Gütersloh Ralley Cross Club

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GÜTERSLOH ANGLO - GERMAN RALLY-CROSS CLUB (STARTED 1983)
CLUB RULES FOR RACE SEASON 2011


	CLUB HISTORY

1.	The Gütersloh Rally Cross Club was first set up by the Royal Air Force in 1983, when Princess Royal Barracks was an active RAF Base. The aim of the club was to introduce a cheap but safe form of racing for all military personnel in Germany.

2.	In 1993, when the Royal Air Force left Gütersloh, the Army took over the base and with the kind permission of the first Garrison Commander, Brigadier GA Ewer CBE, the Army managed to keep the Sport open.

3.	It has taken a lot of work by my predecessors and club members to update the sport to a higher degree of racing and most importantly, a safer level of car serviceability, the club now boasts a membership of 100 personnel. It has a ratio of approximately 60% German nationals and 40% military personnel. The club aims to continue to promote affordable motor sport to the Anglo, German community in and around Gütersloh for as long as is possible. It has brought the local and military community together, through regular race meetings and charitable events, such as fund raising for handicapped schools in England and Germany. The club is open to all personnel over the age of 18 who hold a clean and valid driving license.


	CLUB ORGANISATION

4.	The season consists of 12 separate race meetings held approximately every 3 weeks from mid March to November on a tarmac track at Princess Royal Barracks Gütersloh. The competitors must complete 3 races against the clock, with the fastest 2 times recorded being considered for a place in the finals. A super final will be held for the fastest two cars from each class final. Team races and an endurance race also take place. Trophies are presented at the end of each race meeting, for the best three racers in each class, with many other trophies also available to be won. The points collected during the day are added to an accumulative total that determines the winner of the Overall Championship Trophy, which is presented at the end of the racing year at a presentation Party.

5.	It is hoped that with the continued support of the Garrison Commander the club will continue to develop as the main Anglo German activity organized by the military in the Gütersloh.


	REGULATIONS FOR THE GÜTERSLOH GARRISON ANGLO GERMAN RALLY CROSS CLUB


	INTRODUCTION

6.	Control of Rally-Cross: The Rally-Cross Committee controls all Rally-Cross regulations and events for the Gütersloh Rally-Cross Club.

7.	The club committee consists of the following members:


a.	Officer in Charge (OIC) – A Serving Commissioned Officer from a Regiment within Gutersloh Garrison.

b.	Second in Command (2IC) – A serving Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer from a Regiment within the Garrison.

c.	Treasurer – A dedicated club member.

d.	Chief Scrutineer – A member of the club with mechanical technical ability / knowledge

e.	Publicity Member / Secretary

f.	Timekeepers x 2

g.	General Members x 6

h.	Any willing club member


8.	The committee will be held responsible for the organisation of each club meeting, the co-ordination of the AGM, Grand prix weekend and the end of season party. Other members of the club can be co-opted in to the committee for specific purposes or activities. The committee will also be responsible for the enforcement of the club rules and regulations.

9.	The committee will meet on the Wednesday prior to any race meeting and will ensure at that meeting that all administration is arranged for the following race day.

10.	The committee is empowered by these rules to make any decisions both financial and administrative as seen fit for the good and benefit of the club. Once a decision made by the committee is briefed to the wider membership of the club at the following race meeting the decision will be classed as carried and binding.


	CLUB REGULATIONS

11.	Race Regulations: The Army Motor Sports Association does not officially recognise the status of Economic Rally-Cross, however, Gutersloh Rally-Cross regulations comply fully with the spirit and intent of regulations described within the RAC Blue Book and constitutes the authority for the Organisation of Gutersloh Rally-Cross Club.

12.	Licenses: Competitors must have a full civilian-driving license, and be registered for the season as a member of the Gütersloh Garrison Rally Cross Club.

13.	Safety: The club committee is responsible for ensuring the suitable safety arrangements are made for each meeting in accordance with the insurer’s requirements and those of general safety.

14.	Race Insurance cover is to be arranged by the club treasurer before each meeting. If a claim is presented to the club he is to action it where necessary and confirms all the appropriate agencies are informed and that all the correct claims procedures are followed.

