Championship

SG Petch are pleased to announce the continued sponsorship of this years Open Karting Championship following the great success in 2011.

The series is currently the North of England’s leading hire kart championship and provides highly competitive, exciting races in equally matched karts, allowing driver skill to determine race position rather than mechanical tweaks. The series will use Teesside Karting’s fleet of fully race prepared twin engine pro-karts, which are recognised as the best prepared and maintained hire karts in the United Kingdom. This championship promises to offer competitive racing at low costs.

The 2012 championship will consist of 10 rounds, with the best 8 rounds counting towards the final championship standings. The confirmed dates and circuits are as follows (some of the finalised dates are different from the provisional calendar in order not to clash with the NKA Elite League):

As in 2011, SG Petch Abarth will be providing a great prize to the Championship winner. We will also be offering the chance for all drivers who compete in the first 7 rounds of the championship to enter a prize draw to form a team to enter the British 24 hour race at Teesside on 25/26 August 2012, courtesy of Teesside Karting. The first 6 qualifying drivers names out of the hat will form the Scuderia SG Petch Abarth entry. This prize was a huge success last year and this year’s event promises to be a great race also.

All drivers must be at least 16 years old.

You can book via email, phone or post using the booking form

Booking Form

Terms And Conditions

Rules & Regulations – SG Petch Abarth 2012 Teesside Karting Open Championship

Competitor Eligibility

The minimum age of any competitor is 16
Any drivers found or suspected of having taken alcohol or any drug on the I.O.C. list of prohibited substances will be immediately excluded

Behaviour of Competitors

If a competitor is accused of bringing the Sport into disrepute or uses abusive language, threatening behaviour, assault or threat of assault or has driven dangerously or recklessly, they will be excluded from the event
For very serious indiscretions, the competitor may be excluded from the event or the whole Championship

Apparel/Clothing

Drivers must wear suitable protective clothing whilst racing
All clothing must be in good condition, free from holes, tears etc
Kart suits bearing current registration marks are acceptable, or one-piece leathers (or two piece provided they are securely "zipped" together). Appropriate race suits are available at the circuit if required
Race suits must be securely fastened and must be properly done up whilst racing
Waterproof over-suits may be used provided they are over an approved race suit
Proper racing boots are recommended, all footwear should provide ankle protection
Gloves, either fabric material or leather, must be worn
Neck braces and rib protectors are recommended
Drivers must wear a crash helmet that fits correctly and complies with current MSA standards and is correctly fastened at all times
Competitors are required to keep their helmets on, fastened and their other protective clothing in place until they are clear of the boundaries of the racing circuit In your own interests you are advised to remove from your person whilst racing, watches, coins, combs, jewellery or the like, and in particular earrings

Entries

Entries must be confirmed in writing on the correct Entry Form, properly completed, signifying which rounds you are registering for, with the corresponding entry fee (either submitted with the form or paid directly to Teesside Karting in person or over the phone). The form and payment must be sent to the correct address at Teesside Autodrome. Booking form stipulates that once the acceptance box on the form is ticked, the competitor is bound to pay the deposit and balance to Teesside Karting for the required Championship rounds
A deposit of £10 per round is required upon booking with the balance (£45) to be paid when "signing on" for each individual event
Booking form also includes an undertaking that the competitor will comply and abide by these rules and regulations
Entries for each round will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
The race organisers have the right to refuse an entry for whatever reason.

Entry Fee Refunds

Entry fees are not refundable

Cancellation

The race organisers may cancel or re-schedule any round of the Championship if the number of entries is insufficient to make the event worthwhile, or due to any circumstances beyond the control of the organisers

Event Itinerary

All 9 rounds of the championship with the exception of round 3 in April:
Administration 1100-1145
Drivers Briefing 1145
Practice/Qualification 1200-1220
Race 1220-1300

Round 3 – April
Administration 1300-1345
Drivers Briefing 1345
Practice/Qualification 1400-1420
Race 1420-1500

Signing on

Upon arrival at the event competitors must report to Race Administration, comply with the race organisers established procedure for "signing on" and complete such paperwork as is required by the race organisers

