Regulations

EMIRATES GROUP KARTING CLUB

Season 12 – 2023

RULES AND REGULATIONS

WARNING: MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS!

Whilst every effort has been made by the Emirates Group Karting Club (EGKC) committee to make the club championship fun, fair and safe, there are inherent risks to be faced when participating.  You do so at your own risk.  Please follow all the rules, regulations, and safety guidelines that are provided to ensure a thrilling but safe and fun experience.

REGISTRATION

The committee strives to ensure members and their guests are well accommodated on each round by requesting participants to inform in advance their intention to race. The following option is now made available for all participants to register their names in advance.

Online Registration

Members are required to register at https://egkc.ae/egkcchampionship/

Note: please register only if you are sure to attend the race.  Space is limited and we would like to ensure that members are not arbitrary ruled out because of incorrect registration.

ELIGIBILITY

The Emirates Group Karting Club Championship is open to all Emirates Group staff and immediate family members. 

An immediate family member is defined as:

• Spouse
• Child/step-child
• Parent
• Brother/sister

Guests are also eligible to participate by special invitation from the committee. 

RACE FEES

AED 300 for a driver, per round.

No refunds will be given for no-show or incomplete race/session.

Only cash payment is accepted as there is no facility for any other payment method.

MINIMUM AGE

Drivers must be at least thirteen (13) years old.  Proof of age will be required.

‘LIABILITY WAIVER, RELEASE, AND INDEMNIFICATION’ FORM

All drivers will be required to sign a ‘Liability Waiver, Release, and Indemnification’ form before the driver’s first race of the season.  The form is valid for the entire duration of the season.

All drivers are also required to sign the disclaimer form for the venue management before the start of every round. This is the venue management requirement. All forms must be completed before the driver’s briefing commences.

Participants under the age of eighteen (18) will need a parent/guardian to sign the ‘Liability Waiver, Release, and Indemnification’ and Disclaimer form.

Drivers (or parent/guardian) who do not sign the ‘Liability Waiver, Release, and Indemnification’ form will not be allowed to race.

DRIVER CLASSIFICATION

PROFESSIONAL (PRO)

Preselected drivers and any newcomers approved by the EGKC committee are eligible to participate in the PRO Championship. The selection is based on –

1. All top TWO finishers from AMATEUR category in previous Championship Seasons (1 – 11).
2. Any driver deemed fit by the EGKC committee based on skill level and experience in motorsport.

AMATEURS (AM)

Drivers not racing in the Professional Championship are classified as Amateurs and will be racing in the AM Championship.

MASTERS (MSTR)

Drivers over the age of thirty-five (35) are eligible to take part in the MASTERS category.

IMPORTANT NOTE

PRO Championship drivers will remain in that category for the remainder of the season and are not allowed to participate in the AM Championship.

An AM categorized driver can submit a request to join the PRO championship. The decision is at the sole discretion of the EGKC committee. The driver’s championship points accumulated in the AM category will not be counted towards the PRO category championship.

MINIMUM WEIGHT

Minimum driver weight with race kit for PRO & AM categories is eighty kilograms (80 kg).

Minimum driver weight with race kit for MSTR categories is ninety kilograms (90 kg).

Minimum driver weight with race kit for ladies for AM & MSTR categories is seventy kilograms (70 kg).

Race kit must include, race suit, gloves, closed shoes, and helmet.  Rib protector and neck support collar may also be included.

Drivers who are under the minimum weight are required to carry ballast.

Random weigh-in may be conducted after completion of each session to ensure the weight requirements are adhered by. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure he/she is at the minimum weight requirement on completion of a session.

If a driver is found to be under-weight in any session, penalties shall apply (see Penalties section).

HANDICAP SYSTEM

SUCCESS WEIGHT SYSTEM

This system will require those in the top part of the championship to be handicapped with a higher minimum weight in either category.

There will be no handicap in ROUND 1.

From ROUND 2 to ROUND 5 –

• Position 1 in the championship will have a minimum required driver weight of 85kg.
• Position 2 in the championship will have a minimum required driver weight of 82.5kg.
• Position 3 in the championship will have a minimum required driver weight of 82.5kg.

There will be no handicap in the FINAL ROUND.

The Success Weight is applicable for all sessions i.e. Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) or Qualifying, and Sprint Race(s) of the Round.

The positions are based on the championship table from the results of the previous round.

The Success Weight is not applicable to the MSTR category.

RACE FORMAT (FORMAT A)

All drivers will race in one single group regardless of category.

In case of high turnout, the racers will be split into two or three groups.

