SECTION 11. Winching – As stated in Rule 1, Section 4
(e), all vehicles must be equipped with a winch of the appropriate size, securely mounted and in good working order. Winches may be mechanical, electrical or hydraulic. It is left to the driver and the crew to carry out safe winching practices during recovery of a stuck vehicle. Blatantly unsafe winching practices (as judged by the race officials) will result in a DNF for the driver. The following rules must also be obeyed during winching:

(a) If a another vehicle is used as a winching point, it is against the rules for the vehicle used as a winching point to tow or pull the stuck race vehicle. The driver and crew must recover their stuck vehicle on their own. Breaking these rules will result in a DNF.

(b) Should the vehicle being used as a winching point be too light, the race driver and his crew should find a way to anchor the winch point (the vehicle) down on their own. External assistance such as bringing up another vehicle to serve as additional anchor is a violation of Rule 2, Section 10 (a,b,d and h) and will result in a DNF.

(c) Drivers and crew of race vehicles whose winches are damaged during the course of the race may, with the consent of the organizers, continue to race the vehicle. This assumes that they began the race in good faith with a properly working winch. The loss of the function of their winch and the resulting crippling of their self-recovery ability is a handicap that the team must work around on their own. Loss of the winch does not entitle them to pre-position an outside vehicle near the track and use the outside vehicle’s winch for recovery. Nor are they allowed to use another vehicle for towing recovery because their winch does not work.

RULE 3
HOW IS THE RACE SCORED?
HOW IS THE WINNER CHOSEN?

Section 12. The general concepts of race scoring. The NAsFOR system of scoring is set up in such a way it favors drivers who can consistently turn in the best times over a number of runs, avoiding mechanical failure. This is why times are cumulative, as opposed to averaged or based simply on single fastest run. This is to eliminate winning by “chamba”. The actual applications will depend on factors such as the number of tracks, the number of competitors, time constraints, etc., but the prevailing concept of consistency being the key is always upheld.

Competitors must also build strong vehicles that can take repeated abuse because taking a DNS (for repairs or any other reason) results in a time penalty. NAsFOR rules are also set up in an attempt to equalize conditions so that as much as humanly possible, racers receive pretty much the same odds (but not the same exact track conditions, which is impossible).

Section 13. Scoring proper – These are the rules for NAsFOR scoring during races:

(a) After the registration period has been closed, the racers will draw numbers to see what the running order will be.

(b) Drawing of numbers by proxy is not allowed.

(c) Racers may not swap places. This is a form of cheating as this is an attempt to gain some advantage over the other racers, recognizing that the track will be either easier or harder to run as time goes by.

(d) Racers will then begin to run the track one by one following the order determined by the drawing of numbers. These runs will be timed.

(e) After all the racers have finished their first run, the order of running shall be reversed. Racers shall again proceed to run the track one by one. Again, these runs will be timed.

(f) The racers’ times for each run shall be added together and the racer with the lowest total time for both runs wins.

(g) There is a maximum time within which a racer must finish the track. Traditionally (and for sample purposes for these rules) it is fifteen minutes, but this is up to the race organizers. Anyone who cannot finish a track within the maximum time will be given a DNF.

(h) If a run is halted permanently by a race official, a DNF will be awarded to the driver.

Section 13. DNF – Did not finish. Receiving a DNF has the following implications:

(a) Drivers who DNF will, for that track, get a time = max time + ½ max time. If max time is fifteen minutes, DNF drivers get a time of 22mins 30secs.

(b) DNF drivers do not get a rerun. See Rule 3, Section 13 (a).

Section 14. DNS – Did not start on time. DNS is given to racers who cannot run when their number is called, and wish to be moved to the rear of the running order. There are many reasons for this such as mechanical failure, repair in progress, etc. Irregardless of the reason, not being at the starting line within a reasonable period when called to race (following the established and accepted running order) will result in a DNS. The implications of a DNS are as follows:

(a) A driver receiving a DNS will be moved to the end of the running order (for that run only, he keeps his regular place for other runs) and will be called to run at the end of the regular runners. At that point he will be called to run and should he be not ready to run again, he will receive another DNS and again be moved to the end of the running order (presumably after the other DNS drivers, who are arranged in order)

(b) Each time a driver receives a DNS a one minute penalty will be added to his time. This is to penalize drivers whose rigs are poorly prepared and break down. It is also to forestall those who would purposely seek to be among the last runners in an attempt to gain an advantage as the track deteriorates.

(c) If a driver really cannot run, he will be given a DNR.

Section 15. DNR or DID NOT RUN – A DNR is given to racers who cannot run the track. This may be acknowledged by a driver who knows that he cannot run, or may be given by the officials to a driver after a series of DNSs shows that truly he cannot run, and is holding up the race for everyone else. Having been DNSed earlier assumes that reasonable time has been given to effect repairs, and if the vehicle is really not ready to run by the time it is being repeatedly called, a DNR is given.

Being given a DNR results in a time = (2 x max time) + DNS penalties incurred. It is the driver’s obligation to keep the race officials informed of his worthiness status and to be ready to race as per the racing order.

Section 16. Races with multiple tracks – Races may be organized with multiple tracks. Some adjustments will have to be made with regard to running order but always the general principles of the federation must prevail.

Section 17. Disqualification (DQ) At any time, the race organizers and officials reserve the right to disqualify racers for unsportsmanlike behavior. Disqualification means the racer is no longer allowed to race and must leave the premises. His registration fee need not be refunded and any prizes he may have won are forfeited. Examples of such behavior include:

(a) The use of alcohol or drugs by driver or crew.

(b) Abusive or violent behavior by driver or crew.