The survey also sought to see the involvement level of those communicating, with over 70% suggesting they attend a wide spectrum of KartSport events.

As part of the Penalty Points structure, the question has been posed as to whether Club Day events should be included. Given the 11% undecided, the response was relatively even, slightly favoring not included these events. When looking at the question following, which asked whether only certain rules for club days should be included, i.e. higher-level penalties, the comments were consistent that they should be.

Importantly, we also asked whether respondents believed the introduction of penalty points would be a step in the right direction towards improving standards, which 70% of people agreed they would be.

 

A set of questions gave users the ability to offer the levels of penalty points they felt were efficient for each rule number. A general pattern emerged with severe rule infringements receiving far higher weighted points, while minor infractions should receive little points.

Building on this, and while there was an error with the formatting of the multiple choice question, instead being single choice, we also sought suggestions of what types of penalties should be applied when penalty point thresholds had been met. The most supported category were suspensions, with warnings and licence downgrades also playing a part.

Forward Structure

The KartSport New Zealand Board considered the responses to the survey, plus the information gathered from over a year of trialing new officiating models, before voting unanimously to introduce a Penalty Points structure with immediate effect.

Below are some key points of how this system will work:

• Penalty Points for driving and behavioral conduct will be introduced with immediate effect, before the 2025 NZ Karting Grand Prix.
• Rules covered will include;
  • J1.2 - Level 2 (Code of Driving Conduct)
  • J1.2 - Level 3 (Code of Driving Conduct)
  • J1.3 - Level 1 (Dangerous Driving)
  • J1.3 - Level 2 (Dangerous Driving - Board referral)
  • G1.9a - Level 1 (Behaviour - Hand signals/gestures)
  • G1.9a - Level 2 (Behaviour - Hand signals/gestures)
  • G1.9a - Level 3 (Behaviour - Hand signals/gestures)
  • G1.9b - Level 1 (Behaviour - Verbal/Social)
  • G1.9b - Level 2 (Behaviour - Verbal/Social)
  • G1.9c - Level 1 (Behaviour - Physical)
• All rules will be included for Group E and Hosted events.
• For Club Days, drivers will incur Penalty Points for the following serious rules only:
  • J1.3 - Level 1 (Dangerous Driving)
  • J1.3 - Level 2 (Dangerous Driving - Board referral)
  • G1.9b - Level 1 (Behaviour - Verbal/Social)
  • G1.9b - Level 2 (Behaviour - Verbal/Social)
  • G1.9c - Level 1 (Behaviour - Physical)
• Drivers will accumulate Penalty Points on a rolling 12-month cycle, with points dropping off on their annual expiry.
• In addition to points dropping off on expiry, if a competitor serves a suspension, their points will be cleared to zero.
• The list of Penalty Points earned will be held confidentially by KartSport New Zealand Board and Management.
• Penalties given on race day are to be judged based on the incident alone and not upgraded due to a driver’s history.
• At this stage, the amount of events a driver attends will not factor into the equation.
• As set out in the table below, upon reaching each of the three penalty thresholds, a reprimand will be given:
  • Threshold 1: Formal warning – offer of educational support with the KartSport Academy.
  • Threshold 2:
    • Tier 1 drivers - licence rating downgrade to Tier 2. Plus, requirement to attend KartSport New Zealand Academy session or approved individual coaching by a KartSport Academy coach to return to Tier 1.
    • Tier 2 drivers and below – requirement to attend KartSport New Zealand Academy session or approved individual coaching by a KartSport Academy coach.
  • Threshold 3: Two-month suspension from all racing activities.

Threshold Levels

• Threshold 1: 6 points
• Threshold 2: 12 points
• Threshold 3: 16 points

 

*6 points would put a driver in the top 25% of drivers with penalties in 2024, based on the above table.

* 12 points would put a driver in the top 7% of drivers with penalties in 2024, based on the above table.

*16 points would put a driver in the top 2% of drivers with penalties in 2024, based on the above table.

*Only 15% of all Competition Licence Drivers received at least one of the above penalties in 2024.

KARTSPORT NEW ZEALAND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST OR REMOVE THE PENALTY POINTS SYSTEM AT ANY TIME TO ENSURE ITS AFFECTIVENESS. A REVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.