What to do on raceday when you are new.

[John Kwong]

It has been awhile since I was new but thought it might be helpful for the new racers to have it all layed out.

To do list:
Load all your stuff the night before or the morning of the raceday. Make sure you have: helmet, gloves, driving suit, high top shoes, jerry fuel can, mixing fuel can, Motul oil, chain lube, kart stand, tent(optional), appropriate tools (10mm, 13mm spanner and the same in sockets and extensions),(4,5,6,8mm allen wrenches)& a(sparkplug wrench) usually any specialty tools can be borrowed at the track.
Make sure you bring enough water to drink during the day
Get gas at the Flying J at the appropriate pump which is usually the highest even numbered pump
Find a parking spot for your pit space.
If registration is open, go and register for the race. Bring CKRC license, cheque/cash and transponder serial number.
If registration is not open, unload and set-up your pit space. Remember to secure your tent from wind gusts.
If you need help unloading your kart, ask someone to help, we are a friendly bunch and are always willing to help new people.
If you race Rotax, mix your fuel. Again if this is a new thing for you, ask for help as this can be an expensive mistake.
If you still have time before the driver's meeting, go through the kart and check that everything is tight. Wheels, hubs, steering components, brake components bumpers and floorpan.
If you still have some spare time, have a walk around the pits and introduce yourself.

Driver's meeting will cover the days activities, any club news and any safety issues.
Figure out who is in your class and keep an ear out for when you are called to the grid and/or watch for that other person in your class leaving for the grid.

Practice - Take it easy for the first one or two laps. If you are not going racing speed, drive with your hand in the air to indicate that you are not going racing speed and maintain your line. The faster karts will see your hand signal and take evasive action. It is their job to get around you and they can see you better than you can see them.

Qualifying - If you are in a large grid(Rotax senior) it might be divided into odd race numbers and even race numbers. Be prepared to go in the right grouping. When all the karts in your group are let out, bring the tires up to temperature and then if you are following another kart, try and leave a gap so that you can do a flying lap without them slowing you down. If after your flying lap you have caught up to another kart, back off again and leave a gap so that you take another flying lap. If you practice this, there is no reason to feel like you were stuck in traffic and couldn't get a clear lap.

Pre-Final or Heats - You will be gridded according to your qualifying time. This is the time when you want to use all of your peripheral vision skills to avoid any contact in the first lap.

Final - You will be gridded according to your finishing position in the Pre-Final.

I believe we are using the same scoring system as last year where Qualifying, Pre-Final/Heats and Final all count for points, so consistency is important.

Trophy presentation

That is mostly what a raceday involves. I am sure I missed a few items but this should get anyone new through their first raceday.

John K

[Dave Barlass]

And how many guys have gone out for qualifying with their transponders sitting in their trailers or worse,
back at home. I have left mine at home twice.
It is a good idea to charge them too!

[jjarman]

Thanks John, great info. We are finally expecting to show up for our first race this coming Sunday and just have a couple questions. What time can we show up/set up in the morning? I'm assuming there's a drivers meeting as well, what time does that normally happen? What time does the day normally begin after that (practice, qualifying etc).

Thanks
James

[phil]

Gates should be open by 7:00 a.m. Registration, I believe runs until 8:30, with drivers meetint @ 9:00. Frst practice is normally at 9:30. Sup regs should be posted tonight under "rules & regulations"

Phil

[CKRCAdmin]

All the details for a race day can be found in the event supplemental regulations that are posted in the Rules and Regulations section of the website prior to each race. There you will find all the 'official' information as to times for everything, names of officials, etc. etc.

I'm a little behind in posting them this time but they're up now.

[Fred]

We will let you off this time !!! Congratulations to you both on the birth of your new son "" whats he being called ?? Senna , Mansell , Lewis , PCR lol ??