The proven route from karts to cars
Contents
Overview Technical Specification Budgets Teams ARDS and Training Event Format Calendar Parts Back-up Regulations Scholarships Media Contacts
Overview
The one-make 2012 InterSteps Championship has been carefully planned for aspiring young drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 years (see slide 4 re dispensation for drivers aged 15) who want to progress with confidence in their chosen sport. The Mygale FB02 car used has been designed specifically for the age group. It features a carbon-fibre and Kevlar monocoque chassis tub and FORS (the Formula Rescue Seat). InterSteps is a recognised Motor Sports Association (MSA) ‘under 18s compliant’ championship and is part of the British Automobile Racing Club-run ‘Dunlop Package’ which ensures well-promoted and televised meetings. The BARC, Britain’s oldest motor racing club, has a wealth of experience running Grand Prix meetings, Goodwood Festivals and the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). In recent times it has also organised Formula BMW Championships in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Overview
Education is key to any driver development and through the involvement of the MSA and the Racing Steps Foundation InterSteps is able to offer its competitors lecturing and mentoring opportunities in what it takes to become a champion. As such, the championship offers the perfect bridge between karting and the main national single-seater series, providing drivers with opportunities to race at top UK circuits while developing their skills, techniques and racecraft. The championship caters for drivers between the ages of 16 and19 years while - at the discretion of the MSA - drivers aged 15 (but turning 16 during the season) may also be allowed to compete over the entire season.
Technical Specification The FB02 car, which is manufactured in France by Mygale, is built around a carbon-fibre and Kevlar monocoque chassis. The roll bar in static load tests withstands a force of 60 kN. This corresponds to a load of up to six tons in a collision. The car’s nose cone and rear end feature crash elements made of a carbon-fibre compound with aluminium honeycomb inlay. An additional safety feature is FORS (the Formula Rescue Seat), a carbon/Kevlar composite extraction shell which supports the spine, neck and head. The engine is BMW’s time-proven four-stroke K1200RS fitted with a Hewland FTR200 6-speed sequential gearbox. The car is equipped with OZ race wheels, wheel tethers and Dunlop slick and wet tyres.
Technical Specification Model: Mygale FB02 Chassis: Carbon FIA F3 2002 Bodywork: Composite Engine: BMW K1200RS, 4 cylinders, 16 valves Capacity: 1171 cm3 Max power: 140 hp Revs max: 9000 tr/min Gearbox: Hewland FTR 200, 6 speed sequential Front suspension: Pushrod mono damper Rear suspension: Pushrod twin damper
Shock absorbers: SACHS SP3 Brakes: Solid disc Wheel rims: OZ racing - 8 x 13 (front) & 10 x 13 (rear) Tyres: Dunlop Fuel Tank: 42 litres (FIA FT3-Norm) Length: 3975 mm Width: 1740 mm Height: 980 mm Weight: 465 kg
Budgets
InterSteps is based on strict value-for-money criteria. Measures written into its regulations limit the overall budget. The measures include car-specific limits on the number of engines and tyres that can be used over the course of a season. Official restrictions come into force on 06 March 2012 limiting testing to seven official InterSteps test days, engines to three units per car, per season, and slick tyres to 21 sets (five sets for official test days and 16 sets for race weekends). The official test days for the 2012 season will take place on 07/08 and 23 March, 03/04 April and 02/03 August. Teams may also run drivers in a further five ‘joker’ test days (ie five per driver) from 06 March onwards. This additional allowance is designed to assist a team where a car has been damaged and may require additional set-up time, or if a new driver enters the Championship late and requires further initial seat time. The InterSteps Championship registration and entry fee is £11,200. This fee is payable to the BARC and covers all administration and entry fees for the seven Championship test days, all pre-race Friday test fees, and all eight race meetings.
Budgets
The InterSteps Championship is co-ordinated by Vulcan Plus Ltd which manages the championship on behalf of the BARC. Its co-ordination costs are included in the registration fee. The Championship Co-ordinator will provide each car with the season-long loan of a judicial camera and voice receiver. These items remain the property of Vulcan Plus Ltd at all times. All recorded images are for the use of the championship only.
Teams
Teams which sign up to run three cars for each meeting of the season, agree to abide by the championship regulations. In return for this level of commitment, the championship organisers will contract that the team’s position will remain stable for a period of three years. A representative will be appointed annually from each three-car team to meet with the organisers on a regular basis to enable discussion on all aspects of how the championship is organised.
