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Rules & Regulations

ACTC CLASSIC TRIALS SERIES - RULES AND REGULATIONS

Effective from 1st January 2006 until superceded.  

Download these Rules & Regulations. NB Adobe Acrobat format.

1 GENERAL

1.1 The ACTC Classic Trials Series runs from January 1st to December 31st of each year. Details of all events, including championship qualifying events, events to which Competition Members are invited, and events which are closed to members of the organising club, are published during the Autumn of the preceding year. The event calendar is subject to alterations, additions or deletions at the discretion of ACTC. Amendments will be published in Restart magazine and, if appropriate, notified to Competition Members directly.

1.2 ACTC is opposed to sponsorship of competitors and prohibits the use of advertising decals and commercial displays on competing vehicles. Scrutineers are instructed not to allow vehicles displaying any such material to compete in the ACTC Classic Trials Series events. Furthermore, any Competition Member who benefits in any financial manner (i.e. by receiving cash) by way of sponsorship as a result of his or her participation in these events from any commercial firm, business or enterprise, will forfeit any awards presented by ACTC and future entries to ACTC Series events will be denied.

2 EVENT ORGANISATION

2.1 All series events must comply with the General Regulations of The Motor Sports Association Ltd and the International Sporting Code of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile.

2.2 The dates on which the events are held in any particular year are agreed by the Council of ACTC and may not be changed without the written approval of both ACTC and the MSA.

2.3 Events may be added to the Series calendar but, before inclusion in any of the ACTC Championships, ACTC may require them to be observed by a nominated person or persons who shall submit a written report which may recommend inclusion in the Championship for the approval of the ACTC Council. ACTC aims to maintain and improve the standard of organisation of Classic Trials. Guidance on the features which ACTC considers desirable is detailed in the booklet 'Check lists and Guidelines for Organisers of Classic Trials', and the regular reports of the Championship Monitor.

3 COMPETITORS

3.1 All car competitors shall comply with the relevant Regulations of the current MSA Competitor's Yearbook. Regulations individually identified in these Rules are cross-referenced to the 2004 Yearbook but shall be read in conjunction with the equivalent clause in the current Yearbook. All motor cycle competitors shall comply with the relevant sections of the current Auto Cycle Union handbook.

3.2 Registration as a Competition Member entitles competitors to receive the Entry Forms and Regulations for relevant events in the ACTC Series, and to receive the ACTC 'Restart' magazine. Registration as a Competition Member does not guarantee an entry in any event.

3.3 To register as a Competition Member, the Competition Membership Application Form must be completed and sent, together with the appropriate fee, to the official whose name and address is specified on the form.

3.4 Competition Members must be current members of one of Member Clubs of the Association of Classic Trials Clubs and declare this membership on the Competition Membership Application Form. Confirmation of Competition Membership will be acknowledged by the issue of a Letter of Receipt which will include the Members Registration Number, the date of issue by the official, and the date of expiry of the Competition Membership.

3.5 Competition Members competing in cars must possess a Competition Licence issued by the Motor Sports Association. Motorcycle

3.7 Competition Members may choose which events to enter. It is not necessary to advise ACTC of the events selected but the Member's Registration Number must be stated on the entry forms for each event in order that championship points can be recorded.

3.8 ACTC will issue a mailing list of Competition Members to the organisers of all ACTC invited events with a request that Entry Forms and Regulations should be sent to those listed. However, it is the responsibility of Competition Members to obtain such regulations for qualifying events. Acceptance of entry in a qualifying event is a matter for the discretion of the promoting club.

3.9 Any Competition Member who, by virtue of his or her behaviour, whether connected with his or her vehicle or not, engages in any activity likely to bring the Championships, the ACTC, or its Member Clubs into disrepute may have disciplinary measures applied to him or her. These measures to be decided upon by the Panel of Stewards at the time.

3.10 Registered navigators, motorcycle riders, and others with an interest in Classic Trials, may receive the ACTC 'Restart' magazine on payment of the appropriate fee.

4 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CARS 

4.1 General 

All vehicles shall comply with Regulations E12, M5 and M6 of the current edition of the MSA Competitor's Yearbook, except as modified below, and the current Construction and Use Regulations. The ACTC imposes additional regulations as follows:

4.2 Vehicle classes - ACTC Revisions to MSA Regulation M 6.1. 

Amendments to MSA Regulation M 6.1, effective from 1 January 2005, have removed some of the historical discrepancies between MSA and ACTC vehicle classes. To aid clarity, MSA Regulation M6.1 is reproduced below in full with ACTC revisions shown in bold text.

