Racing is Real at Umigo!
Whether it is Drop In Racing, Team Enduros, or a Race Series: you can join the fun!
WHY WOULD I WANT TO PARTICIPATE? The desire to race on a regular basis is a key motivator for most Umigo racers. Friendships are developed and mutual respect on the race track is a natural outcome. Racing at Umigo is competitive, but not negatively aggressive. Perhaps most importantly, when you race with the best, you become a better racer. Without exception, new racing participants improve their racing skills and their lap times.
RACING RULES - FLAGGING Every race format is somewhat unique so we will let you know what's going on. In general, the Blue Flag will be used for racers to be lapped or those racers that are one or more lap down only. If persistent blocking occurs, the Black Flag may be employed by Umigo Staff and a time penalty may be assessed in the Sin Bin by the offending party after a warning. Black Flags and time penalties will also be used to control aggressive driving that is damaging to Umigo equipment or adds excessive danger to the race. Ignored instructions may result in remote electronic governing of your kart so keep it clean! Ask us if you have any concerns or questions before the race.
RACING RULES - PASSING and DRIVING Racing is most fun when all racers follow a sportsman-like set of rules on the track.
Passing, in particular, can become controversial unless everyone agrees to play fair and self-regulates their driving. Trading positions in a race adds excitement and fun to the race. It is much more enjoyable than simply struggling to block the kart behind you. As a matter of fact, passing is a collaboration of the passing kart (passer) and the kart being passed (passee). Umigo guidelines suggest that if the passer has reached one-half to two-thirds of a kart length on the passee, then the passer has "earned" the pass. The passee should not obstruct the passer, but is not obligated to let the passer go if the passer does not "take the pass".
No bumping, pinching, pushing in the karts. Umigo karting is high performance racing, not bumper cars. Occasional unintentional bumping may occur and the karts are built and maintained to handle this, but the rules are no bumping, no nudging and no pushing each other into barriers. If you are clearly bumping other drivers intentionally, we will warn you or with a Black Flag ask you to have a discussion in our Sin Bin . If the behavior persists, we will penalize you by slowing your car with our remote control speed governor. If you continue to disobey this rule we will remove you from the race.
No retaliation. Aggressive driving may occur and the Umigo Track Marshals are there to manage this for you. However, if you feel that another racer is being uncomfortably aggressive and Umigo Staff has not noticed it, then it is your responsibility to alert Umigo Staff to the issue. You can simply wave and point out the offending driver/kart or come into the Sin Bin or Pit Area and talk it through with Umigo Staff. It is absolutely wrong and dangerous to retaliate or become aggressive back to the offending driver. If Umigo Staff does not solve the issue to your satisfaction, ask for the Umigo Manager in charge.
HEAT & KART ASSIGNMENT Will be made by Umigo randomly or we will employ an bottom-up or top down kart pick as part of the event. Any karts that are known dogs or cheetahs will be removed from competition to keep it even. So please don’t ask for a specific kart. Our staff works diligently to even out the entire fleet’s performance.