Rulebook and categories

This Rulebook has been composed by the Off road club Herceg ProTeam, and is an official binding document for all participants of the „Blidinje Challenge“ race, which takes place in Nature Park Blidinje, BiH. The Club management retains the right to changes and amendments of certain provisions of the Rulebook.

R U L E B O O K

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES AND CATEGORISATION OF CLASSES

1.1. All vehicles that meet all the requirements of the regulations for vehicles in public traffic may take part in the race, and must have lighting and signaling (brake tail light) and equipment for competition stipulated in the rulebook.

1.2. Vehicles taking part are categorized into classes:

1.3. ADVENTURE class
– Roll bar is desirable (Roll bar is for your own safety. The minimum requirements for the roll bar are: 1 firm hoop, bent along or across the roof, not welded to the roof, and with 2 supporting bars welded at the highest point. It must have 4 firmly fixated mounting plates. Roll bar is strongly recommended. )
– In this class, portals are not allowed.
– Maximum tire size is 35“ (88 cm).
– Agricultural tires, work machines tires, and off road tires are permitted. Tires must be marked MT and similar. AT and road tires are not allowed.
– Front winch is mandatory. Electric winch of max 9500 lb must have synthetic or steel rope 8 mm or more thick. Electric winches over 9500 lb, hydraulic and cardan winches must have synthetic or steel rope of 10 mm or more.
– The vehicle must carry adequate lighting for the night-time portion of the race.
– Tire chains are not allowed.
– Spare wheel is mandatory.
– Tree protection band is mandatory.
– Tensioner at least 9m long is mandatory.
– Hook for hauling at the front and back of the vehicle is mandatory.
– First aid kit, in line with ECE norms or better, is mandatory.
– Fire extinguisher is mandatory of minimum 2 kg (or 2x 1kg), which must be filled and attested.
– Safety belts are mandatory with at least 3 anchorage points (as with production vehicles), or more.
– Helmets for driver and co-driver are mandatory, and must be ECE tested for automotive or standard use in traffic (cannot be for recreational purposes).
– There must be no oil or other liquid leaking from the car.
– Treads and anchors are permitted.
– Tripmaster is mandatory.
– Compass is mandatory.
– Gloves are mandatory.

1.4. CHALLENGE class
– Must have roll bar (Roll bar is for your own safety and is mandatory. The minimum requirements for the roll bar are: 1 firm hoop bent along or across the roof, not welded to the roof, and 2 supporting bars welded at the highest point. It must have 4 firmly fixated mounting plates. Roll bar is strongly recommended.)
– Portals are permitted for this class.
– There is no limit for the size of tires for this class.
– Agricultural tires, work machines tires, and off road tires are permitted. Tires must be marked MT and similar. AT and road tires are not permitted.
– Front and back winch are mandatory. Electric winch of max 9500 lb must have synthetic or steel rope 8 mm or more thick. Electric winches over 9500 lb, hydraulic and mechanic winches must have synthetic or steel rope of 10 mm or more.
– The vehicle must carry adequate lighting for the night-time portion of the race.
– Tire chains are not permitted.
– Spare wheel is mandatory.
– Tree protection band is mandatory.
– Tensioner at least 9m long is mandatory.
– Hook for hauling at the front and back of the vehicle is mandatory.
– First aid kit, in line with ECE norms or better, is mandatory.
– A fire extinguisher of at least 2 kg (or 2x 1kg), which must be filled and attested, is mandatory.
– Safety belts are mandatory with at least 3 anchorage points (as with production vehicles), or more.
– Helmets for driver and co-driver are mandatory, and must be ECE tested for automotive or standard use in traffic (cannot be for recreational purposes).
– There must be no oil or other liquid leaking from the car.
– Treads and anchors are permitted.
– Tripmaster is mandatory.
– Compass is mandatory.
– Gloves are mandatory.

RIGOROUS INSPECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED PRIOR TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION, THEREFORE WE ASK YOU TO PREPARE ALL EQUIPMENT AT THE START OF VERIFICATION. VEHICLES THAT DO NOT MEET THESE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTSSHALL NOT BE ADMITTED.

2. RULES, REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES

2.1. All participants must be of legal age (no less than 18 years of age).

2.2. Drivers must have a valid driving license of B category.

2.3. The race consists of a few roadbooks and several special tests.

2.4. Crews (driver and co-driver) in competition are not allowed to receive assistance during the special test (except in the case of a rollover).

2.5. During the race following a roadbook, assistance is allowed only from other competing crews, namely only those that are still taking part in the race.

2.6. During the special tests and roadbook:
– The crew must wear helmets and have seatbelts fastened at all times, except when they are not in the vehicle naturally.
– Gloves are recommended when using bands, ropes or winches in any way.
– For each violation of the said rules, a crew will be penalized with 10 minutes added time. Safety penalties will be multiplied if an offence is repeated more than once.

2.7. For items lost or misplaced on the track (used as assistance in the special track), a crew will be penalized with 5 minutes of added time.