In the event the race is split into two groups, the PRO and AM category will race in separate groups and the MSTR category will race in the smaller of the group.

A high turnout is considered when the total number of participants exceed the number of karts available at the venue.

Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) Session

The duration of the Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) session per race category will be thirty-five (35) minutes.

In the case of two drivers achieving identical best lap times, the organizers will revert to the second-best lap time set by each individual in order to determine priority, and so on.

SPRINT Race

The length of the race will be ten (10) minutes.

The grid will line up based on the Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) session.

The winner of the race is the driver completing the most laps in the stipulated time.

ALTERNATE RACE FORMAT (FORMAT B)

All drivers will race in one single group regardless of category.

In case of high turnout, the racers will be split into two groups.

The PRO and AM category will race in different groups and the MSTR category will race in the smaller of the group.

A high turnout is considered when the total number of participants exceed then number of karts available at the venue.

Qualifying Session

The duration of the qualifying session per race category will be 10 mins.

In the case of two drivers achieving identical best lap times, the organizers will revert to the second-best lap time set by each individual in order to determine priority, and so on.

Race 1

The length of Race 1 will be fifteen (15) minutes.

The grid will line up based on the qualifying session.

The winner of the race is the driver completing the most laps in the stipulated time.

Race 2 (reverse grid):

The length of Race 2 will be fifteen (15) minutes

The grid will be reversed for from Race 1 results.

The grid will be reversed based on category.

The PRO category drivers will be lined up at the front of the grid.

The AM category drivers will line behind the last of the PRO category drivers.

The MSTR category drivers will line behind the last of the AM category drivers.

The winner of the race is the driver completing the most laps in the stipulated time.

In case of high turnout:

Race 2 (reverse grid):

The length of Race 2 will be fifteen (15) minutes

The grid will be reversed for the first eight (8) drivers only from Race 1 results. Drivers from 9^th place and downwards will start Race 2 in their respective positions achieved at the end of Race 1.

The MSTR category drivers will line behind the last of the PRO or AM category drivers.

The grid will be reversed for the first eight (8) drivers only from Race 1 results. Drivers from 9^th place and downwards will start Race 2 in their respective positions achieved at the end of Race 1.

The winner of the race is the driver completing the most laps in the stipulated time.

Kart draw

FORMAT A:

Each driver will be given two (2) different kart numbers, one each for Time-trial (HYPERPOLE), and Sprint Race.

Participants are allowed to replace karts during the Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) session.

Kart numbers will be posted on the notice board after the kart draw is completed before each race.

FORMAT B:

Each driver will be given three (3) different kart numbers, one each for qualifying, Race 1 and Race 2.

Karts are selected at random in a method determined by the track officials and monitored by at least two club committee members.  Participants will have to drive with the karts allocated to him/her in the round.

A spare replacement kart may be supplied in cases of genuine technical failure. Damage caused in a racing incident or accident may not qualify for such a replacement. If another driver in a parallel race is assigned the damaged kart, a replacement kart will be given to the non-offending driver only. The decision to change a kart will be at the absolute discretion of the track management.

The track management is responsible to maintain the karts in the closest possible competitive state and randomize the said karts and numbers.

Drivers briefing

Driver’s briefing is mandatory; please refer to each event timetable for specific timing. Drivers arriving late and missing the safety briefing may not be allowed to race in the event. In such a case, the driver’s entry fee will not be reimbursed.

POINT SCORING

Each eligible participant will score points (as per table below) for each session.

A Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) and Sprint Race are considered as separate sessions.

The driver with the fastest lap-time in the Sprint race will be awarded three (3) bonus points.

If the fastest driver in a race is handed a penalty, the bonus points for the fastest lap will be awarded to the second-fastest driver in that race.

Only the best three (3) Time-trial (HYPERPOLE) result points, and three (3) Sprint race result points will count towards each driver’s final championship points.

ALTERNATE POINT SCORING

Each eligible participant will score points for each race (as per table below).

The driver achieving fastest qualifying time will be awarded three (3) bonus points.

The driver with the fastest lap-time in each race will be awarded three (3) bonus points.

If the fastest driver in a race is handed a penalty, the bonus points for the fastest lap will be awarded to the second-fastest driver in that race.

Only the best three (3) race result points will count towards each driver’s final championship points.

Only the best three (3) rounds of bonus points will be added towards each driver’s final championship points.

