There are different types of race formats used depending on the type of racing (sprint or SuperKart) and details of all formats can be found in the KartSport New Zealand Manual which can be downloaded from the Downloads page.

For sprint racing, there are two main points systems used, the KartSport New Zealand predetermined grid system and the CIK-FIA system.

The KartSport New Zealand predetermined system has four heats plus a final.   The grids for the first four heats are predetermined and drawn from a hat.   Points are awarded 1 for first, 2 for second, 3 for third etc.  At the end of the first four heats, the points are totalled and the grids for the final are decided by lowest points to the front.  After the final race points are awarded, the total points for all five races are added together and then the worst race points are dropped to provide the final points for the meeting.  The winner is the competitor with the lowest points.

The CIK-FIA system uses time trials to determine grids for up to three preliminary races.  Points are awarded for the preliminary races and these points are used to determine grids for a pre-final.  The finishing position in the pre-final determines the grids for the final and the winner of the final is the winner of the meeting.

For SuperKart racing there are three heats and a final.   The grid for the first heat is determined from time trials.  The grid for heat two is determined by the finishing position in race one and the grid for heat three from the finishing position in race two.  Points are awarded 1 for first, 2 for second, 3 for third etc.  At the end of the first three heats, the points are totalled and the grids for the final are decided by lowest points to the front.  After the final race points are awarded, the total points for all four races is added together and then the worst race points are dropped to provide the final points for the meeting.  The winner is the competitor with the lowest points.

There are other types of race formats used however these are the main ones.