2.8. For garbage or waste thrown from the vehicle, a crew will be penalized with 5 minutes of added time.

2.9. If there is something dragging behind the vehicle (winch rope, cable, tensioner or any add-on) at the moment of going through the finish line, the crew will be penalized with 5 minutes of added time.

2.10. Winch rope must be reeled in at the start and finish.

2.11. During the special test (after the start or before the finish), winch rope or attached straps must be IN or ON the vehicle, but certainly not in the cabin with the crew, because that constitutes an offence and they will be penalized with 10 minutes of added time.

2.12. Driver and navigator (co-driver) may cross the finish line or start only if both of them are in the vehicle.

2.13. Whoever breaks the pole or strap in the special test, will be penalized with 10 minutes added time for the pole and 5 minutes of added time for the strap).

2.14. Each special test and roadbook will have maximum interval time (given time); if 1/3 of track is not covered in the given time there is no point in continuing the drive following a roadbook/special test.

2.15. Time rulebook for road book and special tests.
– If a crew does not arrive to the starting line of the roadbook, 50% of the default time for the same stage will be added to the time achieved in given stage.
– If a crew starts a roadbook, but receives unauthorized assistance, 50% of the default time for the same stage will be added to the time achieved in given stage.
– If a crew starts a roadbook, but fails to reach half of the track, the total time will be 20% worse (from the default time).
– All of the said percentages will be based on the total time designated by the organizer (roadbook and special tests).
– Each stage (roadbook and special exam) will have a certain default time and a certain number of check controls, the default time will be divided by the number of check controls, for each missing check control in roadbook of every stage (roadbook and special exam) achieved time for this stage will be added check control value x 2 (for example, if the default stage time is 4 hours, the stage has 4 check controls, each check control value is 1 hour, if 1 check control is missing in the road book, the penalty is 1 hour x 2 = 2 hours, if missing 2 check controls, the penalty is 2 hours x 2 = 4 hours, etc.… plus time achieved).
– – Competitors who do not complete the stage in default time (roadbook and special exam) the exceeded time will be increased by 2 times and added to default time for that stage (for example, the default time of the stage is 4 hours, the competitor completed the stage in 4:10 hours , total time will be 4 hours + 10 min. X 2 = 4:20 hours)
– crews who do not reach the starting line of the special exam will be given a default time for a given stage increased by 50% x 2
– crews who start and do not finish the special exam (not by their own fault), the time remaining until the end of the same stage x 2 will be added to the time achieved time in a given stage.
– crews who start but do not complete the special exam will be given a default time x 2
– – For all special exams, the total time achieved, as well as the penalty time, will be increased by 3 times.

2.16. Before the starting line of a track, a crew may remove everything that they do not need from the vehicle and they may not use it before the finishing line because that will constitute assistance from outside.

2.17. If a crew member gets lost, becomes ill or injured during the race, he/she may be replaced with another member.
– Another member who has decided that they will not continue the race (but not with a team member that has already completed a challenge successfully)
– Other people may also replace a crew member, but only if they are registered.

2.18. A replaced member does not have the right to continue the race in any other vehicle.

2.19. A crew with a replaced member may stay in the race for a prize, and may receive the prize.

2.20. If some crews have a spare vehicle, they must register it and check whether it meets the stipulated technical requirements, and do so before the start. Different crews may later use this vehicle as a replacement vehicle, but there shall be only one replacement of the main vehicle allowed. After that the vehicle must be driven to the finishing line of the race. The replaced (previous) vehicle may no longer be used during the vehicle.

2.21. If a vehicle is seriously damaged during the race, each judge is entitled to stop it and forward the crew to fix the vehicle. Following such an event, the vehicle must go through an emergency technical inspection that will be organized before the start of further driving.

2.22. Driver and co-driver may switch places during the race whenever they want.

2.23. The winner will be the crew with the best time achieved counted together with all the special tests of the entire race.

2.24. All crews are obligated to pay the mandatory participation fee according to the stipulated conditions.

2.25. There must strictly be no consumption of alcohol or other opiates during the official part of the race.

2.26. Organizer is obligated to ensure a special vehicle for pulling and transport of inoperable or damaged vehicle to an appropriate location.

2.27. The competitors are allowed to use of types of advertising on their competing vehicles as long as:
– Ads are not placed on places designated for registration marks and competition numbers;
– are not placed in places that reduce the field of vision;
– Do not contain messages of any type of political content or any hate speech.

2.28. Contesters are obligated to stick on all vehicles all decals that the organizing club distributed at the start of the race.

2.29. The organizer is obligated to ensure a valid and clear roadbook, and all other instruction related to the official part of the race.

2.30. During the official part of the race, the vehicle may only carry driver and co- driver.

2.31. The vehicles will start further to the ordinal number that they have secured at the prologue driven on the first day of the race, following the verification of all registered vehicles. The vehicles that have not driven this prologue and wish to join the race shall be given starting numbers following a chronological order depending on the time of their registration.

