FAQ and Event Rulebook

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1. Is the 2013 Sport Kart Grand Nationals an Individual or Team Event?
ANSWER: Both! All drivers entered to compete will do so on an individual basis in the outlined sprint racing format. There will also be an Team Championship scored by combing the individual scores of up to three drivers competing as a 'team'. A 'Masters' [Age 40+] and 'Female' category sub-championship will also be up for grabs.

2. Are drivers required to have a certain level of experience to enter?
ANSWER: The Sport Kart Grand Nationals are open to drivers of all experience levels. This event is highly competitive however, and the majority of drivers will have significant arrive and drive karting experience and/or other motorsports experience.

3. What is the cost to enter?
ANSWER: Entry into the three-day championship competition can be done for as little as $425 per driver for those that take advantage of early-bird registration discounts. For those drivers that would like to secure practice prior to the event, a special 'per session' price structure will be offered.

4. Is there an age limit to compete in the event?
ANSWER: Yes, drivers will need to be a minimum of 16 years old to compete in the 2013 Grand Nationals. Drivers as young as 12 may seek a waiver to this rule and will be considered by race officials on a case-by-case basis dependent on experience.

5. Will drivers be weight ballasted to ensure equality?
ANSWER: Yes, all competitors will be required to compete at a weight of 200lbs for this event. Karts can have up to 40lbs of ballast attached to the kart, therefore drivers below the 160lb mark will need to provide their own additional ballast in the form of weight vest or approved personal ballast.

6. What is the race format of the 2013 Grand Nationals?
ANSWER: All drivers will have the opportunity to compete in eight (8) 12-lap preliminary heats and one (1) thirty-lap semi-final, in addition to a standard 'morning warmup' session. Each race will have a short qualifying sessions prior to the race start to determine grid order. After all rounds of racing have been completed, each competitors lowest scoring round will be dropped. The Top 20 drivers will automatically advance to the 50-lap Main Event. All drivers ranked P26-P50 in the points will be given the opportunity to race the in the 12-Lap 'Last Chance Qualifier', of which the top 5 finishers will also advance to compete in the SuperFinal. The driver with the highest number of cumulative points earned over the event will be declared the winner.

7. Will I have the opportunity for practice prior to the event?
ANSWER: This year's host, Calspeed Karting, offers kart rentals on any of their scheduled open practice days at a rate of $95 for three (3) 15-minute sessions. In addition, on Thursday June 20th all practice sessions are available at a discounted 'per session' price.

8. What kind of karts will be used for this competition?
ANSWER: CalSpeed's fleet of 41 evenly prepared Sodi GT2 karts will be used for this competition. These karts utilize a race-modified 270cc Honda powerplant producing roughly 12 horsepower with achievable top speeds of 50mph. They also feature steering wheel mounted laptime displays for the drivers.