The Rules of Croatia Trophy 2009
This Trophy is an off-road amateur-driving event demanding top driving skills by every participant, and performance will therefore be assessed solely on time. There will be no score for manoeuvring skills, such as clocking up a clear round in a slalom trial. Participants will be divided in two classes: Cars class and ATV class. Cars will not be divided into different classes: the various stage of the difficult terrain in this Trophy will favour different types of cars - from light agile models to heavy, powerful ones – at different times. The demands placed on participants during the Trophy overall will guarantee that all participants have absolutely identical chances of winning.
To achieve one of the top places in the overall score, the driver and co-driver, as well as both members of ATV team, must be perfectly co-ordinated, master both, the winch and the vehicle to perfection, and be expert in assessing the terrain. In the end it will be the crew, or ATV team, that consistently manages to drive among the fastest from A to B, will win the contest.
Once the Trophy has ended, participants are expected to make their own way to the prize ceremony. The notification of the venue will be in due course.
Every announcement or notification published on www.croatia-trophy.org is considered as a part of The Rules.
Finally we would like to appeal to all participants to display a true spirit of fair play, however keen you are to win. Everybody who completes the Trophy will win a personal victory. The prizes for the first places should not and must not tempt participants into endangering themselves and others. The special fair play award will be given to the crew or team that is deemed to deserve it by press, organizer and fair play prize sponsor. Everybody can report fair behaviour.
Please make every effort to avoid damaging the unique Croatian countryside in any way. Remember that we are all guests in the Croatian forests and nature, and would like to have the opportunity to return.
2.1. Vehicle
2.1.1. Type and the equipment of the vehicle
The Croatia Trophy 2009 is an event for off-road vehicles (cars and ATV’s). It is open to any all wheel drive vehicle.
Every 4x4 vehicle that is street legal in participant's home country and has a valid insurance certificate is allowed to enter the event.
Prototypes are not eligible.
Each vehicle must be equipped with a safety belts, spare wheel, appropriate car jack, linen stripes for pull-outs, winch (rear winch is recommendable), trip master, fire extinguisher, mud anchor and a first aid box.
A roll cage is obligatory for all vehicles!. ATV drivers will wear special protective clothing instead.
Maximum permissible weight for vehicles is not more than 3.5 tones.
2.1.2. The Tires
Tires must be from serial production with off-road profile. They can be any
type or size and must have E index.
Tractor tires and tires with rubber spikes or studs are not permitted. It is, however, permitted to cut and alter the treads of existing tires.
Unimog tire profiles are allowed for Unimogs or for vehicles constructed on
Unimog basis.
It is not permissible to cross the starting line with snow chains.
2.1.3. GPS
Possession and use of GPS is not allowed. Vehicle that has GPS will not be allowed to start. Controls will be taken during the stages.
2.1.4. Radio communicator
Possession and use of Radio communicator is not allowed. Vehicle that has Radio communicator will not be allowed to start. Controls will be taken during the stages.
Radio communication between driver and co-driver is allowed.
2.1.5. Mobile telephone-GSM
The use of mobile telephone (GSM) is not allowed, except for the emergency case.
2.2. Crew and ATV team
The crew is consisted of two (2) members: driver and co driver. They can change their role without limitation. Both crewmembers must have valid driving licence. When in stage, both crewmembers must wear the helmet all the time and fasten their seatbelts. Crossing deep water must make exception.ATV team is consisted from 2 ATV’s with drivers and they are participating together as one team. They must cross together start and finish line as well as enter together in checkpoint.
If one crewmember or ATV team member is, for any reason not capable to finish the Trophy, the crew or ATV team will be disqualified from competition. With new crewmember or ATV team member it can continue the Trophy out of competition starting every stage as the last one.
2.3. Trail
The entire trail must be driven as specified in the road book. The individual sections of the trail and the special trials must be accomplished in the fastest possible time. The distances (kilometres and meters) quoted in the road book shall apply. The distances shown on the dial can vary appreciably depending on the size of the tyre, the stile of driving, detours or uneven terrain. The Organizer will mark the distance of 1km according to the vehicle that the road book has been made with, in the start camp, so the participants can calibrate their trip masters.
The final route will be given in the road book and in particular at the drivers briefing.
Connecting runs are not timed but they might be time limited.
2.4. Scoring
The scoring of the individual stages can be seen from the description of the stages given in the road book. Scoring is based on the time a crew takes to cover the prescribed route between start and a finish. Vehicles must cross starting line reach checkpoints and cross finishing line under their own steam. Each stage will feature one or more checkpoints and some of them might not be given in the road book. Participants must have their scorecards stamped by the marshal stationed at the checkpoint.
The time will be measured in hours, minutes and seconds.
