SPEED
RACE RULES
AMENDED MAY 2005.
Based on the April 1988 version of the "Gig
Race Rules (Wheel)" of the International Sled Dog Racing Association,
Inc. The ISDRA has not amended these
rules up to and including January 1994.
DEFINITIONS
DRIVER: a
person who drivers a dog team entered in the race.
EVENT: a
meeting of contestants for the purpose of competing in one event which may
involve several race classes.
HEAT: a
completion of the trail once.
ORGANISATION: the
organisation in charge of running the event.
RACE: a
competition in a specified class and may be comprised of one or more heats.
RACE AREA: all
designated parking areas, spectator areas, team holding areas, start/finish
chutes, officiating areas and the trail area.
RACE MARSHAL: the
person who shall have supreme authority at an event.
RACE JUDGE: Rules
Enforcing Officer, has the authority as the Race Marshal/Chief Judge, except in
the question of disqualification.
References to the Race Marshal in these rules shall also apply for the
Race Judge(s), when appropriate.
SLED: Also
includes a Pulka for the purpose of these rules.
MAY: Shall be construed as being
permissive.
SHALL: Shall
be construed as being imperative.
SHOULD: Shall
be construed as being advisory.
PART I - ENTRY RULES
A. ELIGIBILITY
1. Entries
a.
An
entry for a race shall be submitted prior to the start of the race, subject to
entry deadlines as determined by the race‑giving organisation.
i. All entry forms should provide a
section for the date of birth of all animals participating in the event.
b.
The
race‑giving organisation may reject any entry for just cause.
i. Any rejected
entrant shall be notified within 7 days of receipt of entry.
2. Drivers
a. The driver starting a team in the first
heat of a race shall drive that team throughout the race.
b. A change in driver can only be made as a
result of illness or injury to the authorised entrant and must have the
approval of the Race Marshal.
c. Any driver disqualified in any heat of
the race is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
3. Dogs
a. The Race Marshal may disallow entry of
any team or dog for just cause.
b. Any team or dog coming to the starting
line, which, in the opinion of the Race Marshal, is unfit or incapable of
safely completing the trail, shall be disqualified.
c. Any team or dog not starting the first
heat of a race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
d. Any team or dog disqualified in any heat
of the race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
e.
Dogs
participating in a race must be at least twelve (12) months old.
4. Disease
a. No dog or equipment shall be brought
from a kennel where rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or any other
contagious disease exists.
b. If the Race Veterinarian diagnoses any
dog present in the race area to have a contagious disease, that team shall be
disqualified and shall immediately leave the race area.
5. Identification
a. In races of more than one heat, each dog
shall be marked for identification prior to the start of the first heat of the
race.
b. Dogs dropped from teams after the first
heat of a race involving more than two (2) heats, shall be marked a second time
to indicate their disqualification to run in subsequent heats.
6. Size of team
a. A Limited Eight‑Dog Class Team
shall consist of not more than eight (8) dogs, and not less than six (6) dogs.
b. A Limited Six‑Dog Class Team shall consist of not more
than six (6) dogs, and not less than four (4) dogs.
c. A Limited Four‑Dog Class Team
shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs, and not less than Three (3) dogs.
d. A Limited Three‑Dog Class Team
shall consist of not more than three (3) dogs, and not less than two (2) dogs.
e. A Limited Two-Dog Class Team shall
consist of two (2) dogs. One dog may be
bagged at any time during the race at the mushers discretion.
f.
After
the first heat and each subsequent heat, a driver may voluntarily reduce the
size of the team, subject to their classes minimum.
g.
Class minimums also apply to freight classes
7. Temperature
a. If the temperature reaches 13 degrees C
(55 degrees F), before the start of the race, the race cannot start. Once the race has commenced, if the
temperature rises above 13 degrees, mushers shall be notified and teams may
start at the musher’s discretion.
b. If, at the discretion of the Race
Marshal, the humidity has reached a high that would be detrimental to the
health of the dogs, the classes not yet run shall be cancelled for that day.
B. MEDICATIONS
ADMINISTERED TO DOGS
1. Prohibited Drugs
See
the "NZFSS List of Forbidden Substances and Methods for Dogs".
2. NZFSS will allow a positive test for
previously declared paraciticides in the test for prohibited substances in sled
dogs. It is incumbent upon the
driver/owner to declare all foreign substances used in his/her sled dogs before
testing occurs.
