12-13-14th April 2013 
Jumps
Scoring & Penalties
The Tuff Truck Challenge will be scored in accordance with the following list of rules and penalties. The winner will be decided by the team that achieves the highest accumulative points scored over the 3 days and 12 special stages. Each stage will also have a winner based on the highest point score for that stage.
If two teams score exactly the same amount of points in any driving stage (except Travel Ramp), then time will be used to determine the winner.
Each stage will be run under the below mentioned rules, but may have some special rules that take effect over the general event rules. There may also be a bonus line where bonus points are available.
Below is a list of standard penalty points for each of the stages.
Please note that there are important changes to the Supplementary and Rules outside of CCDA.
Navigator Assistance – The navigator is not permitted to push or pull the vehicle at any time throughout a stage by physically touching the vehicle. This will result in a DNF for the stage. Stage points will be be awarded up to where the DNF is called by the stage manager. The use of snatch straps, where appropriately attached to the vehicle, will be permitted for the navigator to use to balance the vehicle or assist in moving the vehicle over an obstacle. Vehicle must not be moving when the snatch strap is attached or removed from the vehicle. The use of tow rows / ski ropes / other options will not be permitted. This is to ensure the safety of navigators and portray of safety conscious image to spectators and the public.
Non-driving stages
“Verification” (was previously known as ‘scrutineering’) will be scored out of 100 points. A professional approach is being encouraged for Team and Vehicle preparation as well as documentation.
Note: All TTC2012 competitive team/vehicles must be presented to Verification by 11am 16th March.
Show and Shine stage will award a cash prize only, no points.
Engineering will award a cash prize only, no points.
Driving stages
All driving stages (except Travel Ramp) will have a total of 100 points marked out at various intervals along the course. Any team that completes the course before the DNF time will receive 100 points. Vehicles on the course at the DNF time, or who retire along the course, will gain the highest point marker passed by both front hubs at the DNF time or when they retire. ie. if you pass a 30 point marker and call it quits you get 30 points, but if you roll back for another attempt and are at the 10 point marker when the time runs out you will get 10 points.
For all driving stages, both driver and navigator must start within the vehicle with seat belts fastened / harnesses connected. Once the vehicle has crossed the start line, the navigator may remove the seat belt / harness and exit the vehicle to assist the driver. The navigator does not need to be within the vehicle when the vehicle crosses the finish line for any driving stage, or time elapses, or when a competitor retires. The Navigator must be back in the vehicle at the finish line to determine the stage completion within the allotted DNF time.
All Teams must drive their allocated stages on their allocated day as per run order. eg, if you are broken and do not complete all Friday or Saturday stages, you will be awarded a DNS -50 points – for each of those stages that you missed.
If you finish your allocated stages early. You are NOT permitted to drive any stage other than your allocated stages during that day, -50 points per breach.
Excessive wheel-spin (i.e. in excess of 3 seconds in duration) will be classed as not in the spirit of the event. The first instance will be called by the stage manager or one of his team, and an official warning will be given to the driver. For a second instance, this will also be called by the stage manager or one of his team, and a second official warning will be given to the driver. If there is a third instance of excessive wheel-spin (in that stage) called by the stage manager or one of his team, this will result in a final warning and the team will be classed as a DNF for that stage. This will apply to the use of front dig / skid steer / other front drag methods used by a competitor.
The Travel Ramp will have a maximum of 60 points, with each team ranked from 1st to 60th place. The first placed team will get 60 points and the 60th placed team will get 1 point.
