COVKARTSPORT . . .

WINTER SERIES REGULATIONS.

Amended: 06/12/2009. NSS/PER/SL (Winter Series first contested: 2005)

The idea of our Winter Series is to create competition at a time of year when few motorsport competitions exist. Many of our drivers have expressed enthusiasm for a Winter Series! Remember that an inexperienced racing driver will learn more in one day of wet racing than in a season of dry racing! Traditionally January, February and March are months when a lot of "Winter Testing" goes on. Regardless of the weather conditions drivers will get themselves out onto the circuits and develop both their racing skills and their racing vehicles right from Formula 1 down to 4-stroke kart racing! Many of our drivers will use this competition just to get sharp for our main Championship. THERE WILL BE NOVICE DRIVER AWARDS FOR THE BEST OVERALL NOVICE DRIVERS IN EACH CLASS at the end of the series.

1. OVERALL REGULATIONS:

(a). COVKARTSPORT will, at the start of each year, organise a mini Winter Series.

(b). This series will be called the "COVKARTSPORT WINTER SERIES"

(c). All competitors will be segregated into their age and weight classes as per the regulations of the main "COVKARTSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP".

(d). All regulations of the main COVKARTSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP will apply with the exception of practice/qualifying, the racing format and points-scoring.

(e). The overall winner of the "Winter series" will be awarded the "Stanley Challenge Cup" - a large silver cup with lid.

(f). The Challenge cup remains the property of COVKARTSPORT and must be returned before the end of November each year, in good condition, in time to be displayed at our Annual Awards & Presentations Dinner where it will be officially presented to the holder.

(g). The holder is then asked to present the Challenge Cup to the new winner at the culmination of the next Winter Series. If the holder cannot make this presentation then they must return it, in good condition, before the final round takes place.

2. FORMAT:

(a). The order/time at which the competitor signed-in will determine which number kart they are allocated for practice. eg. If a driver is the 1st to sign-on in a particular class then that driver will be allocated kart/transponder No.1. if a person was 5th to sign-on, in a particular class, then that driver will be allocated kart/transponder No.5. etc. etc.

(a2). Qualifying times determine the number of the kart/grid position for the first race.

(b). All competitors will take part in one combined practice and timed qualifying session, normally with up to 10 karts on track at the same time lasting for approximately 10 minutes. If longer circuits are used, grids may be larger.

(b2). During this combined practice and qualifying session drivers may return to the pits for advice but they may not get out of their kart unless they have permission to do so.

(b3). Drivers are recommended not to return to the pits within the last 3 minutes of the session if they want to be sure of completing another flying lap.

(b4). Drivers returning to the pits must do so carefully using hand signals and driving at walking pace when in the pitlane.

(b5). Drivers re-joining the track after a pitstop MUST BE VERY CAREFUL when exiting the pitlane onto the circuit!

(c). Competitors will then be sorted, by their qualifying times, into their grid positions for their races with the fastest driver on pole position then progressively down through the order with the slowest driver occupying the last grid position. During the second round of races the grid order will be reversed, with the slowest driver on pole, and the fastest drivers at the rear of the field.

(d). Races will last for approximately 10 minutes.

(d2). Races will normally consist of up to 10 karts on the grid, but possibly more at longer circuits.

(e). Where, for example, 18 drivers have signed-in in one particular class then there will be two races (A and B) of 9 drivers/karts each.

(f). The fastest driver (on pole), 3rd fastest on grid-2, 5th fastest on grid-3 etc. will go into Race "A".

(g). The second fastest (on pole), 4th fastest on grid-2, 6th fastest on grid-3 etc. will go into Race "B".

(h). Where between 21 and 30 drivers have signed-on for one class then the same principle will be applied to races "A", "B" and "C" with the 3rd fastest driver on pole in race "C", 4th fastest on grid-2 in race "A", 5th fastest  on grid-2 in race "B", 6th fastest on grid-2 in race "C" etc. etc.

3. POINTS SCORING:

(b). There will be one bonus point for the fastest qualifier in every session as track conditions may change during the event.

(a). There will be one bonus point for the fastest-lap-of-the-race in every race - as track conditions may change during the event.

(c). There will be one ATTENDANCE point available per RACE, for every member who pays their fee and signs-in.

(d). There will be 10 points for a race win falling by 1-point increments for every successive place. If, for example, there were only 8 competitors in a race, then the driver coming last would be awarded 3 points!

(e). All points scored throughout this 3-round mini Winter Series will be counted towards the total of that particular driver. No races or points will be dropped unless a driver is disqualified from a particular race.

(f). Disqualified drivers will have their attendance point withdrawn.

4. DISCIPLINE:

(a). All discipline rules will be applied as per our main COVKARTSPORT Championship Regulations with the exception that there is increased discipline during the practice and qualifying sessions.

(b). During the combined practice and qualifying sessions THERE CAN BE NO RACING BETWEEN DRIVERS!

(b2). Where drivers have been seen to be racing each other they will NOT be accorded a qualifying time and placed at the back of the grid for their race.

(b3). Drivers are advised to follow the driver in front or to drop well back and give themselves the space to record a good qualifying time. Only overtake another driver if this can be achieved cleanly with no problems. Experiment with your own line and speed and braking points and use practice for its proper purposes.

(c). Whilst practicing and qualifying drive sensibly and signal your intentions to other drivers. Help them and they will probably help and respect you!

__________________________________________________