So, you have spent endless hours practicing to get your lap times to a reasonable level and now you are ready to compete in your first race meeting. It all seems a bit daunting first time out so here are some tips to help the day go smoothly.

Arrive at the track early enough to give yourself plenty of time to setup your pit area, have your kart scrutineered and submit your entry form for the meeting. Don't forget to bring an extra $5:00 to get in the gate on race day. Scrutineering generally opens at 7:15am and entries are taken from 8:00am. These times may vary so keep an ear out for announcements over the PA. Be aware that at some club days there can be more than 200 entries so don't leave your run too late. I find that a 6:45am arrival gives me adequate time to prepare and get scrutineered.

Try to set your kart up and fill out the entry and scrutineering forms the day before as this will give you more time to prepare on race morning. As you get more experienced you will find you do things more efficiently. You must present your kart, licence, driving apparel and scrutineering form to the scrutineer who will check your kart and gear and sign your licence if all is OK. Take your licence and money to the race entry office where you will be entered into your nominated class/es. As you will be on P Plates for the first four meetings the race secretary will hold your licence until the end of the day for endorsement.( DON"T FORGET TO PICK IT UP) After you have scrutineered and entered make final setup adjustments to your kart depending on the weather conditions. Once entries are closed you can check your grid positions for the first two heats. Grid positions for the first two heats are randomly drawn and are displayed on the notice board at the end of the race entry office. As this is your first race meeting and you are on P Plates, expect to start at or near the rear of the grid.

A warm up session, referred to as a carby session, generally begins around 8:30am and is usually about 4 laps. Check the carby session order which can be found posted in the window of the grid marshalls box beside the out grid and listen for instructions announced over the PA system. Be aware that the carby session order may be different to race order. Use this session to warm your engine and tyres and to survey the track surface for any last minute setup changes.

Racing generally gets under way around 9:30am so you should have plenty of time to make adjustments to your kart and have a nice cup of coffee to calm the nerves. The canteen is a great place to buy that calming cup of coffee. Listen for an announcement to attend a drivers briefing. This takes place on the grid and it is compulsory to attend. Non attendance may result in a fine. When the drivers briefing has concluded it is an opportune time to check the race order, which should be posted in the grid marshalls box.

Race start time will be announced over the PA. It is a good idea to grid up when the field two races in front of you exits the grid. Sometimes the class/es before you may be recalled to the grid for any number of reasons, so be ready.

During the race you may find that you have a blue flag waved at you, this means that you are about to be lapped. Don't let this worry you into making a radiacal move. Just maintain your line so that the karters behind you can anticipate where you are going. I have seen lots of potential race winners taken out by back markers zigging and zagging in an effort to get out of the way. Remember, maintaining your race line is the safest option for you and the other competitors.

When the first two heats have been run you need to check your grid position for the final. This position is determined by the points accumulated from your finishing positions in the first two heats.

Remember that we have all been in the position you are in now, so if in doubt about anything just ask someone who looks like they know what they are doing. You will find other members only too happy to help you.

When racing is finished clean up the space around your pit area and visit the canteen for that well earned drink, maybe even a trophy.

Good luck and most importantly have a good time.

NO SMOKING or naked flames in the pit area.