.
c. A black flag penalty in a qualifying or pre-final means the offending driver must start his/her next race from the back of the grid.
d. A black flag penalty in the final means a score of zero points (not points for last) will be recorded as that driver’s championship total for that round.
15. Appeals
a. There is no right of appeal in the case of black flags, under any circumstances.
b. Video evidence will not be accepted, under any circumstances.
c. Spectators may not be used as witnesses.
d. Evidence from drivers may be heard only at the request of the Clerk of the Course and/or his deputies/assistance.
Endurance Rules and Regulations.
16. Practice
a. Practice will run for duration of 30 minutes. During this time, all registered drivers must practice, completing a minimum of three laps.
b. EKL reserves the right to adjust session durations at any point during the season.
c. Karts are randomly allocated.
i. Teams may NOT choose their own karts. Prior to driving a new kart, teams should make the following checks, fuel, tyres and rims, all steering components, seat and stays, nose cone and side pods.
ii. Any identified anomalies should be brought to the attention of a member of the EKL staff before taking the kart onto the circuit.
iii. Karts are hand built; therefore each and every kart will be different. Teams should use practice to explore the handling of their karts.
iv. Teams are NOT permitted to make any mechanical adjustment to their karts, including tyre pressures at any point during the race meeting.
1. Teams found to be contravening this rule will be severely penalised.
v. If a driver finds a serious problem with his/her kart, he or she should return to the pits.
1. From 5-25 minutes after the start of practice session, two kart testers will be available to address perceived faults on the karts. No queuing for testing will be allowed during the first five minutes of practice.
vi. Kart testers carry their own transponders. If the tester achieves a lap time within three tenths of a second of his or her control time in the session, the kart will deemed to be OK to race and the team will not be allowed to change the kart, or have it re-tested, during practice.
vii. After 25 minutes of practice have elapsed, the mechanics’ bay and kart testers will not be available, and no further alteration or changes can now be made before the end of qualifying, unless requested by an EKL official.
1. Any karts that are in the mechanic area and/or queuing for testing at the 25 minute mark will be tested and/or repaired. The queue will be closed and no more karts will be tested or repaired until the finish of qualifying.
viii. Two refuelling bays will be open for the duration of the practice. Once practice is over, any team not in the queue for fuel will not be fuelled.
1. The refuelling bay will reopen once the race has started.
2. It is a team’s responsibility to ensure they have sufficient fuel to set a qualifying time and start the race.
ix. Teams committing any of the offences detailed in rule 20 will start the race from the back of the grid.
x. At the end of practice drivers will be shown a green flag and timed qualifying will commence when the first driver is shown the flag.
17. Race Start
a. Grid formation will be two by two. During the formation laps, drivers should stay to the outside of the circuit and leave gaps to allow other drivers to take up allocated grid positions.
b. It is each drivers own responsibility to start in the correct grid position.
i. Drivers may signal to the clerk of the course or the start line marshal if other drivers are preventing them from getting into the correct grid position.
ii. Drivers will receive a penalty if they start ahead of their grid position.
iii. If a driver is in the wrong grid position the start line marshal may still start the race regardless.
c. Once all karts are on the circuit the front row should drive around behind the pace karts at a steady and even speed.
d. Drivers are not allowed to overtake the pace kart (unless in trouble and returning to the pits).
i. Any driver overtaking the pace kart will receive a black flag once the race has started.
e. Drivers who spin in the rolling laps will start from the back of the grid.
f. Drivers who fail to use circuit cut-throughs’ as directed during rolling laps must start from the back of the grid.
g. Weaving excessively during rolling laps will receive a penalty.
h. During the rolling laps, drivers in trouble should raise a hand.
i. Drivers may overtake competitors who are unable to keep up with the pack during rolling laps.
i. The driver in pole position will control the speed of the pack when approaching the start line, maintaining a steady and even speed.
18. Race
a. The race will run for the set times as laid out in the itinerary for the match.
b. All drivers registered as an endurance driver for this match, must do at least one stint during each of the set endurance races, he or she are entered into.
i. One stint will equate to five laps minimum.
c. Each team must make at least one refuelling stop. Refuelling during practice does not count towards this total.
d. The fuel tank must be filled to the top during every fuel stop. Chain lubricant must be applied at every stop.
e. Teams may change drivers during a fuel stop.
i. Driver changes must be done after fuelling, in the driver changing area.
f. Non finishers will be awarded points based on their position at retirement, based on the number of laps completed.
g. Drivers must use the FULL circuit after passing the chequered flag unless otherwise directed by a member of EKL staff.
h. Karts will be directed into parc ferme at the end of the race, where drivers will be weighed as described.
19. Penalties
a. The following penalties will be applied by the Clerk of Course, their deputy or their assistants. This shall not be considered an exhaustive list.
i. Deliberate and excessive use of rumble strips/kerbs is prohibited.
1. 1st offence kerbing board shown
2. 2nd offence Second warning flag or black flag
3. 3rd offence Black flag
b. Any team seen knocking over a cone or barrier will receive a black flag.
