1.6 - Boundary Marker: (10 pts each) Points are given when any part of the vehicle touches a boundary marker. Once any boundary marker has been touched the driver must reverse back on to the course. If a vehicle falls over a boundary, the driver must get back on course behind the area he/she fell over the boundary. No foward progression can be made outside the boundry marker, if driving back on course is not an option, then the driver must take a touch penalty to get back on course. While attempting to return onto the course all other penalties apply. A boundary marker will remain "live" for the entire duration of the attempt on the course. Course designer may modify the boundary marker rules as needed to reflect the intentions of the course design. Boundary markers are not required in the design of a course.
1.7.1 -There is no progressing a gate with 20 points.
1.7.2 - The maximum points per course are 40. At that time the driver is given a DNF and the run is complete. The vehicle will be removed from the course. If the driver continues to drive on the course, it will result in a 50.
1.8 - DNF (Did Not Finish): (40pts) are given anytime a driver cannot complete a course for any reason. (Timed-Out, Point-Out, Vehicle not Repairable, Went Home …etc) 2 Progress points are awarded for each gate completed.
1.9 - DNS (Did Not Start): (50pts) are given anytime a driver cannot start a course for any reason. To start a course the vehicle must break the plane of the start gate. Start Gates and Finish Gates must be driven.
1.10 - Progress bonus: (-2 progress point) will be awarded to drivers for each gate that is cleared by the vehicle during the attempt of a course. The entire vehicle must clear a gate, and not just break the plane of the gate, before progress bonus is awarded. These points are deducted from the total course score. Once a driver has pointed out, no further Progress Points will be awarded. Progress points will not be awarded for the start gate or the finish gate.
2.1.1 Vehicles are limited to 4-wheeled vehicles only. These 4 wheels can be the only source of
propulsion for the vehicle.
2.1.2 - Bodied vehicles: Any support chassis allowed. Body must be 3” minimum height on sides. No less than 12.5” total length and full original width, and no less than 5” in the center. All bodies should resemble its original form (Jeep bodies look like a Jeep)
2.1.3 - Bodiless vehicles: Must be a self-supporting, structurally complete, rigid frame. The roof
must be raised a minimum of 1” from the main chassis to resemble a cockpit. The frame sides must be an overall minimum of 1” tall (The cockpit & frame side are to be measured vertically from where the hood intersects the cab). Bodiless vehicles should resemble a 1:1 vehicle. NOTE: These bodiless rules are in a 1 year trial period to see how people respond to it and after that time these rules & requirements may be revised.
2.1.3.1 - Bodiless vehicles must have solid hood panel, solid roof panel and a minimum of 2
solid side-panels. Hood, roof and side panels must be separate pieces of solid material
installed onto the bodiless vehicle frame. All body panels are to be separate pieces from the
complete structural frame. Body panels must be solidly installed in a manner that is
representative of a 1:1 vehicle. It is required that at least one point of the side-panel must
reach to a span of 1” tall or more & at least one other point of the side-panel must reach to a
span of 2.5” long or more. In the case of a Unibody vehicle (See sec. 2.1.3.2 for Unibody
definition). The Unibody is considered to have all body panels needed without having to add
separate body panels as long as the hood, roof & side panel areas meet all the general panel &
side-panel size requirements above.
2.1.3.2 - Unibody – Constructed of a single piece of solid material (fiberglass, aluminum,
plastic, etc) and must be self supporting. A Unibody cannot be fastened together in any nonpermanent way such as, nuts & bolts, pins, rivets, zip ties, etc. The roof must be raised from
the main chassis to resemble a cockpit and should resemble a 1:1 vehicle.
2.1.3.3 - Super class minimum overall bodiless dimensions must be 12” overall length,
3” overall width, & 3.75” overall height.
2.1.3.4 - 2.2 class minimum overall bodiless dimensions must be 8” overall length, 3”
overall width, & 3.75” overall height.
2.1.4 - Winching down of the axles is allowed. The winch line must be attached within a 1/2" of the center of the axle, and by a single attachment point only.
2.1.5 - All suspension mounting points must be fixed mounted. This includes all link mounts, and
shock mounts.
2.1.6 - There are no limitations on the amount of radio channels used on a vehicle.
