USPKS is fresh off a very successful inaugural Texas GP held last weekend at Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, TX.  The local support for this event was tremendous, and the USPKS competitors that traveled to TX were rewarded with a beautiful facility that provided some amazing racing.  USPKS wishes to thank the Rudolph family for hosting us and for providing great hospitality to our families.

Beginning with this first installment, USPKS Race Director Blake Hunt will be publishing a post-race bulletin that addresses racing related items from each event.  We encourage everyone to read this bulletin carefully, that all may have a better understanding of why certain things are and aren’t done, when it comes to officiating these big events.  This bulletin also contains the official disciplinary actions being taken by the series to address inappropriate driving behavior.

 

Official Bulletin From The Race Director

 

Overall, the opening two rounds of the USPKS have gone smoothly. There were very few red flags across both weekends, and I think that’s a testament to an increased level of respect displayed on the racetrack in most classes. However, there are six topics that I’d like to address as we head to New Castle:

  1. We clarified our rulebook preceding the Texas round, and any driver found trying to reposition a pushed back bumper will be excluded from the remainder of the weekend. We had to enforce this rule in multiple instances this past weekend, and it will continue to be applied consistently to any and all competitors found in violation.
  2. Building on the new bumper rule, I would like to reiterate that it is every competitor’s responsibility to know the rules. We go over the highlights at the driver’s meeting, but it is your job to know the rules. In the cadet classes, this burden falls on the parents to ensure their drivers know the rules. Not knowing a rule is not an excuse for violating it.
  3. The front bumper is not a tool for passing. At Orlando I was informed by a driver that another national level series has modified their policy to allow for the use of the front bumper in an overtake. I want it to be clear that this is NOT acceptable in USPKS competition and will result in a penalty.
  4. The level of respect that has been shown for other drivers in X30 Senior will not be tolerated, both in terms of racecraft and safety. This is a pro class, I trust moving forward that the drivers will learn to conduct themselves as such.
  5. Defaming the series on social media is uncalled for, unprofessional, and unacceptable. We offer many channels through which to contact us directly with concerns, and are more than willing to talk to anyone about any concerns they might have and what options we will employ moving forward to address them.
  6. Parents: Your actions can directly impact your child’s results. Your actions can get them DQed as a member of their crew. We had multiple instances in Texas where parents were accused of engaging in profanity and threatening actions towards drivers in the scale line as well as with one another. If you are caught doing this you will be removed from the event and banned from the series indefinitely. If you have a problem with another driver/parent, come to an official and I will personally hear your complaint and have a word with the other party if warranted. Do not risk your child’s participation in the series through your actions.

 


 

Below you can find a table clarifying the penalties the race directing team has at their disposal, along with how we apply them:

 

Penalty Possible Repercussions Description
Avoidable Contact 3 or 5 positions; placement behind the offended competitor Using the front bumper to move a competitor off-line and complete a pass; not leaving sufficient space for a driver who is or is almost fully alongside on the exit of a corner
Blocking 3 or 5 positions Making more than one move to defend from a kart behind
Swerving 5 or 15 positions; Unsportsmanlike DQ Moving towards a competitor down the straight who already has their front bumper up to the rear wheel of the leading kart, if contact is made this will be 15 positions
Retaliation 15 positions Taking retributory and aggressive action against a driver who has wronged them
Track Cutting 5 positions Going 4 wheels off to shorten the track (The inside edge of the curb is defined as the edge of the track)
Tram Line Violation 3 seconds Exiting the tram lines prior to the green flag being displayed