SUNDAY 15th July 2007

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RACE RULES

This is the official safety bit......The 'Rules' listed below also include our Terms & Conditions for entry into the race and our Safety Instructions.

T's & C's PDF Format. Download Here

Terms & Conditions for Competitors
(Including Rules & Safety Instructions)

Signing On
Competitors are required to sign-on before the race to confirm they have read, understood and will comply with these terms and conditions, rules and safety instructions. No one will be allowed to participate in the race until they have signed on. Any team who allows a team member to participate without signing on will face disqualification.

Public Liability Insurance
The New Milton Pedal Car Grand Prix organisers have arranged public liability insurance for the event up to a maximum limit of £5,000,000. This covers the organisers and volunteers in respect of public liability claims. It does not cover claims made against a competitor or competitors in person (see Third Party Liability).

Third Party Liability
Competitors are strongly advised to ensure they have adequate third party liability insurance cover in place to meet all and any claims that might arise from accidents or incidents caused in whole or in part by them. The New Milton Pedal Car Grand Prix organisers, its volunteers and insurers will not accept liability whatsoever for claims from any party, including property owner, members of the public, competitors, or their representatives for damage to property, death or personal injury arising from any accidents caused by, or in part by, the negligence of any competitor.

Personal Accident Insurance
Competitors are strongly advised to ensure they have personal accident insurance in place to meet any claims for personal injury to themselves.

General Health and Fitness

• As the race is both physically and mentally demanding, it is strongly recommended that all competitors consult their medical practitioner prior to taking part in the event to ensure they are sufficiently fit and healthy to compete.

• To reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated during the event, competitors are advised to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after the race.

• Should any competitor become unwell or be injured in any way during the event, please contact the nearest marshal who will arrange for medical assistance.

Medical Conditions
Competitors should not take any part on the event if they suffer from any medical condition, complaint or illness including (but not restricted to) high or low blood pressure, back or neck complaints, angina, diabetes, breathlessness, dizziness, lung, heart or neural disorders/complaints, sight or hearing problems, mental illness or who are on medication or a course of treatment prescribed by a medical practitioner or who have recently undergone any surgical or medical procedure, must declare it and produce to the Race Director a written declaration from a medical practitioner that they are fit to take part in the event.

Disabilities
Competitors who suffer from any physical or mental disability of any nature must declare it and produce to the Race Director a written declaration from a medical practitioner that they are fit to take part in the event. They must also demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Race Director, that they will be able to see, hear and act on all and any instructions given by the race marshals.

  Alcohol, Medication, Etc.
It is recommended that competitors do not consume alcohol or other intoxicating substances or medication in the 24 hours prior to taking part in the event. No competitor will be allowed to participate in the event if they appear to be under the influence of alcohol, other intoxicating substances or medication, or act in an inappropriate manner to the extent that the Race Director considers that they may pose a risk or danger to themselves, other competitors, race marshals or members of the public.

Age Restrictions
Any competitor under the age of 18 years must produce written permission from their parent or guardian before being allowed to participate in the event. The organisers may ask for proof of age and may refuse entry if it is not forthcoming.

Drivers Briefing
All competitors MUST attend the drivers briefing prior to the race to receive instruction on points of safety.

Teams
Teams will consist of up to, and no more than four drivers and one pusher. There is no restriction on how many laps a driver may do at a time. Teams may also have one mechanic present in the pit to effect repairs but the mechanic must take no part in driving or pushing. The Mechanic must remain at all times in the pavement pit area (rear of pits). If a car breaks down on the track the driver may push the car back to the designated pit area for repair (only if and when given permission by the marshals) but may not receive assistance from other team members. Marshals may assist in the interests of safety only. If the marshals deem a damaged car beyond repair, incapable of returning to the pits, or too dangerous they will remove the car to a place of safety (i.e. behind baled areas or completely off the track, behind safety barriers). The decision to remove a car is the marshals, not the drivers.