2.1.7 - Active Suspension is allowed - A suspension that is interlinked (such as the 1:1 Scorpion,
excluding the air bags used to raise and lower the vehicle) which by design moves part of the
suspension in one direction when moved from another. This does not have any driver input.
2.1.8 - Forced Articulation is allowed – Forced articulation is the use of something such as
hydraulics or electronics to literally force the suspension to move in a driver-controlled manner.
2.1.10 - If at any point during a run your vehicle falls out of these vehicle specs for any reason you will be required to take a touch penalty and correct the problem.
2.2 - Class 1 - Super Crawler Class: No super class at this time. *
2.3 - Class 2 –2.2 PRO CLASS:
If a Class 2 vehicle violates any of the following requirements it must run in Class 1.
2.3.1 - Vehicle wheelbase is limited to a maximum of 12.5 inches. This is determined by measuring from centerline of front axle stub to centerline of rear axle stub, with all the wheels pointing straight ahead, with the vehicles suspension holding it's own weight.
2.3.2 - Vehicle track width is limited to a maximum of 12.5 inches. This is determined by measuring the bottom of the outer most edge of the front and rear tires while the vehicle is sitting on level ground.
2.3.3 - Vehicle is limited to 2.2 inch wheels/rims or smaller at the bead surface. Wheels may be
modified provided that the tire bead surface does not exceed 2.2 inches in diameter. 2.2 wheels must use a 2.2 bead lock ring. Tires may be modified from other sized tires using only a pliable rubber but must not exceed a total uncompressed
outer diameter of 6 inches.
2.3.4 - Vehicles are limited to 2-wheel steering only.
2.3.5 - 2.2 Crawler class bodiless overall dimension of the complete chassis must be at least
8"overall length, 3" overall width, and 3.75" overall height.
2.3.6 - If at any point during a run your vehicle falls out of these vehicle specs for any reason you will be required to take a touch penalty and correct the problem.
2.4-Class 3 - 2.2 Novice class:
All 2.2 vehicle requirements and rules apply to the novice class.
2.4.1-No front or rear dig is allowed. If a novice driver is caught using dig, the driver will receive a immediate 50 for that course.
2.4.2-Novice class competitors have a separate and/or shared 5 gates per course.
2.4.3- Any novice driver with three first place finishes per season is automatically bumped to the pro class. If a competitor finishes 5 times on the podium in a season, the competitor will be bumped to the pro class.
2.4.4- (6/11/09)- Electronics restriction: All novice competitors are now limited to running 2 channels. 3-11 channel radios are allowed, but are limited to the following devices being plugged in. Channel 1 is considered steering and channel 2 is considered electronic speed control. BEC devices will also be allowed upon inspection and approval from the Head marshal. BEC's must be in the designated BAT port on the receiver.
(example A) If you own a losi crawler with dig installed. Only the steering servo, speed control, and BEC are permitted to be plugged into their appropriate port. Meaning no power can be supplied through any other channel than 1 or 2 or Bat. No power to the dig servo.
(Example B) If you own a berg with one speed control, Only the steering servo, speed control, and BEC are permitted to be plugged into their appropriate port. Meaning no power can be supplied through any other channel than 1 or 2 or Bat. No power to a dig system.
(Example C) If you own a berg with 2 speed controls, Only the steering servo, ONE speed control, and BEC are permitted to be plugged into their appropriate port. Meaning no power can be supplied through any other channel than 1 or 2 or Bat. The second speed control must be plugged into a Y harness with the primary speed control for power.
2.4 – 1.9 Class: No 1.9 class at this time.*
2.5 – 2.2 12 & under class (Recon Rangers)
2.5.1 - All 2.2 vehicle requirements and rules apply to the novice class.
2.5.2 - No front or rear dig is allowed. If a novice driver is caught using dig, the driver will receive a immediate 50 for that course.
2.5.3 – Recon Rangers will have a separate 5 gate course.
2.5.4 – A shared car can be ran by a recon ranger and/or 2.2 Pro or Novice driver.
SECTION 3
General Event Rules & Event Management
3.1 –R.E.C.O.N. recognizes that some events/clubs may need some local rules to accommodate their terrain and group size. Please post these exceptions in event notifications.
3.2 - Lowest total score wins.
