20172018Lotus Cup UK– Sporting & Technical Regulations

Lotus Cup UK

Introduction

The Lotus CupCup UKchampionship aims to provide a friendly, safe and financially viable Championship for those wishing to race a Lotus Elise, Exige, Exige V6, 2-eleven, 340R, Europa or Evora.

There are twogroups within the Lotus CupCup UKchampionship but the overall championship is decided based on the overall race results.A typical race meeting will involve a free practice & qualifying session and at least two races of 30 minutes or longer. The championship supports single driver and two driver teams.

Exige Cup – Aimed at Exige V6 Cup R & Exige S2 variants – including the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260, Exige Cup 255, Exige Cup 240, Exige Cup 190 and Exige S.

Lotus Open – For Lotus cars that do not fall into the above categories – including Elise S2 supercharged Toyota, Exige S1 & S2, Elise S1 S2, 340R, 2 Eleven, Europa and Evora.

1. SPORTING REGULATIONS – GENERAL

1.1Title & Jurisdiction:

The Lotus CupCup UKChampionship is organisedby MSVR administered & promoted by LCUKLtd in accordance with the General Regulations of the Royal Automobile Club Motor SportsAssociation (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) and these Championship Regulations.

MSA Championship Permit No. CH20172018/085tbn

Race Status: National B

MSA Championship Grade: C

1.2Officials:

1.2.1Championship Coordinator:

Simon Oakley

Email:

Stephen Docherty

Email:

Steven Train (Deputy)

Email:

1.2.2LicencedEligibility Scrutineer:Keith Hancocktbn

1.1.1Championship Eligibility Officers:Simon Oakley, Stephen Docherty, Danny Hartgrove, Phil Hurn, Tracy Oakley, Nick Wones, Matt Gordon

1.2.3Richard Berg, Louis Kerr, Stephen Docherty, Steve Train

1.2.41.2.3

1.2.51.2.4Championship Stewards:

David Scott, David Simons, Mike Dixon, David Evans

Any three championship stewards may reach a decision. Should it not be possible to achieve a quorum from the above list due to lack of availability or any perception of a conflict of interest the championship organisers reserve the right to introduce a steward not on this list.

1.2.5Clerk of the Course:Nick Turner

1.3Competitor Eligibility:

Entrantsmust be fully paid up validmembership card holding members of MSVR andbeRegistered for theChampionship andbein possessionof a valid MSAEntrants Licences.

Drivers and Entrant/Drivers must be currentMembers ofMSVR andbeRegistered for theChampionship andbe inpossessionof validCompetition(Racing) Nat Bstatus Licence, as a minimumorbe aprofessional driver, in possession of a valid Licence (featuring an E.U. flag)andmedical, issued bythe ASNof a member country of the European Union, orcomparable country. ((H)26.2.1.applies)

*If participation in the Championshiprequires absence from education a driver, infull time school education is required to havethe approvalof theirhead teacher anda letter stating such approvalfrom their schoolin order to fulfilregistration fortheChampionship. A driver shallnot take time out of theireducation to participate inmotor sportwithout the prior written approval of their educationestablishment.

1.3.1All necessary documentation must be presented for checking at all rounds whensigning-on.

1.3.2For any European round competitors will need a National A or above (or equivalent) licence.

1.3.3Entry into the Lotus CupCup UKwill be by invitation of the organisers following full consideration of any Registration Form sent by post, email or completed onlineand submitted to LCUK.

1.3.4Competitors must be members of MSVR at UK events. Membership of MSVR is free on entry into the event.

1.4Registration:

1.4.1AllcompetitorsmustregisterforthechampionshipbyreturningtheRegistrationFormwiththeRegistrationFeetotheCo-ordinator 14 days priortotheFinalClosingdateforthefirstround being entered.

1.4.2TheRegistration Fee is set out in 1.4.4.

1.4.3Registration numbers will be the permanent Competition numbers for theChampionship.

