4 Dog 4.4 Mile, 6 Dog 18 Mile Races, & 1, 2, & 3 Dog Skijoring 4.4 Mile Races

ARROWHEAD RACE EVENT 2005 RULES

Based on ISDRA regulations.  Final revisions to rules will be posted here.  Competitors will be notified.

Revised rules posted 02/23/2005

I. ENTRY RULES

A) ELIGIBILITY

1. ENTRIES

a. An entry for a race shall be submitted prior to the start of the race, subject to entry deadlines as determined by the race-giving organization.

b. The race-giving organization may reject any entry for just cause.

c. The race-giving organization shall prohibit any person convicted of animal abuse or neglect at a misdemeanor or greater level from participating in ISDRA sanctioned races.

2. DRIVERS

a. The driver starting a team in the first heat of a race shall drive that team throughout the race, except that

b. A change in driver can only be made as the result of illness or injury to the authorized entrant and must have the approval of the Race Marshal.

c. Any driver disqualified in any heat of the race is not eligible for to compete in the remainder of the race.

d. Drivers disqualified from a heat for animal abuse shall not be eligible for further participation in any sanctioned class that is part of that event.

3. DOGS

a. The Race Marshal may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.

b. Any team or dog coming to the starting line, which in the opinion of the Race Marshal, is unfit or incapable of safely completing the trail shall be disqualified.

c. Any team or dog not starting the first heat of the race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.

d. Any team or dog disqualified in any heat of the race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.

4. DISEASE

a. No dog or equipment shall be brought from a kennel where rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or any other contagious disease exists.

b. If the Race Veterinarian diagnoses any dog present in the race area to have a contagious disease, that team shall be disqualified and shall immediately leave the race area.

5. IDENTIFICATION

a. In races of more than one heat, each dog shall be marked for identification prior to the start of the first heat of the race.

b. Dogs dropped from teams after the first heat of the race with more than two (2) heats, shall be marked a second time to indicate their disqualification from the team.

6. SIZE OF TEAM

A Limited Four-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs, and not less than two (2) dogs.

B. A Limited Six-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than six (6) dogs and not less than four (4) dogs.

C. After the first heat and each ensuing heat, a driver may voluntarily reduce the size of the team, subject to minimums.

B) MEDICATIONS ADMINISTERED TO DOGS - PROHIBITED DRUGS

1. All stimulants and depressants, analgesics, prescriptive and non-prescriptive Anti-inflammatory agents including, but not limited to, corticosteroid, anti-prostaglandins, and salicylate, Anti-anxiety agents, Anabolic steroids, Diet pills. Any other substance that may affect the performance of the dogs is prohibited. Any State, Federal or Provincial controlled or restricted substance is prohibited.

2. ISDRA will allow a positive test for previously declared paraciticides in the test for prohibited substances in sled dogs. It is incumbent upon the driver/owner to declare all foreign substances used in his/her dogs before testing occurs.

3. DRUG TESTING

a. If an organization intends to test for drugs, it shall declare so on the entry form. It is recommended that the organization use the ISDRA Drug testing procedures.

b. Whenever a specimen is requested for testing, the owner or driver shall be present (or his/her representative) and shall declare in writing to the sampling official all medications administered to the dog(s) within 72 hours preceding the start of the event.

c. If an owner or driver refuses to allow a sample to be collected from a dog, that team shall be disqualified from the event.

d. If any dog in a team shows a positive test of a prohibited drug, that team is subject to disqualification, the decision to be made following a hearing.

C) EQUIPMENT

1. INSPECTION

a. Drivers, teams, and equipment shall be available for inspection in the vehicle holding area at least ten (10) minutes before their scheduled time of departure.

b. A team in harness shall not be required to stand for inspection longer than six (6) minutes before the time of departure.

c. Inspection shall take place in an area that does not interfere with teams in the start or finish chutes.

d. A team shall be available for inspection after each heat at the request of the Race Marshall.

e. All equipment is subject to the approval of the Race Marshall.