3. Drug Testing
a. If an organisation intends to test for
prohibited drugs, it shall use NZFSS Drug Testing Procedures and shall declare
so on the entry form.
b. Whenever a specimen is requested for
testing, the owner or driver shall be present (or his/her representative) and
shall declare in writing to the sampling official all medications administered
to the dog(s) within 72 hours preceding the start of the event.
c. If an owner or driver refuses to allow
a sample to be collected from a dog, that team shall be disqualified from the
event.
d. If any dog in a team shows a positive
test of a prohibited drug, that team is subject to disqualification, the
decision to be made following a hearing.
e. The external use of DMSO and Topical
Cortico-Steroids are limited to the use on feet only, in ointments, and provided
by a registered veterinarian.
f. Where testing is due to an appeal, the
person lodging the appeal shall be required to pay the costs at the time the
appeal is lodged, eg $250 per dog. Where
the appeal is lodged against a team the decision as to which dogs are tested
rests with the person lodging the appeal.
C. EQUIPMENT
1. Inspection
a. Drivers, teams and equipment shall be
available for inspection in the vehicle holding area at least ten (10) minutes
before their scheduled time of departure.
b. A team in harness shall not be required
to stand for inspection longer than six (6) minutes before the scheduled time
of departure.
c. Inspection shall take place in an area
that does not interfere with teams in the start or finish chutes.
d. A
team shall be available for inspection after each heat at the request of the
Race Marshal.
e.
All
equipment is subject to the approval of the Race Marshal.
2. Harnesses and Lines
a. All dogs shall be harnessed in single
file or double file.
b. All dogs shall be fastened to the tug
line by a neck line and tail line with the exception of the leader(s) which
shall be harnessed in the team by a tail line but may run with or without a
neck line.
c.
A snub
line may be carried on the sled it shall not be used in any manner other than
to tie down and hold the sled.
d.
A
rubber shock absorber and safety line shall be fitted to the tug line.
3. Wheeled Rigs/Sleds
a. Shall have a platform capable of safely
and securely holding any dog on the team.
i. All Wheeled Rigs/Sleds must carry a
dog bag capable of safely restraining a struggling dog and if necessary
covering a severely injured or dead dog. The dog bag may be integrated with the
rig.
b. All Wheeled Rigs must have a minimum of
three wheels but shall be capable of being driven and controlled by a single
driver.
c. Shall be free standing.
d. Shall have an adequate brake system.
e. Shall be equipped with a manual
steering mechanism.
f. Shall not exceed 160cm (64 inches)
overall width.
g. May be motorised but used with the
understanding that the motor will not be used under the agreement of entry.
h. The use of a motorised rig will be
stated by the entrant on the entry form.
i. Freight Class
i. For two (2) dogs a minimum of 45kg
(100 pounds) of weight shall be securely added to the weight of the rig ie rig
+ 45kg = total weight carried.
ii. For every additional dog added to the
team a further minimum of 23kg (50 pounds) shall be securely attached to the
rig/sled. Freight
Weight will be calculated on the class maximum not the team size.
iii. Weights shall be checked by the Race Marshal after the
completion of the race on adequate or appropriate scales.
iv.
Where
possible scales should be made available before the race for drivers to check
their weights.
j. No inline rig (scooters).
4. Single Dog Class & 2 Dog Bike/Scooter Class
a. Towed vehicle shall have no more than two
(2) wheels.
b. Shall have a safe steering mechanism.
c. Shall have an adequate braking system.
d. Pedals shall have to be removed or
disabled, as pedalling is not permitted.
e. Freight
Class (Single Dog Only)
i. The towed vehicle may also be a
rig/sled as described in C. 3. Wheeled rigs/sleds above but excluding the requirement to carry a
dog bag (3.a.i) .
ii. For the one dog class the towed
vehicle and freight combined shall weigh a minimum 35kg.
5. Other Equipment
a. A muzzle or any collar that can be
hooked as a full choke shall be prohibited.
b. Safety approved helmets shall be worn by
all mushers in the single dog class (optional for Ski Jouring).
c. A racing number for each driver shall
be provided by the race-giving organisation.
The driver shall display this number on his/her person throughout the
race.
D. FINISH
TIME DISQUALIFICATION (Optional)
1. A team shall be disqualified from
competing in subsequent heats if its total elapsed time exceeds either 1.25 or
1.50 times the average time of the three fastest teams in the same heat of the
same class.
2. All entrants shall be notified, prior to
entry, if a time qualification factor is to be used, stating which factor and
to which classes it shall be applied.
PART II - START / FINISH RULES
A. DRAWING
1. The starting positions for the first
heat of a race shall be determined by a drawing held prior to the race at a
time and place designated by the race-giving organisation.
2. The owner, driver or designated proxy of
each team shall draw their own starting position. In their absence, the starting position shall
be drawn by the Race Marshal or his representative.
3. The order of the draw shall not be
changed either by addition or substitution. Late entries shall be added in
order of receipt.
B. SINGLE
START RACE
1. The first days starting positions shall
be determined by the draw with Number 1 starting first, Number 2 starting
second, etc.