The times will be entered on a scorecard and evaluated every evening. Every crew is responsible for ensuring that their Scorecard is handed to the scoring team when they reach the finish line, or to the Organizer’s office as soon as they reach the camp in case that they have given up the stage for any reason. Only Scorecards that are handed in within an hour of the stage being closed can be taken into account. The time at which the stage is closed will be specified in the road book or announced at the driver’s briefing.
2.5. Evaluation
Order of the stage will be based on time needed to finish the stage. The fastest is the best.
The overall standing is based on time total from stages.
2.6. Starting order
The starting order for the first stage will be determined by the placing achieved in the preliminary competition (prologue). The Organizer will inform participants in good time about the procedure for this preliminary competition. Preliminary competition is not evaluated for overall standing.
On subsequent days vehicles will start in the order of the placing they have achieved in the previous stage. The best from the previous stage starts first. ATV’s shall start each stage first. Time difference between last started ATV and first started car is 30 min.
2.7. Penalties
2.7.1. Outside help - disqualification from the stage
2.7.2. Tampering with the Scorecard - disqualification from the stage
2.7.3. Avoiding tasks and route given in the road book - disqualification from the stage
2.7.4. Missing checkpoint or entering checkpoint from the wrong side - disqualification from the stage
2.7.5. Disqualification from the stage - last stage time of the day + 2 hours penalty time
2.7.6. Withdrawing from the stage - last stage time of the day + 1 hours penalty time
2.7.7. Not starting the stage - last stage time of the day + 3 hours penalty time
2.7.8.
Possessing GPS, radio communicator or use of mobile telephone on prohibited way - 300 Euro fine and disqualification from the stage. In repeated case - exclusion from the Trophy.
2.7.9.
Not wearing helmet or not fastening the seat belt - 100 Euro fine. In repeated case - 300 Euro fine and disqualification from the stage. Not paying any of those fines leads to the exclusion from the Trophy.
2.7.10.
Using winch cable around the tree without protective stripe, or using electric (telephone) poles or fences for winching - 300 Euro fine. In repeated case - 500 Euro fine and disqualification from the stage. Not paying any of those fines leads to the exclusion from the Trophy.
2.7.11.
Driving off the road book through the fields, causing damage to the fields, trees and plants- 300 Euro fine. In repeated case - 500 Euro fine and disqualification from the stage. Not paying any of those fines leads to the exclusion from the Trophy.Penalties for not obeying the specific regulations of the day will be announced on the driver's briefing.
2.8. Outside help
Outside help is not permitted, which means that neither the members of the organizing team, nor the marshals, nor the crew’s own service/support team, nor spectators are allowed to render assistance. The only help that is permitted is that rendered by competitors inside their own class, still participating in the contest. Help between classes will be considered as outside help. Exceptions can be made due to track condition and Organizer will inform about it on time. The stage will be deemed not completed if a crew has been proven to receive outside help.
2.9. Driving rules/Offences
Participants must obey the instructions issued by the Organizer and the marshals or section leaders throughout the duration of the event. Further regulations might be announced at the driver’s briefing or in the road book.
Non-observance of these instructions can lead to the penalties being imposed in chapter 2.7.3. of the Rules, or even to participants being disqualified from the stage or excluded from the event. If participant decides to give up, they must inform the Organiser as soon as possible.
2.10. Complaints
Claims and complaints can only be lodged with the leaders of the organization team. The Organizer will make every effort to post up score list daily on the scoring board before briefing takes place, showing the day’s score, the overall score and any changes.
2.11. Protests/Appeals
Protests of any kind must be lodged with the Organizer/Trophy manager within maximum of one hour after the publication of the results.
Any protest must be lodged in writing and must be accompanied by the payment of the protest fee of 200 Euro. This fee will be forfeited if the protest proves to be unfounded.Three responsible leaders of the event organizing team will reach decision on protest, after listening to the accounts given by those involved. The decision will be announced at least before the start of the next stage or, in case of the protest on last stage results, before announcement of total results.
2.12. Advertising
When submitting their entry forms, participants undertake to affix the advertising material supplied by the sponsors of this event to the parts of the vehicles specified by the Organizer. Competitive advertising is not allowed. Vehicles will be checked at the start of the Trophy to ensure that they meet its requirement. Participation without proper stickers or with competitive sticker will not be allowed. The Organizer reserves windscreen and both front doors for own advertising. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
2.13. Identification
The Organizer will provide two stickers for each vehicle showing the start number. The stickers must be affixed to each of the front doors and must be clean before the start of every stage. Where vehicles have soft doors these stickers must be affixed to some other firm surface. The stickers will be provided for the service vehicles as well as for the press vehicles. Without proper sticker the start of the stage or the entrance in the camp will not be allowed.
2.14. Help and Assistance
In view of the unusual nature of this event every participant must render aid, should an accident or other hazardous situation occur.
