ENDURANCE SERIES

Premier/Clubman Championship

Overview

The Premier and Clubman classes are run as one event. The Premier Class is the highest standard of endurance racing offered by CLUB100 and is designed for the fastest and most experienced teams. The Clubman class is for teams capable of racing at the highest level, who have the potential to make the step up to the Premier class but are yet to be a regular overall top 10 finisher or have just been promoted from the Intermediate Class. To create a level playing field, both classes run a minimum weight limit of 85kg, the knock-on effect being extremely close racing. There are trophies for 1st- 3rd in Clubman and 1st - 3rd overall. The season is run over 11 rounds with each team's best 8 scores counting towards the championship. In 2010 the two championship will be separate, with both classes having their own points structures.

Practice - 40 minutes
Qualifying - 10 minutes
Race - 2 hours 15 minutes

Kart Allocation

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 2013, the Premier, Clubman, Intermediate and Rookie class endurance races will be 2 hours and 15 minutes. The races are divided into sections, each containing a Pit-Stop window in which each team is required to stop at least once. There are 5 mandatory windows making a minimum of 6 driver stints. Most teams will split these stints between 2 or 3 drivers.

Window 1 = 5 through to 20 minutes of the race
Window 2 = 30 minutes through to 50 minutes of the race
Window 3 = 60 minutes through to 80 minutes of the race
Window 4 = 90 minutes through to 110 minutes of the race
Window 5 = 115 minutes through to Race finish

* Teams must complete one full lap before making their first fuel stop.

With the current rules, fuel consumption is not an issue. CLUB100's Birel karts have 8 litre tanks meaning fuel could last for up to an hour. However, at each fuel stop every team must fill the tank to the brim and with the fixed pit-stop windows it won't be possible to run the tank dry. Therefore, optimum strategy centres around timing of a teams pit-stops within the windows. There are a number of variables to be considered such as; minimising the time spent refuelling over the race distance, avoiding the busiest times in the fuel bay and avoiding traffic on track. There is time to be gained by getting this right and a lot of time to be lost getting it wrong! As you go up the classes in CLUB100 strategy becomes increasingly key.

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. At every fuel stop the refuelling marshal must always fill the tank to the top. During this time the team are expected to lube the chain and can change any seat inserts or lead for the next driver. Teams will need to be slick and find ways to change drivers, adjust pedal settings and change over any ballast quickly.

Click here to view all CLUB100's 2013 events.

Click here for a 2013 membership application forms.

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