*MSD 2011 course points and penalties*

[slobin3d]

MSD with the help ans support of SORRCA is proud to release the 2011 Nat's course points and penalties. We appreciate everyone's patience with us as we finished these up.

For 2011 we are implementing a 80 point max point out, this is new for 2011, but we decided that with the new class that it was necessary to help keep things moving so we aren't driving into the night

Course points and Penalties

Points
Progress: -2 points
Reverse: 1 point
Gate Marker: 10 points
Rollover: 5 points
Boundary Marker: 10 points
Vehicle Touch (Repair & Repositions): 10 points
Course Direction: 10 points
Winch: 1 point
Assisted Recovery: 10 points
Dig/Rear steer: 5 points
Did not finish 100 points
Did not start 130 points
Back Up/ Reverse: (1 pt) point is given when a vehicle reverses course after making forward progress. Reversing is defined as at any time if any of the tires move the vehicle backward or spin in the reverse direction, whether engaged or in freewheel and/or whether intentional or not. Once a reverse penalty is given, no further reverse penalty can be given until the vehicle makes forward progress. No penalty is given if the backward movement is part of a penalized rollover. If a driver begins a course in reverse, a reverse penalty will occur immediately.

Rollover: (5pts) Points are given when a vehicle rolls over and cannot be corrected without touching. Once the vehicle has stopped it may be rolled back onto it's wheels and a 5 point penalty shall be given. Vehicles that land back on their wheels without assistance are not penalized. No reverse penalties will be awarded until the vehicle is righted. The vehicle may at no time be lifted, slid or moved in any way other than a smooth, continuous roll to the left or right side only. Any other manipulation or movement of the vehicle will be considered a Vehicle Touch.

Vehicle Touch: (10 pts) All vehicle touches excluding “Rollovers”, "Winching", "Assisted Recoveries"(see associated rules) , intentional or unintentional, are given an automatic 10 points. The judge then will stop time when either the driver calls for a vehicle touch or the judge calls a driver touch. The vehicle is then moved back by the driver to the previously cleared gate with the rear axle aligned to that gate. If the vehicle cannot be aligned to the gate due to course design, the judge will reposition the vehicle to the next stable location after the cleared gate. This location will be used for all drivers. Note: All gates for progress are still “live” unless a gate has already been deemed “dead”.

Vehicle Touches: include but are not limited to: repairs, repositions, vehicle driving/falling into the driver.

On Course Repairs: (Touch 10pts) Must be completed on course and in the spot of which the driver decided to take the repair. Repairs must be made within the course time, while the course timer will continue to run. If repairs are made
within the course time the driver must return to the last previous gate cleared. If repairs cannot be made within the course time, the driver is given a DNF minus progress points for that course. There are no restrictions on whom or how the repairs are made.

Off course repairs: (Touch 10pts) A driver can call time to make an off course repair. Repairs should be completed within 30 minutes, or the driver is given a DNF minus progress points. If the repair is made in the
allotted time the driver must return to the last previous gate cleared. A 1 minute time penalty will be subtracted from the time that is left on that course, the timer will continue once the vehicle makes forward progress

Reposition: (10 pts) the vehicle will be placed with it's rear tires in the last gate progressed or ,the nearest stable location after the last cleared gate if the last gate cleared is unstable.


Gate Marker: (10 pts each) each gate will be comprised of 2 gate markers. Points are given when all wheels do not travel between gate markers or any part of the vehicle, driver, a tow strap or winch line touches a gate marker. A gate marker will remain "live" for the entire duration of the attempt on the course. Once any gate marker has been touched or straddled, no more penalties will be given for that gate marker. Only when a gate penalty is assessed will that gate marker be deemed "dead". No further penalties will be assessed at this point for that gate marker.

Boundary Marker: (10 pts each) Points are given when any part of the vehicle touches a boundary marker. Once a boundary marker is touched the judge then will stop time, and the vehicle is then moved back by the driver
to the previously cleared gate with the rear axle aligned to that gate. If the vehicle cannot be aligned to the gate due to course design, the judge will reposition the vehicle to the next stable location after the cleared gate. This location will be used for all drivers. A boundary marker will remain "live" for the entire duration of the attempt on the course, and should be replaced if moved. Boundary markers are not required in the design of a course.

DNF (Did Not Finish): (100 pts) are given anytime a driver cannot complete a course for any reason. (Time expired, Point-Out, Vehicle not repairable, Went Home …etc) Progress points are awarded for each gate completed and Scale points are awarded.

DNS (Did Not Start): (130 pts) are given anytime a driver cannot start a course for any reason. Vehicle must start course under its own power. No Scale points will be awarded to this course.