3.3 – The run starts as soon as the Start Gate Plane has be broken and ends as soon as the Finish Gate has been driven/cleared by the rear tires. The start gate and the finish gate must be driven.
3.4 - No pre-running the courses. Drivers that pre-run a course will receive a DNS for that course.
3.5 - Starting order for a drivers first course will be determined at sign ups. After the assigned course has been ran, the remaining courses will be a “free crawl” format. If a course has no drivers in line, the Judge of that course will make a 5 minute course closure call. Drivers that have not completed that course will need to do so or the course will be closed to all competitors except Judges.
3.6 - Winching (other than that done to the suspension) or ramping of any kind is not allowed. Using any device (other than the tires) such as ramps or other object, such as your foot, to make progress in any direction is prohibited and will result in a DNF for that course.
3.7 - You cannot run the same vehicle in more than one class. (unless the other driver is competing in the Recon Ranger Class)
3.8 - The vehicle must run a course entirely with the same wheelbase, track width, ride height, and tires it started that course with. Any changes to the vehicle (other than winching down the suspension or forced articulation) by the driver, another person, or any device, while on the course are prohibited.
3.9 - Vehicles cannot be exchanged for another vehicle during the competition.
3.10 - Drivers may make changes to wheelbase, track width, ride height, and tires between course runs, as long as the vehicle remains within the specs for it's class.
3.11 - No modification to the course is allowed by a driver, his spotter, his team; simply put, anyone! This includes, but not limited to, removing of rocks, stacking of rocks, purging a puddle of water, removing of vegetation, sweeping or "blowing" dust/debris off the course or any other types of modification to a course that could gain a driver an advantage.
3.12 - Any violations of event rules are subject to disqualification by judges, marshalls and/or event organizers.
3.13 - Tie Scores:
3.13.1 - Timed:
In the event of a tie between competitors in first, second, or third place, there will be a mandatory 1 course crawl off. If a competitor can not make the crawl off, the position goes to the attending driver. In the event of a tie score between the other drivers, the tie will be broken by course scores. I driver "A" has a lower score on C-1 than driver "B"; driver "A" wins the position. If C-1 score is the same, C-2 score is used and so on.
3.13.2 - Non Timed: In the event of a tie score the competitor with the lowest score on the final course run is considered the winner. If both competitors are also tied on the final course run then the second to the last course run will be used, and so on.
3.14 - Timed Event: There is a time limit on each course to be determined by the course builder, if the driver does not finish the course in the allotted time he will receive a 40pt. DNF penalty. Time starts when vehicle breaks the plane of the first gate of a course. Time stops when the vehicle clears the finish line gate. Methods of timing events may vary from club to club to meet the needs of that club. Make sure at that event drivers meeting drivers are informed of this.
3.15 - R.E.C.O.N. time for drivers:
2.2 Pro Class: 6 min.
2.2 Novice Class: 5 min.
2.2 Ranger Class: 5 min
SECTION 4
Recommended Course Design
4.1 – Gates: Axial or Proline Gate markers are recommended, but tennis ball halves will work.
4.2 - Minimum of 20 inches apart for Super Class and a minimum of 16" apart for 2.2 Class
4.3 – 10 scoring Gates per 2.2 Pro course; 5 scoring gates per 2.2 Novice and “recon ranger” courses.
4.4 – 3 to 5 Courses per event
4.5 - Gates that are in close proximity to each other should be numbered. Marking gates ensures a confusion free course.
4.6 - Optional:
4.6.1 - Bonus Gates: N/A
4.6.2 - Alternate Gates: (up to -10 points per course) are a secondary set of gates that is part of the course. These gates will be very difficult. Normal Scoring rules apply and all penalty points will be counted.
SECTION 5
Judging:
5.1 - Judges are responsible for watching vehicles while on the course, and to penalize drivers that commit penalties while competing.
5.2 - Judges should call out penalties when they occur. A driver should call out their own penalties as well.
5.3 - Judging should be done by at least 2 people per driver. One Judge to call out penalties and one Judge/Score Keeper, to record penalties, tally maximum penalties, keep time (if applicable), etc.