2. The second day's starting positions
shall be determined by the first day's times, with the fastest teams starting
first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.
3. In races of more than two (2) heats,
a. the total elapsed time of the previous
heats shall determine the starting positions with the fastest team starting
first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.
b. or, at the option of the race-giving
organisation, the elapsed time of the previous single heat shall determine the
starting positions with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest
team starting second, etc.
c. If the optional start (b. above) is to
apply to the race, all entrants shall be notified prior to making entry,
stating to which classes it shall apply.
C. DUAL
START RACE
1. The first day's starting positions shall
be determined by the draw with the Numbers 1 and 2 starting together first,
Numbers 3 and 4 starting together second, etc.
2. The second day's starting positions
shall be determined by the first day's times. The finishing list will be
divided into two groups, with the fastest team in the faster group starting
with the fastest team in the slower group, followed by the second fastest teams
in each group, etc.
3. In races of more than two (2) heats, the
total elapsed time of the previous heats will determine the groupings and
starting positions, with the fastest teams in each group starting first, etc.
4. If option b.(under "single start race")
is to apply to a race of more than two (2) heats, the elapsed time of the
previous single heat shall determine the groupings and starting positions,
with the fastest teams in each group starting first, etc.
D. EQUAL
TIMES
1. If the total elapsed time of two teams
is identical, the order of start for these teams shall be the reverse order in
which they started in the preceding heat.
2. Teams with equal times for the entire
race, shall be awarded the higher finishing position.
3. The purse for the tied place and the
next lower places(s) shall be combined and divided equally among those teams
tied for that place.
E. STARTING
POINT AND TIME
1. The brushbow of sled or front wheel of
rig shall determine the starting point of the team.
2. Trail time for all teams shall begin at
the original scheduled time of departure, except for a late starting team, for
which trail time begins at the second scheduled time of departure. However the team will be penalised with x
minutes extra racing time for late starting.
(x = one starting interval).
3. A team which fails to be in the starting
position at its scheduled starting time, will be declared a "late starting
team".
a. A late-starting team shall not be
allowed to start until after the last team entered in its class has started,
and after the prescribed starting interval.
b. A late-starting team shall not interfere
with any other team.
c. If more than one team is declared late,
those teams shall start in their originally scheduled starting order.
d. If a team is late to the starting line
for its second scheduled time of departure for any one heat, that team shall be
disqualified.
e. Late-starting teams should be counted
down as if they were there ie no musher
should be required to come to the line before their allotted start time.
4. A team not clearing the Starting Chute
(Minimum distance 30 metres [100 feet]) prior to the scheduled start of the
next team may be disqualified.
F. ASSISTANCE
IN THE STARTING CHUTE
1. The amount and type of assistance in the
starting chute shall be determined and announced by the Race Marshal prior to
the start of the first heat of the event.
2. Once a team is beyond the starting chute
area in an official start, all Trail Rules shall apply.
G. FINISH
1. A team shall have finished the heat when
the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.
2. If a loose team crosses the finish line
ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the
finish line.
3.
When a
dual starting chute is used as a finish chute, a team may return on either
trail.
PART III - TRAIL RULES
A. FOLLOWING
THE TRAIL
1. A team and driver shall run the entire
course as established by the race‑giving organisation.
a. The course shall be of a suitable
surface, avoiding such surfaces as concrete, black top and sharp rock gravel,
except for necessary road crossings.
2. If a team leaves the trail, the driver
shall return the team to the point at which they left the trail.
3. The trail shall be followed as marked:
a. "Right turn" shall be
indicated by a red marker on the right side of the trail.
b. "Left turn" shall be indicated
by a red marker on the left side of the trail.
c. "Straight ahead" shall be
indicated by blue markers.
d. "Caution" shall be indicated
by yellow or orange markers.
e. The “End of the Starting
Chute" (minimum length, 30 meters
(100 feet)) shall be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.
f. A "800 metre" (1/2 mile)
marker shall be placed 800 metres from the finish line to indicate the start of the
"No‑Right‑Of‑Way Zone."
B. DRIVING
A TEAM
1. A driver may ride the rig/sled, pedal or
run as wished.
2. Any driver accepting a ride on any
vehicle other than his/her own rig, shall be disqualified unless in case of a
loose team or dog.
3. A driver shall not interfere with a
competing team.
4. All dogs starting a heat shall complete
the entire course, either hitched in the team or carried on the rig.
5. A dog becoming unfit after departure
shall be carried on the rig.
6. Carrying a passenger at any time during
the race shall be prohibited unless:
a. Called for in the conditions of the
race.
b. Giving a ride to a driver in an
emergency situation.
7. The bike or rig/sled must be behind the
dog(s) at all times while in motion.