1.4.4The “Non-refundable” registration fee for the 20172018Lotus Cup UK Championship is £250per driver.driver if received by 31st December 2016 and £450 thereafter.

1.4.5All competitors must register for the Lotus Cup UKChampionship by completingthe Registration Formand submittingthe Registration Fee to the organisers prior to the Final Closing date for the first round beingentered. The organisers reserve the right to accept registrations after this date.Acceptance of registration and the terms thereof is at the discretion of the ChampionshipOrganisers.

1.4.6Such registration will only be complete when written acceptance is issued by the organisers.Registration does not guarantee entry to all races and a separate Race Entry Form and fee mustbe submitted for any race the registered competitor wishes to participate. Grid slots including reserves will be allocated on a “First Come First Served” basis.

1.4.7Registrations for the Lotus CupCup UKChampionship should be received 14 days prior to the event entered.The championship organisers reserve the right to allow a competitor to take part in the race if theregistration is received after this date up until noon of the Thursday prior to the event. In this eventthe competitor may not score championship points at that event, but may win a trophy. The entryof the car, if accepted by the Licensed Eligibility scrutineer, will count towards Group numbers. Competitorsentering less than 14 days prior to the event may not appear in the official programme.

1.4.8Permanent Competition numbers for Lotus Cup UK will be appointed and supplied by the championship organisers. Number backgrounds and race numbers will be supplied by the organisers and must not be altered in any way. Competitors are responsible for ensuring the appropriate race numbers and backgrounds are attached to their vehicle. Competitors will be issued with one full set of championship decals by the championship organisers, but will be required to purchase replacements. Competitors may request championship numbers whichmay be allocated at the discretion of the organisers.

1.5Championship Events:

1.5.1The 20172018Lotus CupCup UK Championship will consist of 8 race meetings.

DateVenueOrganising Club

17/03/2018Snetterton 300MSVR

14/15/04/2018Donington Park NationalMSVR

19/20/05/2018Brands Hatch GPMSVR

30/06/2018Oulton Park InternationalMSVR

218/07/2018Cadwell ParkMSVR

11/12/08/2018Snetterton 300 MSVR

08/09/09/2018Donington Park GPMSVR

29/30/09/2018RockinghamMSVR

DateVenueEventsOrganising Club

25/03/2017Snetterton 300Race 1 & 2MSVR

01/05/2017Brands Hatch Grand PrixRace 3 & 4MSVR

03/06/2017Silverstone NationalRace 5 & 6MSVR

01/07/2017Silverstone Grand PrixRace 7 & 8MSVR

29/07/2017Oulton Park InternationalRace 9 & 10MSVR

12/08/2017Donington Park National Race 11 & 12MSVR

02/09/2017Brands Hatch IndyRace 13 & 14MSVR

14/10/2017Snetterton 300Race 15 & 16MSVR

1.5.2Lotus CupCup UK Lotus Elise Trophy may or may not race together on one grid. Race meetings may involve two or three races plus a qualifying session.

1.5.3No refund of any part of the entry fee will be returned if due to Force Majeure the duration of any track time is shortened or deleted from that which is publicised. In the event of Force Majeure, the Championship Organisers reserve the right to reduce the total number of Championship rounds and vary the duration of championship rounds.

1.6Scoring:

1.6.1Points will be awarded to Competitors listed as classified finishers in the Final Results as follows: -

1st - 30, 2nd - 25, 3rd - 22, 4th - 19, 5th - 17, 6th – 15, 7th - 14, 8th - 13, 9th – 12, 10th – 11, 11th - 10, 12th – 9, 13th – 8, 14th – 7, 15th – 6, 16th – 5, 17th – 4, 18th – 3, 19th - 2, 20th - 1.

The competitor setting the fastest lap in qualifying (pole for race 1) will score two (2) additional points.

The competitor setting the fastest lap in each race will score two (2) additional points.

