1. Entries
1.1 All race entries must be submitted prior to the start of the race and be within the deadlines set by the event organiser.
1.2 Freighting Dog Club UK, hereafter referred to as FDCUK, retain the right to refuse 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 available, and where limits will be defined. i.e. Junior/Novelty Classes.
2.2 Driver changes can only be made as a result of illness or injury to the authorised entrant and must have the prior approval of the event organiser.
2.3 Drivers disqualified in any heat of the event will not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the event.
2.4 Passengers will only be allowed at the individual event organiser’s discretion and only in teams consisting of three or more dogs.
3. Dogs
3.1 All dogs are eligible to enter. Where number of participants/entrants are restricted, priority will be given to Kennel Club registered purebred sled dog breeds. i.e. Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Greenland Dog, Samoyed and Siberian Husky
3.2 No dog, equipment or clothing shall be knowingly brought from a kennel where any contagious disease exists or has existed within the previous three weeks. Breaching this rule will result in instant disqualification and removal from the event site.
3.3 No dog may be replaced during the period of a rally. In a rally consisting of multiple heats, dogs may be marked by the event organiser to aid identification.
3.4 Dogs participating in any event must be at least twelve months of age excepting novelty/novice classes.
4. Team Classification
A rig (3 or 4 wheels) is to be used in all classes unless otherwise stated.
4.1 Malamute Only
M1 - One dog, rig OR scooter
M2 - Two dogs only
M3 - No more than three dogs, no less than two dogs
M4 - No more than four dogs, no less than three dogs
M6 - No more than six dogs, no less than four dogs
4.2 Siberian Only
S2 - Two dogs only
S4 - No more than four dogs, no less than three dogs
S6 - No more than six dogs, no less than four dogs
4.3 Freighting Team
(Any combination Greenland, Canadian Eskimo, Malamute)
N.B. The team will consist of no less than 50% freighting breed
MB1 - One dog, rig OR scooter (non-Malamute)
MB2 - Two dogs only
MB3 - No more than three dogs, no less than two
MB4 - No more than four dogs, no less than three dogs
MB6 - No more than six dogs, no less than four dogs
4.4 Open
O2 – Two dogs only, rig OR scooter
O4 – No more than four dogs, no less than three
O6 – No more than six dogs, no less than five
4.5 J1 - Junior 8-11 years, one dog only
(Must be supervised by an adult at all times whilst on the trail. This can be done via a bicycle, running alongside etc)
J2 - Junior 12-15 years, one to two dogs
4.5 BJ1: 1 dog and a driver pedalling a 2 wheeled bicycle. (open class)
4.6 R – Recreational class. Non timed. Open to all dog breeds. Maximum team size 8 dogs. A scooter maybe used, but for 1 dog team sizes only.
5. Medications
5.1 If a dog is suspected of being under the influence of any prohibitive medication, the event organisers reserve the right to have the dog examined and tested by qualified personnel and, if positive, driver owner and team will be immediately disqualified from that event and any future events for that season. Plus, subject to committee discretion, any further penalty deemed appropriate.
5.2 Prohibited medications are all those deemed harmful to the dogs or sport, including stimulants, depressants, anaesthetics and analgesics.
5.3 Refusal to allow a sample to be collected, in the presence of the owner, will result in that team being disqualified and subject to further penalty as deemed appropriate.
6. Equipment
6.1 The responsibility for the safety of all equipment will rest with the driver and/or owner. The scrutineer will only be looking for obvious breach of rules only.
6.2 All equipment shall be made available for inspection by the appointed scrutineer at the set times of the event organiser. Drivers and equipment may be required for further inspection after each run/heat at the request of the event organiser.
7. Rigs
7.1 Must not be fitted with any device to assist propulsion.
7.2 Must have three or four wheels and be freestanding.
7.3 Must have an adequate braking system which will lock the rear wheels when applied by the driver standing in the normal driving position. They must remain locked when applied by the driver when motive power is provided, either by pushing/or pulling, by the scrutineer and/or assistants.
7.4 Must be equipped with a manual steering mechanism capable of operation by the driver from the normal driving position.
7.5 Must not exceed 150cm (60”) in overall width.
7.6 All teams must have a snubline attached to the gangline between the rear of the team and the point where it is attached to the rig/sled. The snubline must be of sufficient length to enable safe release from a static object by the driver whilst on and in control of the rig/sled.
8. Sleds
8.1 A sled must be capable of adequately carrying a driver and a dog.
8.2 A sled must be equipped with an adequate brake, brushbow and snowhook and /or snubline.
9. Scooters
9.1 Dog/s must be attached to scooter or bicycle by a gangline (not exceeding 3 metres in length) with a shockline at all times.
9.2 Scooters shall be equipped with an efficient braking system at both wheels or rear wheel only.
9.3 Bicycles shall be equipped with an efficient braking system at both wheels
9.4 Canicross: The dog shall be attached to the competitor by a snub line (not exceeding 2.5 metres in length) with a shock absorber at all times. The snub line shall be attached to the competitor by a hip belt.
10. Drivers
10.1 Spiked or metal studded footwear is prohibited.
10.2 Helmets, whilst advised to be worn, are not compulsory excepting junior events.
10.3 Adequate protective clothing, equipment and food may be deemed necessary in severe weather conditions.
11. Lines, dog bags and boots
11.1. All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.
11.2. All dogs shall be fastened by a tugline and neckline to the centreline with the exception of the leader/leaders who shall be harnessed and fastened to the team by a tugline but may run without a neckline. However necklines must be used when only running two dogs.