Penalties
Penalties can be awarded at any time during the competition. Penalties are as listed below:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Accidentally knocking of bunting, marker, stake, pole, witches hat, etc with door when entering/exiting vehicle, Using log/rock/other natural item for packing or assisting forward motion Leaving log/rock or other used for packing on track | 0 |
| First instance of excessive wheel spin during stage | 1st warning |
| Second instance of excessive wheel spin during stage | 2nd warning |
| Vehicle touching bunting, stake, pole or peg | 2 |
| Reversing Penalty, capped at 10 points ( maximum reverse penalties per stage = 5×2=10 ) | 2 |
| Use of a strap to aid vehicles stability – ( per stage ) | 5 |
| Use of Rear-Steer on a stage | 5 |
| Touching, knocking or moving a witches hat or track marker by vehicle | 10 |
| Breaking bunting or knocking stage or pole past 45 degrees from vertical | 10 |
| Flattening, straddling, braking or running over witches hat or track marker by vehicle | 10 |
| Not positioning the dampener in centre third of a steel cable | 10 |
| Not positioning the dampener touching the hook of the synthetic cable | 10 |
| Touching knocking or moving a witches hat, bunting or track market by a competitor to gain an advantage | 20 |
| Any action that causes risk to persons including handling a cable without gloves | 25 |
| Failure to stop winching when repositioning the dampener to centre third of steel cable | 25 |
| Unsecured or lost equipment during a stage | 25 |
| Door not properly closed or swinging open whilst during a stage and the driver not stopping as soon as noticed or advised | 25 |
| Removal of secured equipment during stage and not being re secured before finishing the stage | 25 |
| Handling the winch cable after the tension is taken-up | 25 |
| Failing to call “clear”, “winching”, “stand clear” whilst winching | 25 |
| Standing in front of the vehicle during winching | 25 |
| Stepping over live cable (cable that is attached) | 25 |
| Not using tree truck protector when required | 25 |
| Winching penalty once the cable is deemed to be live (each occurrence) | 25 |
| Attending Verification not being fully equipped and ready to compete | 40 |
| Departing from and re-entering course during a stage (per obstacle) | 50 |
| Navigator touching competing vehicle whilst in motion during a stage | 50 |
| Driving a stage thats not allocated on that day | 50 |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct! (eg, giving up on a course cause you don’t want to get your car dirty) | 50 |
| Abusive behaviour towards recovery crew, marshals and officials | 50 |
| Abusive behaviour towards spectators or crowd | 50 |
| Window netting not locked into place while vehicle moving | 150 |
| Not wearing seat belt while vehicle is moving | 150 |
| Penalty for competing vehicles carrying more than two people at any time | 150 |
| Third instance of excessive wheel spin during a stage | DNF |
| Outside assistance whilst on course | DNF |
| Refusing to conform to seat belt rule | DNS |
| Blood alcohol level of more than .00% | DNS |
| Use of illegal drugs | Disqualified from event |
- DNF
- Did not finish – points are awarded where incident occurred
- DNS
- Did not star – entrant is not awarded any points for the stage
Bonuses
Bonuses are awarded for successfully completing the bonus line. Bonuses are not applicable for all stages. Please see stage specific rules for more details. Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
Stage Specific Penalties
Due to the different nature of some of the stages, each Stage Manager will develop, with the Competition Manager, stage specific rules, penalties and scoring. These will over-ride the above generic rules, penalties and scoring methods.
At the beginning of each stage, the Stage Manager will provide each team with a clip board which has attached the stage specific rules. Once both the driver and navigator have read and understood each of these stage specific rules, both will be asked to sign the stage score sheet to acknowledge that they understand and agree to abide by these rules.
If you require clarification on stage specific rules, and the Stage Manager is not able to provide an adequate answer, he will contact the Competition/Driver Liaison Managers who will provide further clarification until all rules are understood.
Stage Specific Scoring & Penalties
Due to the different nature of some of the stages, each Stage Manager will develop, with the Competition Manager, stage specific rules, penalties and scoring. These will over-ride the above generic rules, penalties and scoring methods.
At the beginning of each stage, the Stage Manager will provide each team with a clip board which has attached the stage specific rules. Once both the driver and navigator have read and understood each of these stage specific rules, both will be asked to sign the stage score sheet to acknowledge that they understand and agree to abide by these rules.
All Teams will be issued with an Official Scoring Sheet, it is each teams responsibility to ensure that their score is the same as the official score, any discrepancies must be verified prior to presentation.
If you require clarification on stage specific rules, and the Stage Manager is not able to provide an adequate answer, he will contact the Competition/Driver Liaison Managers who will provide further clarification until all rules are understood.
TT2012 event consists of 12 individual stages, with 10 being driving stages, and the remaining 2 being static in nature. Each of these stages has specific rules that apply in addition to the general event rules, and govern the scoring for each stage, as well as the penalties that will apply while completing this stage.
Where a stage specific rule is applied, this will over rule the general event rules for this stage only. If no mention is made in the stage specific rules, then the general event rules apply for this stage.
The 12 stages for TTC2012 are as follows:
- Verification
- Engineering/Show and Shine
- Travel Ramp
- Mudrat’s Revenge
- Mystery Night Run
- Frame Twister
- Mini Wiraba Ridge
- Devil’s Marbles
- Jaw Breaker
- Lock Rock Garden
- Heartbreak Ridge
- NEW Stage
A copy of the stage specific rules will be presented to each team as they approach the start line for each stage. Both driver and navigator will be asked to read and acknowledge that they understand these stage specific rules by signing their score sheet prior to arriving at the start line. Any queries can be directed to the Stage Manager, or if required, to the Driver Liaison Officer and Competition Manager for further clarification.