15.	As the Gütersloh Rally-Cross Club meets within the confines of the Princess Royal Barracks Gütersloh, all participating drivers and their associated crews are to be registered as members of the Gütersloh Rally-Cross Club. Family members of club members who regularly attend meetings to spectate are also to register as club members, in order to facilitate entry into barracks. Entry to barracks will be by the main gate and all members will be required to show their club pass and register their vehicle onto camp.

16.	Fees: Club membership is controlled via payment of an annual membership fee of €50 payable at the AGM, or at the attendance of the first race meeting, with a further race entry fee of € 50 per race day. €10 of the race day fee will be returned to drivers who assist with the setting up and dismantling of the course on race days. Fees are collected in order to finance the club events and trophies, the cost of annual membership and race meeting fees will normally be decided at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), normally held in the January of each year.

17.	Spectators: Spectators are welcome. In the interest of safety and security, entrance is closely monitored and any problems, no matter how small, are to be reported to the OIC at the earliest opportunity. Spectators are to be discouraged from bringing pets with them, and are also reminded that children are to be supervised at all times by an adult. As meetings take place within the confines of a British Military establishment, free access to spectators cannot be provided. Therefore all regular spectators who do not possess a valid MOD 90 or other such recognised military pass for the barracks will be required to join the club as a spectator at a cost of €10 per year. This fee is to cover the administration costs of obtaining club passes. A registered club member must sign in individuals who wish to attend as a one-off spectator.

18.	Alcohol: No alcohol whatsoever is allowed at a race meeting. Any driver or spectator found to be consuming alcohol will be banned for the remainder of the race meeting, Club members found to be consuming alcohol at further race meetings, will be banned for a period of at least 12 months.

19.	Post-Meet Clean Up: All competitors and spectators are to remove all cars and rubbish by the end of the race day. The area will be inspected prior to the trophy presentation.


	POINT SCORING

20.	Overall Champion: The Gütersloh Rally-Cross Champion will be decided at the end of the racing year. The winner of the Overall Champion Trophy will be the driver with the most points accumulated throughout the season.

21.	Monthly Trophies: Trophies will be presented at the end of each meeting to the following drivers:


a.	The three highest point scoring drivers on the day in each of the competed classes.

b.	The two highest scoring lady racers on the day (should sufficient lady racers be registered at the start of the season).

c.	The winner of the Super Final race.

d.	1st Team in the Team Race.

e.	1st of each class in the Endurance Race.

f.	1st Military in each class.


22.	Championship Points System:

	Points are to be awarded at each race meeting as follows:


	1^st 20 points
	2^nd 17 points
	3^rd 15 points
	4^th 13 points
	5^th 11 points
	6^th 10 points
	7^th 9 points
	8^th 8 points
	9^th 7 points
	10^th 6 points

	Bonus Points for Class Finals:

	1^st 3 points
	2^nd 2 points
	3^rd 1 points


23.	Ladies Championship: The same system as defined in Paragraph 20 - 22 is to be affected, should their be sufficient ladies competing throughout the season to make such a class worth while. If a ladies class is not competed for, all female drivers will compete in the main classes, dependant on their engine size.


	CAR CLASSES

24.	The following car groupings will apply within the Gütersloh Rally-Cross Club:


	The car classes are as follows:

	Class A: Engines up to 60 bhp
	Class B: Engines from 61 – 90 bhp
	Class C: Engines from 91 – 120 bhp
	Class D: Engines from 121 bhp and above


	SCRUTINEERING


25.	All cars must pass a Scrutineering Inspection by 08:55 hrs prior to racing. This is in order to confirm that all cars comply with the correct regulations and safety standards.

26.	Any vehicle that rolls or is involved in any more than a minor scrape / accident (dictated by the clerk of the course) during the course of a race meeting is to undergo further scrutineering to ensure that it is safe to continue racing.


	ENTRY / RACE DAY PROCEDURES

27.	Two Cars Entry: A driver may enter only one car per meeting that qualifies for championship points. A second car can be entered, however a further entry fee of 10€ will be required. The second car will not gain the driver any further point’s towards the championship.

28.	Throughout the meeting each car is to compete in three timed heats, each heat will be of 5-laps duration unless directed otherwise on the race day. The two fasted timed heats will be added together to determine the start grid for the class final. Each car is to have completed at least two timed heats prior to any lunch interval.

