a) The responsibility for the condition, safety and suitability of all dogs and
equipment rests solely with the Driver and/or Owner.
b) All connections from lines to harness, collar and rig/sled must be capable of
quick and easy detachment. Correct functioning of these attachments may be
checked.
c) All teams must have a snub line attached to the gang line between the rear
of the team and point where it is attached to the rig/sled. This snub line must
be of a length that is long enough to enable release from a static object (e.g.
gate post or tree) by the Driver whilst on, and in control of the rig.
d) All lines must be free of frays and excess wear.
e) Shock absorbers, when utilised, must have a safety line.
f) Rigs must not be fitted with any device to assist propulsion.
g) Rigs must have three or four wheels and be freestanding.
h) Rigs must have an adequate braking system capable of stopping the rig,
when brakes are applied by the driver, standing in the normal driving position
and with motive power provided by either pushing or pulling of the rig/scooter
by an assistant.
i) Rigs must be equipped with a manual steering mechanism, capable of
operation by the Driver from the normal driving position.
j) Rigs must not exceed 150 cm (60") in overall width.
k) All rigs should be fitted with a brushbow. No part of the rig shall protrude in
front of the brushbow, including gangline attachments. If this does not cover
the entire width of the rig, additional deflectors must be fitted around any
protruding part, fabricated in such a way as to avoid the creation of any sharp
projection. Brushbows must be not less than 20cms (7") nor more than 45cm
(1 8") from the ground. All brushbow/deflectors must be manufactured from
inflexible material.
l) There should be no excessive play in wheel bearings and in the steering
column bearing.
m) Sleds must be fitted with a brushbow.
n) Sleds must have an adequate claw braking system.
o) In the case of night rallies all rigs/sleds must be fitted with an adequate
lighting system. No wet acid batteries, glass lenses must be taped.
p) Back-up lights e.g. head torches must be carried during night rallies.
q) Muzzles, full choke collars, whip’s or other similar devices are strictly
prohibited.
r) Numbers will be provided for each Driver by Wyedean Mushing.
s) All rigs/sleds must be fitted with a bag suitable for carrying an injured dog.
(Cani-cross Classes)
a) A cani-cross team consists of a runner and one or two dogs, racing solely
on foot.
b) The dog’s harness shall not allow the dog to escape.
c) The dog shall be attached to the runner by a line with shock absorber at all
times. The snub line shall be attached to the driver by a hip belt (at least 7cm
wide over the spine). The line shall not exceed 2.5 meters in length.
d) The runner shall not wear shoes that could be dangerous for dogs.
e) In the case of night heats a headtorch must be worn by the runner and a
backup torch carried.
5.
a) Starting position and time for each team shall be determined by drawing,
seeding, or any other method as determined by the individual rally organiser.
b) The format of the starting times for the second heat (where applicable), will
be determined by the finishing times from the first heat with the fastest out first
and so on.
c) A rig must come to a full stop at the Start Line with the driver ensuring that
his team is securely snubbed or otherwise held, at the Start Line.
d) A team crossing the Start Line 5 seconds or less in advance of the official
Starting Time will receive a 15 second penalty. In cases of greater violation, a
60 second penalty will result. In the event of a premature start, enabling the
team to be returned to the Start Line to comply with the Official Start time,
then that team may re-start without penalty.
e) The Starting Point of the team shall be the front of the brushbow.
f) The start time of the team shall begin when such team is scheduled to leave
the start line.
g) Teams failing to leave the start line on time for any heat will not be allowed
to start until the last scheduled team of the class has left. If more than one
team should start late, each shall start in the order scheduled. Trail time for
late starters will begin at the official time of departure.
h) A team not clearing the designated start chute (minimum distance 30m)
prior to the scheduled start of the next team may be disqualified.
i) When the temperature rises above 10 degrees at any time during the
course of the event (when taken in the shade at or near the start line) the
event shall be reviewed by the rally organiser and may be stopped, or trails
shortened where practicable. The rally organiser may, however, if he or she
feels that the temperature/humidity combination is too high, review the event
before this level is reached. Temperatures will be monitored during the course
of the event.
j) A driver may ride, scoot or run, but not in front of the team of dogs, when
they wish.
k) Physical and verbal abuse of the dogs is strictly prohibited at the event site
and may lead to disqualification from that event.
l) Wilful interference by a driver with other competing teams in any way is
prohibited. Teams experiencing difficulty must make every effort not to
impede other drivers.
m) Finishing teams
their vehicles no faster than a trot handler-assisted if necessary. Penalties
may be imposed on offenders.
6.