Briefing

All competitors will attend a drivers briefing by the Clerk of the Course

Drivers Adjudicating Committee

The Clerk of the Course will be appointed for each round
The Clerk of the Course will have full control over the event, his or her decision will be final on all sporting matters

Practice/qualification

Practice/qualification will last for 20 minutes prior to the start of the race

Grid Positions

The competitor with the fastest lap in practice/qualification will be on pole position and so on to the slowest time, which will be last on the grid
Karts will be lines up in grid formation immediately after the chequered flag has been shown to signify the end of practice/qualification

Starts

Starts will be standing starts
When the grid has been formed after practice/qualification at the start line, the start lights will be switched to red. The starter will switch the lights to green to signal the start of the race
If the start lights fail or are not used, the start will be indicated by showing the grid the national flag. The flag is raised then dropped to signal the start of the race

Timing and lap scoring

Timing and lap scoring will be computerised, utilising small electronic transponders fixed to each kart
In the unlikely event of failure of the timing system the race will be stopped. The re-start order will be the last available printed race order

Flag signals

Competitors are reminded that all flag signals must be obeyed and a list of flags and their meanings is appended hereto

Breakdowns on track

Karts which have broken down must be returned to the pit area, no repairs are to be undertaken on track
If unable to be driven, they shall be pulled to a place of safety, clear of the race traffic
Under no circumstances are karts to be pushed back to the pit area along the circuit. This is unsafe for the driver and a hazard to the other competitors

Tyres

Slick dry weather tyres will be used in all weather conditions

Race Stops

If it is necessary for the race to be stopped, red flags will be shown whereupon drivers will slow to a reasonable speed, raising one arm to indicate to following traffic their intentions and proceed cautiously to the grid prior to the start line, or stop if the track is blocked or as otherwise directed by an official of the event
Drivers should position themselves to one side of the track to allow passage for an ambulance or other road vehicle
Overtaking is not permitted after the red flag is shown
The Clerk of the Course shall have to power to abandon a race and declare the result at that point

Restarts

Where possible, competitors will be given five minute warning of the restart. The race will be restarted in single file, in the same order as the last available printed sequence. There will be one rolling lap before the restart

Driving Standards

Drivers must conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the general safety of themselves and others
Drivers are reminded that there could be considerable variation in the skill and pace of drivers
Slower drivers must pay attention to the faster drivers catching them and should indicate which side the faster driver should pass by pointing
Faster drivers must take care passing slower drivers
The organisers advocate a raised arm signal on approaching a yellow (or red) flag or slowing to leave the circuit
Drivers must obey the signals and instructions of officials and marshals of the event
A summary of flags that may be used and their meanings in appended
Blocking or weaving to prevent a faster driver from passing is not permitted
Competitors are reminded that the edge of the track is marked by white lines (or in the absence of white lines, the edge of the track surface)
Karts should not drive off the edge of the track and any driver doing so and gaining an advantage will be penalised
Any driver persistently or deliberately missing corners may be black flagged
If a kart leaves the circuit either accidentally or deliberately, the driver is to rejoin at a point nearest to the place where he left the circuit

Race Finishes

At the end of the race, which shall be when the race leader next crosses the start/finish line after the end of the prescribed duration (40 minutes), the chequered flag shall be shown at the start/finish line. Drivers will slow, remaining in the same order and make their way back to parc ferme in the paddock area. Overtaking is not permitted after the chequered flag

Results

All results will be disclosed as part of the trophy awarding after each round
Championship points updates will be published on the designated area for the Championship information, on the Teesside Karting website shortly after each round

Championship Contents

Competitors may take part in all 10 rounds
The 8 best result from all rounds completed for each driver will count toward the final Championship standings
If all 10 rounds are completed by an individual driver a bonus of 20 points will be added to the total points from the best 8 rounds
In the event of a tie, the greatest number of race wins, second places etc will be the decider, based on all Championship events

Championship Points

Championship points will be scored as followes:

Flags

Blue (Stationary) Another competitor is following close behind.
Blue (Waved) Another competitor is trying to overtake.
White (Stationary) A slow moving or pace vehicle is on the circuit.
Yellow (Stationary) Danger. Slow down sufficiently to ensure that full control of the vehicle can be retained, No overtaking.
Yellow (Waved) Great danger. Slow down considerably. Be prepared to suddenly change from the projected racing line or take other evasive action including stopping if necessary. No overtaking.
Yellow/black quarters (Stationary) Form a queue behind the leader, no overtaking, proceed at half race pace or as directed. Competitors re-joining the circuit from the pits during such a flag period should join at the end of the queue at the next occasion it passes the pit exit.
Yellow/red stripes (Stationary) Slippery surface ahead.
Yellow/red stripes (Waved) Slippery surface imminent.
Green All clear at end of danger area controlled by yellow flags. Also shown at all posts during the first lap of each practice session and during the formation lap. Red Immediately cease driving at racing speed and stop at one side of the race circuit. Alternatively, you may be instructed to proceed slowly, without overtaking, and with maximum caution to start-line obeying marshal's instructions, and being prepared to stop should the track be blocked.
Black with orange disc Mechanical defect or fire.
Black/white diagonal A warning to the driver that his behaviour suspect and that he may be black flagged on further reports.
Black The driver must stop at his pit at completion of that lap and report to the Clerk of the Course. Another driver may continue racing.
Chequered End of race or practice.

Event Itinerary

SG Petch Abarth 2012 Teesside Karting Open Championship – Round 1 Report

A field of 33 drivers took part in round 1 of the 2012 Teesside Karting Open Championship, supported by SG Petch and Abarth Cars UK. The championship is open to anyone above the age of 16 and is currently the North of England's leading hire kart sprint series, allowing talented drivers to compete in a low cost, competitive championship, without need for capital outlay. Abarth are keen to promote racing talent and see this series as an ideal way to help achieve this.

The championship is being run at Teesside Autodrome over 10 rounds, with the best 8 rounds counting towards the final championship standings. The championship winner will receive a day of racing tuition by one of the UK's leading motorsport driving tutors.

Round 1 of the 2012 campaign took place on Sunday 12 February 2012, using the International Circuit at Teesside Autodrome. Craig Brock of Newcastle put his kart on pole, circulating the damp track with a best time of 1:34.402 closely followed by Scott McNicholas and Michael Whitfield. At the start of the 40 minute race, McNicholas took the lead into the first corner, closely followed by Whitfield, Cameron McLean, Daniel Laws, and Craig Brock. On lap 2, Whitfield worked his way to the head of the field. Daniel Laws attempted an ambitious overtake on McLean, however span and dropped to the back of the field. On lap three the red flag came out to halt the race as one of the competitors had left the circuit, crashing heavily into the tyre wall. Fortunately, the driver was unhurt and the race was re-started following reformation of the tyre wall.

At the restart, McNicholas was quickly able to take the lead from Whitfield, who was also overtaken by Brock. McNicholas was able to pull away from the field, however a mistake in the in-field section of the circuit saw him spin and drop back down the field. New race leader Brock led the field from Whitfield, Ian Neilson, who had made steady progress from twelfth position on the grid, Mark Asher and Cameron McLean.

Through the remainder of the race, Neilson steadily closed the gap back to race leader Brock, overtaking Brock with an audacious move on the last lap of the race, crossing the line 0.063 seconds ahead of Brock. 24 drivers were able to finish on the same lap as the winner, completing 21 laps of the International Circuit in the allotted 40 minute race time. Daniel Laws set the fastest lap of the race on lap 20, circulating in a time of 1:33.922, impressively fighting his way back up the field from his earlier spin to finish in eighth place.

After the first round of the championship, Ian Neilson leads the championship with 100 points, ahead of Craig Brock with 95 points and Michael Whitfield with 90 points. To register for round 2 of the championship on Sunday 4 March, contact Teesside Karting on 01642 231117, or visit www.teessidekarting.co.uk for further information. A £10 deposit is required upon booking, with a balance of £45 to pay when signing in for the booked event.