1. SPIRIT OF THE COMPETITION
The
2006 RACV Energy Breakthrough Trial presents a unique opportunity for
students to extend their learning experience beyond the boundaries of
formal education. The following competition regulations have been framed
so that the efforts and experiences of all participants are maximised,
to be bounded only by the constraints of safety and the spirit of
healthy but friendly competition.
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2. ELIGIBILITY
2.1 Make-up of Teams
Teams will consist of the following numbers
of competitors:
• Human Powered Vehicle (6 minimum – 8 maximum)
• Hybrid Powered People Carrier – single seat (6
minimum – 8 maximum)
• Hybrid Powered People Carrier – two seat (6 minimum
– 10 maximum)
2.1.1 Gender balance
Except
for Open Class teams, a minimum of 50 per cent of the competitors in any
one team shall be female. Gender ratio in Open Class teams is free.
PLEASE
NOTE:
Teams
registered in the HPV B or C class and requesting a transfer to HPV Open
will incur a 50 lap penalty in the Trial.
2.2 Registered Riders
Only registered team riders shall take part
in the event.
2.3 Team Member Participation
Team managers must ensure that every
nominated team member participates as a driver. Managers are required to
keep a log of rider track time, which can be checked by officials
investigating incidents.
2.4 Age of Drivers
Drivers of hybrid vehicles shall be at least
14 years of age, unless special approval is requested by the school and
given by organisers.
2.5 Identification
Drivers and passengers shall carry official
identification.
2.6 Rider Substitution
Sick or injured riders may be replaced prior
to the start of the trial by a registered reserve rider of the same
gender. This substitution will require the identification wristband of
the replaced rider to be handed to trial HQ and a new identification
issued to the reserve rider.
2.7 Number of Occupants per Vehicle
2.7.1 Two riders
Dual
seat hybrid vehicles shall carry both driver and passenger at all times
during the trial and practice sessions.
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3. RIDER ATTIRE
3.1 Fit and Adjustment
All vehicle occupants shall wear the
following safety attire correctly fitted and adjusted at all times the
vehicle is on the track during practice and the trial.
3.1.1
Helmet
For
human powered vehicles, minimum requirement is a bicycle helmet approved
to AS 2063 or AS 1698.
For hybrid vehicles, requirement is a motor
cycle helmet approved to AS 1698.
3.1.2 Eye Protection
Shatterproof glasses, goggles or helmet
visor, or vehicle windscreen. Provision must be made for night running.
3.1.3 Gloves
Strong material BMX or motor-cross type
gloves preferred.
3.1.4 Shoes
Full foot coverage, sandals not permitted.
3.1.5 Clothing
For
HUMAN POWERED VEHICLES: Minimum coverage of shoulders, upper body and
mid-thigh e.g: shorts and T-shirt; or cycling knicks and jersey.
Note:
Sleeveless triathlon skinsuits, sleeveless cycling jerseys, sleeveless
t-shirts, tank tops or singlets are not permissible.
For
HYBRID vehicles all competitors shall wear ‘OVERALLS’ or clothes that
cover and are neat fitting from ankle to wrist to neck. (Fire retardant
material is advised in vehicles that carry raw fuel and for this reason
light fabric/disposable overalls are not permitted in these vehicles).
NOTE: It is not permissible for drivers of
fuel powered vehicles to dress down when their fuel is used up. Teams
that have battery power must provide a pair of full cover gloves and a
pair of protective goggles for anyone handling batteries.
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4. SCRUTINEERING
4.1 Compulsory
Scrutineering is compulsory for all vehicles
and teams, to ensure compliance with vehicle specifications and safety
attire requirements.
4.2 Before track
Prior to taking the track for practice, all
vehicles and teams shall be scrutineered for safety.
4.3 Waiver
If the team has not passed scrutineering, a
vehicle may receive a provisional safety check and clearance to enable
it to participate in the practice sessions.
4.4 Subsequent scrutineering
Vehicles involved in major on-track
collisions, crashes or rollovers will be tagged by officials and are
required to proceed directly to the pits for inspection and if
necessary, repair. Tagged vehicles will not be allowed to rejoin the
trial until the tag is removed following an RACV inspection. Vehicles
will also be inspected at random during the trial for operation of
safety items such as brakes or mirrors which will also require
rectification before continuing.
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5. TRAFFIC LIGHTS/FLAG SIGNALS
5.1 Flags
All
competitors shall understand the meaning of the following traffic
signals/flag signals:
Blue
Note
that a faster vehicle is positioned close to you. Competitors shown the
blue flag must move left (inside the blue line) to allow overtaking.