Penalty: 20 second stop/go
c. Deliberate use of contact is prohibited.
i. 1st offence Contact board and/or first warning flag
ii. 2nd offence Warning flag or Black flag
iii. 3rd offence Black flag
d. Drivers who gain a position advantage by contact will receive a black flag. Penalty: Stop/go minimum of 20 seconds, depending on the severity of the incident.
e. Drivers whose manoeuvres result in an accident, may receive either a warning flag or a black flag depending on the severity of the incident.
f. Any driver not responding to a yellow flag, i.e. overtaking, failing to slow down or losing control of his or her kart under a yellow flag, will receive a black flag. Penalty stop/go minimum 20 seconds.
g. Drivers are not permitted to unscrew their fuel cap until they are off the circuit and in the pit lane. Likewise, no driver is permitted to secure the fuel cap while on the circuit after re-fuelling. Penalty stop/go 20 seconds.
h. Any team found to be adjusting tyre pressure will be subject to a 30 second stop/go penalty during the race.
i. If a team receives a black flag on the last lap of the race, the team will be deducted one lap in lieu of a timed penalty.
j. A team omitting any part of the circuit will be deducted one lap.
k. EKL reserves the right to adjust penalty values at any time during the season, and to penalise any unsporting behaviour in any way EKL may deem appropriate.
20. Red Flag Procedure
a. In the event of a red flag, all the drivers must slow to a rolling-up pace and stop in single file where directed. NO OVERTAKING. Any drivers failing to stop in single file will be relegated to the back of the line.
b. The race clock will continue to run throughout the red flag period.
c. The kart leading the race overall will be identified. Any karts stopped in front of the lead kart will be sent across the timing loop to join the back of the line. The pit lane entry will be closed; these karts may not enter the pits to refuel.
d. All karts in the pits will be released on to the circuit to join the back of the line. The pit lane exit will then be closed.
e. Karts which have been involved in the incident, but have not incurred any damage, can join the back of the line. If a driver requires medical attention, a team mate can replace him or her in the re-start.
i. Any driver injured in the red-flag incident must be cleared by the paramedics prior to taking any further part in the event.
ii. Any damaged karts must be returned to the technical area. Work will not commence until the green flag has dropped to signal the re-start.
iii. Once all the above procedures have been carried out and all the karts are in single file the timing loop will be de-activated.
iv. The re-start will start with the single file line which will circulate slowly under a yellow flag.
v. Once all the karts are circulating in single file the pit lane will re-open, the fuelling bay will reopen and teams will be permitted to refuel and change drivers.
1. Teams will only be allowed to rejoin the race at the back of the main pack.
vi. Once the Clerk of the Course is happy to re-start the race, the timing loop will be reactivated and the green flag will be waved.
1. Racing will commence when the green flag is dropped, karts may only overtake after they have passed the start/ finish line.
vii. Teams are reminded that there will be winners and losers in red flag situations. These rules are in place to make it as fair as possible for all teams.
21. Further rules and regulations
a. These rules and regulations are written with the intention of fair play to all of EKL’s competitors. Any further regulations, where required, will be implemented in line with MSA Karting Blue Book 2012 where applicable.
b. Further rules and regulations will be supplied as supplementary regulations where appropriate.
22. Supplementary Regulations.
1. Weight Regulations – Sprint Races
1.1. All drivers must weigh a minimum of 90kg or 14st1lb with suit helmet and gloves.
1.1.1. Drivers under 90kg or 14st1lb will be required to carry weights to make them up to the required 90kg or 14st1lb.
1.1.2. We recommend that the majority of the weight is carried as a lead seat insert. Although weight post on the kart can carry up to 16kg of lead weights.
1.1.3. Weight must be carried in a secure manor and cause no damage to the kart seat or surrounding kart and in no way restrict the movement of any mechanical parts.
1.2. On signing on each team owner will be asked to provide an accurate weight for each of their drivers.
1.2.1. It is a Team Owner/Managers responsibility to ensure that each of their team complies to weight regulations.
1.3. The weight of any driver may be checked at any point during the match.
1.3.1. Drivers found to be under weight will be subject to penalty. 2. Weight Regulations -
Endurance Races
2.1. All karts must be a minimum of 220kg when weighed with the driver when entering the pits.
2.2. Each driver will be weighed with the kart and his or her full kit.
Names All names must comply with league rules and regulations. All names must be agreed by the organiser before they will be recognised and registered as official.
All team names must contain a reference to their region or home town. I.e. Redcar Bears, Newcastle Falcons etc. Names must not be deemed to be offensive by the organiser. After submission of a name to the organiser, the organiser will consider its suitability and similarities to other team names, before agreeing to the name being used in conjunction with the league.
Logos
All logos must comply with league rules and regulations. All logos must be agreed by the organiser before they will be recognised and registered as official.
General Uniform Rules:
To avoid confusion teams will be advised of colour schemes they can use for uniforms and logo.
Each team’s colours will be as dissimilar to other teams as possible. All drivers’ minimum kit requirements are race suit, helmet and gloves. Racing boots are a good idea but any suitable footwear will suffice. With the exclusion of the helmet the only kit to be worn during league matches is official kit brought from the organiser that complies with your official team colours.
All official drivers kits will be available only through the organiser Teesside Karting.
Helmets must comply with all safety regulations.
Have no offensive language or images.
No logos in breach of official league sponsors.
Teams are required to dress to the highest levels of professionalism.
Uniform and Equipment policy was implemented primarily for driver safety and to ensure that the league and its drivers are presented in a professional manner.
Endorsements can't supersede league licensing agreements, it is stipulated that "items to celebrate anniversaries or memorable events, or to honour or commemorate individuals, such as helmet decals and arm bands and jersey patches on driver’s kit, are prohibited unless approved in advance by the league office."
A team is subject to a violation if they do not comply with league kit rules.
The restrictions don't end with the chequered flag. Players must continue to adhere to the rules for another 90 minutes, ensuring they don't wear competing logos in post match TV interviews. The inspectors are there to monitor.
