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.
| Open
Class Endurance Championship 2008 |
| Rd |
Day |
Date |
Track |
Start |
Track Guide
|
| 1 |
Sunday |
24th February |
Buckmore Park |
PM |
|
| 2 |
Sunday |
11th May |
Rye House |
PM |
|
| 3 |
Saturday |
31st May |
Clay Pigeon |
AM |
|
| 4 |
Sunday |
22nd June |
Lydd |
PM |
|
| 5 |
Sunday |
3rd August |
Buckmore Park |
PM |
|
| 6 |
Saturday |
20th September |
Whilton Mill |
AM |
|
| 7 |
Sunday |
5th October |
Bayford Meadows |
PM |
|
| 8 |
Sunday |
23rd November |
Rye House |
AM |
|
| THE FORMAT -
AM |
| Registration |
0830hrs |
| Driver briefing |
0915hrs |
| Open practice |
1000hrs - 1040hrs |
| Timed Qualifying |
1040hrs - 1050hrs |
| 3:00hr race |
1100hrs - 1400hrs |
| Presentation |
1415hrs |
| THE FORMAT -
PM |
| Registration |
1130hrs |
| Driver briefing |
1300hrs |
| Open practice |
1400hrs - 1440hrs |
| Timed Qualifying |
1440hrs - 1450hrs |
| 3:00hr race |
1500hrs - 1800hrs |
| Presentation |
1815hrs |
| Entry (per race) |
£423 inc. VAT |
Click here
to view all CLUB100's 2008
events.
Suit, Helmet, Gloves available for hire - £10.00
(per day) at ALL events.
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