THE DETAILS
LIGHT AND HEAVY CLASS WEIGHT RULES
Light and Heavy class designations will be based on the average of a combined team weight. The Light class average driver weight is 150-189lbs, while the Heavy class average driver weight is 190lbs+. This means, for example, a 3-driver Light team must weigh between 450-567lbs total. If you have a 4-driver Heavy team, the total weight must be a minimum of 760lbs. Both classes will run on track together but will be scored separately.
MINIMUM LAPS PER DRIVER
For teams of 2-4 drivers, each driver MUST complete a minimum of 100 laps. For teams with 5 drivers, each driver MUST complete a minimum of 80 laps. There is no minimum number of laps a driver must complete per stint.
STARTING POSITION
Your starting position will be determined by the order registrations are received. SIGN UP EARLY!
KART ASSIGNMENT
Kart assignment for the start of the race will be determined by random draw.
PACE KART
A Pace Kart will be used at the start of the race. The Pace Kart will only be deployed mid-race in the event of a full-course caution. ALL YELLOW LAPS COUNT TOWARD THE 500-LAP TOTAL RACE DISTANCE. The Pace Kart will gather up the leader and the rest of the field will form a single-file line behind the Pace Kart. With one lap to go, the Pace Kart’s lights will be turned off and drivers should expect a green flag next time by start/finish. Pit lane will be open during full-course caution laps and driver changes are permitted.
PIT STOPS AND REFUELING
There will be no scheduled refueling stops. The timing of pit stops for driver changes will be at the discretion of each race team. A 170 continuous laps limit will be enforced. Any driver exceeding 170 continuous laps on track will result in their team being automatically disqualified. If at any point there are no reserve karts available, pit lane will be closed. A “PIT CLOSED” sign will be displayed at Race Control on the back straight flag stand. Pit lane will reopen as soon as karts have been refueled and placed at the front of Grid B.
DRIVERS AND DRIVER CHANGES
Teams may consist of 2-5 drivers. Driver changes may be made at any time at the discretion of the team, with a 170 continuous laps limit. The driver signaling area for all teams is the main flag stand. Teams must be ON the flag stand to signal, they are not allowed to signal from the ground. Driver changes must be made in the designated area at the front of Grid B. The kart MUST come to a complete stop within the designated area at the back of Grid B in the STOP BOX. Any kart that drives past the Stop Box cones will be penalized 60 seconds. The replacement driver should be ready in a kart at the front of Grid B and cannot leave the grid until tagged by his team member. The exiting driver is the only person that may push off the replacement driver. Used karts will then be refueled and placed back in line at the front of Grid B. The replacement driver may choose from any available kart at the front of Grid B.
SAFETY GEAR
Helmets and balaclavas are supplied. Drivers can choose to use track-supplied helmets or their own. All helmets must be full-face and rated Snell M or better. Closed-toe, lace-up shoes are required. Driving suits or jackets are are strongly recommended but not required. Neck collars are recommended but not required.
RADIOS
No radios will be allowed. Team/driver communication will be via hand signals or sign boards in the designated signaling area only.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
The Sodi GT5 karts have proven to be very durable and rarely experience any mechanical issues. The karts will be prepared accordingly for the 500-lap event. In the event of a mechanical issue, race control may swap that kart out for another. There will be karts prepared and held in reserve if needed. Any team that acts to manipulate the kart in an effort to move to another kart will be penalized accordingly. Any laps lost due to mechanical issues will be added back to a team’s lap count.
TIRES
In advance of the Gateway 500, all karts will be fitted with new tires. Each kart will be driven prior to the event and in morning practice to heat cycle the new tires.
RAIN
In the event of rain on race day, we will make every attempt to get the race in. We may delay the start as necessary or halt the race for a period if needed. We will NOT race in the rain. If the scheduled date is a complete wash-out, the rescheduled date will be determined and sent to all registered teams as soon as possible. If the race is halted by rain after 250 laps and cannot continue, the race order of the lap preceding the red flag will stand as final and the race will be considered complete.
PIT LANE SPEED
The Sodi GT5 karts are equipped with a rev-limiting device that will slow the kart at the entry to the pit lane. IT IS THE DRIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN SAFE CONTROL OF THEIR KART IN THE PIT LANE AND ON THE GRID. ANY DRIVER THAT CRASHES IN THE PIT LANE OR ON GRID WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION OF THEIR ENTIRE TEAM.
ROUGH OR RECKLESS DRIVING
ROUGH OR RECKLESS DRIVING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If Race Control witnesses driving that is deemed unacceptable, that driver will receive a rolled and pointed black flag with their kart number displayed at start/finish. EACH TEAM IS ALLOWED ONE ROLLED BLACK FLAG WARNING. If that team, regardless of driver, is involved in any subsequent instances of rough or overly aggressive driving, the kart will be black flagged at the start/finish line with its number displayed. The kart will then have three laps to report to the penalty area on the grid. IF THE KART DOES NOT HEED THE BLACK FLAG WITHIN THREE LAPS, THE TEAM WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN. Penalties may range from a drive-through to a 5 minute hold. NO DRIVER CHANGES MAY BE MADE WHEN SERVING A PENALTY. RACE CONTROL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY AN INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR OR ENTIRE TEAM AT ITS DISCRETION WITH NO REFUNDS GIVEN.
All decisions by Race Control are final and not open to appeal.