Yellow Flag or Light
A sign of danger or track obstruction
in the vicinity of the marshal point.
Riders
are required to pass the point of danger at a reduced speed using
extreme caution. It is an offence to overtake a vehicle at the corner
displaying a yellow flag or light. Riders must not resume competition
until they reach the next green flag or light.
Red
An
indication of extreme danger.
All
vehicles shall come to an
immediate
stop.
Racing has ceased. Riders will absolutely follow the directions of the
Clerk of Course and flag marshals.
Black
Displayed with vehicle number at the start/finish line.
The
indicated vehicle shall stop in the
pits on
the next lap.
Green
The track is clear for competition.
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6. START, FINISH AND BREAK
6.1 Pre-Race Briefing
All Team Managers must attend the pre-race
briefing by the Clerk of Course and Trial Coordinator.
6.2 Lap Counters
It is the Team Manager’s responsibility to
ensure that:
• a transponder is picked up and correctly fitted to
the vehicle
• the transponder is working at all times
• the transponder is returned to the Administration
Centre at the end of the trial.
6.3 Grid Assembly
The Clerk of Course in conjunction with the
event committee will allocate starting grid positions. Vehicles will be
called to the starting grid assembly area 30 minutes prior to the
official start.
6.4 Trial Start
The trial will be started with the drop of
the National flag.
6.5 Trial Finish
The trial will conclude with the display of
the black and white chequered flag, 24 hours after the start for the
secondary HPV and Hybrid teams and after 14 hours’ of competition for
the HPV Class A teams.
6.6 Class A Compulsory Break
6.6.1 Primary break
All HPV-A vehicles will leave the track
nominally from the specified time on Friday evening and resume their
trial at the specified time on Saturday.
6.6.2 Rejoining the trial
HPV-A vehicles will be assembled on the track
in their finishing positions for the restart.
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7. TRACK CONDUCT
7.1 Speed Limit
Speedometers are mandatory and - ALL
competing vehicles shall observe a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per
hour during practice and the trial, and 15 kph in pit lane.
7.2 Blue Line
A blue line has been painted on the track.
Vehicles must keep to the
left
of the
track, on the inside of the BLUE line, unless overtaking another
vehicle.
7.3 Seatbelts
All
vehicle occupants shall wear a correctly adjusted seatbelt or harness
when on the track during practice and the trial.
7.4 Injured Riders
Shall
receive immediate assistance from the flag marshals and where necessary
medical attention via St John and the Regional Ambulance Service.
7.5 Right of Way
Competing vehicles have right of way over disabled vehicles that will be
recovered and returned to the pit area.
7.6 Direction of Travel
Under
no circumstances is a vehicle to be driven or pushed on the track in the
opposite direction to racing.
7.7 Overtaking
Vehicles must overtake on the outside, to the right of the vehicle being
overtaken. An overtaking vehicle must ensure a clearance of at least 3
metres (one vehicle length) before assuming an inside running position.
Riders
must not change lanes without checking their mirrors to make sure it is
safe to do so.
It is
the responsibility of the overtaking (faster) vehicle to ensure that the
overtaking move is carried out without endangering other competitors.
Cutting in, deliberate blocking or leaving insufficient clearance will
be penalised.
7.8 Slipstreaming
Slipstreaming is not permitted. Riders must maintain a safe distance (at
least 3 metres or one vehicle length) between vehicles at all times.
7.9 Vehicle Lighting
Front and rear lights as required by vehicle
specifications shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness as
directed by the Clerk of Course. Riders must stop in the pits as soon as
possible to rectify any inoperable or insecure light.
7.10 Lighting Batteries
Batteries used solely for lighting may be
charged and/or recharged and/or replaced as required.
7.11 Track Incidents
Vehicles involved in major on-track
collisions, crashes or rollovers will be tagged by officials and are
required to proceed directly to the pits for inspection and if
necessary, repair. Tagged vehicles will not be allowed to rejoin the
trial until the tag is removed following an RACV inspection. Vehicles
will also be inspected at random during the trial for operation of
safety items such as brakes or mirrors which will also require
rectification before continuing.
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8. PIT PROCEDURE
8.1 Speed in Pits
Maximum speed in the pit area is 15 kph.
8.2 Direction of Travel in Pits
Under no circumstances shall a vehicle enter
the pit area via the pit exit lane.
8.3 Driver Change-Over
All driver and passenger changes shall occur
in the designated area adjacent to each team’s pit.
