2024

Introduction

• These Rules and Regulations apply to all entries; they have been designed for your safety and the safety of others around you. They enable us to run the event effectively for the maximum benefit of all, so please ensure that you read them carefully and comply with the details. 

• If you have any comments or concerns, please contact our Scrutineering Team: entries@gravitygrandprix.co.uk

The Course

• The course will be from the junction of Church Road and Spring Lane to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, with a length of 750m and a drop of 30m. Some karts can expect to reach speeds of 30-40 mph.  There is a very sharp S bend, Widowmaker's bend, followed by a steep gradient shortly before the finish.  As in previous years, there will be a chicane after Widowmaker's to slow the karts before the finish.  In recent years we introduced a second chicane before the Dunlop arch.  We will do the same again this year.  A chance to display your driving skills and thrill the crowd. Your kart must be robust enough to get through these obstacles. 

• Your kart MUST HAVE EFFICIENT BRAKES and excessive ballast must not be carried. As the design and weight of karts will be highly variable, what is deemed as excessive ballast will be determined by our scrutineer. You must therefore agree with the Scrutineer on the amount of ballast allowable for your kart before the final build is submitted for scrutineering and he must be satisfied that he can lift either the front or back edge of your kart without exceptional effort. The Scrutineer’s  decision will be final.  No additional ballast may be added after scrutineering or on race day itself. This can result in the kart being  prevented from racing. 

The Prizes

Spirit of the Event – Overall Winner of the Day

• All karts are eligible to win this event, however this kart will be precluded from being considered for a prize in the ‘Best Novelty’ or ‘Best Engineered’ Category.

• The ‘Spirit of the Event’ prize is decided by the organizing committee based upon their consensus of the kart which reflects the most imagination and creativity.

Best Novelty Kart

• All Karts are eligible to win this event, however recipients of the ‘Spirit of the Event’ will be precluded from this prize.

• Prizes are awarded to the karts who are placed 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.

• The ‘Best Novelty Kart’ prizes are decided by the organizing committee based upon their consensus of the karts which reflect the most original and fun designs.

Best Engineered Kart

• All Karts are eligible to win this event, however recipients of the ‘Spirit of the Event’ will be precluded from this prize.

• Prizes are awarded to the karts who are placed 1st,2nd, & 3rd.

• The ‘Best Engineered Kart’ prizes are decided by the Scrutineering Team based upon their consensus of the karts which have been built to highest level of craftmanship.

Fastest Kart

• All karts are eligible to win this event, even if they are the winner in any other category.

• Prizes are awarded to the karts who are placed 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.

• The fastest Kart is determined by the following criteria:

1.    The fastest time on the day across any run to complete the course from start to finish.

2.    If more than one kart has the same fastest time, then times from other runs will be considered.

3.    In more than one kart has the same fastest times considering all runs, then the fastest speed, as measured by the speed trap, will be used.

Peter Bartlett Founder’s Award

• The ‘Founder’s Award’ is decided by the organizing committee based upon a memorable incident over the course of the weekend that they would like to recognize.

The Rules

• Every team must read and accept the Rules in full. Applications must be made using the entry form.

• A team will consist of a maximum of four persons: between one to three in the kart and one to three pushers.

• Once seated, drivers must be forward facing and along with the passengers remain seated throughout the race.

• Pushing, by up to two team members, will be allowed to push for 10 metres before the kart crosses the start line.  Any infringement will preclude the team from the fastest time awards.   

• Participants must be over the age of thirteen, with the driver being at least sixteen. All participants under the age of sixteen must have the permission of their parents to take part and a parent must sign the Indemnity Form for them on the day of the race.

• Each team should finish their karts at least two weeks before the event to allow for scrutineering. 

• The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry by any team, at any time, and for any reason.

• No headfirst driving.

• Karts will be towed up the course in groups and must be fitted with strong eyelets front and back to accept the towropes provided by the race Organisers. Karts must be strong enough to tow up to ten other karts behind.  If this later point is a concern, please discuss with the Scrutineer and the Towing Team on the day. 

• Numbers provided at registration must be prominently displayed on the front of each kart.

• Teams with a good idea for a fun kart may apply for exemptions to the rules and the design criteria.   

• The officials’ time is final, even if it’s incorrect.

• There will be two runs down the course, with a third run-off, at the Organisers' discretion, for the fastest karts.

