The Sprint Championship is the ultimate challenge for any CLUB100 driver. The series started in 1993 and since then has grown considerably in both grid size, variety of tracks, and standard of competition. For 2008 the series takes in 10 rounds at 7 different tracks around the UK offering drivers a complete season of racing with huge variety plus the added incentive of using the new C100 Birel karts.

Background

Going motor racing is always going to cost money and karting is no different. However, as CLUB100 is an ‘arrive & drive’ series, racing budgets can be worked out at the start of the season and there are no hidden extras to worry about. No transportation, storage or preparation worries, no damage costs and no engine rebuilds to pay for. This creates a level playing field for all the drivers and allows you to concentrate simply on your racing.

Even if you’ve done some other kart racing, being successful in the CLUB100 Sprint Championship takes some specific driver skills that need to be developed. And as you’ll be racing against some of the best drivers in the applicable classes, try not to be too hard on yourself in your first season as it can be a steep learning curve.

Firstly, you need to become very familiar with the CLUB100/Birel karts’ handling characteristics on the limit, on cold tyres, and in heavy traffic (i.e. getting bumped!). As CLUB100 is an ‘arrive & drive’ series you will probably be driving a different chassis in each of your races in a day, so you need to be able to isolate the slight differences in each kart, whether related to engine and/or chassis, and then use those characteristics to your best advantage, while covering any minor kart deficiency with your skill as a driver.

Secondly, you need to know the tracks. Knowing where you’re going, the perfect line, the best places to overtake, and where you can defend is vital for success.

Then there’s driving in the wet. CLUB100 karts are never fitted with wets, the karts stay on slicks whatever the weather conditions. (This is due to the impossible logistics of changing a whole fleet with limited staff and tools within the time frame available). Subsequently, CLUB100 drivers become very good at driving in the wet!

So there’s a lot to learn for the CLUB100 first time Sprinter. However, this shouldn’t put you off. There’s plenty of help on offer for new drivers to the series and the CLUB100 Sprint Championship is where legends are made. If you are serious about taking your skills to the limit up against another 50 drivers (per class) then this is the series for you.

Race Day Format

At registration (see timetable below) drivers sign on and collect their race wear if they don’t have their own. Type A Crash Helmets, Sparco race suits and scuff proof gloves can be hired for £10 per day. Ballast (lead), seat inserts and peddle extensions are also available at this point and should also be organised if required. Attending the Driver Briefing is mandatory for all drivers, and this is followed by the issue of the transponders. New drivers are also required to attend a kart briefing before racing for the first time.

The LW and HW classes will alternate over the course of the season with one event taking place AM and another taking place PM, the order being reversed at the following event. A track walk will be actioned for those racing AM and this is done by one of the experienced drivers before the LW/HW briefing in the morning (time permitting), so if you’re new to a circuit then this is a must.

Each driver then competes in 3 heats of between 6-8 laps, the first of which is preceded by 5 laps practice enabling them to get familiar with the circuit and the kart. Drivers’ grid positions are a combination of front, middle and back, and the grids should be mixed with different drivers in most heats. Points are awarded for finishing positions in the heats, and these points are added together to give a drivers grid position in one of the finals.

Regardless of class, the top 22 drivers with the most points will automatically qualify for the ‘A’ Final. The remainder will qualify for the ‘B’ Final. Once the ‘B’ Final has finished, the top 4 will progress to the back of the grid of the ‘A’ Final. The ‘A’ Finalists get 3 laps practice before lining up on the grid for the biggest race of the day. After the ‘A’ Final, trophies are awarded to the top 3 drivers in each class.

The classes

• There are two (three including SHW) classes in CLUB100; Lightweight and Heavyweight which is a unique feature in 'arrive and drive' Kart racing and allows drivers to race on equal terms.
• Lightweight class is for drivers less than 80kg (kitted up) with a minimum of 75kg leaded up. For female drivers the limit is 70kg.
• Although the weight limit for the Heavyweight class is 85kg, drivers that weigh 80kg with their full race kit on are allowed to enter, but they must then be leaded up to the 85kg limit.
• The SHW (Super Heavyweight) class (introduced in 2006) will be retained for 2008 allowing those heavier drivers in the HW class to complete alongside the other HW drivers but to race for their own overall SHW championship. This is for drivers weighing 90KG’s or more.
• A limited amount of lead is available from the technicians and is affixed to the kart by the driver before each of his/her races. We recommend that drivers supply their own ballast prior to the race meeting. Details on where to purchase weight are in the rules & regs.

Buddy system

Another unique aspect of CLUB100 is the unique Buddy System. Drivers competing in their first ever Sprint will have access to a ‘buddy’ driver who will be on hand to assist throughout the day. The CLUB100 ‘buddy’ drivers are more experienced drivers who know the rules in depth and are happy to help new drivers on their first race day. The other advantage of the buddy system is that drivers get to know each other, helping to perpetuate the overall club sprit that is one of the important aspects of Club 100 both on and off the track. ‘Buddy’ drivers are allocated either after track walks or at the driver’s briefings. The buddy system applies to both the LW and HW class.

Race Reports / Results service

The results along with championship tables from each race meeting are posted on the comprehensive CLUB100 website a few days after the event. Lap times, lap charts and virtual timing screens are also available as well. The race reports which include all finals in all events are usually posted about one week after each event.

Please Note

Our Sprint racing is run on a very tight schedule, failure to arrive on time can result in you missing the event on the basis that you have not attended the briefing.

Click here to view all CLUB100's 2008 events.

Click here for a 2008 membership application forms.

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