29.	Team Races: Teams will consist of two cars from any class. The winner will be the team with the lowest aggregate time. All team races will be timed. Where teams are level on final times, the fastest team car time will decide the placing. No team, may start a race with one car, both cars must finish, being eligible for placing. Team racing is not related to any championship.

30.	Pit Safety: Safety is of vital importance to protect competitors and spectators from injury. The pit area is subject to a speed limit of 5 kph. Any driver, who, in the opinion of any race track official or club member, is speeding or driving dangerously through the pit area, will be banned from competing in the remainder of that race meeting. Instructions and signals from any Marshall or officials are to be obeyed at all times.

31.	Pre-Race Brief: Before each race meeting, a drivers brief and a separate brief for Marshall's is to take place.

32.	Marshall's: Marshall's will be sited at various points around the circuit. They are to be obeyed at all times.

33.	Racing Signals: Marshall's will display the following signals by use of flags when required during a race meeting:


a.	RED FLAG: Competitors must cease racing immediately and proceed slowly and with maximum caution to the start line. Competitors must obey all instructions from Marshall's and be prepared to stop should the track be blocked.

b.	YELLOW FLAG: Danger, slow down. No overtaking and be prepared to stop.

c.	YELLOW & RED FLAG: (crossed) An Ambulance is required on the track. Competitors must cease racing and pull over and wait for further instruction from the Marshall’s.

d.	BLACK FLAG: The driver must proceed to the pits within one lap of receiving the signal. On arrival in the pits the driver is to report to the clerk of the course. If the driver ignores a black flag he will be banned from racing for the rest of the day.

e.	BLACK & WHITE CHEQUERED FLAG: End of race or finish.


34.	Start Procedure: Cars will be called forward to the start line by the Start Marshall. The Marshall is to check harnesses are secured and that the drivers helmets are correctly fitted with chin straps done up, he is further to ensure that the driver goggles are in place and / or the helmet visor is in the down position. The marshal is to confirm that the driver knows the number of laps to be completed for the race. When the Start Van is informed that the track is clear, the Timekeeper will give the all clear to the start Marshall so racing can commence.

35.	Racing Rules: Rally cross is a non-contact sport, consequently:


a.	Deliberate contact with another driver i.e. avoidable ramming, will result in a black flag being shown for the guilty driver. Any driver or Marshall can report the offence to the Clerk of the Course, who will then make a ruling on the matter. The decision by the Clerk of the Course is final.

b.	If a vehicle door, boot or bonnet becomes fully open, the vehicle is to vacate the circuit at once, the black flag will be shown if the driver of the vehicle fails to stop racing and clear the circuit at the earliest opportunity.

c.	Un-sporting acts will be penalised by exclusion from the race, continued un-sporting acts will render the driver disqualified from the remainder of the race meeting.

d.	Jump-starts will receive a 10 second penalty or, in the case of class finals or Grand finals, the offender will be penalised one place in the final result.

e.	Any vehicle deliberately leaving the course i.e. short cutting, will be penalised by exclusion. If a vehicle spins off the circuit, it will not be penalised, provided it returns to the track at the nearest point from where it exited and does not hinder any other competitor in doing so. Any driver, who intentionally leaves the circuit and causes another driver to take evasive action, will be excluded from the race and reported to the Clerk of the Course for dangerous driving.

f.	If a vehicle leaves the circuit or breaks down and receives a push start by spectators, it will be excluded from the race. It must return to the pits and not hinder any other vehicle/driver.

g.	If a driver is involved in a race where a car rolls over, all other vehicles racing at the time are to stop racing immediately and return to the start line. The race will be re-run. The vehicle, which rolled over, must be re-inspected and past fit before it is allowed to race again. If a vehicle rolled over due to driver error and no contact occurred with another vehicle, that vehicle will not be allowed to re-run that heat.

h.	Any competitor, who through bad driving or going too fast, causes a blockage or hold up on the track will not be entitled to a re-run. The Clerk of the Course must be very firm on this rule.


	Note: NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED IF PARAGRAPH 35 a – h IS / ARE BROKEN


36.	Finishing Procedure after the competitors have completed the required number of laps, they will receive the chequered flag by the Finishing Marshall. They must return to the pits by the authorised route only. Once racing has finished, all vehicles must be removed from the track as soon as possible.