S1 Verification:
A score sheet will reflect a max score out of 100 that can be obtained for full documentation and vehicle preparation. This includes the correct presentation of Safety Equipment, Recovery Equipment and Recovery Points.
S2 Engineering/Show and Shine:
There will be two judges scoring for these events, however there will only be a cash prize for each, no points offered.
S3 Travel Ramp:
Vehicles will be lined up in the daily competitor running order, and ready to be called forward for their turn on the ramp. If vehicle, driver and navigator are not in line on time, and do not have an exemption from the Competition/Liaison Managers, they will be given a 2 minute countdown. At the end of the 2 minute period, the competitor will be given a DNS for the stage if not present.
Prior to approaching the travel ramp, each competitor’s vehicle will be measured from the centre of the front hub to the centre of the rear hub. This will form the basis of the wheelbase measurement, and be used to calculate the RTI index once the distance travelled is measured. For this stage, the competitor’s vehicle must have suspension sitting at its lowest point to ensure the maximum possible wheelbase is measured. Tyre pressures in all wheels are to be a minimum of 7 PSI. Helmets are not required for this stage. Navigator does not need to start the stage within the vehicle.
Vehicles will be required to drive the front right hand wheel up the travel ramp, while ensuring that the other 3 wheels of the vehicle remain touching the ground at all times. Once one of these 3 wheels is no longer in contact with the ground, the driver will be required to reverse until a point where all 3 of the wheels are touching the ground. At this point, the distance travelled up the ramp will be measured in total centimetres to give an overall distance. This will be measured from the tip of the ramp to the centre of the front hub.
Competitors are allowed one attempt at the ramp only.
A 3 minute time limit will apply per competitor.
The RTI index is then calculated based on the following formula:
Distance travelled up ramp ------------------------------------------------ X 1,000 = RTI Index Wheelbase of vehicle + Wheel Track divided by 2
The total RTI Index will be ranked from highest to lowest, with the highest index score being awarded 60 points towards the overall TTC2012 event. The lowest score will be awarded 1 point towards the overall TTC2012 event.
S4 Mudrat’s Revenge:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
Bonus line can be attempted only once by each competitor. If unsuccessful, the team may reverse off the bonus line. The team may then continue to the 100 point mark if desired.
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
S5 Mystery Night Run:
8 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
Use of winching at the climb from the creek (around 80 point marker) will not incur a use of winching penalty (25 points). This is the only winching penalty to be waived.
Any competitor caught trying to review the stage prior to driving will be penalised 150 points and will be awarded a DNS for the stage.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
S6 Frame Twister:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
The bonus line can be attempted up to 2 times only by each team. If unsuccessful, the team may reverse off the bonus line.
The team may then continue to the 100 point mark if desired.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
S7 Mini Wiraba:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
S8 Devil’s Marbles:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
This stage will be scored by measuring the distance from the finish of the stage to the centre front of the competitor’s vehicle. This figure will then be deducted from the length of the stage to give a ?distance travelled? and this will be divided by the length of the stage and multiplied by 100 to give a score out of 100:
Example:
Stage Length - Distance from End --------------------------------- X 100 = SCORE Average Stage Length
The bonus line may be attempted at any time throughout the stage. A wheel of the competitor’s vehicle must touch the spot marked by paint within the stage. Once the competitors wheel is touching the mark, the driver or navigator will ask for confirmation by the stage manager or one of his team.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
Vehicles touching or crossing the timber side walls of the stage will be deemed as a DNF for the stage at the point of contact with the timber.
All other event rules apply.
S9 Jaw Breaker:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
Vehicles must finish within the finish bay. If the competitor continues past the finish bay, then the competitor must reverse the vehicle until it is stopped within the finish bay.
No bonus line for this stage.
All other event rules apply.
S10 Rock Garden:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team.
Competitors may choose to drive either the left or right option approx. half-way through that stage ? the left option is narrower.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
S11 Heartbreak Ridge:
10 minute time limit for this stage will apply for each team. The bonus line can be attempted up to 2 times only by each team. If unsuccessful, the team may reverse off the bonus line.
The team may then continue to the 100 point mark if desired.
Bonus line’s ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. The value of the bonus’s will be clearly marked.
All other event rules apply.
If you do not understand any of these specific stage scoring rules or penalties, please contact – Competition Managers Tony and Steve Price via email at tonyp@tuffevents.com.au
Some of the above rules will not make sense until you have reviewed the stages (except Glenn Dobbin Night Drive).
We hope that these scoring methods and penalties that apply to TTC2012 are fair for all competitors, and that each competitor enters in the true spirit of the event and enjoys themselves. We have certainly enjoyed building new and exciting challenges for 2012.