Position	Points		Position	Points		Position	Points		Position	Points		Position	Points
1st	75		7th	42		13th	26		19th	14		25th	6
2nd	67		8th	39		14th	24		20th	12		26th	5
3rd	60		9th	36		15th	22		21st	10		27th	4
4th	54		10th	33		16th	20		22nd	9		28th	3
5th	49		11th	30		17th	18		23rd	8		29th	2
6th	45		12th	28		18th	16		24th	7		30th	1

Drivers classified DNF (Did Not Finish) or DNS (Did Not Start) shall not be awarded points for the session.

PENALTIES

Different level of penalties can be given depending on the level of infraction such as:

• Verbal warning / Warning flag / time penalty
• Black flag
• Exclusion from the event

Kart should be driven within the white lines at all times. Any driver cutting the white lines to gain an unfair advantage will be penalized. Deliberate bumping, blocking, danger to other participants or any unsportsmanlike conduct noted by officials will result in being black flagged.

If a driver is found to be under-weight in the Time-trial (HYPERPOLE), the driver’s time will be excluded, start at the back of the grid for the Sprint Race, and will not be given any points.

If a driver is found to be under-weight in the Sprint race, the driver will be disqualified and will not be given any points.

The clerk-of-the-course (i.e. track management – not EGKC Committee has the final authority on all penalties.

RACE STOPPAGE

Should a race be stopped by the display of red flags, the following procedures shall apply:

a) If 50% race distance or less has been completed by the leader, the race will either be re-run in its entirety or abandoned in which case the result becomes null and void.

b) If 50% race distance or more has been completed by the leader, the race will be deemed to have ended. The race result will be based on the order of crossing the finish line at one lap less than at the time of the first showing of the Red Flag. Only vehicles which are under their own power at the showing of the Red Flag will be classified.

AWARD PRESENTATION

Medals will be presented to the top three (3) drivers according to the official finishing positions in all groups in the sessions

Prize winners are to ensure that race suits are worn and zipped up with collar closed. EGKC & Official Emirates branding is encouraged.

Top three (3) drivers in all championship categories (PRO, AM & MSTR) will be presented with trophies at the end of the championship season.

Special achievement awards may also be presented.

RACE ATTIRE

On the grounds of safety, at all times when you are driving the kart, you must be equipped with:

• A pair of overalls that fully cover the arms and legs. (Overalls are provided by track management for free)
• A pair of gloves (Gloves are provided by track management for free)

• A full-face helmet, as a minimum to a standard suitable for use on public roads. (Helmet is provided by track management for free)
• A pair of sports shoes. It is recommended that these provide ankle cover.
• No slippers/heels/sandals are allowed. Feet should not be bare.
• A neck support collar is recommended.
• A rib protector is recommended.
• Participants with long hair must ensure that it is fully enclosed by the crash helmet. Hair trailing from the bottom of the helmet will not be acceptable on the grounds of safety.

RACE DIRECTOR

A member of the EGKC Committee, or a senior member of EGKC will be appointed to be the Race Director at every round.  This will be informed in the Race Brief which is distributed before every round.

The role of the Race Director is to coordinate, organize and brief all involved, including the drivers, the marshals, and the clerk-of-course, the rules and regulations of the club championship.

The rules and regulations of the race, which is determined by the track management will be briefed to the drivers by the clerk-of-course before every round during the mandatory drivers briefing.

To avoid any potential conflict of interest, the enforcement of these rules and regulations is solely the responsibility of the clerk-of-course.  No member of the EGKC Committee can be involved in enforcement or application of penalties.

APPEALS AND PROTEST

The decision by the clerk-of-course is final.

There are no grounds for appeal or protest of any decision or result. 

Recording devices cannot be used for post-race appeals and/or protests.

DRIVERS BEHAVIOUR

Should there be a breach of the safety rules or any unsporting behaviour on the race track, in the pits or in the paddock at events, the driver concerned will be penalized at the absolute discretion of the clerk-of-course. The penalties at the organizer’s disposal will include time penalties, championship points penalties and the suspension of the right of individual drivers to participate in the event or the right to participate in any other events in the future.

Details of the flag signals to be used and the detailed race procedures will be given at the Driver’s briefing before each event. Participants are reminded that by the very nature of this event, there will be speed differentials on the track and that patience and respect for their fellow competitors will be required. 

WARNING: MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS!

Whilst every effort has been made by the Emirates Group Karting Club committee to make the club championship fun, fair and safe, there are inherent risks to be faced when participating.  You do so at your own risk.  Please follow all the rules, regulations, and safety guidelines that are provided to ensure a thrilling but safe and fun experience.  If you have any feedback, please contact the committee at egkc@emirates.com.