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 up to 13 special stages.
Each stage will also have a winner based on the highest point score for that stage.
Should there be an equal points situation on any overall place getter, the team that has the most driving stage wins will be determined the higher place getter. ( excludes, Travel Ramp, Engineering & Show n Shine )
Speed is not a determining factor in this competition.
If two or more teams score exactly the same amount of points in any driving stage (except Travel Ramp), the Stage Manager for each stage will determine which team is awarded with the stage prize. The time it takes for a competitor to finish a stage is not recorded, nor will it be used to determine a tie-breaker, or a competitor’s place in the competition.
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.
Did Not Finish
Each driving stage will have a DNF time limit allocated to each. See individual stage scoring for allotted DNF time.
A competitor’s time is not recorded or used to determine a competitor’s place in the competition.
The DNF time limit for completing a stage is applied equally to each competitor.
No competitor is rewarded or given any advantage in the event that they finish a stage within the DNF time limit.
If a competitor takes longer than the allotted DNF time limit to finish a stage, any points accumulated up until the point of disqualification will still count towards a competitor’s final score.
Any additional points incurred as a result of completing a “bonus line” are not worth more if a competitor completes a stage within the DNF time limit.
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 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. A 5 point penalty will occur per stage if a strap is used.
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.
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 will receive 100 points. Vehicles on the course at the DNF Position, or who retire along the course, will gain the highest point marker passed by both front hubs at the DNF Position 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 you finish, 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 when a competitor retires.
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 |
| Third instance of excessive wheel spin during stage | DNF |
| Vehicle touching bunting, stake, pole or peg | 1 |
| 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 |
| Breaking bunting or knocking stage or pole past 30 degrees from vertical | 10 |
| Flattening, straddling, braking or running over witches hat or track marker by vehicle | 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 | 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 |
| 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, wasting time on a stage. ) | 50 |
| Abusive behavior towards recovery crew, marshals and officials | 50 |
| Abusive behaviour towards spectators or crowd | 50 |
| Window netting not secured & proceeding to drive after warning | 150 |
| Not wearing seat belt or helmet while vehicle is moving | 150 |
| Penalty for competing vehicles carrying more than two people at any time | 150 |
| Outside assistance whilst on course | DNF |
| Refusing to conform to seat belt, helmet & window net 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 start – entrant is not awarded any points for the stage
Bonuses
Bonuses are awarded for successfully completing the bonus line, but only awarded if the stage is completed. Bonuses are not applicable for all stages. Please see stage specific rules for more details.
Stage Specific Rules / 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.
The following 5 (five) rules MUST Not be superseded by any Stage Manager.
- The time it takes for a competitor to finish a stage is not recorded or used to determine a competitor’s place in the competition
- The DNF time for completing a stage (whatever that may be for a particular stage) is applied equally to each competitor competing in that stage
- A competitor is not to be rewarded or given any advantage in the event that they finish a stage within the DNF limit.
- If a competitor takes longer than the DNF time limit to finish a stage, any points accumulated up until the point of disqualification will still count towards a competitor’s final score.
- Any additional points incurred as a result of completing a ‘bonus line’ are not worth more if a competitor complete a stage within the 10 minute time limit.
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 Manager who will provide further clarification until all rules are understood.
TTC2019 event consists of up to 13 individual stages, with 11 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 13 Tuff Truck stages 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
- All Terrain
- Rocky Horror
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 traveled 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.
Shock absorbers ( coil overs , air shocks etc ) changes to gain more articulation are prohibited for this stage.
Vehicles will be required to drive the front right or rear left 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 traveled up the ramp will be measured in total centimeters to give an overall distance. This will be measured from the tip of the ramp to the centre of the front or rear hub.
Competitors are allowed one attempt at the ramp only.
The RTI index is then calculated based on the following formula:
Distance travelled up ramp
———————————————— × 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 TTC2017 event. The lowest score will be awarded 1 point towards the overall TTC2017 event.
S4 Mudrat’s Revenge:
DNF time limit = 8 minutes
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. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S5 Mystery Night Run:
DNF time limit = 8 minutes
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 lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S6 Frame Twister:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S7 Mini Wiraba:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S8 Devil’s Marbles:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
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:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S10 Rock Garden:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Competitors may choose to drive either the left or right option approx. half-way through that stage ? the left option is narrower.
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S11 Heartbreak Ridge:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S12 All Terrain:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
S13 Rocky Horror:
DNF time limit = 10 minutes
Bonus lines ( if applicable ) are worth an additional 10 or 20 points if completed. Competitors are entitled to bonus points when they complete a bonus line, the value of these bonus points being clearly marked on the stage.
All other event rules apply.
Questions?
If you do not understand any of these specific stage scoring rules or penalties, please contact – Competition Managers Tony Price via email at [email protected]
Some of the above rules will not make sense until you have reviewed the stages (except the Mystery Night Drive).
We hope that these scoring methods and penalties that apply to TTC2017 are fair for all competitors, and that each competitor enters in the true spirit of the event and enjoys themselves. We have certainly will enjoy building new and exciting challenges for 2016.