Rock Crawlers Association Of America
Rules & Regulations 2002

Point System

The following is a list of point assignments for competition in all ARCA events:

Stopping 1 point
One point will be issued after a competitor's vehicle has stopped forward progress for four (4) seconds. Stopping is defined as a vehicle not making forward progress. A team whose vehicle's tires are rotating, but the vehicle is making no progress, is considered stopped and will be marked as such. Once stopped, the competing team will receive no further calls until forward or backward progress is made.

Backing 1 point
One point is issued for a purposeful reversal by a competitor. A purposeful backup is considered when a driver puts the vehicle in reverse and backs, pushes in the clutch and rolls back, etc. A back is not counted when the vehicle is nudged back by the obstacle. Reversals are counted only when the vehicle moves backward. A reverse in an attempt to save a rollover is considered a back and will receive backing points. If a competitor has stopped (after the full four seconds) he receives his points for the stop. If he then chooses to reverse he will receive the point for the reverse. If a competitor reverses prior to the four-second stop rule, he will receive only one point for the back.

Gates
Each obstacle is marked with gates or flags. The gates include the start gate, course gates, Trees and bushes that are tagged with yellow ribbon, and the ending gate. Ten (10) points will be issued for every gate touched. The gate does not have to fall to be counted. It only needs to be touched by any part of the vehicle. This does not include the base holding the gate. Exhaust, wind, bases that fall over due to unstable rocks that have been touched by the vehicle will not count as a touched gate. Spotters, winch cables, pull straps, etc., will count if a gate is touched. Once a gate is touched it is considered disqualified from that obstacle for the team who touched it and may not be counted for a second contact. Gates are designed to lay out the course; however, a competitor may exit a gate and return through the same gate without points or obstacle disqualification in areas designated and advised by the official. It is the responsibility of the competing team to ask a judge prior to any attempt to leave a laid out course. If a vehicle tire is on the outside of a gate (outside of the course layout), a gate penalty will be issued. From time to time, brush or trees will be marked with yellow ribbon. Hitting the tree or brush thus marked counts as a gate. As in the course gate, the team has only to touch it to receive points.

Tools
Vehicles must pass through an obstacle under the power of the vehicle and spotter. Tools may be used with a ten (10)-point tool penalty. Tools are considered any item used as a means of leverage or bridge building that is brought with the competitor and not found naturally in the area surrounding the obstacle. Rocks may not be carried in a vehicle. Spotters may, and are requested to use straps on the vehicle to aid in spotter leverage without endangerment and will not be assessed tool infraction for such use. Pullies or any torque/leverage multipliers for spotters are counted as tools. Tools used to clean the course are considered a penalty.

Winches
Winching is assessed a thirty point (30) point penalty for use. Winching is considered when a team hooks a winch cable/rope to any anchor and begins to load the cable. A loaded cable is considered as soon as the cable has tension on it. As an example only, a cable that is off the ground but sagging has tension on it. However, ARCA recognizes that all pulls are not straight and, therefore, does not consider that a cable must be off the ground to be counted. A separate call is issued each time a cable is attached and loaded on an anchor point. Therefore, two anchor points on one obstacle will count as two winches. There are occasions where a judge or marshal may allow a cable to be attached to an anchor for safety and no points will be issued as long as the winch is not used to pull the vehicle. This is called a safety cable.

Breakdown Time
Each competitor is allowed forty-five (45) minutes of cumulative breakdown time per day of competition. If a breakdown occurs, the team may use the time left on the obstacle to begin repairs. The team must, however, immediately move the vehicle off of the course when they have timed out (see timing out below). Repairs and work done while on the obstacle clock must be performed entirely by the team (Driver and Spotter). Outside help will immediately time out the team and the vehicle must be moved. Once moved (either after timing out or before), the competitor must advise the Judge of the obstacle that he broke on that he is using his breakdown time. The judge will mark the competitor's scorecard with the time of day and sign it. When the repair is completed the team must tell the SAME judge of the completion. The Judge will then mark down the time, sign it, and mark down the number of the vehicle the competitor is following. The team does not have to use breakdown time if they feel they can make the repair prior to the time they are required to be on the next obstacle. Teams who move to an obstacle out of order and without a judge's signature will be disqualified for that day and receive fifty (50) points for the remaining obstacles.

Safety
The Judge has the right, but not the responsibility, to advise spotters and drivers of unsafe acts. Further, any act deemed unsafe by a judge is to immediately be discontinued. Failure to comply can result in an immediate point out and the team will be asked to move to the next obstacle. Safety requirements include, but are not limited to, the proper use of seat belts, winch covers, controlling spilling fluids, loose articles in the vehicle, etc.

If you have any questions, please  contact Andi at (801) 446-5337 or email him at ranch@vii.com

The Extreme Rock Crawling Challenge is great fun for participants and spectators alike. Competitions like this are pushing extreme four wheeling to the next level. Come and join the fun and be a part of four wheeling history!

This scoring system rewards the participant who is able to DRIVE his or her 4x4 through the Challenge.  Changes and information on lodging and R.V sites will be sent to entrants, as it becomes available.   Email contact:  ranch@vii.com