Choosing your drivers
Each team nominates 5 drivers for the season: 4 main drivers plus 1 reserve. All 5 must complete the mandatory Driving Modules on Race Academy, including the Licence Assessment Module, at least one month before their first on-track event. Do this as early as you can rather than leaving it until the last minute.
In terms of choosing your drivers, there are now rules or regulations on who you need to choose. However, here are some considerations:
- Will you choose your drivers based on who is the fastest (in which case you might what to visit an indoor kart circuit for a test session); or will you choose them based on who has responded-to/interacted-best with the programme throughout the year.
- Will you, the lead adult(s) choose, or will you let the students vote?
- Whoever you choose, they must be ages between 11-16 years old. (this is critical for insurance and safety purposes)
Some practical considerations:
- Try to choose drivers of a similar height (if you can).
- Whilst previous kart driving experience isn’t a necessity (it is very useful!).
- Are there any medical reasons inhibiting them from driving the kart safely?
Ultimately, it comes down to, are you choosing your drivers to win, or for the experience, or both?
What is the age limit for drivers?
Drivers must be aged 11–16. If you enter any drivers outside of this age bracket the whole team will be disqualified from the event.
Parental Consent and Medical Declaration forms
Every driver will require a signed Medical Declaration Form and Parental Consent Form before they can drive. Your Team Principal (Lead Teacher) provides the respective parents' email addresses so forms can be sent out and completed digitally. This will all be organised and submitted via the Race Academy platform, so everyone will have a digital record.
Do I need the same drivers for both Test Day and National Finals?
Your 5 nominated drivers (4 main plus reserve) cover both days between them, and the reserve exists precisely to give you flexibility, for example, if a main driver can't make one of the two days. You must field the same drivers for the National Finals as you did for the Test Day. The reason being, by that stage they will have worked through the driver modules, completed our on-track in-person driver training, practiced on the circuit, and therefore have been signed-off as safe and competent, attaining their STEM On Track drivers licenses. Without having gone through this process we cannot be confident that new/unknown drivers have the necessary skills and knowledge to be safe on circuit. This is for the safety of themselves and others.
If a driver doesn't drive on Test Day, can they still race in the Final?
In short, no. Because, without having gone through our training/coaching process we cannot be confident that any new/unknown drivers have the necessary skills and knowledge to be safe on circuit. This is for the safety of themselves and others.
However, if you are facing this unusual situation and would like further support and guidance, do reach out via [Support Routes: who to contact and when]. It may be possible to execute the same policy we have for Scottish and International Schools who typically do not attend the Test Day. For details on this see [How to Enter an Event, and Key Dates: What happens if we can't come to Test Day?].
What happens if a driver is ill?
This is exactly what your reserve driver is for. Provided they've completed the same Licence Assessment module as your 4 main drivers, they can step in; if needed at Test Day. Very little changes in this case, simply let us know and sub them into the driver training process on the day. If they are ill and cannot attend the National Finals, you will again need to sub-in your reserve driver, who will follow the same policy we have for the Scottish and International Schools who typically do not attend the Test Day. For details on this see [How to Enter an Event, and Key Dates: What happens if we can't come to Test Day?].
My students are too small to reach the pedals — what do I do?
Check this well before your on-track event, not on the day. Complete the Driver Ergonomics module with your students so any issues show up early. Seat inserts are available to share during your session on the day, but we'd also recommend buying your own barrel pedal extenders from the Club Shop so your drivers are comfortable and set up well in advance. The key check is simple: can the driver press the brake firmly? (Try pulling the kart from the front as they do this). If you're struggling, contact us via [Support Routes: who to contact and when].