Main series 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
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 8 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
9 mins
1 lap
8 mins
8 mins
8 mins
8 mins
Silverstone Championship 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 10 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
4 mins
1 lap
10 mins
10 mins
10 mins
Untimed practice and familiarisation session
One-lap make or break qualifying session
Grid based on Qualifying results, grid start
Reverse grid of Race 1 results, single file rolling start with kart length gap in between each kart
Two 15 minute races
Warm-Up
Qualifying
Race 1
Race 2
4 mins
1 lap
15 mins
15 mins
Untimed practice and familiarisation session
Pre-determined random grid
Pre-determined random grid
Pre-determined random grid
Grid based on points scored during Heats
Heats & Finals
Warm-Up
Heat 1
Heat 2
Heat 3
Final
5 mins
6 mins
6 mins
6 mins
12 mins
How the formats work
Warm-Up (4 to 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 it 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 (6 to 15 minutes each)
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. This same starting procedure is also used in the Silverstone Championships for Race 2 when the 2x15min format is used.
Once drivers have taken the chequered flag, they complete a slow down lap and return to the pit lane.
For all other 4-stroke races, 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 and these splits provide the most competitive racing possible.
Drivers are split up using their average championship points score from their last 3 rounds. This is calculated by dividing each drivers total championship points scored across their last 3 rounds by 3.
Drivers who are making their series debut are assigned to an appropriate split based on their known ability level whilst those who have only raced in 1 or 2 rounds in total have their total championship points scored divided by the number of rounds they have raced in.
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.
Points System
Drivers are awarded race points at the end of each race based on where they have finished. 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 more information on our point system, please visit the Splits and Points sections of our Rules page.
Drop Rounds
The National Championships and Southern Junior Championship consist of 3 drop rounds whilst all other championships consist 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.