Protective Helmets
All competitors MUST wear crash/cycle safety helmets as approved by the Race Director whilst entering and exiting the pedal cars and at all times whilst participating in the race. Failure to do so will result in the competitor and their team being disqualified from the event. For safety reasons, all competitors are strongly recommended that, whilst taking part in the event, they should wear gloves, long sleeved clothing and arm/knee pads to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Race Marshals
Competitors must obey all instructions and directions given by the race marshals during the event – They are present for the safety of competitors as well as that of members of the public. Any competitor failing to comply may be disqualified from the event immediately and required to leave the course along with their team.

Designated Pit Areas

• All drivers entering the designated pit areas for repairs or to change drivers must come to a complete stop.

• Driver changes may take place only in the designated pit area for that team.

• Under no circumstances may the designated pit areas be used for overtaking.

• Car exiting the pits MUST give way to cars already on the track. It is the responsibility of the team pusher to ensure the track is clear before ‘pushing off’.

• When not racing, all team members must remain on the pavement section of their pits. Only the team Pusher and the two exchanging drivers may be on the road section of the pit during changeovers.

• When changeovers are complete, all team members must retire to the pavement section of their pit, leaving the road section clear.

• Teams that fail to comply with the above rules will have laps deducted and may, at the discretion of the Race Director, be disqualified. Any drivers who use the designated pit areas for overtaking WILL be disqualified.

Repairs
Wherever possible, cars under repair should be moved to the pavement area of the pits. A car may be stopped from racing if is considered to be unsafe due to design or damage until satisfactory repairs are carried out. THIS INCLUDES FAULTY BRAKES.

Race Etiquette
Drivers are free to take the racing line but should be aware at all times of faster cars who may wish to overtake (use your mirror and listen). On straights, drivers should keep to one side of the track and not ‘hog the middle’ thereby impeding faster cars from overtaking. You are not however, obliged to slow down to be overtaken. Cars being lapped must keep out of the way of faster cars if at all possible, however it is ultimately the faster driver's responsibility to find a safe way past. When lapping slower cars, drivers of overtaking cars are advised to inform slower cars of which side they intend to overtake by shouting, e.g., "On your left", (i.e. "I am passing on your left hand side, so please move to your right."), "On your right", etc. Please give slower driver time to react before overtaking. Do not perform dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, particularly on fast hairpins! Any behaviour that is considered dangerous or otherwise infringes any rules shall result in immediate penalty to the offending team, at the discretion of the Race Director. This may include a verbal warning, lap penalties, or exclusion from racing for serious and/or repeated offences. Dangerous driving includes: excessive or deliberate bumping, barging, deliberately driving off the track, swearing, cutting up other cars, swerving dangerously etc.

Flags
The race marshals will signal instructions to the drivers by use of coloured flags. Verbal instructions may also be given. All instructions MUST be complied with immediately and without question. The marshals are there for your safety. The meanings of flags are as follows:

In addition, the Race Director will use a black flag. A rolled up black flag pointed at a car will be used as a first and final warning of infringement of the rules. An unfurled black flag waved at a car is immediate disqualification of that team – return your car to the pits and remain there for the duration of the race. Hopefully, this flag will remain in the Race Directors back pocket!

In the event of an accident
If you are involved in an accident or incident where your car is immobilised, for your safety, stay in your car until a marshal instructs you to get out. If your car can be restarted (i.e. if stuck in bales or barriers or tangled with other cars, etc) wait for the marshals to clear the obstructions. DO NOT try to clear obstructions yourself.

Course Etiquette
Please remember this is a FUN event, being held for charity, and being watched by thousands of spectators of all ages. All competitors are therefore expected to behave in a considerate and courteous manner. Competitors who appear to deliberately impede other competitors or who make abusive remarks or gestures to other competitors will have laps deducted and may, at the discretion of the Race Director, be disqualified.

Should any competitor become aware of any unsafe, dangerous or potential hazard on the course, they should report it immediately to the nearest race marshal. Please remember, infringement of the above rules may be result in penalties or even disqualification at the discretion of the Race Director. Rules are there for your safety.