There are several different formats that can be used at a meeting. The format used depends on the track and the number of cars entered.

Heats & Consolation Format

• There will be at least two Heats, at least one Consolation, a Final, and usually a Grand National.
• Each driver will race in one Heat.
• If there is a low number of white grade drivers, then they may be given the chance to race in more than one heat. Their first heat scores normal heat points, but subsequent heats are scored as if the race was a Consolation.
• Drivers that do not qualify for the Final from the Heats can race in the Consolation.
• Points are scored by qualifying for the Final. For example, if the top six finishers go through to the Final, then only those six score points.
• If more than 12 cars qualify for the Final then 13th place onwards score 1 point each.
• Points can only be scored in either a Heat OR the Consolation, not both. So if a driver scores points in his Heat and then also places in the Consolation, then the Consolation scores zero.
• The top 12 in the Final score points.
• If a driver finishes in the top 12 of the Final but had not previously qualified for it, then they score points as if the race was a Heat.
• The top 12 in the Grand National score points.
• The winner of the Final will score double points in the Grand National and start with half a lap handicap - White/Yellow grade at the back of the grid, Blue/Red in front of the White tops.
• If the winner of the Final finishes the Grand National outside the top 12 then they receive 5 points.

Two-Thirds Format

There will be three Heats, a Final, and usually a Grand National.

Each driver will race in two Heats.

If there is a low number of white grade drivers, then they may be given the chance to race in all three Heats, but do not score any points for Heat 3.

Usually the top 12 places in the Heats score points, but sometimes it can be more.

If more than 12 cars qualify for the Final then 13th place onwards score 1 point each.

The top point scorers after the Heats will qualify for the Final. Usually between 30 and 36. If there are not enough points scorers then reserves may be added.

The top 12 in the Final score points.

If a driver finishes in the top 12 of the Final but had not previously finished in the top 12 in a Heat, then they score points as if the race was a Heat.

The top 12 in the Grand National score points.

The winner of the Final will score double points in the Grand National and start with half a lap handicap - White/Yellow grade at the back of the grid, Blue/Red in front of the White tops.

If the winner of the Final finishes the Grand National outside the top 12 then they receive 5 points.

All-In Format

There will be two Heats, a Final, and a Grand National.

All drivers can enter all races.

The top 12 places in the Heats score points.

If more than 12 cars qualify for the Final then 13th place onwards score 1 point each.

The top 12 in the Final score points.

If a driver finishes in the top 12 of the Final but had not previously finished in the top 12 in a Heat, then they score points as if the race was a Heat.

The top 12 in the Grand National score points.

The winner of the Final will score double points in the Grand National and start with half a lap handicap - White/Yellow grade at the back of the grid, Blue/Red in front of the White tops.

If the winner of the Final finishes the Grand National outside the top 12 then they receive 5 points.

None Points Format

No points are awarded for any race.

This is used for meetings held outside the season, e.g. the Gala meeting, Christmas meetings.

Other Race Formats

Some championship meetings have their own specific format and scoring system, which can vary from year to year depending on the venue and the number of cars entered.

The British Championship usually has drivers racing in at least two heats. Each Heat scores the same as a Heat in the Heats & Consolation format.

The UK Open Championship usually has four heats with each driver racing in two. The top 15 in the Heats score 15 for 1st place, down to 1 for 15th place. This reduces the chances of many drivers tying on points.

There may also be a "Last Chance", or "Repechage" race, which is just a Consolation by another name. If there is one at the UK Open, then drivers score points even if they have scored in a heat.

World Championship Qualifying Rounds

Points scored at these meetings also count towards qualification for the World Championship.

If a driver finishes in the top 12 of the Final but had not previously finished in the top 12 in a Heat, then they do not score any World Championship Qualifying points.

Overseas drivers are taken out of the results before WCQR points are calculated and the drivers behind moved up a place. This means that there can be two different results for the same race.