2. HARNESSES and LINES

a. All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.

b. All dogs shall be fastened to the tug line by a neckline and tail line with the exception of the leader(s) who shall be harnessed in the team by a tail line but may run with or without a neckline. However, in the case of a trail with head on passing during any portion of the trail, dual leaders shall be fastened to each other with a neckline.

c. A snub line may be carried on the sled but it shall not be used in any manner other than to tie down and hold the sled.

3. SLEDS

a. A sled shall be capable of adequately carrying the driver and have a basket capable of carrying a dog.

b. A sled shall be equipped with an adequate brake, brushbow and snowhook.

c. A sled shall be equipped with a ventilated dog bag adequate for the safety of the dog, capable of restraining a struggling or incapacitated dog and covering a dog. No part of the dog should be able to extend beyond the bottom, sides or back of the basket. A minimum of 93.0 square inches (600 sq. cm.) ventilation must be provided.

4. OTHER EQUIPMENT

a. A muzzle or any collar that can be hooked as a full choke shall be prohibited.

b. Signal whip length may be limited by the race giving organization starting with a minimum of one (1 ) meter. Maximum length from butt to the end of the popper shall be stated on the entry form.

c. A racing number for each driver shall be provided by the race-giving organization. The driver shall display this number on his person throughout the race.

d. A race-giving organization may prohibit the use of signal whips on any or all portions of the race trail. Organizations who elect this option shall declare so on the entry form.

e. Each team in the six dog race must carry a minimum of eight (8) booties, either in the sled bag or on individual dogs.

D) FINISH TIME DISQUALIFICATION (Optional)

1. A team shall be disqualified from competing in subsequent heats if its total elapsed time exceeds either 1.25 or 1.50 times the average time of the three fastest teams in the same heat of the same class.

2. All entrants shall be notified, prior to entry, if a time qualification factor is to be used, stating which factor and to which classes it shall be applied.

II. START - FINISH RULES

A) DRAWING

1. The starting positions for the first heat of a race shall be determined by a drawing held prior to the race at a time and place designated by the race-giving organization.

2. The owner, driver or designated proxy of each team shall draw their own starting position. In their absence, the starting position shall be drawn by the Race Marshal or his representative.

3. The order of the draw shall not be changed, either by addition or substitution. Late entries shall be added in order of receipt.

4. The drawing may, at the option of the race-giving organization, be modified by seeding in accordance with the formula established by the seeding procedures.

B) SINGLE START RACE

1. The first day's starting positions shall be determined by the draw with Number 1 starting first, Number 2 starting second, etc.

2. The second day's starting positions shall be determined by the first day's times, with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.

3. In races of more than two heats,

a. The total elapsed time of the previous heats shall determine the starting positions with the faster team starting first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.

b. Or, at the option of the race-giving organization, the elapsed time of the previous single heat shall determine the starting positions with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest team second, etc.

c. If the optional start ~b. above) is to apply to the race, entrants shall be notified prior to making entry, stating to which classes it shall apply.

C) EQUAL TIMES

1. For all races except those in which the starting group consists of all drivers (mass start), if the total elapsed time of two teams is identical, the order of start for those teams shall be the reverse order in which they started in the preceding heat.

2. For races in which the starting group consists of all drivers (mass start), in the case of a tie, where the first day’s starting order is not being used to determine the starting order in subsequent heats, the Race Marshall shall decide the starting position by the flip of a coin.

3. Teams with equal times for the entire race shall be awarded (share) the higher finishing position.

4. The purse for the tied place and the next lower places (s) shall be combined and divided equally among those teams tied for that place.

D) STARTING POINT AND TIME

1. The brush bow of the sled shall determine the starting point of the team.

2. Trail time for all teams shall begin at the originally scheduled time of departure.

3. A team that fails to be in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a late starting team.

a. A late-starting team shall not be allowed to start until after the last team entered in its class has started, and after the prescribed starting interval.

b. A late-starting team shall not interfere with any other team.

c. If more than one team is declared late, those teams shall start in their originally scheduled starting order.

d. If a team is late at the starting line for its second scheduled time of departure for any one heat, that team shall be disqualified.

