Rules & Regulations

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Vehicle Rules & Regulations

The Tuff Truck Challenge 2012 (TTC2012) is a Cross Country Drivers Association (CCDA) Group C Open Class event, run in accordance with the Manual of Four Wheel Drive Motor Sport for Four Wheel Drive Competitive Events version 8.0 dated 20 Jan 2009.

Supplementary Rules & Regulations

The following supplementary rules are additional to rules found in the above mentioned manual. Print and read at your leisure.

2.2 THE SPIRIT OF THE REGULATIONS

The use of non-natural track building aids such as sand ladders and synthetic matting shall not be permitted in CCDA sanctioned events. The use of natural objects or items contained within the stage only is permitted. The use of any items not within the stage prior to starting the stage, or non-natural items or objects, will result in the competitor being awarded a DNF for the stage.

2.3 CCDA MEMBERSHIP

Competitors, officials and marshals participating in CCDA sanctioned events shall be current members of the CCDA.

2.4.1 LICENCES

Each driver and co-driver shall hold a current valid State, Territory or International driver’s licence. Learner’s permits are not acceptable.

2.4.2 CREWS

Crews shall be a maximum of two people in all Stages and be designated as:

  • Driver – who only drives the vehicle
  • Navigator – who only navigates (either within or from outside of the vehicle)*

2.4.3 CREW SUBSTITUTION*

Alternating between driver and navigator for any stage of the event shall not be permitted without the permission of the Competition Manager. If you wish to alternate to share driving experience this is allowed but must be approved by the Competition Managers.

Any substitute team member, i.e. (driver or navigator) must be a CCDA financial member. CCDA memberships will be available from Competition Managers if required.

Any crew which includes a person not identified to and approved by the Competition Manager shall be disqualified..

2.4.4 CODE OF CONDUCT

At all times competitors and event officials shall treat all participants in a courteous and respectful manner.

Competitors shall avoid public argument with each other and officials and all disputes shall be dealt with under the provision for protests in the sporting regulations. Verbal or physical abuse by any participant shall attract a penalty. Any competitor or participant who is found guilty of a serious breach of the code of conduct will be disqualified from further participation in the event with no refunds.

2.4.5 ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

The abuse of alcohol or drugs by competitors or event officials at any time during an event shall not be permitted. Medication prescribed for a competitor by a doctor shall be accepted, provided such medication does not affect that competitor’s safe performance during the event. Prescribed medication shall only be taken by the competitor for whom it is prescribed.

Alcohol shall not be consumed prior to, or during, any competition stages, or before departing for, or during, any transport stages.

Breathalysers may be used to check blood alcohol content during the event. Those competitors or officials who register any reading above zero shall not participate or officiate for the remainder of that day. Any competitor or official who refuses to provide a breathalyser reading shall be disqualified from further participation in the event.

The use of any other drugs shall be prohibited at all times during the event. Any competitor found to have used any other drugs shall be disqualified from all further participation in the event. Any official found to have used any other drugs shall be immediately removed from their capacity, and restricted from acting in any official role for the remainder of the event.

Any event official or competitor who suspects another event official or competitor to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol shall refer the matter immediately to the Event Director.

2.5 SELECTION

Selection of competitors for TTC2012 shall be determined by Tuff Events & Promotions Australia (TEPA)

Tasks that will increase your chances of being selected:

  • Send your nominations in Early
  • Ensure your vehicle is ready for Pre-Sruitineering

Up to 5 Spots may be left available to TEPA to use as Wild Card entries.

If your team is unsuccessful and not selected, a full refund of all monies paid will be made.

2.6 VEHICLES

A high standard of presentation shall be insisted upon at all times. Any vehicle considered to be of an inappropriate standard of preparation may not be permitted to start, at the discretion of the Competition Manager. A vehicle that is accepted by the Chief Scrutineer shall not be substituted.

2.7 ADVERTISING AND DECALS.

Each vehicle may display Crew sponsorship material provided it is not, in the sole opinion of the Competition Manager or Event Director, offensive and does not intrude into the space allocated for event sponsorship/advertising.