4.2.1 Classic Reliability Trials Vehicles will be classified as follows unless otherwise stated in SRs.

1 Front engine, front wheel drive Production cars (except vehicles in Class 6). 

2 Production cars built prior to 1941, and the following: MG TC, Morgan 4-4 Series 1, HRG 1100 and 1500, Ford models (upright models to 1959) E04A, E494A, E4930A/B, E93A, E493A, and 103E. The ACTC publishes Guidelines for Class 2 cars. 

3 Front engine, rear wheel drive, Production saloons (except vehicles in Class 6). 

4 Rear engine, rear wheel drive Production saloons up to and including 1300cc (except vehicles in Class 7). 

5 a) Front engine production sports cars (except vehicles in Classes 1 and 6).b)Vehicles built from pre1941 components (except vehicles in Class 2) and satisfying the tyre regulations stated in M 6.7.5. The ACTC publishes Guidelines for Class 5(b) cars. 

6 a) Rear engine, rear wheel drive Production cars (except vehicles in Class 4). b) Front engine Production cars fitted with torque biasing differentials, or any other form of traction control, as standard equipment throughout that model range and unavailable without it from stock.

7 a) Production cars modified beyond permitted limits. 
b) Rear engine Production cars fitted with torque biasing differentials , or any other form of     traction control, as standard equipment throughout that model range and unavailable without it from 
c) Front engine cars manufactured on a limited basis, conforming to accepted specification.

8 a) Non production cars.
  b) Rear engine cars (except vehicles in Classes 4, 6, and 7).
  c) Front engine cars manufactured on a limited basis (except those in Class 7).

4.2.2 Class 7(c): The term 'cars manufactured on a limited basis' refers to cars more commonly known as 'kit cars'. The ACTC publishes 'Accepted Specification' sheets for the Class 7 vehicles listed below. Anyone contemplating using a 'kit car' which does not appear on the current list is advised to contact the Class 7 Co-Ordinator who can make arrangements for the vehicle specification to be submitted to the ACTC Technical Panel. Manufacturers and Owners Clubs may also submit cars for consideration.

Allard J1 
Buckler Mks 5 and 6 and Type 53
Burlington Arrow 
Dellow Mks 1 to 3 (sidevalve and to original spec)
Dutton Melos, Phaeton Series 4, Sierra Estate 
Fergus Mosquito
J C Midge 
Jago Geep
Liege 
Marlin Roadster T, M and TM versions
NG TA and NG TF 
Racecorp
Rickman Ranger 
R.L.T. Husky
Siva Edwardian Ranger 
Spartan Roadster Mks 1 to 6
Teal 35 
Tempest 850
Vincent Brookland and Vincent MPH 
YKC Roadster, conforming to Marlin specification  

4.2.3 References to Class 7 in MSA Competitors Yearbook paragraphs M6.3.10; M6.4.2; M6.7.1, M6.8.1 and M6.8.3 shall refer to cars in Class7(a). Modifications to cars in Classes 7(b) & 7(c) beyond that specified in those paragraphs will transfer the car to Class 8.

4.3 Class Identification Discs - Additional to MSA Regulation M6.1.

Every vehicle must display a coloured disc, 100mm in diameter, as follows:

Blue Classes 1 and 2
White Classes 3, 4 and 5
Yellow Classes 6 and 7
Red Class 8

The class number must be displayed in the centre of the disc using a motorcycle number plate-sized numeral. On vehicles with full height windscreens the disc should be mounted centrally at the top of the screen in that area where the forward vision is already obscured by the rear view mirror. On vehicles with a small or no windscreen, the disc should be mounted on a flat vertical surface adjacent to the competition number. If this results in the disc being mounted on a background of a similar colour to itself, then the disc must be mounted on a white rectangle measuring 155mm x 105mm (The size of a standard competition number). Discs are generally supplied by the organisers, the class number numerals must be supplied by the competitor.  

4.4 Springs and shock absorbers – Additional to MSA Regulation M6.6.
This ACTC Regulation will be incorporated into MSA M 6.6 from 1st January 2006

Springs and shock absorbers may be changed and additional springs and shock absorbers may be fitted. Anti tramp bars, anti roll bars, Panhard rods and Watt linkages are permitted. Except for classes 7a and 8 the original springing system and spring mounting points must be retained in operational use, e.g. leaf spring systems must retain at least the minimum number of leaves specified by the manufacturer and must not be replaced by coil or other springing systems.

