Open Class Championship

Format

Practice - 40 minutes
Qualifying - 10 minutes
Race - 3 hours

Kart Allocation
The karts are warmed up by CLUB100's official test drivers. Once the karts are returned to the pits, each team's number plate is randomly allocated to a kart in the line. To avoid confusion, teams carry the same number for the entire season.

Practice
Practice is 40 minutes and is generally used by drivers to familiarise with the circuit and give the kart a shake down. For the opening 25 minutes, the mechanic's bay is open for any tweaks or repairs. Also during this period, CLUB100's test drivers are on hand to take karts onto the circuit and make carburettor adjustments. The test drivers carry their own timing transponder to ensure each Kart is within an agreed tolerance. If after a tester has made adjustments and failed to meet the agreed tolerance, the team have the option to change the Kart. Teams are entitled to a maximum of 2 kart changes. At the end of practice the green flag is dropped signifying the start of qualifying. At the same time the refuelling bay is closed and anyone not in the queue will not be allowed to refuel until one full lap of the race has been completed.

Qualifying
Following immediately after Practice, teams will have a 10 minute qualifying period in which to post a competitive time. With the refuelling bay closed, this will add an extra tactical element as teams will need to choose whether to use the whole 10 minutes or do a few flying laps then pit to conserve fuel. The chequered flag will come out at the end of qualifying and all teams must return to the pits. To add further variety, teams are not allowed to select the same starting driver at consecutive rounds.

The Race

Strategy
For 2008 the open class races will be 3 hours, most teams will split the time between 3 or 4 drivers. With the new Birel karts having 8 litre tanks, fuel consumption is a bit of an unknown going into this season, however, it is expected to be roughly and hour. This will vary between karts, circuits and drivers. The new fuel tanks are very efficient and use virtually every drop. The knock on effect is that rather than surging, the karts stop almost immediately! This will bring an interesting new variable to the strategy as teams run for as long as they dare. CLUB100 rules enforce 7 mandatory stops with a minimum of 3 for fuel. Also new for this year is the introduction of pit-stop windows. The race will be divided into sections and each team will be required to stop at least once in each.

Pit Stops
With racing being so close, pit stops play a vital part in the race's final outcome. With grids of up to 33 karts and only 2 fuel bays, finding a window to refuel without having to queue is not easy. Some teams adjust their strategy to avoid the busiest times whilst others rely on pit to driver communication. Once in the fuel bay, the refuelling marshal takes over and drivers must step away. However, this time can be used to lube the chain and change any seat inserts or lead for the next driver. In 2008 there will also be a driver change area where changeovers must take place. Teams will need to be slick and find ways to change over any ballast quickly. Any driver double stinting will have to run around the kart before getting back in.

Click here to view all CLUB100's 2008 events.

Suit, Helmet, Gloves available for hire - £10.00 (per day) at ALL events.