37.	No racing is to occur without all marshals and emergency vehicles being in place around the race circuit.


	CONSTRUCTIONS REGULATIONS

38.	All vehicles must have an UNMODIFIED standard original body shell of the closed car type (no open specials, commercial vehicles or sports cars with soft tops etc). All body panels must be retained i.e. boot lid, bonnets, doors, wings and bumpers. Glass sunroof panels must be removed and the hole must be covered with a plate at least the same thickness as the body shell.

39.	Engine and body shell must be related. Conglomerated vehicles that consist of components from different makes/models are prohibited. Authoritative documents can be consulted if eligibility is in doubt (Mk 1 cars must only have Mk 1 engine fitted).

40.	Bodies can be strengthened in any way, as long as the strengthening does not protrude outside the body shell.

41.	Only two wheel drive vehicles are eligible.

42.	Tow bars must be removed to the point where they no longer protrude past the rear bumper.

43.	Wheels can be wider than those normally fitted. Tyres must be serviceable with no cuts or bulges and tread is to be evident and of normal road or winter type. Spacers are also prohibited.

44.	No racing / slick or sand tyres are allowed. Tyres fitted to vehicles must have been readily available from retailers and initially designed for use on public roads.

45.	ENGINES MUST NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY Cylinder heads, manifolds and carburettors must remain as standard. Vehicles found to have engine modifications will be disqualified from that race meeting.

46.	GEARBOXES only stock gearboxes of the type originally fitted to the car are to be used. The fitting of race gearboxes or up rated gearboxes onto cars is forbidden and will result in disqualification. (This amendment was agreed at the 2007 AGM).

47.	Racing numbers must be displayed upright on the roof of the car. The number must be clearly legible on both sides of the vehicle. Numbers must be a minimum size of 15 cm, and plates should be mounted to the rear of the roof.

48.	Cars must be presented in a smart and professional manner. Team colours are encouraged and any sign writing on the car is to be as neat as possible. Cars must be cleaned prior to each race meeting. Cars are not to be raced with abusive slogans or language decorating them.

49.	All interior lights / glass (apart from the windscreen) and interior trim must be removed. The dashboard may be retained. The driver's seat is to be fully secured to either standard or reinforced fittings.

50.	Driver’s side window protection must be fitted; it must be easily removed, in the case of an accident from the outside of the vehicle. Window protection is to be of Perspex, grill or netting.

51.	A FULL roll-cage must be fitted to the vehicle and be of a rigid construction. It must be made from material with sufficient strength to withstand impact in the event of a roll over. It must be a minimum of 4 cm tubing or 4 cm x 4-cm box section in diameter. Motorway barrier / staging and light alloy tubing is forbidden. The main loop must be positioned as close to the rear of the driver’s seat as possible, and have no bolted joints, i.e. three welded sections or one solid form to shape the section. The main loop must be of sufficient width to give adequate protection over the width of the Car. The two struts facing rearward from the verticals of the main loop must be bolted to the main body of the car. If the struts are bolted to the main loop, it must be to lugs of sufficient strength or using special type tube fittings as used on FIA approved roll-cages. The roll- cage securing bolts must be of a minimum of 10 mm thread diameter. A driver's side door bar must be fitted to the main roll-cage in the same manner as the rear struts but must use spreader plates where fitted to any part of the bodywork. The tube must be a minimum of 4 cm in diameter. The bar must be fitted along the outside of the roll-cage. Spreader plates must be fitted to both sides of the vehicle skin where any Part of the roll-cage is joined to the body shell. All struts that are forward of the main loop must not restrict movement of the drivers head. Any section that comes in contact with the driver's body is to be padded. Any section of the body shell on to which the cage is bolted must be of sufficient strength to withstand impact in the event of a rollover. (Advice on roll-cage construction can be sought from the chief scrutineer).

52.	Driver's face protection is mandatory. The front windscreen may be of laminated glass or Perspex. If using Perspex, it is to be at least 4mm in thickness. When using a laminated windscreen, no cracks are to be visible within the drivers third of vision. The driver's vision must be clear. The original glass in the side windows and rear must be removed. The car must be fitted with a serviceable wash/wipe system when glass or Perspex is fitted in the front screen area. Alternatively, a wire mesh with a matrix no bigger than l2 mm may be fitted; this mesh must fill the entire window aperture and be of sufficient strength. This must be held in place by a minimum of two metal jubilee clips each side and one top and bottom in the centre of the screen. Whether the vehicle is fitted with glass, Perspex or mesh, helmets with visors or goggles must be worn at all times during racing. If glass is replaced at any time during a race meeting, the vehicle is to be re-scrutinised.