• All runs will be timed to determine the fastest kart on the day

• After the Gravity Grand Prix all entrants will be towed to the prize giving on the Old Cricket Common.

Technical Design Criteria

All karts should be available for scrutineering two weeks prior to the event. The location for scrutineering karts will be notified to team leaders in good time before the event.

Karts deemed not safe at the start of the race will not be allowed to race!

Design

• All karts must be constructed with pedestrian and spectator safety in mind. Sharp edges will not be permitted. 

• Karts must be designed to carry no more than three persons, in a feet first direction. 

• No glass or other materials that could shatter or cause injuries to drivers, passengers, or spectators in the event of a crash may be used in the construction of the kart

• Maximum width 1.2m measured from outside to outside.

• No protuberances outside these dimensions will be allowed.

• Gravity propulsion only – i.e., no motors, no pedals, no stored potential energy nor excessive ballast. 

• No weight or ballast to be added to the kart outside of its structural cosmetic components.

• Bodywork and controls must not impede the driver/passengers in exiting the vehicle unaided. 

• Any doors or hatches required for access must be readily operated from both inside and outside the vehicle without the use of tools. 

• While under normal operation, the driver, and any passengers, should be protected from their hands and feet from being able to come in to contact with:

o   The road surface.

o   The wheels of the vehicle

Safety Equipment

• It is recommended that drivers and passengers should wear a safety helmet and appropriate gloves. Clothing must be capable of withstanding a spill on tarmac or concrete. No bare limbs please. 

• Seat belts are not mandatory, but if seat belts are used, they must be of a minimum four point fixing and only on karts with a roll-bar. 

Wheels and Brakes

• Karts must have a minimum of three wheels. All wheels should be in road contact during normal running and must be spaced to give the kart stability from side to side, i.e. they must not be in a single line as on a bike or motor bike. 

• The wheels must either be solid or if they have spokes, they should not allow a tennis ball to pass through the spokes. Bicycle wheels are acceptable. If a tennis ball can pass through the spokes the wheels must be covered.

•  Good brakes are essential and will be checked. Wheel braking must operate on at least two wheels on the same axle and be effective. The brakes must operate on the wheels and not damage the road surface.

Seating and Steering

• Seats must be securely bolted to the kart. 

• Any steering column, brake lever or other protrusion must be designed and fitted such that the risk of injuries is minimised. Therefore, it must not be possible for any part of the driver’s or passenger’s body to be trapped in moving parts of the vehicle e.g. Wheels, steering assembly.

• Any steering column, brake lever or other protrusion must be designed and fitted such that the risk of injuries is minimised. 

• Steering must not have excessive free play or any characteristic tending to promote instability. 

Important - Safety Info and Conduct on the Day

• The purpose of the event is to have fun, but the safety of the team, supporters and spectators is paramount throughout the day and, accordingly, the organisers reserve the right to amend these rules or go above and beyond their guidance. With this in mind if in the opinion of the race officials, a competitor’s ability to be safely in control has been compromised by alcohol, drugs, illness, injury, or emotional stress, that competitor will not be allowed to continue the event.

•  On the day of the event:

• Scrutineering will commence at 10:00am. Once successfully completed a pass certificate will be issued and will allow the kart to be registered

• Registration will commence at 10.00am. Once registered the kart will be issued with a race number.

• All drivers and passengers must familiarise themselves with the course.

• All drivers and passengers must attend the Drivers’ Briefing at 12:15 in the village hall.

• Team leaders will be issued a wrist band when they sign the required indemnity form and provide a mobile phone number allowing them to be contacted through out the race day. Only team leaders wearing wrist bands will have their teams allowed on the course or the karts during any part of the event. It is the responsibility of the team leader to ensure all drivers and riders are familiar with the rules & regulations. 

• After crossing the finishing line drivers will need to apply their brakes and quickly depart from the track under the Marshal’s instructions. An uphill towing service will tow the karts up hill. Please make sure that your kart is strong enough to tow 10 other karts.  If this is a concern, please advise event staff either at the time of scrutineering, or with the Towing Team when you finish your run 

• No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from the publication of, or compliance with, these rules and/or regulations. This publication is in no way a guarantee against injury.

Racing is expected to start between 1.00pm- 1:30 pm

Thank you for considering entering, please enjoy the day, and please take care.