Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct has been developed and agreed with by the members of the South East Queensland Blokart Club (SEQBC) to promote sportsmanship and respect within the club, to all Blokart competitors, officials and the general public at Blokart events and while social sailing. This Code of Conduct is to be read in conjunction with both the Rules and Regulations and the Constitution of the Club.

Sportsmanship
All club members are to hold the club’s reputation for sportsmanship as their number one priority.

As a SEQBC member you are expected to approach a competitor who has made in infringement of the racing rules to discuss the matter. Only after an amicable resolution cannot be agreed upon is a protest lodged.

A protest is not to be used in retaliation for a personal grievance against a fellow competitor.

It is a responsibility of all club members to assist blokarters of less experience and to be respectful and tolerant of their inexperience.

Respect
The management committee recognises that from time to time club members will have a disagreement; however, members are to treat each other, competitors and the general public with respect.

Verbal abuse will not be tolerated and the perpetrator/s will, after receiving 3 written warnings about their inappropriate behaviour, face disciplinary action adjudicated by the management committee.

Physical, or a threat of physical abuse will not be tolerant and the immediate non-refundable cancelation of membership will apply. This cancellation is not negotiable.

Club Member’s responsibility
The reporting of behaviour that contravenes the Code of Conduct is every member’s responsibility and should be reported to a Club Committee Member as soon as possible so that the offending club member’s alleged behaviour can be dealt with immediately to prevent the issue from escalating further.

1. COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY
All competitors must be financial members of an IBRA recognised body through either direct memberships or through a Member Club.

2. RACING RULES AND PROCEDURES:
All racing will be conducted under the International Blokart Racing Association (IBRA) Edition 9 Rules.
2.1a Blokarts entering either the Short Course or Marathon events are required to be in the pit area 10 minutes prior to the start, and sailors are to be in the pit area with their Karts 5 minutes prior to the start.
2.1b Competitors will be issued with race numbers. These are to be placed over the pulley whip.
2.1c Logos or decorations that are considered by the scrutineers to be offensive must be removed.
2.1d Competitors are not to enter the racing area unless they are a registered competitor for the race, unless directed to do so by a race official or in an emergency. This does not include during designated practice periods.
2.1e No competitor or spectator shall approach the timing areas unless directed by a race official. Any questions or concerns must be raised with the Principal Race Officer.
2.1f All competitors and spectators must remain clear of the starting area and must always allow the race timing operators a clear view of the start line.
2.1g When not racing, Blokarts must be secured in the pit area and lying on their sides.
2.1h All competitors are reminded of IBRA rules relating to compliance with recognised principles of sportsmanship and fair play, as well as adhering to the SEQBC Code of Conduct.

A copy of this policy is available upon request or on the SEQBC website. Be aware that “deliberate barging” as determined by the race committee in any context will not be tolerated and even if redressed, may incur a post-race penalty.

All breaches of the above rules shall be referred to the Scrutinising Committee or Protest Committee for ruling.

The Race Committee may penalise a competitor not obeying these rules with a disqualification for the race at the Race Committee’s discretion.

2.2 The Starting sequence is as follows:
Two (2) minute warning signal (sound with verbal count in).
One (1) minute attention signal (sound and raised green flag)
Thirty (30) second prep signal (sound and horizontal green flag)
Zero (0) second start signal (sound and horizontal green flag removed)

All sounds / signals are for courtesy only, in the case of a sound signal failure verbal instruction and flags will prevail. The failure of a sound or signal will not automatically abort the race.

In the event of a competitor being on the course side of the start line prior to the start signal (i.e., a jumped start) a BLACK flag MAY be raised and lowered when error corrected. It is a competitor’s sole responsibility to return to the course side should they feel that they were On Course Side (OCS) at the starting signal. OCS competitors will be judged solely by the starter.

Competitors MAY be identified verbally or otherwise, and a competitor must start correctly before proceeding to the first mark. Failure to do so will result in the competitor being penalised one lap of the course.

2.3 Flag signals to be used are:

• Green Flag: displayed to show time remaining to the start
• Green Flag Vertical = one (1) minute remaining
• Green Flag Horizontal = thirty (30) seconds remaining
• Green Flag removed at start
• Black Flag: Competitors OCS before start (MAY be used at starters discretion)
• Red & White Flag: Racing abandoned until further notice
• Orange Flag: Race Shortened
• Chequered Flag: Displayed to signal the end of the race period

2.4 In the event of a protest the Race Officer will notify the protested competitor, at which time the protested competitor may elect to withdraw from the race, (counted as a RAF in the scoring) ask for mediation as described in F.6 or complete the remainder of the protest process to defend the action. Note that protests for this event do not incur a fee. This Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions may be superseded by any Amended Sailing Instructions when issued.

3. CATEGORIES
The two categories to be sailed in the short course are Production and Performance. Competitors may enter one category only. Both categories will be sailed in accordance with the IBRA rules for equipment.

4. DIVISIONS /TEAMS
(a) A team is to be made of up of a minimum of 2 sailors.
(b) Please Note: weight divisions and categories are being discarded for the Marathon.

5. SERIES FORMAT
Competitors can compete in both Marathon and short course events and can do so in either Performance or Production classes.

Racing in the Marathon will take place in a lap format on a course to be determined according to prevailing conditions.

A competitor is not deemed to have started his/her first lap until he/she crosses the start line on or after the start siren. A competitor who is on the course side (OCS) when the start siren sounds and does not recross the start line before rounding the first mark will be scored OCS unless he/she completes the designated number of laps.

6. COURSES
The course of 2.5 hours for the Marathon, where possible, will include a windward leg of significant length to provide tactical racing. The course orientation, length and shape are at the sole discretion of the Race Committee and are subject to prevailing wind and beach conditions.

Competitors must not cross the start/finish line during the 2-minute dial up. All competitors must pass through the Start/Finish line on the upwind leg of each lap to have their laps recorded and must not pass through the Start/Finish line on the downwind leg.

A Blokart on the nominated downwind leg of the course shall keep clear of a Blokart on the nominated upwind leg of the course (refer to E.8 in IBRA rule book). Competitors are also advised to pay close attention to 4WD vehicles who may be using the designated ‘road’ to the south.

The starting sequence for each division will be determined by the Race Committee and competitors advised at the mandatory competitor briefings.

It is intended to abandon a race if winds exceed 30 knots, or more than half the fleet is stalled.

7. MATTERS AFFECTING SCORING
A low point score system will be used for scoring the series based on the scratch position as follows, 1st place = 1pt, 2nd place = 2pts, 3rd place = 3pts and so on to account for each placing in the Marathon.

8. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
All competitors as a condition of entry must accept the following waiver.

WAIVER: In consideration for the right to participate in this event, I hereby hold the South East Queensland Blokart Club, and any person associated with the event harmless and release them from all liability in connection with my participation in the 2025 SEQBC Woodgate Championship Marathon. I further agree that the event may use without restriction any photograph, films, or tapes in which I may appear for any purpose whatsoever.

Please note: By agreeing on behalf of a participant less than eighteen (18) years old, the parent/guardian also expressly agrees to the above. In agreeing to this waiver, I am stating I have read it and understand it.

9. PERSONAL INSURANCE
SEQBC does not carry personal insurance for any competitors. SEQBC highly recommends that you, as a competitor or spectator, organise your own personal property and medical insurance where appropriate.

Australian competitors are covered by Medicare and any personal medical insurance they may have.