53.	A full harness seatbelt must be fitted, i.e. two shoulder and lap restraints. Normal car inertia belts are prohibited. All belts must be of a named type and are not to be modified in any way (no homemade harnesses). Harnesses must be attached directly to bolts / eye bolts mounted to a secure area of the body shell at either side of and behind the driver (i.e.: minimum of three securing points).

54.	Both front doors must be left operational. Rear doors must be positively secured by either bolting or welding. Boots and bonnets must have anti-burst devices fitted, however bonnets that hinge from the front are excused.

55.	Brakes and steering must be fully serviceable (this includes the handbrake). Any vehicle that uses any type of ballast must make sure it is fully secured. Body panels must be secure and no sharp edges or protrusions are allowed.

56.	The exhaust system must exit the engine compartment and have at least one silencer fitted. If the exhaust enters the driver’s compartment, it must be shielded to prevent accidental Contact. Noise from the exhaust must not exceed 98Db @ 1 meter from the end of the exhaust pipe.

57.	Batteries must be secured by two positive methods. If fitted in the driver's compartment, they must be sealed in a leak proof compartment, and must be insulated with a non-conductive material.

58.	Original petrol tanks may be used with a serviceable fuel gauge. A smaller tank (max 10 litres) may be used but must be fitted in a secure and positive manner in the rear of the car in a non-Contact area. The tank must be fitted with a breather that must exist outside the car. Tin gauge tanks are prohibited. A metal splashguard must be fitted between any internal tank and the driver. The splashguard must cover the complete width of the vehicle and be a minimum of 30cm in height above the top of the fuel tank or completely enclose the fuel tank. Fuel pipes inside the vehicle must be secured and protected from chaffing on any part of the bodywork.

59.	Radiators may be fitted within the body shell. If fitted in the driver's compartment, a screen must protect the driver in case the radiator bursts or leaks in any way. Any pipes that run through the shell must be made of metal and painted RED. The pipes must also be shielded to prevent accidental contact.

60.	The fitting of Fire Extinguishers is compulsory. They MUST be fitted within easy reach of the driver when racing and must be in a quick release holder and NOT taped in place.

61.	2 rear view mirrors of a size not less than 10x5cm must be fitted to the car. One mirror must be an interior rear view mirror.

62.	A method of attaching a recovery rope must be fitted. Front and rear pillars are acceptable, but vehicles fitted with full width screens must fit a hook of some description. All tow points must be marked clearly.

63.	Ignition switches may be retained, an engine cut out switch must be fitted and the ON/OFF positions clearly marked on the external area of the car and easily accessible by the Marshall's.

64.	Electric fuel pumps must be isolated through the ignition switch or engine cut out switch. A master switch may be fitted and is to isolate all electric’s, its location is to be clearly marked on the vehicle.

65.	A mandatory brake light integrated in the conventional rear light cluster or in the rear window aperture is to be fitted. The vehicle must also have a bad weather light fitted. Both lights are to be RED. The Clerk of the course will decide if the bad weather light should be switched on.

66.	Any doubt concerning the construction regulations is to be forwarded in writing to the OIC Gütersloh Rally-Cross Club for the correct interpretation of the rules. If there is doubt over the rules during a race meeting, then the decision of the Chief Scrutineer is final.

67.	If a car is suspected of having a modified engine or gearbox, then the vehicle will be taken to an approved garage and tested for BHP on a rolling road. This will be done at the expense of the club if the suspected offender is innocent. If however the results are positive the expense will be down to the club member. If the club member refuses to have the vehicle tested then he will be banned from any future meetings.


	CONCLUSION

68.	Within these rules the club have attempted to include all aspects relating to the car construction, race rules and club organisation. However should any club member wish to add or recommend any further points for inclusion they should contact the club OIC or a committee member.

	R Baker

	Major

	OIC

	Gütersloh Rally Cross Club