8.4 Stopping in Pits
8.4.1 Brakes only
Vehicles shall come to a halt in the driver change lane under the effect
of the vehicle’s own braking system. Stopping with the assistance of
others is not permitted.
8.4.2 Full stop
Vehicles shall be stationary prior to
unfastening seatbelts or harness.
8.4.3 Riders/Drivers
Driver
refreshments and adjustments to clothing etc. shall only be effected
when the vehicle is stationary in the pit area.
8.4.4 Pit Crew
A
maximum of three students and one supervising adult, in addition to the
incoming and outgoing riders, shall attend a vehicle in the pit lane at
driver change-over.
8.5 Pit Lanes
Pit entry and exit lanes shall be kept clear
at all times.
8.6 Major Repairs
Shall
be carried out in the designated repair area and vehicles requiring
major repairs will be tagged by the officials and will not be allowed to
rejoin the trial until the tag is removed following an RACV inspection.
Teams may not substitute or replace power sources or strip the vehicle
below its starting weight after the commencement of the event.
8.7 Stationary Vehicles
In pit
or driver change lanes, stationary vehicles shall give way to vehicles
proceeding along these lanes.
8.8 Recharging
Recharging of
propulsion batteries shall only be carried out in a clear, accessible
and ventilated area, and by means other than connecting to mains power.
Pedal based generators are recommended.
NOTE:
Only designated riders may participate in pedal based recharging.
8.9 Removal of Components
Redundant, superfluous and/or damaged components of substantial mass
i.e. greater than 0.5 kg, may not be removed from a vehicle except with
the permission of the chief scrutineer or deputy. At the discretion of
the Chief Scrutineer his/her deputy, the vehicle may be required to
carry ballast.
8.10 Vehicle Restarts
Vehicles that have been involved in a track
incident and received a coloured sticker CANNOT restart until a RACV
Marshal has checked the vehicle and removed the sticker.
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9.0 FUEL USE AND RECHARGING OF BATTERIES
9.1 Fuel Burning Hybrid Entries
In
accordance with Section 1.4.2 of the Hybrid specifications, fuel burning
hybrid entries will receive a single allocation of fuel. This allocation
may be split and used to directly power the vehicle and for recharging
of batteries, either on or off the vehicle.
9.2 Amounts of Fuel Allocated
Are as follows:
• Single seat hybrid …
3
litres
•
Dual seat hybrid …
4.5 litres
9.3 Sealing of Fuel Tanks
Fuel
tanks on vehicles or on off-vehicle charging machines will be sealed
after the allocation of fuel prior to the start of the event.
9.4 Batteries
At scrutineering, teams using batteries are
required to present all of their battery allocation for identification
marking.
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10.0 TRIAL POINT SCORING
The
vehicle completing the most number of laps in each class in the trial
period scores the maximum 50 points.
Other
vehicles in each class score points for the number of laps completed in
proportion to the number of laps.
For
example, say team AA in a particular class travels farthest, 200 laps,
and team BB in the same class travels 160 laps. Points scored are as
follows:
Team
AA:
200
laps = 50 points
Team
BB:
160 laps 50 x
160 = 40 points
200
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11. INFRINGEMENTS
11.1 Vehicle Design
Vehicles which are considered safe but DO NOT
comply with key elements of vehicle specifications may start the trial
with a 50 lap penalty. This penalty can only be applied by RACV
Scrutineers.
11.2 Communication channels
Infringements of these competition rules
shall be communicated to the Clerk of Course by confirmed written
reports from:
• Track marshals
• Trial co-ordinator
• Scrutineers; or
• Event committee member.
11.3 Reporting
Teams
may draw to the attention of these officials, infringements by other
competitors.
11.4 Appropriate forms
Incidents must be reported, or protests lodged, by completing documents
available from the Clerk of Course or the Administration Centre.
11.5 Details required
Such documentation shall bear the time of the
incident, name and signature of:
• The competitor
• The team manager, and
• The marshal supervising the area of the incident.
11.6 Time limitation
Documentation and representation to the Clerk of Course must occur no
later than 30 minutes after the incident.
11.7 Penalties
Penalties for infringement of these
regulations may take the form of:
• A warning
• A stop and go penalty
• Disqualification of a rider
• Exclusion from trial results; or
• Withdrawal from competition.
Teams
failing to comply with the requirements of ‘TAGGED’ crash/damaged
vehicles or unauthorised removal of the tag will receive an automatic 50
lap penalty.
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