THE POWER PULLING ASSOCIATION

C L U B R U L E B O O K

Associated Publications

1. Mini Puller Build Rules

2. The BTPA Rule Book

3. The ETPC Rule Book

4. The North American Sled Operators Hand Book

5. The Health and Safety at Work Act

6. The Road Traffic Act 1994

INTRODUCTION

Members of the Power Pulling Association (PPA) are required to adhere to the rules laid down in this Rule Book whenever they are attending or competing at club meetings and events. If attending or competing at events run by other agencies where the PPA has no jurisdiction then members will be subject to the rules and regulations of that agency.

Ignorance of the Rule Book may not be used as an excuse for non compliance.

Members operating pulling machines are to comply with the PPA Mini Puller Build Rules in conjunction with this Rule Book.

SECTION 1

GENERAL RULES

Membership

Membership is open to all persons subject to agreement of the club committee and officers.

The club reserves the right to refuse membership. The reason for refusal may not always be given.

Membership is in three categories :

i) Full competing member.

ii) Non-Competing member.

iii) Garden Tractor competing member.

A full competing member must be 12 years of age or over.

Full competing members aged 12 to 16 may only drive Formula Class Pullers within the stated Age limits

Members will have the benefit of receiving all current information about the club, Newsletters and entry to meetings and social events, use of members enclosure and access to trackside and pits at all times (subject to permission from club officials).

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Non-competing members are excluded from driving or operating pulling machines at club events.

Behaviour

When attending club events, or representing the club at other events, members will behave in a manner which will not bring the club into disrepute.

Agreement of Compliance

Membership of the club automatically implies agreement of compliance with the rules. Persons breaking the rules may be refused continued membership.

The club absolves itself of any liability in any way to any persons who are members.

Safety

Tractors and all associated equipment are to be used in a safe and responsible manner. Safety is the responsibility of all members. However, members must comply with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Road Traffic Act 1994.

Safety concerning pulling machines and driver/operators is included in the Mini Puller Build Rules.

Only the driver/operator is allowed on any vehicle or sled when being towed or driven in any area.

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SECTION 2

DRIVING AND OPERATION OF A PULLER

Pit Area

1) The pit area is reserved for pulling vehicles; support vehicles and team members associated equipment. The pit area is out of bounds to non-members except when designated by club officers. The running, testing and driving of tractors in the pit area is the responsibility of the individual teams involved. At all times when the general public are allowed in the pit area and teams are running, testing or driving tractors adequate precautions are to be taken to ensure that persons are not endangered in any way. This is particularly important with regard to children.

2) If third party claims are made against the club insurance this may be offset by legal action against a team or member if they are in breach of the rules.

3) When a tractor engine is running, whether for testing and/or driving, a PPA member must be in the driving seat under full control.

Pulling vehicles may only be driven under their own power in the pit or track areas unless specific permission is granted by the club officials.

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4) Junior members (under 12) are the responsibility of their parent or guardian at all times.

Weighing and Scrutineering

1) Scrutineering will take place prior to competition in the scrutineering area before the weighbridge; this being carried out by the Scrutineering Team. Drivers to be dressed in fire suit etc for the scrutineering and weighing.

The puller owner/driver is to give every assistance to the Scrutineering Team in this procedure.

Remember, scrutineering is for the operator’s safety as much as to ensure fairness.

2) The Scrutineering Team’s decision is final. If owners/drivers are in doubt then the clarification of points may be sought prior to competition.

3) Scrutineering failures are categorised into 3 areas :

i) Tractor unsafe or grossly unfair (not in class) - banned from competition immediately until corrected.

ii) Tractor basically safe or has defect which will not effect competition or safety - correction must be made before next club pull.

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iii) Tractor completely safe and has no problem affecting competition but does not fully comply with the rule book - correction to be made within the next 3 club pulls.

