Race Rules
Section I.01ELIGIBILITY
(a) ENTRIES (see registration for class fees)
(i) An entry and payment for a race shall be submitted by February 1st. Early registration is highly appreciated by the race organizers.
(ia) $50 late fee per class for any registrations received after February 1st.
(ib) Changes after February 1st are discouraged but can be allowed with Race Marshal approval.
(ic) Registrations after the Mandatory Driver’s Meeting will not be allowed unless the driver had attended the Mandatory meeting.
(id) $25 fee for changing any class/drivers entry is required. In addition, If a registered driver makes a request for a driver change, a new informational form will also need to be submitted.
(ii) Race Marshal can reject any entry for just cause.
(iii) As a condition of entry in the Northern Pines Sled Dog Race (NPSDR), mushers will be required to sign a release of liability.
(iv) Any person convicted of animal abuse or neglect at a misdemeanor or greater level is not permitted to participate in the NPSDR.
(b) RACE CANCELLATION POLICY
(i) If a race postponement date is needed, it will be preset to one week from the current date or subject to one day from race date if conditions warrant.
(ii) Drivers are allowed a full refund option.
(c) DRIVERS
(i) The driver starting a team at the beginning of the race shall drive that team throughout the race.
(ii) A change in driver must have the approval of the Race Marshal (to be discussed prior to the musher’s meeting).
(iii) A driver under the age of 18 must have a written consent from a parent or guardian.
(iv) Registered drivers shall attend the driver’s meeting, held prior to the start of the race, in order to compete in the race. Late comers who miss the 1st roll call will receive a $50 penalty payable to the Race Marshal and those who miss the 2nd roll call will not be allowed to race.
(d) DOGS
(i) All dogs entered in the Sprint/Mid-Distance/Weight Pull and Mutt Run events, must be current with vaccinations for Rabies and DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza).
a. Proof of valid Rabies vaccination from the musher’s state of residence signed and dated at least two weeks prior to the race by a licensed veterinarian is required.
b. Proof of purchase for valid 1-year vaccines for other vaccinations must be available for inspection. The DA2P vaccine that has been approved and licensed for 3-year duration will only be accepted if given by a licensed veterinarian. Proof that such a vaccine was given by a veterinarian will be required. Recognize that this vaccine does not protect for all things that are covered by the DA2P that is licensed for 1 year.
c. Mushers are required to have vaccination records onsite and available upon request by race officials from evening of the mandatory mushers meeting until the award ceremony.
(ii) The race veterinarian will be conducting randomized vaccination and dog checks prior to the start of the race.
a. The musher must be available for consultation to assist with a vet during the randomized vaccine and dog check.
b. If in violation of NPSDR vaccination requirements, musher/driver may be disqualified by the Race Officials.
c. Race veterinarians will not vaccinate dogs.
d. Only dogs found to be vaccinated, in good health, and fit to compete will be permitted to run the race.
(iii) Any team or dog coming to the starting line, which in the opinion of the race veterinarian, Chute Judge, or Race Marshal, is unfit or incapable of safely completing the trail shall be disqualified.
(iv) The Race Marshal may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.
(e) DISEASE
(i) No dog or equipment shall be brought from a kennel where rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or any other contagious disease exists.
(ii) 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/weight pull area.
(f) IDENTIFICATION
(i) This year’s race has only one heat per team so dog identification for subsequent heats is not necessary.
(g) SIZE OF THE TEAM
(i) 4.4 mile class: the Limited Four-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs, and not less than three (3) dogs.
(ii) 8.2 mile class: the Limited Six-Dog Team shall consist of not more than six (6) dogs, and not less than four (4) dogs.
(iii) 32 mile class: A Limited 8 Dog Mid-distance Class Team shall consist of not more than eight (8) dogs, not less than six (6) dogs.
(iv) 17 mile Open/limited class size will be limited to 14 dogs max depending on trail conditions and decided by the Trail Boss and Race Marshal, not less than (7) dogs.
Section I.02 MEDICATIONS ADMINISTERED TO DOGS – PROHIBITED DRUGS
(i) It is the intent of these rules that no drugs or other artificial means be used to drive any dog beyond its natural ability. A musher must have his/her team free of any drugs used.
(ii) Prohibitive drugs: stimulants, 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. State or Federal controlled or restricted substances is prohibited.
(iii) The driver/owner must declare all foreign substances used in his/her dogs before the race.
(iv) The Chief Veterinarian may utilize any drugs necessary to maintain a dog’s health; however, such dogs will be withdrawn from the race. The use of general anesthetics will not be allowed in any form unless the dog is withdrawn from the race.
Section I.03 EQUIPMENT
(a) INSPECTION
(i) 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.
(ii) A team in harness shall not be required to stand for inspection longer than six (6) minutes before the time of departure.
(iii) Inspection shall take place in an area that does not interfere with teams in the start or finish chutes.
(iv) All equipment is subject to the approval of the Race Marshal and Chute Judge
(b) SLEDS
(i) A sled shall be capable of adequately carrying the driver and have a basket capable of carrying a dog.