5.4 – Judges that require a Marshall’s decision will stop their course immediately and the course will re-open as soon as the issue has been handled. A Marshall may be one appointed member, but not limited to a panel of 3 to 5 members. The buck stops at the Marshall/s. Any unforseen grey area or unsportsmanlike conduct calls could be reviewed later.
SECTION 6
Glossary of Terms:
6.1 - Event/Competition: The coming together of drivers at a certain place and time to compete on single or multiple courses.
6.2 - Course: A course is the terrain that consists of a start gate, an end gate, and all the terrain in between them. Every course has an intended direction of travel, or “flow”, through the gates.
6.3 - Gate: A gate is used to mark an obstacle within a course and/or guide the vehicle through thecourse. A gate consists of 2 gate markers measuring no less then; 20" for the Super class, and 16” for the 2.2 class, from inside edge of one marker to the inside edge of the opposite marker. Every gate has an intended direction of travel, or “flow”, through the gate. This direction will either be marked, explained, or implied by the course designers. All gate markers are “live” until touched.
6.4 - Wheelbase: is measured from axle nut center to axle nut center.
6.5 - Vehicle track width: is measured from the outer most edge of a tire to outer most edge of a tire.
SECTION 7
Penalty Examples and Additional Penalty Definitions
7.1 - Back Up/ Reverse Examples:
Reverse penalties are assigned at the Judge’s discretion if the actions performed by the vehicle/driver are not clearly defined by the rule.
7.1.1 - If the driver intentionally drives the vehicle in reverse, a reverse penalty will occur.
7.1.2 - If the vehicle stops on an incline and then rolls backwards a reverse penalty will occur.
7.1.3 - If a vehicle is stuck or stopped a reverse penalty will occur if the tires move forward at all and then move backward. Even if the vehicle does not move (this includes dig steering).
7.1.4 - If a vehicle is climbing an obstacle and is bounced backward by the terrain but the tires are still moving forward, no reverse penalty will occur.
7.1.5 - If a vehicle flips over backward, without the driver reversing, no reverse penalty will occur.
7.1.6 - Once a reverse penalty has been assessed, no further reverse penalty can be assessed until the vehicle makes forward progress.
7.1.6.1 - Example: Reversing, stopping, and then reversing again will only result in one reverse
penalty.
7.1.6.2 - Example: When high-centered, Reverse, forward, and then reverse again to rock the
truck back and forth will only result in one reverse penalty until forward progress is made.
7.1.7 - Reverse penalties are assigned at the Judge’s discretion if the actions performed by the
vehicle/driver are not clearly defined by the rule.
7.2 - Clearing of a Gate:
7.2.1 - A gate is considered cleared when at least one front and one rear wheel passes between the two gate markers only in the intended direction of the gate.
7.2.2 - All gates must the cleared in the intended sequence of the course layout (gate 1, then gate 2, then gate 3, and so on).
7.2.3 - A vehicle may travel through a gate while it is in reverse and still clear that gate as long as it only travels though in the intended direction (reverse penalty(s) will be assessed as necessary).
7.2.4 - The first time through any un-cleared gate must be in the intended direction and in the correct sequence of the course layout until that gate is cleared.
7.2.5 - You cannot attempt any un-cleared gates out of sequence. If you intentionally enter an un-cleared gate out of sequence you will receive a DNS/50 for that course.
7.2.5.1 - Example 1: If all four wheels of a vehicle pass between two gate markers that gate is
considered a cleared gate with no penalties and a gate progress bonus is awarded.
7.2.5.2 - Example 2: If one wheel from the front axle and one wheel from the rear axle passes
between two gate markers (vehicle straddles a gate), that gate is considered a cleared gate. This
however will result in a Gate Marker penalty of 10 points and a gate progress bonus is awarded. a driver must straddle a gate in the intended direction of travel.
7.2.5.3 - Example 3: If one wheel only from the front axle or one wheel only from the rear axle
passes between two gate markers (vehicle straddles a gate) that gate is not considered a cleared
gate. This will result in a Gate Marker penalty of 10 points and no gate progress bonus is awarded.
7.3 - Gate Marker penalty
7.3.1 - At any time a gate marker is touched by a vehicle or by a driver, a Gate Marker penalty is
assessed.
7.3.2 - If a wheel touches any object outside of a gate as the other wheel from the same axel passes through a gate it is considered a straddle, a Gate Marker penalty is assessed.