The kill switch will be checked before each day’s competition but may be checked at any time by members of the Scrutineering Team. Refusal by owner/driver to a kill switch check can result in disqualification.

5) Weighing Tractors are to be weighed prior to competition and will be in competition condition with all fuels, oils and driver in position. The weight on the day may be modified slightly by club officers to suit local conditions (weigh bridge error). Tractors, once weighed may have no further work carried out on them.

After weighing and scrutineering the tractors will be lined up on the dead side (pitside) of the track facing the crowd.

Entry to Track and Pulling

1) Pullers may enter the track area when called forward by the Track Marshall. Pullers are to drive onto the track unless a prior arrangement with the Track Marshall has been agreed.

2) When on the track the Track Marshall has responsibility for directing the puller. Puller drivers are to comply with his directions.

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3) The puller is to reverse onto the sled for hooking and must stop before hooking can take place. The tractor must be in neutral or reverse gear when hooking and both of the drivers hands are to be off the controls to indicate to the hookman that the puller is safe.

4) When hooked, the Track Marshall will call the puller forward to tension the chain. The Track Marshall must ensure the hookman is clear and the driver must not move until he is told he can do so.

5) The Track Marshall is to ensure that all is safe before allowing a pull to take place.

NOTE : During 1 - 5 above a red light or flag or both should be displayed on the track.

6) The Track Marshall will indicate to the driver that it is safe to commence pulling by showing a green flag or light. Otherwise the red flag or light will remain displayed.

7) Moving whilst a red flag is showing will result in disqualification.

8) When a tractor has completed a pull it will be at a standstill. It should then be reversed a short distance to allow unhooking (the same safety procedure as for hooking to be followed). When unhooked the Flag Marshall will indicate it is safe to drive off the track. The puller is to drive off the track in compliance with competition rules.

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Track

The track is to be soil, smoothed and debris free. It will be 100 yds long (90 metres) by 30ft wide (10 metres). It must have a run off of 35yds (30 metres) at the finish and an adequate area for the sled at the start. There must be a 15ft (5 metre) safety strip each side of the track to the spectator barrier.

The safety strip may be dispensed with on one side if there is positively no access to the public on that side.

The track sides are to marked and posted in 10yd (10 metre) increments. Additionally the 25yd (20 metre) point must be clearly indicated.

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Flagmen, Marshalls, Hookmen and Mechanics

1) FLAGMEN Two flagmen are required as a minimum. One at the start line and one at the finish. They are to be equipped with one red and one green flag (red and green lights for night pulling).

The flagman at the start point may also be the Track Marshall. When a tractor is called forward to hook both flagmen will display red flags or lights. The sled will be showing a red light. When safely hooked and the chain tightened the sledman will show a green light to indicate that the sled is ready for the pull. The flagman at the finish line (Top Flagman) is to satisfy himself that the track is clear and safe and then show a green flag or light. The start line flagman is then to ensure that the tractor is ready, the sled is showing a green light and the track is clear and safe and the Top Flagman is showing a green flag or light. He will then also show a green flag or light and the tractor can commence the pull.

The Track Marshall is to time the pull from the point of start as in the event of a failure or non start the driver has three minutes to complete a measured pull before disqualification.

The Top Flagman is to monitor the progress of the pull and is to red flag the puller as soon as forward progress stops. Both flagmen must monitor progress and, if in the opinion of either flagman, a dangerous situation develops a red flag or light is to be displayed immediately.

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2) Track Marshalls, measuring team and hookmen are to ensure they are in a safe area when pulling commences and to be sure they are aware of what is required on the day. This may vary from pull to pull depending on conditions. The Track Marshall will have responsibility on the track for the puller and must clearly indicate his requirements. The hookman must on no account position himself between the puller and the front of the sled. The hookman must satisfy himself that the tractor is under control and stationary prior to hooking. The hookman must make it clear to the Track Marshall when the puller is hooked.

Track Marshall, flagmen, hookman and mechanics must all be clear of the track prior to pull commencing.