2.15. Exclusion
The Organizer reserves right to exclude vehicles and their crew from the event if this is justified by the circumstances.
2.16. Own servicing
Campers or service vehicles can be driven from camp to camp by the Road book provided by the Organizer beforehand. Participants are not permitted to service their own vehicles during the stages. Servicing is only permitted in the camp. The members of service/support teams are not allowed to approach to the participants or their vehicles on the track or to communicate with the participants on the track. Such behaviour will be considered as outside help.
2.17. Medical service
Medical service will be provided in a camp and along the stages. Medical service will be charged. Medical insurance for foreign countries is a must for everybody.
3.1. Start
The starting point might be the camp or a point further away from the camp. This will be specified in the road book. Scoring begins when whole vehicle or both ATV’s from one team cross the starting line on their own steam.
3.2. Road book
Participants are provided with a Road book to assist them and help them
find their way. The Road book shall also be deemed to be an extension of The Rules. The Road book for the next stage will be delivered to the participants before the Start, after they return Road book from previous stage. Loss or not returning the Road book to the Organizer will mean excluding from the stage.
3.3. Stage
A stage is the total distance driven from Start to Finish in one day. It can be consisted of more individual sections whose number can vary from stage to stage.
3.4. Individual section
Individual section is the part of the stage between specified checkpoints where the time will be measured.
3.5. Special trial
Short, trial-type section with good visibility, score for speed.
Can also take the form of a special problem to be solved (possibly with a fitted winch)
3.6. Trophy Day
The Trophy Day will be a special stage not excluded from the overall scoring. The crews in this stage will have to work together in teams, for the benefit of every team member. Exact rules of the Trophy Day will be given to the participants on driver's briefing, as a special amendment of the Rules. ATV teams will also form their teams for Trophy Day.
3.7. Checkpoint
Place where marshals check the regularity of the participating crews along the stage. If the time is going to be measured, such checkpoint is going to be marked in the road book and the time will be put in the scorecard.
Other checkpoints will not be marked in the road book and their number will not be announced. On such checkpoints the marshals must stamp scorecard.
3.8. Marshals
The Marshals are only authorized to execute the tasks allotted to them by the organizing tem. They are not allowed to give participants any information or tips. They are only permitted to give information about the Rules or the accessibility of the leaders of the organizing team. Not obeying information or orders given by Marshals leads to penalties described in the chapter 2.7. of The Rules.
3.9. Technical assistance
Technical assistance and repairs can only be preformed in the camp. Vehicles parts are not available. Tire service, some tires, winch cables oil and lubricants can be obtained from the technical support service in camp.
The Organizer undertakes no liability for any work preformed.
3.10. Fuel
There will be no fuel available in the camp. This means that escort teams can fuel up on fuel stations along the service road book. The fuel stations will be marked in a road book. The Organizer will give all information considering fuel stations and will help those participants without escort vehicles to get the fuel.
3.11. Technical Support Team - TST
TST (roundup Team) will bring up the rear along the entire trail right up to the finish in order to rescue any stranded vehicles or to render assistance.Assistance taken is treated as giving up from the Stage.Only "general repairs" can be executed. Participants can take along their own special vehicle parts. The Organizer assumes no liability for repairs to vehicles executed by the TST.
3.12. Timing
Exclusively the marshals appointed by the Organizer will clock times. No other timing can be recognized.
Only the times shown by the Organizer's timepieces will be valid and recognized.
If several crews or ATV teams arrive at the time checkpoint simultaneously, the time will be recorded and will score in order of arrival (as decided by the marshals). Start time by ATV’s is time when first ATV crosses start line. Finish time is when last ATV crosses finish line.
3.13. Scorecard
Scorecard is official identification document of the event that every crew or ATV team gets by the start of every stage. It is official evidence of starting time, check points controls, special exams times, finishing time. Remarks like not wearing a helmet or a seatbelt or receiving an outside help are also to be put in the Scorecard. Only Marshals are authorised to put data in the Scorecard. Any tampering with the Scorecard will lead to disqualification from stage. Scorecard must be given to the Marshals on finish line. In case of withdrawing from the stage, Scorecard must be given to the Marshals on the stage or into the office of the Organizer in camp as soon as possible, not later than one hour after the closing of the stage.
3.14. Finish
The finish is the last point at which a score or an entry is recorded on the Scorecard.
INFORMATION
Croatia Trophy Organizing Team
p.o. box 22, 10001 Zagreb
Croatia
CONTACT PERSON:
Igor Božiković
GSM +385 98283 888
E-mail: igor@croatia-trophy.org
SPORT ORGANIZATION:
Anđelko Cvek
GSM +385 98740744
+385 992100688
E-mail:cvek@croatia-trophy.org
PRESS INFORMATION
Contact-person: Igor Božiković
GSM +385 98283 888
E-mail: press@croatia-trophy.org