Progress = -2 Points/each and -10 Points/each Bonus Gate

​

     Awarded to drivers for each gate that is cleared by the vehicle during the attempt of a course. A gate is considered “cleared” or “progressed”, and a progress bonus shall be given, when at least one front and one rear tire passes completely through the gate in the intended direction of the gate. Bonus Gates must be cleared to count.

​

Back Up/Reverse/Rollback = +1 Points/each

​

     A point is given when a vehicle reverses course after making forward progress. Reversing is defined as at any time if any of the tires move the vehicle backward or spin in the reverse direction, whether engaged or in freewheel and/or whether intentional or not. Once a reverse penalty is given, no further reverse penalty can be given until the vehicle makes forward progress. No reverse penalty is given if the backward movement is part of a penalized rollover. If a driver begins a course in reverse, a reverse penalty will occur immediately.

 

Hit/Gate Marker = +10 Points/each

​

     Each gate is comprised of two (2) gate markers. A Hit or “Gate Marker” penalty is given when all wheels do not travel between gate markers or any part of the vehicle, a tow strap or winch line touches a gate marker. When a Hit or Gate Marker penalty occurs on a specific gate, that gate is deemed “dead” for the remainder of the course attempt. Once a gate marker is deemed “dead” no more Hit or Gate Marker penalties will occur. Bonus Gates do not incur Hit or Gate Marker penalties.

 

 Roll/Rollover = +5 Points/each  

​

     Points are given when a vehicle rolls over and cannot be corrected without touching. Once the vehicle has stopped it may be rolled back onto its wheels and a +5-point penalty shall be given. Vehicles that land back on their wheels without assistance are not penalized. No reverse penalties will be awarded until the vehicle is righted. The vehicle at no time may be lifted, slid or moved in any way other than a smooth, continuous roll to the left or right side only to right the vehicle. Any other manipulation or movement will be considered a HOG.

 

Boundary Marker = +10 Points/each

​

     Points are given when any part of the vehicle touches a boundary marker. Once a boundary marker is touched the judge will stop time, and the vehicle is then moved back by the driver to the previously cleared gate with the rear axle aligned to that gate. If the vehicle cannot be aligned to the gate due to course design, the judge will reposition the vehicle to the next stable location after the cleared gate. This location will be used for all drivers. A boundary marker will remain “live” for the entire duration of the attempt on the course and should be replaced if moved. Boundary markers are not required in the design of a course.

 

Vehicle Touch/Repairs/Repositions/Assisted Recoveries (AKA HOGS+Rs) and Course Direction = +10 Points/each

​

     All Vehicle Touches (excluding “rollovers” and “winching”) intentional or unintentional are given an automatic +10 points. When either a driver or the judge calls for a vehicle touch the judge will stop time, and the vehicle is then moved back by the driver to the previously cleared gate with the rear axle aligned to that gate. If the vehicle cannot be aligned to the gate due to course design, the judge will reposition the vehicle to the next stable location after the cleared gate. This location will be used for all drivers. Vehicle touches include but are not limited to repairs, repositions, vehicle driving or falling into the driver.

 

     On-Course Repairs must be completed on course and in the spot of which the driver decided to take the repair. Repairs must be made within the course time, while the course timer will continue to run. If repairs are made within the course time, the driver must return to the last previous gate cleared. If repairs cannot be made within the course time, the driver is given a DNF minus progress points for that course run. There are no restrictions on whom or how the repairs are made.

 

     Off-Course Repairs can be called by the driver. The judge will stop time, and the driver is given 30 minutes to repair their vehicle off course. Repairs must be completed within the 30-minute allotment, or the driver is given a DNF minus progress points. If the repair is made within the allotted time, the driver must return to the last gate cleared. A 1-minute time penalty will be subtracted from the time that is left on that course; the timer will continue once the vehicle makes forward progress.

 

     Repositions are penalized +10 points and the vehicle will be placed with its rear tires in the last gate progressed or the nearest stable location after the last cleared gate if the last gate cleared is unstable. Repositions resulting from other penalties do not incur a separate reposition penalty.

 

     Course Direction means that gates must be cleared in their intended direction and sequence. Any part of the vehicle entering a non-cleared gate in the wrong direction or driven through out of sequence will result in a penalty. The judge will stop time and the vehicle will be repositioned. Once a gate is cleared and awarded progress it can be traveled in any sequence or direction.

 

     Assisted Recoveries may be called by the driver at any time during the course. With the clock running, another vehicle will be brought onto the course to pull or winch the stranded vehicle to safety. The stranded vehicle shall not be pulled beyond the original position of the rescuing vehicle, or it will result in another assisted recovery penalty.

 

Winch Stick or Self Winch = +3 Points/each

 

     A winch penalty will be assessed every time the winch cable is connected for a pull. If the winch line comes unhooked during a pull, or a 2nd attachment is needed, another penalty will be assessed. If at any time during the process of removing recovery tools and/or the winch line from the vehicle that results in the vehicle moving by any force other than its winch or its own power, a touch penalty will be assessed, and the vehicle will be repositioned to the last cleared gate.

 

Dig/Rear Steer = 0

 

     Dig and rear steer are both legal in Class 3. No penalties for use.

 

Did Not Finish (DNF) = +20 Points

 

     Anytime a driver cannot complete a course for any reason (time expired, point-out, vehicle not repairable, went home, etc.) a DNF penalty of +20 points will be awarded.

 

Did Not Start (DNS) = +50 Points

     

     A DNS penalty of +50 points is given anytime a driver cannot start a course for any reason. A vehicle must start course under its own power. No scale points will be awarded.

 

Safety Time-Out

 

     A driver may call for time to stop so that he or she may safely reposition themselves on the course. This time shall be used for the purpose of driver safety and may not be used to survey the course or for any other advantage. Once the driver is repositioned, the time will resume, however the judge has the right to resume time at any point.

 

Vehicle Out-of-Spec

 

     If the judge has reason to believe a vehicle is out of spec during a course run, he or she may call time to stop. The judge must mark the location before proceeding to perform a tech inspection on the vehicle. If deemed within spec, the vehicle must be returned to the marked location and the course shall resume. If the vehicle is deemed to be out-ofspec, the driver must take an off-course repair to bring the vehicle within spec. If the driver cannot bring the vehicle within spec of the off-course repair allotment, the driver will receive a DNF for that course. If the vehicle falls out of spec due to breakage on course and the judge determines the driver has not gained an advantage, then the driver may be allowed to continue course without stopping time and requiring a tech inspection. Bodies and body panels are not included in this exception, and must be replaced immediately, standard repair procedures and penalties.