Flagmen and mechanics/helpers are not to run alongside the track or tractor when the pull is in progress. Reason : To be aware of possible runaway tractors and other moving machinery.

Mechanics

Only one mechanic per puller is allowed on track with the puller. It is the mechanic’s responsibility to guide a driver onto the sled and to make any necessary adjustments prior to the pull.

Where a tractor has no reverse gear the mechanic must make it clear to the Track Marshall if he requires assistance in hitching or unhitching prior to competition starting. The mechanic is also responsible for the positioning of the sled on starting.

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Competition

1) RUNNING ORDER The running order will be chosen (usually at random) at the beginning of each class. Tractors may not change this order.

TEST PULLER The first puller is called the test puller and is the first in class. When the first puller has completed his pull he will be asked if he will accept the pull. The driver has the option to accept or ask for a re-pull in either sixth position or last position (depending on number in class). This decision must be taken before leaving the track.

Before the driver makes his decision the sled operator will indicate whether the sled is ‘set’ or not. If the sled is not set the pull is not counted and the tractor automatically drops to sixth or last place and the next tractor takes over as test puller with the same rules applying. When a competitor is test puller and the sled is reset after his pull to a lighter setting he is allowed to take that pull.

The sled setting will be decided by the sled operator and the Head Track Marshall. If the sled operator does not agree with the decision the Track Marshall can, at his discretion, allow two pulls at the sled operators setting. If not satisfied with that setting he can demand the setting be changed.

ON TRACK PROCEDURE When the driver sees both flags at green he may commence his pull. If there is a mechanical problem the driver may attempt to repair with a maximum time of three minutes, or ask the Track Marshall if he can drop to sixth or last place (depending on number in class).

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If last place, six minutes after completion of last pull is allowed. If all is well the pull will commence.

The driver must watch the stop flagman and stop immediately a red flag is shown. On completion of the pull the driver is to reverse a short distance to enable unhitching then, when directed, drive off the track. (This is mandatory). If the driver requires a tow back from the trackside he must make this clear to the top flagman when driving off. The driving off rule can only be waived if a mechanical problem occurs precluding this.

If, when commencing a pull, the driver feels that all is not well he may stop and ask for a re-pull. The driver must attempt to stop before the 25yd/20 metre mark to qualify and must make his re-pull immediately unless dropping places under the mechanical failures rule. Only one re-pull is allowed.

4) PULL OFFS If a tractor reaches the 100yd/90 metre line this is called a Full Pull. In the event of two or more tractors achieving a full pull a pull off will be held. Tractors run in a pull off in the same order as the first round. In a pull off there is no test puller. However, if the sled is incorrectly set test puller rules apply. Also there is no re-pull in a pull off. In the unlikely event of a dead heat the pullers will be given the chance of another pull off or equally sharing the points for first place. Other placing will get equal points for the position.

5) SCORING A points system of scoring is used, the exact makeup of which may be obtained from the club secretary.

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SUMMARYOF REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

1) Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

2) Starting a pull under a red flag or light.

3) Going out of bounds during a pull.

4) Ignoring a red flag or light during a pull.

5) Loss of equipment, weights, or excess fluid whilst moving under a green flag or light.

6) Refusing to comply with Track Marshall’s requests.

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SECTION 4

Sled

The sled is built and maintained to the ETPC sled rule book which is derived from the North American Sled Operators Handbook to which any queries should be referred. However, for clarification some rules are included here :

1) The driver/operator must be fully conversant with all the sled controls.

2) The start weight on the pan must not exceed the gross weight of the tractor.

3) The sled operator must not switch on the green light until the track is clear and safe and the hookman is clear of the track.

4) If, in the opinion of the sled operator, a pull is becoming dangerous or a tractor fails to respond to a red flag, the emergency stop lever is to be used.

5) The sled operator is to comply with the team mechanic’s request for the start line positioning to the best of his ability.

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