ARDS & Training Whilst it is envisaged that most competitors will come to the championship with some experience in karting, or from an MSA-recognised junior formula, the organisers plan to assist competitors with training where applicable. Courses can be arranged to include any, or all of the following areas: Circuit safety Gear changing Braking Racing lines Car dynamics and physics Marshals flags and signals ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers Schools) written exam and track assessment
ARDS & Training An initial induction day is run at the first test weekend (07/08 March) where drivers are able to experience a race day format, undergo scrutineering, visit race control and practice race starts. Through the MSA Academy Master Classes, competitors will be tutored in areas relevant to their future success in motor sport. Subjects include motivation, nutrition, fitness, media and mechanical skills. In addition, there are opportunities to be mentored by the current crop of RSF drivers.
Event Format The InterSteps Championship is part of the BARC-run ‘Dunlop Package’, which provides televised and strongly promoted meetings. There are eight meetings in total over the course of the year featuring 23 races. Each meeting comprises one qualifying session and 3 x 20-minute races (with the exception of the first meeting where only two races are to be scheduled). Points are allocated for each race as follows: 32 - 27 - 23 - 20 - 18 - 16 - 14 - 12 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 In addition, two points are awarded for pole position for races one and two at each meeting and one point for fastest lap in each race.
Event Format All points count ie no scores can be dropped. A Race Centre is located in the paddock at each meeting providing drinks and biscuits to anyone connected with the Championship. A spares truck also attends each meeting.
Race & Test Calendar InterSteps organisers recognise the importance of the academic year to competitors and avoid scheduling race tests and meetings during the May / June exam period. They also ensure race weekend programmes minimise disruption to drivers’ day-to-day education (to which great importance is attached). With this in mind test sessions are scheduled for the final hour of Friday running. Early-Sunday afternoon finishes are also given top priority to facilitate sensible departure times for home-bound journeys. 2012 Race and Test Calendar Mar 07/08 Rockingham Mar 23 Oulton Park Mar 24 Oulton Park Island Apr 03/04 Snetterton 200 Apr 21/22 Donington Park May 12/13 Brands Hatch Indy Jul 14/15 Snetterton 200 Jul 28/29 Thruxton Aug 02/03 Pembrey Aug 04/05 Pembrey Sep 01/02 Rockingham Sep 29/30 Croft Â
Test days including Mar 07 Media Day Test day (three exclusive sessions + 1 hour) Rounds 1&2 Test days Rounds 3-5 Rounds 6-8 Rounds 9-11 Rounds 12-14 Test & development days Rounds 15-17 Rounds 18-20 Rounds 21-23
Parts Back-Up
All parts for the FB2 race car are available exclusively from Mygale as defined in the championship regulations. Stock are held ready for despatch, with further spares available at all official tests and race meetings. Every effort is made to ensure parts are supplied promptly and cost-effectively. They are available from: Mygale Technopole 58470 Magny-Cours France T: 0033 386 218621
Regulations
The InterSteps Championship regulations are designed to ensure a level playing field for all competitors. Strict checks and controls stipulate: Sealed engines Sealed gearboxes and diffs Controlled electronics Controlled Dunlop slick and wet tyres Controlled dampers Controlled fuel With a BARC championship-eligible scrutineer in attendance, this all adds up to a championship you can trust, and which is geared to producing a Champion with the necessary skills and sportsmanship to excel in higher formulae.
Scholarships
InterSteps Championship organisers believe firmly in the need for scholarships within motor sport. As such, InterSteps is the first rung on the steep and costly ladder to the top national and international formulae that will be targeted by its drivers. With this in mind the InterSteps administrators work closely with other championship organisers to ensure as much assistance as possible is provided to facilitate progression up the ladder. As part and parcel of this commitment, the administration team provides a subsidised drive in the end-of-season, six-race Formula Renault 2.0 UK Finals to assist its champions to progress the next level of racing.
Media
The InterSteps Championship maintains strong links with UK and European motorsport and general news media in order to promote the series and its competitors. As a recognised support series within the ‘Dunlop Package’, the InterSteps Championship is televised via a standalone 30-minute programme on Motors TV. This, together with Dunlop’s promotion of the meetings, benefits drivers as they seek to raise their profiles and seek sponsors. Media
Contacts
Martin Phaff Vulcan Plus Ltd 7 Peterborough Close Sheffield S10 4JA T: 0114 230 4551 M: 07957 348290 E: martin@vulcanplus.com Ian Watson BARC Thruxton Circuit Andover, SP11 8PN T: 01264 882200 E: iwatson@barc.net