11.3 Fan hitches may be allowed at the discretion of the event organiser and providing trail conditions allow.
11.4 When running a fan formation the use of two collars on the inner dogs will not be permitted. Only floating necklines will be permitted. i.e. The neckline must not be attached to the collars of the inner team members but must go through the ring on the collar allowing the dog to move freely.
11.5 All lines and triggers/hooks should be free of excess wear and may be subject to scrutiny during scrutineering.
11.6 Shocklines, when fitted, must be fitted with an adequate safety line.
11.7 The use of a dog bag will be at the discretion of the driver and should never be used if further injury to the injured dog is a possibility.
11.8 Dog boots may be worn.
12. Other equipment
12.1 All forms of muzzle/head restraints are prohibited.
12.2 Collars that can be hooked as full chokes shall be prohibited.
12.3 Whips are forbidden.
12.4 A racing number for each driver will be provided by the FDCUK. The driver shall display this number on their person throughout the race.
12.5 On lighting systems plastic lenses are recommended but if glass they must be taped or preferably bagged.
12.6 Head torches must be carried as a back-up to main lighting systems.
12.7 No wet acid batteries may be carried and batteries must be suitable to last the duration of the heat.
13. Start-Finish Rules
13.1 Starting positions for the first heat of a race will be determined by a drawing held prior to the event by the event organisers
13.2 The order of drawing shall not be changed, either by addition or substitution.
13.3 The drawing may, at the option of the event organiser, be modified to accommodate rig/sled loans.
13.4 After the first heat the starting times for further heats will be determined by the fastest teams going first and second fastest second etc.
13.5 The position of the rig/sled shall determine the starting point of the team.
13.6 Trail starting times for all the teams shall begin at the originally scheduled times.
13.7 Teams failing to be in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a late starting team.
13.8 A late starting team must not interfere with any other team.
13.9 If a team is late for a second heat of the same event that team shall be disqualified.
13.10 If a loose team crosses the finishing line ahead of its driver then the finishing time will be taken as the time when the driver crosses the finishing line.
13.11 When the temperature rises to 15 degrees Celsius at any time during the course of the event, when taken in the shade at or near to the start line, the event will be stopped.The rally organiser may, however, if he/she feels that the temperature/humidity combination is too high, review the event before this level is reached. Temperatures will be monitored during the course of the event.
14. Trail Rules
14.1 A team shall follow the full course as established by the event organiser.
14.2 If a team leaves the trail then the driver must return the team to the point at which they left the trail.
14.3 A right turn will be indicated by a red marker placed on the right side of the trail before the turn.
14.4 A left turn will be indicated by a red marker placed on the left side of the trail before the turn.
14.5 Straight ahead will be indicated by the placing of a blue marker/s.
14.6 A caution will be indicated by the placing of a yellow marker before a hazard.
14.7 The end of the starting chute will be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.
14.8 A No Right of Way marker shall be placed within one-half mile of the finish line.
15. Driving a team
15.1 Any driver accepting a ride during the race on any vehicle other than his own rig/sled shall be disqualified.
15.2 A driver shall not interfere with a competing team.
15.3 The carrying of passengers at any time during a race shall be prohibited unless called for in the conditions of the race or to give a ride to a driver in an emergency situation.
16. Assistance on the trail
16.1 All teams may receive similar assistance from officials stationed at designated points along the trail as authorised by the event organisers.
16.2 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 and others.
16.3 No one shall assist a team by wilfully pacing it other than the team driver, who must remain in control of his team.
17. Loose teams and dogs
17.1 A loose team/dog shall not delay or interfere with another team.
17.2 A loose team/dog may resume the trail without penalty provided that the team/dog has completed the entire trail and the driver has received only authorised outside assistance.
17.3 Authorised outside assistance is limited to holding a loose team/dog once it has been stopped.
17.4 Any person/s may stop and hold a loose team or dog.
18. Passing
18.1 When one team intends to pass another, the passing team must request the right of way by calling “Trail” when the lead dog/s come within 50ft. of the rig/sled of the team to be overtaken.
18.2 The team about to be overtaken 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.
18.3 Once a team has been passed that team shall not re-pass until a time of two minutes has passed or one-half mile.
18.4 If both drivers are in agreement this can be at a lesser interval or distance.
18.5 If a passing team becomes tangled as a result of an attempted pass, that teams driver may request that the team being overtaken stop for a period of no longer than 30 seconds.
18.6 A driver coming upon two or more teams stopped together may pass all such teams. All stopped drivers shall make every effort to clear the trail for moving team/s.
18.7 Teams following each other shall maintain an interval of not less than one team length except when passing within the “No right of way” zone.
19. Conduct
19.1 All drivers shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, helpers and themselves whenever at an FDCUK event.
19.2 Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If event organisers determine that any driver, handlers or team conduct at any time during an event be detrimental to the sport/event then that team shall be disqualified.
19.3 Abuse of dogs, with or without implement, shall be prohibited excepting when required to break up a dog fight.
20. Rules Violations
20.1 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 said violation occurred.
20.2 The event organisers shall act, at their discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by race officials.
20.3 Drivers wishing to report an alleged violation of the rules by another contestant shall notify the event organisers immediately following the completion of the heat in which the alleged incident occurred. Notification may be verbal.
20.4 All verbal reports shall be followed up with a written report, submitted to the event organisers, within one hour of the completion of the heat in which the alleged violation occurred.
20.5 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.
20.6 Said hearing shall be granted by the event organisers on that day.
20.7 The event organisers may appoint a committee for the purposes of the hearing.