(ii) Type of sled used is the option of the driver. When selecting a sled, the musher is responsible not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations for the size of the dog team. The safety of every sled is subject to the approval of the Race Marshal and Chute Judge.
(iii) The sled must have a snub line that will be connected to a release at the start line, brush bow, gangline cutting tool, a proper functioning brake bolted to the sled, dog bag capable of carrying a dog and a snow hook. Helmets are required for Jr. mushers under 18 years of age.
(c) HARNESSES and LINES
(i) All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.
(ii) All dogs shall be fastened with a neckline and tail line to the gangline due to head on passing. Leaders neck lines are fastened to each other.
(iii) A tool capable of easily cutting your gang line must be carried during the race
(iv) A snub line must be carried on the sled but it shall not be used in any manner other than to tie down and hold the sled.
(d) OTHER EQUIPMENT
(i) A muzzle or any collar that can be hooked as a full choke shall be prohibited.
(ii) No whips or other disciplinary devices will be allowed. The use of ski poles are not allowed.
(iii) Helmets required for Jr. mushers under 18 years of age
(iv) A racing bib number for each driver shall be provided by the race-giving organization. The driver shall display this bib number on his person throughout the race.
Section II.01 DRAWING
(a) Starting positions shall be determined by a random drawing by the race officials following the registration deadline and order will be given to the teams in the musher’s packet at the musher’s meeting
(b) The order of the draw shall not be changed, either by substitution or addition. However, the Race Marshall can make any necessary adjustments to the order of the draw, if deemed in the best interest of musher and dog safety. Late entries, if accepted, will be added in order of receipt per class.
Section II.02 GROUP START RACE
(a) A group consists of two (2) or more (up to and including all) drivers starting together.
(b) There may be dual starts in the 4 and 6 dog and mid-distance classes depending on the number of teams entered. The open classes will be single starts.
(c) If dual starts are utilized, teams may start in 1 or 2-minute intervals. Current weather conditions and other race day requirements, may result in specific start time changes deemed necessary by the Race Marshal.
(d) The starting positions will be determined by the random draw. The starting order will be #1 and #2 starting first, #3 and #4 starting second, etc.
Section II.03 EQUAL TIMES
(a) For all races, if the total elapsed time of two teams is identical then:
(i) Teams with equal times for the entire race shall be awarded (share) the higher finishing position. The lower finishing position will be skipped and the next fastest team is awarded the following finishing position. Example teams 1 and 2 tie for the third fastest time. They share third place, fourth place is not awarded to anyone, and fifth place is awarded to the next fastest team.
(ii) The purse for the tied place and the next lower places shall be combined and divided equally among those teams tied for that place.
Section II.04 STARTING POINT AND TIME
(a) Race Start will be at the top of the hill on the west side of the club house.
(b) The brush bow of the sled shall determine the starting point of the team
(c) Trail time for all teams shall begin at the originally scheduled time of departure.
(d) Snub line starts – teams must have a snub line. There will be no chain for snowhook at the start line.
(e) A team that fails to be in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a late starting team.
(i) The late starting team shall not be allowed to start until after the last team entered in its last has started, and after the prescribed starting interval.
(ii) A late-starting team shall not interfere with any other team.
(iii) If more than one team is declared late, those teams shall start in their originally scheduled starting order.
(iv) 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.
(f) A team not clearing the starting chute (minimum 100 ft for single start, 100 yards for group starts) prior to the scheduled start of the next team may be disqualified.
Section II.05 ASSISTANCE IN THE STARTING CHUTE
(a) Any amount of assistance is allowed to a team prior to the actual starting time.
(b) Once a team’s starting time has commenced, only the chute judge or officials designated to assist may help in the chute.
(c) In the event of a tangle or dogfight during the dual start, unlimited help is allowed.
Section II.06 FINISH
(a) A team shall have finished when the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.
(b) If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the finish line.
(c) With the dual starts two chutes are used, a finishing team may return through either chute.
Section III.01 FOLLOWING THE TRAIL
(a) A team and driver shall run the full course as established by the race-giving organization.
(b) If a team leaves the trail, the driver shall return the team to the point at which they left the trail.
(c) The trail shall be marked as follows:
(i) “Right Turn” shall be indicated by an arrow pointing to the right.
(ii) “Left Turn” shall be indicated by an arrow pointing to the left.
(iii) “Straight ahead” shall be indicated by an arrow pointing up.
(iv) “Caution” shall be indicated by a YELLOW MARKER.
(v) A marker shall be placed to indicate the start of the ‘NO-RIGHT-OF-WAY-ZONE” ½ mile from the finish unless trail conditions dictate otherwise.
(vi) A marker will be placed to indicate the end of the ‘NO-RIGHT-OF-WAY-ZONE” ½ mile from the start unless trail conditions dictate otherwise. This will be used for the dual starts for the start at which trail can be called.
Section III.02 DRIVING A TEAM
(a) A driver may ride the sled, pedal or run as wished.
(b) A driver shall not interfere with a competing team.
(c) 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.