4. A team not clearing the starting chute (minimum distance 100 feet for single starts, 100 yards for group starts) prior to the scheduled start of the next team may be disqualified.

E) ASSISTANCE IN THE STARTING CHUTE

1. Unless otherwise specified by the Race Marshall prior to the start of the first heat of the event:

a. Any amount or type of assistance is allowed to a team prior to the actual starting time.

Once a team's starting time has commenced, only the chute judge or officials designated to assist may help in the chute.

b. In the event of a tangle or a dogfight during a group start, unlimited help is allowed.

F) FINISH

1. A team shall have finished the heat when the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.

2. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the finish line.

3. When multiple starting chutes are used as a finishing chute a team may return on any trail.

III. TRAIL RULES

A) FOLLOWING THE TRAIL

1. A team and driver shall run the entire course as established by the race-giving organization.

2. If a team leaves the trail, the driver shall return the team to the point at which they left the trail.

3. The trail shall be marked as follows:

a. “Right Turn” shall be indicated by a red marker on the right side of the trail.

b. “Left Turn” shall be indicated by a red marker on the left side of the trail.

c. “Straight ahead” shall be indicated by blue or green markers.

d. “Caution” shall be indicated by yellow or orange markers.

e. The end of the Starting Chute (minimum length, 100 feet for single starts) shall be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.

f. A marker shall be placed to indicate the start of the 'NO-RIGHT-OF-WAY ZONE" 1/2 mile from the finish unless trail conditions dictate otherwise. The trail within the 'NO-RIGHT-OF-WAY-ZONE' should be at least 10 (ten) feet wide and aligned so that an overtaking team may pass freely on the run.

B) DRIVING A TEAM

1. A driver may ride the sled, pedal or run as wished.

2. A driver shall not interfere with a competing team.

3. All dogs starting a heat shall complete the entire course, either hitched in the team or carried on the sled. If the Race Marshal determines that all dogs did not complete the entire course as above, that team shall be disqualified.

4. A dog removed from the team must be loaded in the sled and enclosed a dog bag adequate for the condition the dog is in. Overheated dogs should be placed in a ventilated dog bag or snow packed around dog or veterinary assistance requested.

5. Carrying a passenger at any time during the race shall be prohibited unless:

a. Called for in the conditions of the race.

b. Giving a ride to a driver in an emergency situation.

C) ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL

1. All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials stationed at designated points along the trail as authorized by the Race Marshall.

2. Drivers running in the same heat may assist each other in any manner authorized by the Race Marshall.

3. Handler and spectator assistance shall be limited to holding the sled, except in the case of a loose team, or a team so unmanageable as to create a clear and present danger to itself, other teams or persons.

4. No one shall assist a team by willfully pacing it.

D) LOOSE TEAMS and DOGS

1. All drivers must assume that a loose team or dog is an endangered team or dog.

2. A loose team or dog shall not delay or interfere with another team.

3. a. The driver of the loose team must overtake the loose team by the quickest means available to ensure the safety of the loose team.

b. In the event that a driver cannot quickly and safely recover his/her team, the driver must accept assistance, including a ride when available to recover his/her team. Failure to accept available assistance may result in disqualification of the driver of the loose team. The Race Marshal shall determine if a driver is to be disqualified.

c. Any person(s) is/are encouraged to stop and hold a loose team.

d. Drivers who receive a ride to recover a team will be assessed a time penalty of 20% of the total elapsed time of the heat in which they received a ride.

E) RIGHT OF WAY

1. When teams are passing on a single trail:

a. The team traveling down hill shall have the right-of-way.

b. On level terrain, the Race Marshall shall determine and announce, prior to the start of the race, whether the in-coming or out-going team has the right-of-way.

2. In the one-half (1/2) mile "No-right-of-way finish zone", no team shall have the right of way over a finishing team.

F) PASSING

1. In races where teams have started sequentially, one behind the other at predetermined intervals, passing rules are defined in subsection F.

2. When a team driver intends to pass another team, the passing team driver may demand the right of way when the lead dog(s) comes within fifty (50) feet of the sled of the overtaken team.