4.5 Tyre Sizes - Additional to MSA Regulation M6.7.

MSA Regulation M6.7.2 states "In all classes 1-8 (except Class 2) the maximum permitted difference between front and rear tyres shall be two sections." To allow the mixing of crossply and radial tyres the following table defines which sizes compare with which.

Cushion

Radial

High Pressure

5.20

145

4.50 / 5.00

5.60

155

5.50

5.90

165

6.00

0

175

6.50

0

185

7.00/7.50

In the High Pressure system, 4.50 has been bracketed with 5.00 to allow older cars to retain their original 4.50 front tyres and use a 165x15 radial on the rear. The 0.25 and 0.75 sizes are ignored, and competitors may use Regulation 4.2.1.

4.6 Tyre tread patterns - Additional to MSA Regulation M6.7.3.

4.6.1 Tyres used must be of a normal road pattern. Rules 4.6.2 and 4.6.3 apply to the tyres fitted to both front and rear wheels.

4.6.2 The following tyres are unacceptable: All tyres listed in MSA Regulation M6.7.3 and all tyres listed as unacceptable on the ACTC Tyre List .

4.5.3 The ACTC publishes a regularly updated Tyre List. Only those tyres shown as acceptable on the Tyre List, current on the date of the Event, are permitted. Any competitor wishing to use a tyre not listed must apply to the ACTC Technical Panel for approval not less than 28 days prior to the date of the Event.

4.6 Tyre tread patterns - Additional to MSA Regulation M6.7.3.

4.6.1 Tyres used must be of a normal road pattern. Rules 4.6.2 and 4.6.3 apply to the tyres fitted to both front and rear wheels.

4.6.2 The following tyres are unacceptable: All tyres listed in MSA Regulation M6.7.3 and all tyres listed as unacceptable on the ACTC Tyre List .

4.6.3 The ACTC publishes a regularly updated Tyre List. Only those tyres shown as acceptable on the Tyre List, current on the date of the Event, are permitted. Any competitor wishing to use a tyre not listed must apply to the ACTC Technical Panel for approval not less than 28 days prior to the date of the Event.

4.7 Transmission -ACTC Revisions to MSA Regulation M 6.8.2.

MSA Regulation M6.8.2 is reproduced below in full with the ACTC revisions shown in bold text.

4.7.1 Not be permitted to fit limited slip, torque biasing, locked or lockable differentials, or any other form of traction control (unless disabled for the duration of the event) other than as provided for in classes 6 and 7 (but not 7c)) as standard equipment.

5 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTORCYCLES

5.1 Motorcycle classes

Motorcycle classes are as follows:

Class A:
Solo motorcycles of British manufacture (engine and frame)

Class B:
Solo motorcycles up to and including 400cc.

Class C:
Solo motorcycles over 450cc.

Class D:
Motorcycles with touring or trails sidecars. (Scooter side-car outfits are not eligible. The ACTC publishes an approved specification for a Trials Sidecar.

Class E:
Three wheelers as defined in the MCC Standing Supplementary Regulations 2005.

5.2 Tyres

The ACTC publishes an approved specification for motorcycle tyres.

6 CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS AND SCORING SYSTEM

6.1 ACTC desires to promote participation in its Classic Trials Series by a wide range of vehicles, particularly those produced in years gone by. The aim is to arrange circumstances so that such vehicles may compete on equal terms with their modern counterparts.Qualifying events for the ACTC championships must use the vehicle classes defined in Rules 4.2.1 and 5.1

6.2 The scoring system for each event shall comply with MSA Regulations for Classic Reliability Trials. Index of Performance is not employed in any of the ACTC Championships. In cases where an organising club a marks lost basis.

6.3 A Competition Member competing in a car will score points in both the Wheelspin Trophy League and the Crackington Cup League simultaneously. At the end of the season, when scores are computed, a Members.

6.4 In the event of ties, preference will be given to the contender with the greatest number of first places. If the tie remains unresolved then preference will be given to the contender with the greatest number of second places and so on until the issue is resolved.

6.5 All trophies will remain the property of ACTC and must be returned on request. Replicas will be awarded to winners in the Wheelspin Trophy, Crackington Cup and Pouncy Leagues and will remain the property of the winners. The awards will be presented annually at a date and venue to be announced.

