Unique formats
Untimed practice and familiarisation session
One-lap make or break qualifying session
Grid based on Qualifying results
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 1
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 2
Three 12 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
9 mins
1 lap
12 mins
12 mins
12 mins
Rounds
Untimed practice and familiarisation session
One-lap make or break qualifying session
Grid based on Qualifying results
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 1
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 2
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 3
Four 10 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
4 mins
1 lap
10 mins
10 mins
10 mins
10 mins
Rounds
Untimed practice and familiarisation session
One-lap make or break qualifying session
Grid based on Qualifying results
Grid based on fastest lap in Race 1
Two 20 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
9 mins
1 lap
20 mins
20 mins
Rounds
How the formats works
Warm-Up (4 or 9 minutes)
Each event commences with an untimed Warm-Up session. This allows drivers to familiarise themselves with the track and their qualifying kart without the pressure of setting fast lap times.
Warm-Up commences as soon as the first kart leaves the pitlane. Then, 1 lap before the Warm-Up session ends, the Last Lap board is displayed at the finish line, encouraging drivers to spread out before qualifying commences. Once every driver has seen the Last Lap board, it is exchanged for a green flag and qualifying commences.
Qualifying (1 lap)
Qualifying is a 1 lap one-shot qualifying session which immediately follows Warm-Up, with no stoppage in between the two sessions, and sets the grid for Race 1. Each driver has one opportunity to set a lap time, testing a drivers ability to set a fast lap time on demand.
Once every driver has crossed the start line and begun their qualifying lap, the green flag is exchanged for the chequered flag, bringing each drivers qualifying session to an end once they complete their lap. If any driver manages to start a second lap before the chequered flag is displayed, their second lap time will be ignored.
Once Qualifying has ended, drivers return to the pit lane/grid as instructed. Any track limit violations during qualifying results in that driver losing their lap time and they will start Race 1 at the back of the grid.
Races (10, 12 or 20 minutes each)
The grid for Race 1 is set by the results of Qualifying whilst the grids for Race 2, 3 and 4 (where applicable) are dictated by each drivers fastest lap time in their previous race, encouraging drivers to push hard during a race even if things have not gone their way.
At 2-stroke rounds, rolling starts are used. The kart at the front of the pit lane is allocated to the driver starting on pole position, the second kart is allocated to the driver starting in second position and so on. Once ready, drivers leave the pitlane and commence the rolling start procedure, where they slowly drive around the circuit to the start line in a two-by-two formation.
2-stroke races begin when the green flag is displayed - drivers must maintain a kart lengths gap however to the kart in front until they cross the start line. Once drivers have taken the chequered flag, they complete a slow down lap and return to the pit lane.
At 4-stroke rounds, standing grid starts are used. Once ready, drivers are told to watch the start lights. When they go green, the race begins and drivers are allowed to overtake immediately. Once drivers have taken the chequered flag, they complete a slow down lap and return to the grid or the pit lane.
Split System
At rounds where the drivers within a class are split across multiple grids, drivers are split up into ability-based groups known as splits. These drivers race together throughout the event.
Drivers who have already raced with us this season will be split up based on their average championship points score so far this season. Drivers who are making their season debut will be manually allocated to the split we feel is best suited to their ability level.
Split 1 is the group where the EKS’ top drivers with the highest average championship point scores race together. This is also the group where the biggest amount of race points are on offer starting with 50 points for victory. Split 2 drivers score 10 less race points per position than Split 1 drivers and Split 3 drivers score 20 less race points per position than Split 1 drivers.
Points System
Each race within a split will score equal race points, thus making each race as important as any other. At the end of an event, each drivers race points are added together to form the overall results. Championship points are then awarded based on where a driver finishes in the overall results.
For information on our point system, please visit the Splits and Points sections of our Rules page.
Drop Rounds
Each National Championship consists of 3 drop rounds whilst each Northern Championship and each Southern Championship consists of 2 drop rounds. This will remain the case if any event is cancelled.
These drop rounds allow drivers who cannot attend every round to still fight for the championship.