I. ENTRY RULES

a) ELIGIBILITY

1. Entries
1.1 An entry for a race shall be submitted prior to the start of the race, subject to entry deadlines as determined by ABSA or
Affiliate/Associate.
1.2 ABSA or Affiliate/Associate may reject any entry for just cause.

2. Drivers
2.1 Drivers must be 16 years of age or over on the first day of the Event excepting special classes where limits will be defined.
2.2 The driver starting a team in the first heat of a race shall drive that team throughout the race.
2.3 A change in driver can only be made as the result of illness or injury to the authorised entrant and must have the approval of
the Event Organisers.
2.4 Any driver disqualified in any heat of, or at any point in, the race is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
2.5 Drivers entering an Affiliate/Associate event requiring that society's membership, are deemed to abide by such membership
rules.

3. Dogs
3.1 Eligibility of dogs is restricted to purebred sled dog breeds, i.e. Alaskan Malamute, Greenland Dog, Samoyed and Siberian
Husky - excepting where sectioned `-O' (Open) Class is scheduled, whereby other dogs will be eligible (and confined to)
providing they have been accepted on any ABSA-approved sled dog register and providing at least one such dog is in a
competing team.
3.2 The Event Organisers may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.
3.3 Any team or dog coming to the starting line which, in the opinion of the Event Organisers, is unfit or incapable of safely
completing the trail, shall be disqualified.
3.4 Any team or dog not starting the first heat of a race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
3.5 Any team or dog disqualified in any heat of, or at any point in, the race is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the
race.
3.6 Dogs participating in a race must be at least 12 months of age.

4. Size of Teams
4.1 A Class team shall consist of not more than eight (8) dogs and not less than five (5).
4.2 B Class team shall consist of not more than six (6) dogs and not less than four (4).
4.3 C Class team shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs and not less than three (3).
4.4 D Class team shall consist of not more than three (3) dogs and not less than two (2).
4.5 E Class team shall consist of two (2) dogs only - excepting where sectioned `-F' (Freight) Class is scheduled, whereby a
minimum of one (1) dog will be eligible (and confined to).
4.6 After the first heat and each ensuing heat, a driver may voluntarily reduce the size of the team, subject to class minimums.
4.7 A minimum of two (2) dogs to be running at any time - excepting EF Class.
4.8 The Event Organisers may reduce the size of any team that they determine is too large for the designated driver.

5. Disease
5.1 No dog or equipment shall be brought from a kennel where distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus or other contagious
disease exists.
5.2 Should an Event Veterinarian diagnose any dog present in the race area to have a contagious disease, that team shall be
disqualified and shall immediately leave the race area.
5.3 Every dog participating in a race should be protected against disease.

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

b) MEDICATION ADMINISTERED TO DOGS

7. Prohibited Drugs
7.1 1f a dog is suspected of being under the influence of any prohibited medication, the Event Organisers reserve the right to
have the dog examined and tested by qualified personnel and, if positive, the driver, owner and team will suffer
automatic disqualification, plus any further penalty deemed appropriate.
7.2 Prohibited drugs are: analgesics - prescriptive and non-prescripted; anti-inflammatory drugs - including but not limited to:
steroids, anti-prostaglandins, salicylates, non-steroids; central nervous system stimulants; cough suppressants;
sedatives/anaesthetics; diuretics; anabolic steroids; muscle relaxants; injectable anti-colenergics; and anti-histamines.
7.3 If an owner or driver refuses to allow a sample to be collected in his presence from a dog, that team shall be disqualified
from the Event and any further penalty served as deemed appropriate.

c) EQUIPMENT

8. Inspection
8.1 All drivers and rigs/sleds shall be available for inspection by the appointed scrutineer at the time set by the Event Organisers.
Drivers and rigs/sleds may be required for further inspection after each heat or race, at the request of the Event
Organisers.
8.2 The appointed scrutineer will base the inspection on safety and equipment integrity. In the event of dispute, the Event
Organisers' decision is final.
8.3 Each driver should ensure the safety and fit of harness and collar prior to the Event. These may be subject to scrutiny during
the pre-heat check.

9. Rigs
9.1 Must not be fitted with any device to assist propulsion.
9.2 Must have three or four wheels and be free standing.
9.3 Must have an adequate braking system. Rear wheels must lock and remain locked when brakes are applied by driver,
standing in the normal driving position and with motive power provided by either pushing or pulling of the rig by the
scrutineer and/or assistants.
9.4 Must be equipped with a manual steering mechanism capable of operation by the driver from the normal driving position.
9.5 Must not exceed 60" in overall width.
9.6 Must be fitted with a brushbow capable of withstanding collision forces, and attached as an integral strength member.
9.7 Tugline must be attached to rig in such fashion as not to invite interference with rotating parts.
9.8 Must be equipped with a snubline.

10. Sleds
10.1 A sled must be capable of adequately carrying a driver and a dog.
10.2 A sled must be equipped with an adequate brake, brushbow and snowhook and/or snubline.

11. Drivers
11.1 Spiked or metal studded footwear is prohibited.
11.2 Crash caps may be worn.
11.3 Protective event clothing, equipment and food may be deemed necessary in severe weather.

12. Lines, Dog Bags and Boots
12.1 All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.
12.2 All dogs shall be fastened to the tugline by a neckline and tailline with the exception of the leader(s) who shall be harnessed
in the team by a tailline but may run without a neckline.
12.3 All lines and hooks should be free of excess wear and may be subject to scrutiny during the pre-heat check.
12.4 Shock absorbers, when utilised, must be fitted with an adequate safety line.
12.5 A dog bag, capable of safely restraining a struggling dog and if necessary covering an injured dog, is required for A,B,C,D
and EF Classes - excepting D and EF Classes, whereby a team starts as minimum size.
12.6 Dog boots may be worn.