6.6 If by any reason of postponement or cancellation of an event forming part of the Series, or if by any reason of any alteration or suspension or annulment of results arising from an event or events forming part of the subscription or entry fees will be refunded. The decision of the Council is final and binding.

6.7 In the event of any dispute concerning the Championship the ACTC has appointed a Panel of Stewards who shall have sole jurisdiction in such matters. The Panel of Stewards consists of the Chairman of the Council, have the right to seek legal or technical advice from any source they select.

6.8 The Wheelspin Trophy League
Points are awarded for the Competition Member’s overall finishing position in qualifying events:

Ten points for 1st position overall.
Nine points for 2nd position overall.
etc. down to
One point for the 10th position overall.

Trophies are awarded as follows:

1st The Wheelspin Trophy. A tribute to the late Austen May.
2nd The Autofarm Trophy. Kindly donated by Autofarm Ltd of Amersham.
3rd The Stalwarts Trophy. A tribute to the late John Walker of MCC.
4th The Dellow Trophy. Kindly donated by the Dellow Register.
5th The Cloudsmans Trophy. Kindly donated by the Cotswold Cloudsmen.

6.9 The Crackington Cup and Navigators' Leagues
Points are awarded for the Competition Member’s finishing position in class in qualifying events:

Ten points plus decimal factor for 1st position in class or higher award.
Nine points plus decimal factor for 2nd position in class.
etc. down to
One point plus decimal factor for 10th position in class.

The decimal factor provides for different sizes of classes and is calculated as follows:

Decimal Factor = 1 for ten or more starters in class.
Decimal Factor = 0 9 for nine starters in class.
Decimal Factor = 0.8 for eight starters in class.
etc. down to
Decimal factor = 0.1 for one starter in class.

Trophies are awarded as follows:

The Crackington Cup League

1st The Crackington Cup. Kindly donated by MCC.
2nd The Mottershead & Smith Cup. Kindly donated by Mottershead & Smith of Birmingham.
3rd The Enthusiasts Cup. In memory of the late J Maurice Toulmin.
4th The Mike Stephens Cup. Kindly donated by Mike Stephens.
5th The Pegasus Cup. Kindly donated by the Mountain Kingsmen.

The Navigators' League

1st The Woolbridge Trophy. Kindly donated by Woolbridge MC.
2nd The Sportsmans Trophy. Kindly donated by Torbay MC in memory of Crispin Fuller.
3rd An Award.

6.10 The Pouncy League and Red Rose Bowl
There are two championships for motorcycles – the Pouncy League for solos and the Red Rose Bowl for sidecar outfits and three-wheelers. Points are awarded for both championships as follows:

Ten points for a 1st position in class.
Nine points for a 2nd position in class
etc. down to
Two points for a 9th position in class, and
One point for 10th position in class.

The three MCC Historic Reliability Trials, the Exeter Trial, the Lands End Trial, and the Edinburgh Trial are qualifying events. Points for MCC events will only be awarded to riders who have competed in at least one other event. Points are awarded in the two ACTC Motorcycle Leagues as follows:

Ten points for a First Class (or higher) award.
Six points for a Second Class award.
Three points for a Third Class award.

Ties will be resolved firstly by the engine size of the bike used most frequently by the rider(s), the smaller engine must enter the event and all three must finish. Their individual Crackington Cup scores are then combined as the team score for that event.

1st The Troll Trophy. Kindly donated by Troll Engineering.

6.12 MCC events
The three MCC Historic Reliability Trials, the Exeter Trial, the Lands End Trial, and the Edinburgh Trial are qualifying events for all ACTC Leagues. Points are awarded in the ACTC Car Leagues as follows:

Five points for a First Class (or higher) award.
Three points for a Second Class award.
One point for a Third Class award.

Competition Members are reminded that they must be members of the MCC to compete in these 'closed to club' throughout the championship year. Specifically not a top five scorer in either the Wheelspin or Crackington Leagues.

APPENDIX

The following ACTC documents, referred to above, are deemed part of these Rules and Regulations. The latest versions may be downloaded from the ACTC website, or obtained from any of the ACTC Officers.

Guidelines for Class 2 cars. (as Rule 4.2.1). 
Guidelines for Class 5(b) cars. (as Rule 4.2.1).
Accepted specifications for Class 7(c) cars. (as Rule 4.2.2). 
Approved tyre list for cars. (as Rule 4.6.3).
Approved specification for a trials sidecar. (as Rule 5.1). 
Approved specification for motorcycle tyres. (as Rule 5.2).

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