(Rig/Sled classes)
CLASSIFICATIONS PBS Class - teams of between 2 and 6 KC registered Siberian Huskies
(minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 dogs to run in each heat)
PBF Class - teams of between 2 and 6 KC registered Alaskan Malamute,
Samoyed, Greenland/Eskimo dogs (minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 dogs to
run in each heat)
OPE Class - teams of between 2 and 6 purpose bred sled dogs i.e. Euro
Hounds or non sled dog KC registered pure bred dogs i.e. GSP (minimum of
2 and maximum of 4 dogs to run in each heat)
J Class - 8 - 15 year old musher, 1 dog only
R Class Recreational, non-timed (max 4 dogs)
(Canicross classes)
CM Class - Male 16-39 years
CF Class - Female 16-39 years
CMV Class - Male 40 + years
CFV Class - Female 40 + years
CMJ Class - Junior male 11-15 years
CFJ Class - Junior female 11-15 years
Different classes may be scheduled for individual races, please check the
event schedule to ensure you are entering the correct classes.
7.
a
fastened by a neckline.
the team, but may run with or without a neckline.
DOGS) All dogs must be, properly harnessed in the team and all dogs must beException: Lead dogs must be properly harnessed in b) Any dog suffering injury or becoming unfit to run during the competition
must be carried in a dog bag for the remainder of the heat. Mushers not
comfortable with carrying dogs in rig bags may withdraw from the race by
snubbing at the closest safe place and alerting either a marshal or another
musher that they wish to withdraw. In the case of a withdrawal through injury
you and your team will be collected by race officials immediately after the
class has been completed. Competitors withdrawing from any heat will be
given a 60 minute time penalty in order to allow them to compete in the
remainder of the series.
c) After the first heat, a driver may drop any dog they wish from subsequent
heat(s), subject always to the minimum specified. See Rule 6.
d) A dog may not take part in more than one Class or Team during any one
day other than scheduled junior events.
e) All dogs must be kept on leads at all times at rally sites. Flagrant breech of
this rule will result in immediate disqualification from the Event.
8.
PASSENGERS a) The passenger must not assist in the running of the team except in the
case of the team becoming unmanageable.
9. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL
a) A Team and Driver must follow the full course as laid out by the Rally
Organiser and as described at the Mushers' Meeting.
b) If a Team does leave the designated trail, the Driver must return the Team
to the point at which they left the Trail. A Team and Driver meeting this
condition may then continue the course without penalty.
c) Both Team and Driver must cover the entire course without unauthorised
assistance.
d) Authorised assistants (i.e. marshals) are only authorised to hold the rig and
not at any time handle the team of dogs.
e) All teams may receive assistance as per point 9d, from Officials stationed
at designated points along the trail if so authorised by the Rally Organiser. All
drivers will be notified of permissible assistance at the Musher’s meeting.
f) An individual Team may receive assistance from anyone only if that Team
becomes unmanageable.
g) No person is allowed to assist a Team by wilfully pacing it.
h) A loose team interfering with other Teams will be disqualified.
i) A Team not leaving the Start Line within 30 seconds of the designated start
time must retire from the Start Area and await instruction from the Rally
Organiser or his appointed Start Marshall. See Rule 5g
j) No incoming team shall have right of way over another incoming team from
a point to be established by the Rally Organiser, but within 800m (0.5ml) of
the Finish Line.
m) An overtaking team has right of way over the preceding team when the
overtaking team comes within 15m (50ft) of the team ahead.
n) Under these conditions, the overtaking team driver should call "TRAIL".
Upon hearing this call, the preceding driver must make way for the overtaking
team bringing their team to a full stop, if requested, up to a maximum of 30
seconds where practical. See Rule 5k.
o) The over taken team may request and receive the right of way to re-pass
after 30 seconds.
p) An overtaken team shall maintain such an interval so as not to be a
distraction to the preceding team.
q) The finishing point of a team shall be the brushbow of the rig/sled.
r) Drivers must be in physical contact with their rig/sled when crossing the
finishing line.
10.
CONDUCT a) Drivers are responsible for the conduct of their dogs and handlers before,
during and after the event.
b) If the Rally Organiser determines that drivers’, handlers’ or teams' conduct
at any time in the event is detrimental to the sport, they will be disqualified.
c) Mating of bitches is forbidden at rally sites.
d) Puppies will not be allowed at Rallies unless they are fully inoculated.
Persons bringing puppies to an event site without correct papers will be asked
to leave.
e) Puppies will not be offered for sale at an event site.
f) Physical or verbal abuse by any person of any person at any part of the
event site is forbidden.
11.
PROTESTS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION a) Any person(s) wishing to protest a violation of the rules must do so
immediately following the heat or run in which the alleged violation occurred.
The protest may be verbal.
b) Any verbal protest must be confirmed in writing to the Rally Organiser
within one hour after the end of the event or heat, whichever is first.
c) In the event of any protest or report of an alleged rule violation, the
concerned parties may demand a hearing. Such hearings must be granted
and organised by the Rally Organiser at the earliest convenient time.
d) For any violation of the foregoing rules, the Rally Organiser may impose a
warning to, or disqualify, any driver at his/her discretion from that event.
e) The ruling of the rally organiser is final in all cases.