TEPA Event sponsorship/advertising allocated space shall be

  • The entire bonnet area must be free from all previous stickers / decals
  • An area of 450 x 300mm on each front doors

Additional event sponsor decals typically small in size may be placed at any suitable location on the body of the vehicle but shall be clearly visible.

3.6.1 OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS*

In Group B and Group C events harnesses shall be properly fitted, correctly fastened and adjusted during all stages whilst the vehicle is in motion. No member of the crew shall ride on the outside of a competing vehicle and no member of the crew inside the competing vehicle shall have any limbs outside the vehicle whilst the vehicle is in motion. The harnesses may be partially released but only from one shoulder when the driver is required to reverse to ensure better visibility. The harness must be re-fastened prior to the forward movement of the vehicle.

All harness must have a Taxi Bar fitted behind the drivers & navigators seats.

3.6.2 CRASH HELMETS

The wearing of crash helmets is compulsory in TTC2012. All helmets will be checked and required to have the AS1698 label stitched inside the helmet.

3.10.2 WINCHING PENALTIES*

A penalty shall be incurred without warning for each of the following breaches of vehicle recovery conduct as described in 2.33.3:

a) Failing to call clear before commencing to winch

b) Failing to cease winching and driving when repositioning dampener

c) Handling a live cable ( once hook is attached )

d) Failing to wear gloves when handling a cable

e) Standing in front of vehicle being winched

f) Crossing a live cable

g) Causing risk to any person

h) Handling a cable when vehicle is deemed to be live

A penalty shall be incurred after one warning for each of the following breaches of vehicle recovery conduct as described in 2.33.4:

a) Cable dampener not placed in the centre third of the length of cable between a winch and an anchor or snatch block for steel cables, & must be located at the hook for plasma type rope.

3.10.5 OCCUPANT RESTRAINT AND CRASH HELMET PENALTIES

Harnesses as specified in rule 3.6.1 shall be properly fitted to each vehicle for each occupant and shall be correctly fastened and adjusted at all times that the vehicle is in motion.

If an official detects that the harnesses are not correctly adjusted he/she shall stop the vehicle and request that they be adjusted correctly.

On the first occasion that any occupant of a vehicle is detected not wearing a helmet or their harnesses are not correctly fastened while the vehicle is in motion that Crew shall be penalised 150 points for the stage during which the infringement is detected.

3.11 SCORING

Refer subsequent details for scoring for each stage and overall for the event.

3.21 PERMITTED SERVICING

Any form of servicing of competitors vehicle is permitted, with the only restriction being that the vehicle may not at any time leave the site. The intention is to ensure that competitor’s vehicles, if damaged, are repaired quickly and safely, and are able to continue the competition.

4.1.2 VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Vehicle registration is no longer required. Please click here to see explanation.

4.1.3 OCCUPANT PROTECTION*

All competitors must wear the following attire.

  • Enclosed shoes
  • Long pants, No shorts are permitted.
  • Navigator must wear enclosed gloves at all times whilst competing on a stage ( excluding mechanical repairs )
  • If Drivers are outside of the vehicle, they must also wear enclosed gloves  ( excluding mechanical repairs )

Vehicles competing in TTC2012 shall be fitted with a minimum of a four point racing harness for all occupants with harness belting that is not frayed or damaged and all mountings shall be secure in accordance with the original vehicle specifications. Original seat belts may be removed if required.

Glass Sunroofs are not permitted and will be removed on any vehicle competing.

All vehicles shall have roof protection installed to protect the crew from intrusions. Roof protection shall consist of a 3mm minimum thickness aluminium sheet or 2mm minimum thickness steel plate or high impact plastic roof panel extending the full width of the vehicle from the windscreen frame to the rollover protection and shall terminate behind the heads of the crew.