A bonus of 20 points will be awarded to every competitor entering the overseas round and starting the race at that round regardless of which championship (Lotus Elise Trophy or Lotus CupCup UKSuperSport) they compete in.

A bonus of 20 points will be awarded to every competitor who fully enters all rounds.

1.6.2Points from a competitor’s 14 highest scoring rounds in thall rounds less the competitors two lowest scores in the e 20172018Lotus Cup UK Championship plus any bonus points will determine total Championship points.

1.6.3Ties shall be resolved using the formula in the 20172018 MSA Yearbook W.1.3.4.

1.6.4Lotus CupCup UK is a drivers championship.

1.6.5Should a driver change cars during the course of the season, points may be carried over to the new car.

1.6.6Competitors will not be entitled to score Championship Points if they only participate in the 20172018Lotus CupCup UKChampionship in the last round or the penultimate round (or both). These cars will be ‘invisible’ with respect to Championship points.These competitors will be required to register for the Championship and will be subject to a pro-rata registration fee.

1.7Awards:

1.7.1All awards are to be provided by the organisers.

1.7.2Per Round: Trophies will be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each Group.Where there are less than 5 cars starting in a group trophies will not be awarded for 3rd place.

1.7.3Championship:

1.7.4 Presentations:

Trophiesare to be provided for presentation at the end of each race or at an end of the meeting presentation ceremony.Podium presentations at the end of each race will be for the driver that wins each group in the race. All Competitors are requested to attend the championship awards presentations in the Championship race centre 30 minutes after the finish of each race.

1.7.5Title to all Trophies

In the event of any Provisional Results or Championship Tables being revised after any provisional presentations and such revisions affect the distribution of any awards the Competitors concerned must return such awards to the organisers in good condition within 7 days.

2SPORTING CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT MEETINGS & RACE PROCEDURES

2.1Entries:

2.1.1Competitors are responsible for sending in correct and complete entries with thecorrect entry feeprior to the closing date for entriesbefore each event.

2.1.2Incorrectorincompleteentries(IncludingDrivertobeNominatedEntries)aretobeheldinabeyanceuntiltheyarecompleteandcorrectandthedateofreceiptforacceptanceofentrypurposesshallbethedateonwhichtheMeetingOrganiserreceives the missingor correctedinformation or fee.

2.1.3AnywithdrawalofEntryorDriver/CarchangesmadeafteracceptanceofanyentrymustbenotifiedtotheMeetingOrganisersinwriting.D25.1.12.applies.

2.1.4TheEntry Fee for eachevent shall be specified in the SRs andon the entry form.

2.1.5ReserveswillbelistedintheFinalListofEntriespublishedwithFinalInstructionsorina Bulletin.

2.1.6There will be no refunds or credits given to a competitor withdrawing after the closing date – under any circumstances.

2.1.7Changes made to an entry after the closing date or late entries must apply for approval of acceptance by the stewards of the meeting before signing on.

2.1.8The Maximum entry fee for every round shall be as stipulated in the Supplementary Regulations plus any late entry surcharge imposed by the organiser.

2.1.9In the event of any rounds being oversubscribed the Organising Clubs in liaison with the coordinator / organiser may at their discretion run Qualification Races.

2.1.10Reserves are to be nominated on the final list of entries published with Final Instructions or Amendment Sheet Bulletins. A number of reserves equivalent to the number of starters plus 20% will practice and replace withdrawn or retired entries in the order that the entry has been received. Reserve Number order is irrespective of group/class. If Reserves are given Grid Places prior to issue of the first Grid Sheets for any round the times set in Practice shall determine their grid positions. If Reserves are given places after publication of the grid sheet and prior to cars being collected in the Official “Assembly Areas” they will be placed at the rear of the Grid and be started without any time delay. Otherwise, they will be held in the pit lane and be released to start the race after the last car to start the GREEN FLAG LAP or last car to take the start has passed the start line or pit lane exit, whichever is the later. Such approval to start MUST be obtained from the Clerk of the Course.