(d) A dog removed from the team must be loaded in the sled and enclosed in a dog bag adequate for the condition the dog is in. Overheated dogs should not be enclosed in a bag that will not allow the dog to cool properly. Veterinary assistance can be requested by trail help or any race official.
(e) Carrying a passenger at any time during the race shall be prohibited unless:
(i) Called for in the conditions of the race.
(ii) Giving a ride to a driver in an emergency situation.
(f) There will be volunteers to watch for traffic at road crossing on the trails. It is also the musher’s responsibility to check for traffic. The race officials will attempt to secure the road crossings, but final safety is the musher’s responsibility.
(g) The Tri County Corridor snow machine traffic will be detoured for the duration of the race day.
(h) Teams will encounter head-on passing.
Section III.03 ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL
(i) All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials stationed at designated points along the trail as authorized by the Race Marshal.
(ii) Drivers running in the same heat may assist each other in any manner authorized by the Race Marshal.
(iii) 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. This action shall be reported to the Race Marshal.
(iv) No one shall assist a team by willfully pacing it.
Section III.04 LOOSE TEAMS and DOGS
(i) All drivers must assume that a loose team or dog is an endangered team or dog.
(ii) A loose team or dog shall not delay or interfere with another team.
(iii) The driver of the loose team must overtake the loose team by the quickest means available to ensure the safety of the loose team.
(iv) 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.
(v) Any person(s) is/are encouraged to stop and hold a loose team.
(vi) 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.
Section III.05 PASSING – FOR SINGLE START and for Dual starts after the ½ mile No Right-of-Way
(a) When one team intends to pass another, the passing team may request the right of way when the lead dog(s) comes within fifty (50) feet of the sled of the overtaken team.
(b) The overtaken team shall make way for the passing team by moving to one side of the trail and by slowing down or stopping if requested by the overtaking team.
(c) If the passing team becomes tangled or bunched up as the result 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 (i) minute in the Open and Mid-distance classes, one-half (1/2) minute for all other classes.
(d) Should a major tangle occur, the overtaken team may re-pass with the permission of the leading team.
(e) Once a team has been passed, that team shall not re-pass so long as the driver in front is making an effort to keep his team moving until:
(i) such time as the leading team has had sufficient time to pull away.
(ii) In Open class, after no less than four (4) minutes or one (1) mile.
(iii) In all other classes, after no less than two (2) minutes or one-half (1/2) mile.
(iv) at any lesser interval whenever both drivers are in agreement.
1) EXCEPTION:
a) 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. Loading a dog in the sled constitutes changing a dog’s position. or
iii) Goes off the race trail before the above-mentioned distance or time interval has elapsed.
(b) A driver coming upon one or more stopped teams may pass all such teams. The stopped team’s driver(s) shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team.
(c) Teams following each other shall maintain an interval of not less than one team length except passing or in the “No Man’s Land” finishing zone.
(d) When a team is overtaken in the “NO-right-of-way zone”, that team does not have to stop and yield the trail.
(i) No driver shall interfere with a competing team.
(ii) In a head-on passing situation, the homeward-bound team has the right of way and the outward-bound team must relinquish the trail if asked. The exception to this rule is when the outward-bound team is moving downhill. In this case, the outward-bound team has the right of way.
Section III.06 DUAL START RACE PASSING in “No Right-of-Way Zone”
(i) In group start races, passes occurring between teams from different starting groups are governed by the rules defined in Article III, section 3.05. Passes occurring between teams within the same starting group in the “No Right-of-Way zone” are governed by the rules in this section 3.06.
(ii) There will be a “No Right-of-Way zone” for the first ½ mile from the race start.
(iii) When a team is overtaken in the “No Right-of-Way Zone”, that team does not have to stop and yield the trail.
(iv) The trail will be marked as to when the end of the “No Right-of-Way Zone” is reached at which time the teams will establish trail order and assume the passing rules of Article III, section 3.05
Section IV.01 RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP
(i) 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.
(ii) Teams or individual team members, can be disqualified for any disrespect or verbal/physical abuse toward any race official or volunteer. The Race Marshall will determine if entry in future NPSDR events will be permitted.
(iii) Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If the Race Marshal determines that the 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.
Section IV.02 ABUSE OF DOGS
(i) 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.
Section V.01 REPORTS BY RACE OFFICIAL
(a) 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.
(b) The Race Marshal shall act, at his discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by race officials.
Section V.02 REPORTS BY RACE CONTESTANTS
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
Section V.03 PROTESTS and HEARINGS
(a) Any driver implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules may request a hearing before the Race Marshal.
(b) Said hearing shall be granted by the Race Marshal.
Section V.04 DISCIPLINARY ACTION
(a) For violation of any NPSDR Race Rule, the Race Marshal shall either issue a verbal warning to the driver or disqualify the driver and team from the race.
(i) No other disciplinary action shall be imposed.
(ii) Decisions shall be announced as promptly as practical but no later than two (2) hours prior to the start of any ensuing heat(s).
(iii) Any disciplinary action following the final heat of the race shall be acted upon prior to the awards ceremony.
(iv) 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.
(b) 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.