Vehicles competing in TTC2012 shall be fitted with a minimum six-point rollover protection. The minimum design for rollover protection for frames constructed before 1 January 2005 shall be Type 3 Schedule J for Offroad Racing in the CAMS manual. The CCDA specification described in Rollover Protection Section 5 shall apply for all new frames from 1 January 2005 save that there is a twelve-month moratorium on existing frames at the discretion of the CCDA.

4.1.5 RECOVERY POINTS

Two Recovery points shall be mounted at the front and two at the rear of the vehicle chassis with at least two of 12mm or four of 10mm grade 5 or M8.8 bolts. Recovery points must be painted red. Eyebolts are not considered as satisfactory recovery points. We require a point in line with or outside of the chassis rails. We require the points to be constructed from 10mm x 75mm plate or larger. Each point should be capable of accepting a 4.7 T rated shackle. These should be designed and fitted in such a manner that the shackle can accept a vertical recovery lift. Eg: The shackle should be able to move in a 90 degree arc from horizontal to vertical. If you are unsure of our requirements please contact the Competition Managers.

Monocoque frame vehicles shall have each recovery point mounted such that the load is applied evenly to the vehicle frame, or have recovery points linked to achieve even load application. Must be approved prior to event.

4.1.11 SPARE WHEELS

The changing of spare tyres due to a puncture or flat during a stage is prohibited.

Spare wheels, which are suitable to be fitted to any of the four (4) wheels of the vehicle, must NOT be attached to the vehicle. Spare tyres must remain in the competitor compound. Competition mangers will assist any team that needs assistance to collect there spare from the compound. Teams are required to ensure that it will be easily accessible.

Responsibility for spare wheels rest with the competitor no responsibility is undertaken by TEPA, event officials, stage managers or their crew, or security at any time.

It is not necessary that the spare tyre size be consistent with the other tyres on the vehicle, but the wheel must be able to be fitted and used if required.

Spare tyres must be presented for scrutineering, and any additional tyre changes must be presented to the scrutineering team at verification for approval. ( one is ok )

4.1.12 WINCHES

NOTE: From TTC2013, the use of Wire Winch Cable will be prohibited.

Winches may be of any style or brand and may be modified, strengthened, or braced and have the power source upgraded.

Powered winches shall have an operational braking system to prevent un-spooling when not in operation.

Winches shall be mounted in a secure manner to the chassis or to an engineered sub-frame in a monocoque vehicle.

Power for winches shall only be taken from the vehicle engine, drive line or vehicle electrical system.

Auxiliary engines shall not be permitted.

Hand winches may NOT be used.

Winch cables may be of wire or synthetic rope provided that they are free of damaged sections and provided that they are free from:

  • Broken strands
  • In the case of wire ropes free of crushed sections
  • Kinked or bent sections
  • Broken, damaged or clamped eyelets

Wire cables shall have a steel core and be a minimum of 8mm in diameter and shall have a load rating that exceeds the capacity of the winch, including any increased rating of a modified winch.

Synthetic ropes shall have a load rating of at least twice that of the winch SWL rating or four times the nominal vehicle weight, whichever is the least.

Specifications of the winch cable or rope shall be supplied by the competitor at scrutineering.

Loops or eyes shall be spliced or professionally swaged and be rated at the same, or greater capacity than, the cable or rope.

Vehicle mounted hooks, eyes and fittings shall have a load rating of at least twice the weight of the vehicle and greater than the winch capacity. Loose coupling hooks or eyes shall be rated at or above the capacity of the cable or rope.

There shall be no sharp protruding pins forward nor upward on the front of the vehicle.