2.1.11Changes made to an entry after the closing date or late entries must apply for approval of acceptance by the stewards of the meeting before signing on.

2.1.12In the event of any rounds being oversubscribed the Organising Clubs in liaison with the coordinator / organiser may at their discretion run Qualification Races.

2.1.13Race Entries

The organisers will be responsible for communicating Race Entry Forms to all Registered Competitors in sufficient time for entries to be made in accordance with Regulation 3.1.2. A single Race Entry Form will be issued which can be used for all races. Once the single Race Entry Form is submitted to the organisers it is the Competitors responsibility to request a new form or download it from the championship website in sufficient time before the race if they wish to enter a race not included on their original single Race Entry Form or obtain such from the official website.

Refunds – if a race entry is withdrawn refunds will be available on receipt of written confirmation of withdrawal received by the Championship Coordinator according to the following schedule:

  1. notification received more than six weeks prior to race meeting 100% refund less £75administration charge
  2. notification received more than three weeks prior to race meeting 50% refund
  3. notification received more than two weeks prior to race meeting 25% refund
  4. less than two weeks notice no refund is available.

Any deposits paid for discounted early race entry prior to 1 February 20172018are refundable at the discretion of the organisers. Entry prices can be obtained separately to these Regulations from the organisers has sole discretion over entry prices and refund policy which they reserve the right to vary from those shown in these Regulations.

Supplementary Regulations, Race meeting Schedules and Paddock details will automatically be issued by email by the organisers to competitors entered in the race.

Each Full Season Entrant will be issued four permanent Circuit Admission Passes. Where required each entrant will also receive Vehicle Passes as appropriate and at the discretion of the Organiser of the race meeting.

Those entering on a race by race basis, or with an accepted late entry, may be issued with four paper circuit admission tickets in place of permanent passes. All Permanent passes will remain the property of MSVR and must be surrendered if required to do so by the Race Meeting organisers. Lost permanent passes will be supplied on written application to MSVR at a charge of £50 per pass. Competitors are responsible for sending in correct and complete entries with the correct entryfees prior to the entry in accordance with Regulation 1.4.1. The championship organisers reserve the right to accept registrations and entries up to noon of the Thursday prior to the race, but an administrative fee may be charged for entries received later than 14 days prior to the event. No entry for the event will be accepted after noon of the Thursday prior to the event.

2.2Briefings:

Organisers will notify competitors of the times and locations for all Driver Briefings in the Final Instructions.It is mandatory that all Competitors must attend all briefings.

2.3Professional Drivers

Drivers that are considered as professional drivers by the organisers are allowed to race but they will carry up to 75kgs of championship ballast affixed to the passenger seat mounts – ballast is allotted based on vehicle type.

Professional drivers may include ARDS instructors, FIA Graded drivers or other criteria considered professional by the organisers. Such drivers shall be identified in a bulletin issued by the championship organisers at each race meeting.

Professional drivers are not eligible for fastest lap or pole position bonus points and are considered invisible to the championship points allocations for these areas.

Series 1 & 2 Lotus Elise & Exige – 50kgs

Lotus 2-Eleven – 50kgs

Series 3 Elise & Exige – 75kgs

2.4QualificationPractice:

2.4.1ShouldanyPracticesessionbedisruptedtheClerkoftheCourseshallnotbeobligedto resume or re-runthesession;the decision of the Clerk of the Courseshall be final.

2.4.2Each driver shall complete a minimum of3 laps in the car to beraced, andin thecorrect session, inorder to qualify (MSA Regulations Q4.5). Drivers who have not taken part in official qualifying, but who have taken part in the official practice session may compete in the championship race.

2.4.3The starting grid shall be determined by times set in the qualifying session or as per the starting Grid formation in 2.4.5 which outlines the schedule for reverse top ten grids for some races.