7.3.3 - If one tire floats a gate, the tire must be over the gate. If any part of the axel floats the gate, it wil be considered a straddle and a gate penalty wil be assesed.
7.3.4 - If a driver is attempting to clear a gate and during the attempt the vehicle rolls over a gate without touching the gate, the driver will be given a gate penalty. A gate has to be cleared for the vehicle to roll over the top of a gate and not hit the gate, to not recieve a gate penalty.
7.3.5 - A driver attempting to clear a gate and has two tires through the gate of the same axel and the vehicle slides over the top of the gate without hitting the gate; a gate penalty will not be assessed as long as the gate marker remains under the vehicle. If at any time, the vehicle slides, hops or roles completely over the top of the gate marker without touching it; a gate penalty will be assessed.
7.3.6 - A driver can only continue with the course when a gate is cleared.
8.0 – Sportsmanship:
At all R.E.C.O.N. events, proper sportsmanship is required. If a competitor or team member (including spotter) promotes unsportsmanlike conduct, is rude or abrasive to officials or other teams or spectators, destroys property, displays drunken or disrespectful behavior, uses excessive on course profanity or kicks or throws their controller or car; they and/or their entire team may be disqualified from the current event Upon review of the incident, the unsportsmanlike conduct could result in a 50 for the course, DQ’d from the comp, suspension from 1 to 3 comps or season and/ or Club membership revoked. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated!
8.1 - No alcohol allowed on course. There are no exceptions to this rule. Any attempts to conceal alcoholic beverages on course is a blatent effort to undermine the Family Friendly envoirment that the RECON Mission Statement embodies. A non-member driver that is caught on course concealling alcohol will be DQ'd from the event and must submit an letter for re-eligibilty to a RECON COMP. A Member caught on course concealling alcohol will be DQ'd from the event and a one to three comp suspension.
8.2 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct Protest Procedure
8.2.1 – Anyone that witnesses a driver, spotter, or teammate thereof, commit an unsportsmanlike act; whether it is moving a gate marker to the outside edge of the chalked gate marker ring to altering the course, (see rules sec. 3.11), may file an unsportsmanlike conduct protest.
8.2.2 – The reporting party/parties that witnessed the unsportsmanlike act, needs to report the act to the Marshall, immediately. The Marshall will listen to their complaint and then inquire if they have any witnesses to back them up. The Marshall will listen to their complaint and determine if they are impartial. The Marshall will then locate the offending party, listen to their side of the story and their witnesses, if any. The Marshall may/or may not need to speak with the Judge of a course, depending on the protest complaint. If the Marshal is confident the complaint is valid, then a 50 point penalty or a DQ from the event will take place as needed.
8.2.3 – The Marshal may/may not request the help of a judge and the score keeper to aid in the decision process.
9.0 - R.E.C.O.N. Rewards:
9.1 – 2.2 Pro Class 1st Place………Recon Dog Tag and “?”.
2nd Place…….Recon Dog Tag and “?”.
3rd Place…….Recon Dog Tag and “?”.
9.2 – 2.2 Novice Class 1st Place………Recon Dog Tag
2nd Place…….Recon Dog Tag
3rd Place…….Recon Dog Tag
9.3 – Recon Rangers (12 & under 2.2 Class) 1st Place………Recon Dog Tag
2nd Place…….Recon Dog Tag
3rd Place…….Recon Dog Tag
Series standings :
The competitor with the highest points after 6 events will be awarded the R.E.C.O.N. Overall Championship. Each driver will be scored from 5 out of 6 events with their lowest score being dropped. If a driver only attends 5 comps, than the comp that was missed will be dropped. A drivers points will always be tracked in the overall points race even if they have less than 5 events.
Series points will be awarded as follows:
1ST PLACE=100 POINTS
2nd place=99 points
3rd place=98 points
4th place=97 points
5th place=96 points
6th place=95 points
7th place=94 points
8th place=93 points
9th place=92 points
10 place=91 points
11th place=90 points
12th place =89 points
and so on.
After each event, a driver who has set the best score on a course will receive 1 additional point for the series total. In the event that the best score was tied by one or more drivers, than no point will be awarded.