13. Other Equipment
13.1 Muzzles are prohibited.
13.2 Collars that can be hooked as full chokes shall be prohibited.
13.3 Whips are forbidden.
13.4 A racing number for each driver shall be provided by ABSA or Affiliate/Associate. The driver shall display this number on
his person throughout the race.

II. START - FINISH RULES

a) DRAWING

14. The starting positions for the first heat of a race shall be determined by a drawing held prior to the race by the Event Organisers with a witness present.

15. The order of drawing shall not be changed, either by addition or substitution.

16. The drawing may, at the option of the Event Organisers, be modified to accommodate rig/sled loans.

b) STARTING

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

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

c) STARTING POINT AND TIME

19. The brushbow (front end) of the rig/sled shall determine the starting point of the team.

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

21. A team that fails to be in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a late starting team.
21.1 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.
21.2 A late-starting team shall not interfere with any other team.
21.3 If more than one team is declared late, those teams shall start in their originally scheduled starting order.
21.4 If a team is late to the starting line for its second scheduled time of departure for any one heat, that team shall be
disqualified.

22. A team not clearing the starting position within 30 seconds of it's scheduled starting time must retire and await instructions from Event Organisers.

23. A team not clearing the starting chute (minimum 100 ft.) within 60 seconds of its scheduled starting time will be disqualified.

d) FINISH

24. A team shall have finished the heat when the brushbow of the rig/sled crosses the finish line.

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

III. TRAIL RULES

a) FOLLOWING THE TRAIL

26. A team and driver shall run the full course as established by the Event Organisers.

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

28. The trail shall be followed as marked:
28.1 "Right turn" shall be indicated by a red marker on the right side of the trail, before turn.
28.2 "Left turn" shall be indicated by a red marker on the left side of the trail, before turn.
28.3 "Straight ahead" shall be indicated by blue markers.
28.4 "Caution" shall be indicated by a yellow or orange marker, before hazard.
28.5 The end of the "Starting Chute" shall be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.
28.6 A marker shall be placed within one-half mile of the finish line to indicate the "No Right of Way" zone.

b) DRIVING A TEAM

29. Any driver accepting a ride during the race on any vehicle other than his own rig/sled shall be disqualified.

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

31. Carrying a passenger at any time during the race shall be prohibited unless:
31.1 Called for in the conditions of the race.
31.2 Giving a ride to a driver in an emergency situation.

c) ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL

32. All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials stationed at designated points along the trail as authorised by the Event Organisers.

33. Handler or spectator assistance shall be limited to holding the rig/sled except in the case of a loose team, or a team so unmanageable as to create a clear and present danger to themselves, other teams or persons.
33.1 If a driver is present in a non-emergency situation, help is limited to holding the rig/sled.
33.2 If the driver is not present, the team may be stopped and held until the driver or a race official claims the team.

34. No one shall assist a team by willfully pacing it other than the team driver, who must maintain constant control of his team.

d) LOOSE TEAMS AND DOGS

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

36. A loose team or dog may resume the trail without penalty provided the team/dog has completed the entire trail and the driver has received only authorised outside assistance.
36.1 Authorised outside assistance is limited to holding a loose team or dog, once it has been stopped.
36.2 Any person(s) may (and is encouraged to) stop and hold a loose team or dog.

e) RIGHT OF WAY

37. In the "No Right of Way" zone, no team shall have the right of way over a finishing team.

f) PASSING

38. When one team intends to pass another, the passing team driver must request the right of way by hailing (commonly "trail") when the lead dog(s) come(s) within 50 ft. of the rig/sled of the overtaken team.

39. The overtaken team shall make way for the passing team by moving to one side of the trail and by slowing or, in the event of interference, stopping if requested by the overtaking team driver.

40. Once a team has been passed, that team shall not repass until:
40.1 No less than two minutes or one-half mile.
40.2 Or lesser intervals whenever both drivers are in agreement.

41. If the passing team becomes tangled as a result of the pass, that team's driver may require the overtaken team driver to stop for no longer than one-half minute.

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

43. Teams following each other shall maintain an interval of not less than one team length, except when passing or in the "No Right of
Way" zone.

IV. CONDUCT

a) RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP

44. All drivers shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, their helpers and themselves whenever in the race area.

45. Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If the Event Organisers determine that driver, handlers or team conduct at any time in the race area is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall be disqualified.

b) ABUSE OF DOGS

46. Abuse of dogs, with or without an implement, shall be prohibited, except when required to break up a dog fight.

V. RULES VIOLATION

a) REPORTS BY RACE OFFICIALS

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

48. The Event Organisers shall act, at their discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by race officials.

b) REPORTS BY RACE CONTESTANTS

49. Drivers wishing to report an alleged violation of the Rules by another contestant, shall notify the Event Organisers immediately following the heat in which the incident occurred. Notification may be verbal.

50. All verbal reports shall be followed with a written report, given to the Event Organisers within one hour of the completion of the heat in which the alleged violation occurred.

c) PROTESTS AND HEARINGS

51. Any driver or race official implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules may make a protest and request a hearing
before the Event Organisers.

52. Said hearing shall be granted by the Event Organisers on that day.

53. The Event Organisers may appoint a committee for the purpose of the hearing.

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ABSA COMPETITION RULES
2001 REVISION