Progress bonus: (-2 progress point) shall be awarded to drivers for each gate that is cleared by the vehicle during the attempt of a course. A gate is considered cleared and a progress bonus shall be given when at least one front and one rear tire passes completely through the gate in the intended direction of the gate. All tires must pass completely through the gate to receive the progress bonus without a gate penalty. A 10 point gate penalty shall be given if all tires do not clear the gate, even if no gate marker is touched or straddled. The tires of the vehicle must travel completely through the gate, and not just break the plane of the gate. Tires must pass through the gate in the same direction and in the same attempt before a progress bonus is awarded. These points are deducted from the total course score. Once a driver has pointed out, no further Progress Points will be awarded.

Course Direction: (10 pts) Gates must be cleared in their intended direction and sequence. Any part of the vehicle entering an non-cleared gate in the wrong direction, or driven through out of sequence will result in a 10 point penalty. The judge will stop time. The vehicle is then moved back to the previously cleared gate (see reposition rule) Once the gate is cleared and awarded progress it can be traveled in any sequence or direction.

Winching: (1 pt each) A winch penalty will be assessed every time the winch cable is connected for a pull. If the winch line comes unhooked during a pull, or a 2nd attachment is needed, another penalty will be assessed. If at any time during the process of removing recovery tools and/or winch line from vehicle, the vehicle is moved by any force other than it's winch or it's own power, a touch penalty will be assessed and the vehicle repositioned to the last cleared gate (see Vehicle touch rule).

Assisted Recovery: (10 pts) At any time during the course, a driver may call for an assisted recovery. With the clock running, another vehicle will be brought onto the course to pull or winch the stranded vehicle to safety. The stranded vehicle shall not be pulled beyond the original position of the rescuing vehicle or it will result in another Assisted Recovery penalty.

Dig/Rear Steer (Class 3 only): (5 pts) Dig and rear steer are both legal in Class 3, but only one may be used per course. The first use of dig or rear steer will incur a +5 point penalty; subsequent uses of the same feature (dig or rear steer) on the same course are free. Use of the other feature is prohibited. If at any time on the same course the driver uses rear steer after using dig, or uses dig after using rear steer, a reposition penalty will be incurred, and the truck will be placed at the last cleared gate.

Safety Time Out: A driver may call for time to stop so that he or she may safely reposition themselves on the course. This time shall be used for the purpose of driver safety and may not be used to survey the course or for any other advantage. Once the competitor is repositioned the time will start, however the judge has the right to start time at any point.

Vehicle Out of Spec: If the Judge has reason to believe a vehicle is out of spec during a course run, he may call time to stop. At that point no additional inputs maybe given by the driver to the vehicle via touch or radio
control. The Judge must mark the vehicle’s location and perform a tech inspection in the specified tech area (same manner as all other tech inspections). If the vehicle has been deemed within spec, the driver and vehicle will return to the location marked by the judge and the clock will start once again. If the vehicle is now out of spec and the Judge has determined that the vehicle has gained an advantage, the driver must take a repair to correct the problem. If the problem can not be corrected to bring the vehicle back within spec, the driver will receive a DNF for that course. If a vehicle falls out of spec due to breakage on course and the Judge determines the driver has not gained an advantage, then the driver may be allowed to continue on course without stopping time and requiring a tech inspection. Bodies, and body panels are not included in this exception, and must be replaced immediately, standard repair procedures and penalties apply.

[Locked Up]

As far as the courses themselves go .... should I expect to encounter any water or mud for class 1 and if so how deep is it typically?

[War Pig]

Not sure if there will be water or mud available this year. If there is one or both, it won't be any deeper than 2-3". I know some people don't like alot of water.....but you still want to be fairly water resistant in all classes.

[madscrambler]

Tim and Bros. can you tell us if were going to try the tire change on course agian this year. If so all classes or just 1&2? Just trying to decide on builds etc. Thanks Lance

[War Pig]

Don't think we are going to do the tire change thing...unless people tell me that they want it. Didn't seem like it was that popular last year.

[hotwheels000]

I sure hope not,you already are rewarded for carrying the tire add a 10 point bonus on top of that...13 points is a lot of reward for being able to turn a wrench...

nuff said, you already have heard this 100 times from me

[madscrambler]

My thoughts as well. Just making sure. Ten points was alot.

[slobin3d]

Originally Posted by Locked Up

As far as the courses themselves go .... should I expect to encounter any water or mud for class 1 and if so how deep is it typically?

All three classes have some water somewhere on theme but none of it should be more then 1/2 tire deep. Waterproofing or high water resistance wouldn't be a bad idea

[justinart24]

Originally Posted by slobin3d

none of it should be more then 1/2 tire deep.

Good to hear, would hate for someones lipo to short and catch fire or should I pack marshmallows?