Other rules outside of CCDA rules but applicable to TTC2012 are as follows:

All vehicles must meet the following requirements to be eligible for entry to TTC2012:

  • The vehicle originally started its life or was designed and/or manufactured by the maker as a 4WD or 6WD vehicle
  • Retains the look of the original 4WD vehicle, comprising 80% of the original front profile including, Grille, Headlights & Windscreen and 50% of the original side profile from & including the “B-pillar” forward.
  • Re-made body panels are acceptable, so long as they are “IDENTICAL” in profile as the originating body used. All shape and folds must be duplicated as original.
  • The chassis used on the vehicle must be from a vehicle that was originally designed and/or manufactured as a 4WD or 6WD with a transfer case consisting of both low and high range. The “front” of the chassis must start at least 300 mm forward of the original firewall position ( ie. vertical section where brake master & booster mounts ) and finish behind the B pillar ( ie. back of cab ) on a 2 door vehicle and behind the C pillar on a 4 door vehicle. The vehicle chassis must remain 100% original in height, width and profile as viewed looking directly at the originating vehicle, ie Top, side & front view. The chassis must also retain original parallel spacing. ( ie. centre to centre width ) Note: These chassis rules above have been carefully considered and based around current and previous competing vehicles. However if some of these past vehicles are slightly outside of these guidelines, we have made the conclusion that these vehicles have no competitive advantage and will be accepted. Any past competitor that is undergoing major chassis alterations since their last TTC competition must comply with the ruling above. If you are uncertain regarding compliance of this rule you must contact TEPA for further clarification. TEPA holds no responsibility for competitor’s mis-interpretation of this rule. Monocoque chassis vehicles will be assessed on application.
  • ENGINE location: All vehicles are to have the engine fitted to the front of the vehicle. The following measurements must be adhered to. The front face of the engine block is to be no further rearward measuring from the centre of the front axle tube. For V6 engines 500mm) for V8 & straight 4 cylinder engines, (450mm), for Straight 6 cylinder engines (350mm). Again previous competitors that may be slightly outside this will be accepted. Research thus far states that there is currently no teams outside of these guidelines.
  • The body used on the vehicle must be from a vehicle that was originally designed and/or manufactured as a 4WD or 6WD with a transfer case consisting of both low and high range. NOTE: We will consider the use of alternate bodies that don’t apply to this rule upon “application only”. ie: Rav 4.
  • Note. Body chassis swaps are permitted. Eg; Suzuki body on Nissan chassis. Their associated normal firewall position must line up with the firewall position of chassis used.
  • The vehicles body width must remain at its original width at the A-Pillar relative to the body used. i.e. Cannot be narrowed. B-Pillar must also be at least A-Pillar width.
  • The Firewall must fully separate the Driver & navigator from the engine compartment with a minimum of 1.2mm Aluminium, oran alternate fireproof material which will accessed by TEPA. Original firewalls are acceptable, gaps for additional vision will not be acceptable.
  • Electronic Pre Competition verification is compulsory for TTC2012. The date for information received will be no later than 5pm Friday Jan 20th. We will require detailed photographs of a list of items that will be provided upon entry. All vehicles must show that they are able to be driven. Our aim here is to ensure that all teams vehicles are prepared & ready for the event. TEPA reserves the right to accept or decline any nomination received.
  • TEPA holds no responsibility for miss-interpretation of the building guidelines, whilst we do our best to clarify each rule there may be ways each person reads them. It is highly suggested that any competitor planning to build a vehicle for TTC, then you should contact Competition Managers Tony & Steve Price to discuss specifically your intentions.

Competitor Nominations – The Competition Managers reserves the right to accept or decline any nomination received.

Handbrake – All vehicle require a hand brake, mechanical or electric solenoid are acceptable. ( auto park position is NOT accepted )

Coverage over wheels – Front – All vehicles will have front guards attached to the body either parallel in width to the B pillar (min) or to the inside edge of the tyre tread.

For vehicles that have completely removed their original guards, their replacement guards are to be constructed from a minimum of 25 mm steel tube and covered with a rigid material.

The front tyre must have a minimum of 70% coverage starting from the most rearward section of the tyre from a side view.

For vehicles that retain original guards & comply with the minimum tyre coverage above will be accepted.

Rear Guards will be assessed on application but are not compulsory.

Windscreens – With the nature of this event windscreens are compulsory. Windscreens must retain 95% of original size of body shape used, Lexan is an approved alternative, Mounting must be in an “original frame”, or replicated copy. ( ie. fibreglass ) No exceptions.

