SPEED RACE RULES
AMENDED APRIL
2011
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.
The RGO may, by way of
notification on the entry form, make it compulsory for lead dogs to be attached
together by a neck line for all classes, except Single Dog and Single Dog
Freight, as it sees fit.
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 bike/scooter
class. In addition to this, the RGO
may, by way of notification on the entry form, make helmets compulsory for any
classes it sees fit.
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.
C. ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL
1. All teams
may receive similar assistance of any type from officials stationed at
designated points along the trail as authorised by the Race Marshal.
2. Drivers
running in the same heat may assist each other in any manner authorised by the
Race Marshal.
3. Handler
and spectator assistance shall be limited to holding the gig, except in the
case of a loose team, or a team so unmanageable as to create a clear and
present danger to themselves, other teams or persons.
4. No one
shall assist a team by wilfully pacing it.
D. LOOSE TEAMS AND DOGS
1. All
drivers must assume that a loose team or dog is an endangered team or dog.
2. A Loose
team or dog(s) shall not delay or interfere with another team.
3. The driver
of the loose team must overtake the loose team by the quickest means available
to ensure the safety of the loose team.
a. In
the event that the driver cannot quickly and safely recover his/her team, the driver
must accept assistance including a ride, when available, to recover his
team. Failure to accept available
assistance may result in disqualification of the driver of the loose team. The Race Marshall shall determine if a driver
is to be disqualified.
b. Any
person(s) is/are encouraged to stop and hold a loose team or dog.
c. Drivers
who receive a ride to recover a team will be assessed a time penalty of 20% of
the total elapsed time of the heat in which they received the ride.
d. A
loose team or dog may resume the trail without penalty, providing the team/dog
has completed the entire trail and the driver has only received outside
assistance limited to holding the loose team or dog.
E. RIGHT OF WAY
1. In a dual
start, the team with the lead dog farthest ahead at the end of the chute
barrier shall have the right of way.
2. When teams
are passing on a single trail,
a. The
team travelling downhill shall have the right of way.
b. On
level terrain, the Race Marshal shall determine and announce, prior to the
start of the race, whether the in‑coming or out‑going team has the
right of way.
3. In the 800 metre (1/2 mile)
"No‑Right‑Of‑Way zone", no team shall have the
right of way over a finishing team.
F. PASSING
1. When one
team driver intends to pass another team, the passing team driver may request
the right of way (right of way being any part of the trail which is clear of a
team;; left, right or centre) when the lead dog(s) come within 15 meters (50
feet) of the rig/sled of the team being overtaken.
2. The
overtaken team driver shall make way for the passing team by moving to one side
of the trail and slowing his team, or
stopping if requested to do so (within reason) by the overtaking team driver.
3. Once a
team has been passed, that team shall not re‑pass until:
a. In
Unlimited or Limited classes involving nine (9) or more dogs, after no less
than four (4) minutes or 1.6 kilometres (1 mile).
b. In
Limited classes involving eight (8) dogs or less, after no less than two (2)
minutes or 800 metres (1/2 mile).
c. Single Dog classes, after no less than 30
seconds or 200 meters.
d. At any lesser interval when both drivers
are in agreement.
4. If the
passing team becomes tangled as a result of the pass (and to allow time to
straighten the lines), that team's driver may require the overtaken team driver
to stop for no longer than one (1) minute, in Unlimited and Limited classes
involving eight (8) or more dogs, one‑half (1/2) minute in all other
classes.
5. A driver
coming upon two or more teams stopped together, may
pass all such teams. The stopped team
drivers shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team(s).
6. Teams
following each other shall maintain an interval of no less than one (1) team
length, except when passing or in the "No‑Right‑Of‑Way
zone".
PART IV - CONDUCT
A. RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP
1. All
drivers shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, their designated
handler and themselves whenever in the race area or on the trail.
2. Common sense
and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If
the Race Marshal determines that driver, handler or team conduct at any time in
the race area or on the trail is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall
be disqualified.
B. ABUSE OF DOGS
1. Abuse of a
dog, with or without an implement, shall be prohibited.
2. No whip,
goad or any other implement of chastisement may be used or carried.
PART V - RULES VIOLATIONS
A. REPORTS BY RACE OFFICIALS
1. Race
Officials shall report overt rule violations to the Race Marshal verbally, in
person or by radio, immediately or directly following the heat in which the
violation occurred.
2. The Race Marshal shall act, at
his discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by Race
Officials.
B. REPORTS BY RACE CONTESTANTS
1. Drivers
wishing to report an alleged violation of the rules by another contestant shall
notify the Race Marshal immediately following the heat in which the incident
occurred. Notification may be verbal.
2. All verbal
driver reports shall be followed with a written report, given to the Race
Marshal within one (1) hour of the completion of the heat in which the alleged
violation occurred.
C. PROTESTS AND HEARINGS
1. Any driver
or race official implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules
may make a protest and request a hearing before the Race Marshal.
2.
Said hearing shall be granted by the Race Marshal.
D. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
1.
For
violation of any NZFSS Race Rule, the Race Marshal shall issue either:-
·
a verbal warning to the driver.
·
add a penalty of between one and ten starting
interval (to a maximum of five(5) minutes) to the drivers finishing time.
·
or disqualify the driver and team from the
race.
a. No
other disciplinary action shall be imposed.
b. Decisions
shall be announced as promptly as practical, but no later than two (2) hours
prior to the start of any ensuing heat(s).
c. Any
disciplinary action following the final heat of the race shall be acted upon
prior to the awards ceremony.
d. In
the case of drug testing, the above time schedule does not apply to allow for
laboratory findings and hearings, should the latter become necessary.
2. The
decisions of the Race Marshal shall be final.