3. The overtaken team shall make way for the passing team by steering the sled to one side of the trail, slowing his team and, if demanded by the overtaking team driver, stopping and keeping the team from moving forward.

4. If the passing team becomes tangled or bunched up in the course of the pass, to allow time to untangle and tighten lines, that team’s driver may require the overtaken team to remain stopped for up to one (1) minute in Unlimited and Limited Classes involving eight (8) or more dogs, one-half (1/2) minute in all other classes.

5. Once a team has been passed, that team shall not repass so long as the driver in front is making an effort to keep his team moving forward until

a. In Limited Classes involving fewer than eight (8) dogs, after no less than two (2) minutes or one-half (1/2) mile.

b. At any lesser interval when both drivers are in agreement.

EXCEPTION:

After a pass has been completed, a team that has been passed need not hold his/her team while the other driver

i. repairs gear or

ii. unhooks and transfers a dog or dogs from one position in the team to another position in the team or

iii. goes off the race trail before the above mentioned distance or time interval has elapsed. Loading a dog in the sled constitutes changing a dog's position in the team.

6. A driver coming upon two or more teams stopped together, may pass all such teams. The stopped team drivers shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team(s).

7. Teams following each other shall maintain an interval of not less than one (1 ) team length, except when passing or in the "No-right-of way zone".

8. When a team is overtaken in the "No-right-of-way zone", that team does not have to stop and yield the trail.

9. No driver shall interfere with a competing team.

IV. CONDUCT

A) RESPONSIBILITY and SPORTSMANSHIP

1. All drivers shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, their designated handler, and themselves whenever in the race area or on the trail.

2. Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If the Race Marshal determines that driver, handler or team conduct at any time in the race area or on the trail is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall be disqualified.

B) ABUSE OF DOGS

1. Abuse of a dog, with or without an implement, shall be prohibited. If the Race Marshal determines that any dog has been abused, that team and driver shall be disqualified.

2. Except where prohibited by the race-giving organization, a whip may be used to signal by snapping while the driver is driving the team.

a. The whip shall not be used to discipline a dog except when required to break up a dog fight so unmanageable that it cannot be stopped by any other means without creating a threat to the safety of the driver, team dogs and other persons. Such an exception shall be allowed even if the race-giving organization chooses to exercise option C.4.d. Iimiting the use of signal whips on any or all portions of the trail.

V. RULES VIOLATIONS

A) REPORTS BY RACE OFFICIAL

1. Race officials shall report overt rule violations to the Race Marshal verbally, in person or by radio, immediately or directly following the heat in which the violation occurred.

2. The Race Marshal shall act, at his discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by race officials.

B) REPORTS BY RACE CONTESTANTS

1. Drivers wishing to report an alleged violation of the rules by another contestant shall notify the Race Marshal immediately following the heat in which the incident occurred. Notification may be verbal.

2. All verbal driver reports shall be followed with a written report, given to the Race Marshal within one (1 ) hour of the completion of the heat in which the alleged violation occurred.

C) PROTESTS and HEARINGS

1. Any driver implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules may request a hearing before the Race Marshal.

2. Said hearing shall be granted by the Race Marshal.

D) DISCIPLINARY ACTION

1. For violation of any ISDRA Race Rule, the Race Marshal shall either issue a verbal warning to the driver, or disqualify the driver and team from the race.

a. No other disciplinary action shall be imposed.

b. Decisions shall be announced as promptly as practical but no later than two (2) hours prior to the start of any ensuing heat(s).

c. Any disciplinary action following the final heat of the race shall be acted upon prior to the awards ceremony.

d. In the case of drug testing, the above time schedule does not apply to allow for laboratory findings and hearings, should the latter become necessary.

2. In group start races, in the event of a team starting before the designated start of the driver’s starting group, the team should stop and allow all other teams in that group to pass it before proceeding or be subject to a time penalty assessed by the Race Marshal or Chief Judge, of not less than five (5) minutes. Intentional early starting shall be grounds for disqualification.

Revised 01/02 2005