British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC)
For those who are a
bit more serious about their kart racing, there is the national University
Championship to enter. The karts used in this championship are
2-stroke 100cc racing karts, as used by the popular Club 100
"arrive and drive" series, racing on large outdoor
tracks across the country. The karts are prepared by the Club
100 mechanics and test drivers, with each kart closely matched,
putting the onus on driver skill to make the difference.
The karts put out approximately 18hp and are capable
of a top speed of around 80mph, accelerating from 0-60mph in
4.5 seconds. Because of the impressive performance of these
karts, each driver must first attend a Club 100/BUKC test day
before entering a race event, in order to bccome familiar with
the handling and performance of the karts.
The following table lists the schedule for 2007/2008 series. Our team will participate in the Whilton Mill test day and all of the subsequent rounds.
Date |
Event |
November 7th 2007 |
BUKC Test Day #1 - Rye House |
February 3rd 2008 |
BUKC Test Day #2 - Whilton Mill |
February 5th 2008 |
BUKC Rounds 1 & 2 - Whilton Mill
|
February 13th 2008 |
BUKC Rounds 3 & 4 - Buckmore Park
|
March 5th 2008 |
BUKC Rounds 5 & 6 - Rye House
|
March 26th 2008 |
BUKC Rounds 7 & 8 - Clay Pigeon
|
April 13th 2008 |
BUKC Round 9 - Llandlow (Driver Championship)
|
Race Format
How do the BUKC events work then? There are two
types of rounds at each race, the first of which is the Team
Sprint. This consists of four individual (one for each member
of the team) 30 minute races with the best three driver results
counting towards that respective teams final score. The other
format run is the Wingman Format in which the team is split
into two teams of two for two one hour endurance races including
a compulsory driver change, with once again the total result
of the two races determining the final score for that team.
The race formats are explained on the BUKC
website if you wish to look at them there in greater detail. UMMS will race at least one team in the 07/08 championship, and will also look into running a 2nd team should their be sufficient interest.
The Tracks
The tracks shown beneath
are the ones on the 07/08 race calendar, all of which highly challenging outdoor
tracks. With varying corner types and gradient, there are plenty
of chances to stretch the karts to their top speed of around
80mph at various points on the circuits.
Whilton Mill
Buckmore Park
Clay Pigeon
The Cost
Each round will cost £52.50
and as previously stated there are two rounds per race day.
This means that it will cost £105.00 per
race day, and for this you will get an hour of actual seat
time in kart. Considering what these karts are capable of,
the huge outdoor tracks you get to race on and so forth, we
can assure you that it is great value for money and will be
more than enough seat time!
As we are a recognised society of the University, we are entitled to financial subsidies from the Student Union. As a result, any funding which we
do receive will be spread out evenly and given back to all
those people who paid to enter the BUKC. Effectively, the
figures discussed are the most you would ever have
to pay, and there is a good chance that the Union will subsidise
some of the costs.
Interested?
We need to get our members together as soon
as possible to allocate them into teams for our 07/08 challenge
and get them onto an official BUKC test day. If you are interested
in racing, then you must first be a member of the society.
Once you have signed up, then please e-mail
us registering your interest and any previous karting
experience you have and we will get back to you.
|
....