Starting grid – the starting grids will be in accordance with the circuit track licence. In order to improve the quality of racing in multi-class races the actual starting grid shall be formed under the guidelines of MSA Q12.14.2 where a grid may be formed in two parts allowing the first part of the grid to be started in advance of the second. The Lotus CupCup UK Grid shall be designated “Grid 1” and shall start ahead of the Lotus Elise Trophy grid regardless of individual qualifying times.

The Lotus CupCup UKGrid shall start on the first green flag. The Lotus Elise Trophy Grid shall be designated “Grid 2” and shall be released on the second green flag. There will be empty grid rows and up to a 20 second delay between the release of each grid. The pole position driver of grid 2 must maintain the gap to the rear of Grid 1 and not seek to close the gap.

Where 2 drivers have qualified a car the driver who sets the official qualifying time in the qualifying session must be the driver to start the first race. Where a car contains a competitor designated as a professional driver by the organiser that professional driver may not set the qualifying time. Teams are required to notify the championship co-ordinator of the name of the starting driver and the driver who will be in the car for each of the races within 45 minutes of the end of the qualification session.

2.4.4Teams are required to notify the Lotus CupCup UK co-ordinator of the name of the starting driver and the driver who will be in the car for each of the races within 45 minutes of the end of the qualification session.

2.4.5The formation of starting grid for Lotus CupCup UK races is outlined in the following table. In the event that this formation changes drivers will be advised in the final instructions and drivers briefing. The organisers may vary the start procedures at any point prior to a race by issuing a championship bulletin.

First Race / Second Race
Double HeadersRound 1 / Rolling StartRolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top Ten GridStanding Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 2 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 3 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 4 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 5 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 6 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 7 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
Round 8 / Rolling Start / Standing Start – Reverse Top 10
First Race / Second Race / Third Race
Triple Headers / Rolling Start / Rolling Start – grid based on Race 1 Finish Positions / Standing Start – Reverse Top Ten Grid

2.5Races:

ShouldanyracebedisruptedtheClerkoftheCourseshallnotbeobligedtoresumeorrerun the race ((Q)5.4.) (1.6.4.above applies) No last-lap board will be shown to competitors by officials.

2.6Starts:

2.6.1All carswillbereleasedtoformupon thegridpriortothestart in formationas specifiedon the gridsheet.

2.6.2Thestart will be viaStanding or Rollingstart (to be defined in specific event regulations).

  1. For Standing Starts - A 5 Second Board will be shown to indicate that the Grid is complete. The red lights will be switched on five seconds after the board is withdrawn. In the event that the starting lights fail the Starter will revert to using the National Flag.
  2. For Rolling Starts - The Pace car will pull off at the end of the pace lap. The cars will continue on their own with the pole position leading at a minimum speed of 70 kph and a maximum of 90 kph. A judge of fact may monitor the speed of the car in pole position by radar. Any divergence between the prescribed speeds (70/90 kph) before the start is given may result in a stop and go penalty. During the formation lap the red light will be on. No car may overtake another one before the starting signal is given. In the event that the starting lights fail the Starter will revert to using the National Flag.
  3. Any car removed from the grid after the 1 minute stage or driven into the pits on the Green Flag lap shall be held in the pitlane and may start the race after the last car has passed the startline or pitlane exit, whichever is the later to take the start from the grid.
  4. AnydriverunabletostarttheGreenFlag/PacelaporstartarerequiredtoindicatetheirsituationasperMSARegulation (Q)12.13.2.InadditionanydriverunabletomaintaingridpositionsontheGreenFlagLap,totheextentthatALLothercarsareaheadofthem,maycompletetheGreenFlaglapbutMUSTremainattherearofthelast row of the grid but ahead of any cars to be started with a time delay.
  5. In the event of any starting lights failure the Starter will revert to use of the National Flag.

2.5.6The use of tyre heating/heat retention devices, tyre treatments and compounds is prohibited.