THE FORMATS
There are 2 bespoke formats used in the BUKC titled the Sprint Format and the Endurance Format.
SPRINT FORMAT
The Sprint Format is where every driver in the team gets to race in their own individual 25 minute race. No fuel stops, no driver changes. Just a 25 minute sprint to the flag with 3 to 5 laps practice prior.
The teams finishing score for the round is determined by adding up the best 3 results from the 4 sprint races.
In each Sprint Format round, there will be 2 weight categories. Lightweights will run at a minimum weight of 75kg. Heavyweights will run at a minimum weight of 82kg. Drivers who do not meet the minimum weight threshold will be able add ballast to their kart and / or seat insert.
3 of the 6 races will be designated as LW races and the other 3 will be designated as HW races.
ENDURANCE FORMAT
The Endurance Format is where the team (of 4 drivers) is split into 2 teams of 2. Each mini-team of 2 drivers races in a one-hour race.
2 fuel stops must be made, and at least one driver change must be made.
The teams finishing score for the round is determined by adding up the points from both the 2 one-hour races.
The minimum weight threshold will be 75kg for all drivers.
A TYPICAL RACE DAY
A typical race day starts arrving at the track at 7.30am when around 220 student drivers turn up for signing on. Teams travelling a fair distance tend to stay at nearby hotels or campsites the night before. The briefing is generally an hour later at 8.30. Racing usually gets underway at 9.30ish.
The 6 x 25 minute sprint races (each team only does 4 of them), continue until around 2pm after which we have a short break for the triple A team of mechanics to do a once over on the karts and to do the presentations for the morning's racing. Once the lunch break is out of the way, we start the 3 x 1hr endurance races (each team only does 2 of them). After the afternoon's racing, which usually finishes around 6pm, we do the final presentations for the day and everyone heads home knackered and buzzing (it's a peculiar combination).
Something special in the Premier Class Championship is that every race winner will receive a very special Gold race winner medals. These coveted items and only ever collected by race winners in the Premier Class!
