Grand Nationals FAQ
A list of the most frequent questions we receive in the weeks leading up to the big race, and their answers!
Tires:
Yes! Each driver is required to buy at least one new set of Vega VAH Tires when they register for the Grands.These tires will be barcode scanned, and only these specially marked tires will be allowed in any scored race (qualifying, heats, LCQ or final). Tires will be picked up at the track when you arrive from the Vega garage.
Although it is very uncommon, racers registered in multiple classes may choose to register the same set of tires in multiple classes. These competitors will be required to use that same set of tires in all scored sessions throughout the weekend.
No! The tires you qualify on will be the tires you are required to use for all scored races throughout the weekend in that class.
You may practice on any Vega VAH tires in practice sessions including the optional Thursday practice. These can be your race tires, practice tires you purchase or tires you already own. Additional tires may be ordered through the registration system.
Our rain procedures are spelled out in the CKNA Rulebook. Our race director has the option to call either “Rain Option” or “Rains Mandatory” if we encounter rain… again… If the race director calls for Mandatory Rain tires, competitors will be required to switch to rain tires.
If you don’t already own Vega w6 rains, we encourage you to pre-order a set with your registration. Vega w5 tires will NOT BE LEGAL.
Since it has rained at some point in the last three years at Grands, we are tightening up our rain tire tech this year. All competitors will be required to register their rain tires prior to use. We know some teams choose to share rain tires amongst two competitors. In this case, both competitors will need to come up individually with their tires to get them scanned prior to use. There will not be 100’s of sets of additional rain tires for sale at the track, and there will not be an opportunity to scan in your rain tires once competition begins.
Every VAH tire raced at the Grand Nationals will be barcode scanned at the beginning of the event. These barcodes are assigned to a specific kart AND class. Furthermore, all the tires for Grand Nationals come from the same batch of tires, to further guarantee an equal playing field for all racers in attendance.
Registration:
Online registration for the race will remain open until the 28th of September. However, all entries will be charged the late fee after the 18th. Registration will be permitted at the gate, but additional late fees apply.
No they are not. To try and simplify the online registration process, we eliminated most of the “Ala Carte” options. With so many new faces, we wanted to eliminate any potential confusion while registering. We also need to make sure every driver checks in at the Grands when they arrive, and this forces everybody to report to registration.
Pit reservations are handled by NCMP directly. You can contact them at 765-987-8090
The only “options” you will see is Thursday practice, the opportunity to buy additional tires, and to rent a transponder. If you will be needing a transponder, we ask that you select this at the time of registration so we can make sure enough rentals are available onsite for the weekend.
One of the ways we are trying to help racers save money is by offering a cash option in our registration system. We’d rather charge you less than give the credit card companies your money! If you choose to take this discount, you will pay a $100 non-refundable deposit on your credit card, and then pay the balance less the deposit when you check in at NCMP!
We simplified that too! Any racer that registered online to race with us at least 2 times this year will get a $30 discount at the checkout screen of the registration system. This is an early bird discount, so you must register by 9/1 to get it!
No. Although it makes our lives very difficult, we are doing everything we can to allow as many racers as possible to compete in the Grand Nationals. We will limit the numbers of competitors on track at any given time. This means that any class that has more drivers than we determine are safe to compete at the same time will be split into multiple groups. Please refer to the CKNA rulebook for a detailed explanation of that process.
Sadly, no. Although our new registration system has made a lot of things easier, it isn’t perfect. Drivers that paid for a CKNA reserved number at the start of the season will obviously get their number. We will do our best to notify people ahead of time if one slips through the system.
Letters are also not permitted. Only a maximum of 3 numeric numbers may be used. We are going to be VERY STRICT on numbers this year, so please be prepared.
Tech Inspections and Pre-Tech:
Yes! We adopted the Grand Nationals Pre-Tech procedures to all CKNA events, and it has worked great! Each kart being raced needs to brought to Pre-Tech before qualifying, and needs to be accompanied by the driver’s helmet AND a Pre-Tech sheet.
If any of our sponsors provide us contingency stickers, they will be distributed to the racers either at Pre-Tech or Registration. We respectfully ask that these stickers be placed on the karts for the entirety of the event. Our sponsors are what makes this all happen, and we want to pay them their dues!
Yes! We will have our full compliment of tech inspectors on hand to ensure that everything is above board. We do some things a little different than you may be used to. We perform random inspections throughout the entire weekend. It may be the top three from a heat, or inspectors may randomly select a few karts to do spot checks. We also perform some inspections on the grid. Once your kart has entered the grid area, it is available for scrutiny by our inspectors. Inspections may take place any time throughout the weekend.
If you race in a restricted class, we recommend you carry a screwdriver for your air filter each time your kart comes off the scales. Our inspectors will spot check slide openings after nearly every session.
Miscellaneous:
Cup Karts LIVE! will be returning again in 2022. In fact, we are uping the game this season by bringing in a motorsports specific broadcast company. This years coverage should be INCREDIBLE!
NO! Of course we have some outstanding prizes for podium finishers, but part of what we enjoy about the Grand Nationals is the oppratunity it give us to give back to the racers! By entering the race, you will be entered into every door prize drawing we have throughout the weekend.
Yes! We will have our full compliment of tech inspectors on hand to ensure that everything is above board. We do some things a little different than you may be used to. We perform random inspections throughout the entire weekend. It may be the top three from a heat, or inspectors may randomly select a few karts to do spot checks. We also perform some inspections on the grid. Once your kart has entered the grid area, it is available for scrutiny by our inspectors. Inspections may take place any time throughout the weekend.
If you race in a restricted class, we recommend you carry a screwdriver for your air filter each time your kart comes off the scales. Our inspectors will spot check slide openings after nearly every session.