2.32. The start of the next stage (roadbook or special tests) shall be determined by the placement achieved in the previous stage.

2.33. Each crew is obligated to show up for all designated time checks and other designated points.

2.34. Vehicles will start in 2-minute intervals. In case the crew that is in order to start does not appear at their designated time, the organizer will start the next crew at the designated start time of the next crew. The crew that was late to the starting line shall have the opportunity to start after all the vehicles have started from his class.

3. AWARDS

3.1. The top three rankings in the Adventure and Challenge classes will be awarded as follows:

3.2. Adventure Class

1. place diploma, cup and award in goods
2. place diploma, cup and award in goods
3. Place diploma, cup and award in goods

3.3. Challenge Class

1. place diploma, cup and award in goods
2. place diploma, cup and award in goods
3. place diploma, cup and award in goods

4. DISCIPLINE AT THE RACE

4.1. All race participants are obligated to adhere to traffic regulations in public traffic.

4.2. The drivers are particularly obligated to adhere to speed limits on roads, in particular when driving through inhabited places and those indicated by the organizer in the road book. All non-compliance with the said shall be penalized with additional 10 minutes in the overall time. This limitation does not pertain to the tracks of special tests that are closed off for public traffic.

4.3. The following shall be regarded as particularly serious breaches of discipline and shall result in disqualification from further competing:
– Disrupting outstripping (breaking down, impossibility, inability or another reason); not allowing outstripping by other crews; the latter are entitled to remove him/her or make an audio/video recording to be forwarded to the organizer;
– Leaving the scene of an accident on a public road and failure to provide first aid to the injured (lost time will be neutralized upon presentation of evidence from the traffic police or the healthcare facility);
– Placing obstacles on the road, relocating or removing signposts placed by the organizers;
– Taking narcotics, alcohol or other narcotic substances during competition.

5. PARTICIPATION FEES AND CONDITIONS

5.1. Each crew is obligated to pay the stipulated participation fee which is:
– 700,00 EUR per vehicle (participation fee implies 2 crew members)
– For supporting members of the crew (up to 5 persons) participation fee is additional 250,00 EUR per person.
– For persons/crews who do not wish to sleep in accommodation provided by the race organizers, the amount of participation fee will be reduced by 20 % (of the said prices).
– For persons/crews who do not wish to sleep or eat as provided by the organizers of the race, the amount of participation fee will be reduced by 30 % (of the said prices).

5.2. In order to register, it is necessary to pay 50% of the said amount no later than 31/07/2024. After this date it will not be possible to receive a refund of the paid sum, and if the registration is cancelled by this date a refund will be possible.

5.3. The remaining 50 % of the amount needs to be paid at the arrival, at the official registration of the race.

5.4. All registrations and payments received by 31/07/2024 shall be considered valid. As of 01/08/2024 registrations will no longer be possible.

5.5. All crews will receive official jersey of the race at the start of the race.

5.6. Car washing will be made possible at the main plateau at a fee.

5.7. Participation fee includes:
– Thursday: lunch, dinner and accommodation
– Friday: breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation
– Saturday: breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation
– Sunday: breakfast and lunch

*All meals (except for Saturday lunch) will be served in solid structure facilities, fitted for the purpose.
*Accommodation will be provided in facilities categorized as 3*.

6. PENAL PROVISIONS

6.1. Penalties for competitors (disqualification) in case of the following offences:

– Crews whose vehicles are not fitted with starting numbers or decals of race sponsors;
– Loss of crew’s files and/or starting number;
– Any unauthorized change in the crew’s file;
– Refusing or preventing requests from traffic police;
– Any irregularity, offence or unsportsmanlike conduct by a competitor;
– Refusal to remove a broken vehicle and/or disturbing other crews;
– If any attempt of deception is identified with regard to stipulated technical requirements for the vehicle.

7. COMPLAINTS

7.1. All complaints, appeals and such must be submitted to the race organizer in writing, with a fee of 100 EUR, as soon as possible after a problem, a misunderstanding or any irregularity has occurred (immediately following the finishing line of a stage and before the beginning of the next stage).

7.2. If the appeal is accepted, the money shall be repaid, and if the complaint is rejected the money will be retained.

7.3. Decisions on appeals are made by the race organizer, judges and competition committee, comprised of:
– Judge
– Organizer
– An independent member

8. OTHER PROVISIONS

8.1. All participants are obligated to fully familiarize themselves with the competition Rulebook and verify this with their signature on the application form at the time of arrival. The signature is a commitment to adhere to all the provisions from the Rulebook. Provisions of the Rulebook cannot in any way
be changed during the competition unless allowed by the organizer due to unforeseen circumstances or force majeure.

8.2. The competitors shall drive at their own responsibility and risk, with full moral, material and criminal responsibility.

8.3. Part of this race shall take place in public traffic and it shall therefore be necessary to adhere to regulations and instructions of the traffic police.

8.4. The organizer of the race retains the right to change, during the competition, parts and sections of road-book and special tests, terminate the competition or eliminate certain crews from further competing.