There are couple of vehicles that may be slightly outside this change which will be accepted as previous competitor leniency. ( also deemed no competitive advantage )

Window Nets – Are required to be fitted to the drivers and passengers window aperture. The nets must cover at least 70% of the opening and be readily opened from the top from inside and outside the vehicle. The nets may be of the string variety with mesh size no greater than 50mm x 50mm.

There is to be no gap between the bottom of the window net & the top of the door.

Cable ties and Electrical or gaffer tape will not be accepted.

Our aim is to keep arms and shoulders within the cabin should the doors open in the event of a rollover.

Doors – MUST OPEN & CLOSE. Welded doors are not permitted. All vehicles must be fitted with, at least, half doors from the sill up. Again the reason behind this is increased occupant safety against intrusion, and also to permit sponsorship sticker placement. The basis for construction of these will be at least steel, aluminium or of equivalent strength or greater. If using non original door panels, they must replicate the original shape & profile of the body type used ( same door skin profile, folds etc ). Plastic will not be accepted. There are current vehicles outside this at present who will be contacted & must make alterations due to safety & vehicle side profile compliance.

There are couple of vehicles that may be slightly outside this change which will be accepted as previous competitor leniency.

Roof – roof protection installed to protect the crew from intrusions, replacement roof protection shall consist of a 3mm minimum thickness aluminium or 2mm minimum steel or a high impact plastic roof panel extending from the full width of the vehicle from the windscreen frame to the roll over protection to terminate behind the heads of the crew.

Vehicles using the original manufactured steel roof/turret will be accepted.

All glass sun roofs or roof panels must be removed and replaced by material as describe above.

Roll Cages – A minimum of a 6 point roll cage is required. Refer to CCDA rules.

Mounting plate size and thickness, as with pipe diameter, type and wall thickness along with mounting hardware should reflect the vehicle mass. You will not require an internal cage if your external cage is up to spec.

No scaffold clamps or similar will be accepted.

Steering and Four Wheel Steering Systems – Vehicles shall be allowed to have hydraulic assist or full hydraulic steering system, however 4 wheel steer vehicles will have a penalty applied if used during a stage.

Automatic Nomination for 2012 – The first four place getters from the Tough Dog Tuff Truck Challenge 2011 will automatically receive selection (if desired), into the 2012 event.

Rule Changes & Amendments – The event organisers reserve the right to make changes or amendments to the rules at any time prior to commencement of the event.

Verification

For TTC2012, Verification (was previously known as Scrutineering) carries points totalling 100. Please take the time to look closely at the detail relating to Verification, as it will be in any teams favour to obtain maximum points.

Please make sure that the below sheets are used as a check list in the lead up to TTC2012, as points will be awarded only on the first time Verification check list that is carried out.

Verification will be open on site at 6:30am on Friday 16th March 2012 and all teams will have to report to the Verification Team Leader no later than 11.00am on the Friday. From 11.00am the Competition Management Team will then enter reserve teams as applicable.

The following verification points are available as a PDF for download.

Pre-Verification

Electronic Pre Competition verification is compulsory for TTC2012. The date for information received will be no later than 5pm Sunday Jan 22nd. We will require detailed photographs of a list of items that will be provided upon entry. All vehicles must show that they are able to be driven. Our aim here is to ensure that all teams vehicles are prepared & ready for the event. TEPA reserves the right to accept or decline any nomination received.

Pre-Verification (PV) is now a compulsory aspect of TTC to assist all competing teams in their vehicle preparation. The rules and regulations (along with supplementary) are required to be adhered to and by providing compulsory pre-verification, this will assist teams in complying.

PV will assist competing teams in achieving:

  • Meeting satisfactory standards of vehicle Rules and Regulations
  • Answer any queries that might be had
  • Foster good relations with fellow competitors and event organisers

PV is compulsory. Any team that does not attend will not start TTC2012!!

For any queries on PV (or any other aspect), please contact Tony Price & Steve Price (TTC2012 Competition Managers)