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4X4 Off-Road WinterTrial 2001

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Short review

Estonian Off-Road Club and Tallinn Song Festival Ground Ltd arrange on February 17th 2001 at Tallinn Song Festival Ground the 4X4 Off-Road WinterTrial 2001.

The competition is held by the rules of trial on specially built track in two classes: "original" and "modified". The difference from previous event in February 2000 is that in class original the competitors have a bit more freedom in modifying the vehicles. The main limitation is the maximum accepted diameter of wheels at 82 cm. Exact information on accepted and unaccepted modifications can be found in "General Regulations".

Among several off-road competitions held in Estonia throughout the whole year, the WinterTrial is the only easily accessible event for wider audience and the trial is observable in whole. In addition to competition between cars on track, there will be held contests to find out the best car in "mountain climbing" and "tug of war". ATV-s (All-Terrain-Vehicles) will have a separate competition.

The prizes will be worth of effort:: 1.. Prize - Gift Certificate worth of EEK 7000.- from shop "Matkasport" in Tallinn; b.. Prize - car CD-stereo from SONY; c.. Prize - HP printer from company "Tipnet"
Rewarded will be also best in special contests.

The WinterTrial 2001 is the first competition in series to win the Estonian Off-Road Cup 2001.

For registration please contact: Mr. Aleksander Suur, Mr. Mait Mumme.

4x4 OFF ROAD WinterTrial 2001

1 General Information
1.1 Name of the Event - 4x4 OFF ROAD WINTER TRIAL 2001
1.2 Organisers Estonian Off Road Club Tallinn Song Festival Ground Ltd.
1.3 Place Tallinn Song Festival Ground Tallinn - Estonia
1.4 Time February 17th 2001 - trial February 18th 2001 - safari
1.5 General Conditions The competitors must have a valid driving license and life insurance. The team consists of maximum two competitors. All participants must observe the laws and rules valid in Estonia. Please note that organisers are not responsible and do not cover any damages neither to vehicles nor to participants during the WinterTrial.
1.6 Entrance/ Booking All competitors have to fill in the registration form and pay the entrance fee. The amount of the entrance fee before February 15th is EEK 1000.- (for members of Estonian Off-Road Club EEK 500.-), competitors who register their teams after that date have to pay an entrance fee in amount of EEK 1500.-. The fee covers the entrance of one car, two participants and one service mechanic. They will be given personal passes to move without any restrictions within the WinterTrial area. The fee also includes a photo at the start of the trial. Each competitor will receive a confirmation of his/her booking, sent either to his/her e-mail address, fax or mailing address.
1.7 Prizes The three best of each class are given prizes. There will be given also special prizes.
1.8 Visibility The trial is best visible at the trial ground. The trial will also be broadcasted by radio and means of Internet. There will also be an overview on TV.
1.9 Jury The jury of the trial is international (Finnish and Estonian.

2 GENERAL REGULATIONS

2.1 SAFETY: Wearing of crash helmets is strictly recommended in all competition classes. Fire extinguisher(s) should be a minimum of 1 kg and must be securely fastened to the vehicle. Both driver and co-driver must wear seat belts at all the times during practice and competition. Minimum requirement is three point belts, but four point belts are recommended.
2.2 OTHER REGULATIONS: Total weight of the competition vehicle must be between 500 kg - 3500 kg.; The competition vehicle must be four-wheel-drive.; The competition vehicle must have four wheels.; Additional wheels or other supporting equipment, mechanical or hydraulic supports, contacting ground while vehicle is normally balanced, are not allowed.; Vehicle must have towing points both in front and the back of the vehicle. The points must carry the total weight of the vehicle.; Each vehicle must carry a towing rope which can carry the total weight of the vehicle when vehicle is towed or lifted.; Seats must be securely fastened to the vehicle.; The cap of the fuel tank may not leak.; Maximum allowed pressure of any fitted air pressure tank is 15 bar.; Engine of vehicle must use either petrol or diesel fuel.; The tyres must be filled with air. Snow chains may be used, in case of bad weather conditions. The judges of the competition will separately notify this. Studs can be used according to the public traffic regulation rules.; Spare wheel may be removed during the competition.; Loose articles are not allowed in the vehicle during the competition.; Driveline must be cased from the cabin.; Tubes, tanks and other equipment containing hot liquids must be protected and insulated from the cockpit.; Oil spills are forbidden at all times. Competitors should take precautions to prevent oil spills.; During the trial the driver and co-driver must be securely fastened.; The driver and co-driver are allowed to become acquainted with the tracks beforehand. The opportunity to do so (by foot) is given before the competitor is going to start a section.; During competition, only one competitor (car) and the judges are allowed to be on the tracks.; If a judge notices that the competitor is given instructions from outside the track (e.g. hand signals), full penalty points from that section are given to the competitor.; Usage of any kind of telecommunications device is forbidden (e.g. cellular phones, CB radios etc.).
All kinds of protests are accepted only in written form and not later than 30 minutes after finishing of the last competitor. All protest is to be addressed to chief-judge. The fee of the protest is EEK 1000.- and is paid by enrolling the protest. The fee will be credited in case the protest is solved in favour of protestant. Protest against the list of results must be given in ten minutes after the list is public.

3 REGULATIONS FOR CLASS: ORIGINAL

3.1 ACCEPTED VEHICLES The vehicle must be a standard production car, four-wheel drive with standard equipment. Standard equipment must not be removed. Vehicle must be road taxed and registered.
3.2 WHEELS
3.2.1 Tyres: For vehicles of original class only original or similar to original type tyres are allowed. The maximum diameter of tyres must not exceed 82 cm. Special type tyres, such as tractor type, are not allowed. Cutting the treads is forbidden.
3.2.2 Rims: No limitations.
3.2.3 Suspension: Original or similar to original, modifications not allowed.
3.3 DRIVE LINE
3.3.1 Engine No alterations or modifications allowed.
3.3.2 Transmission No alterations or modifications allowed.
3.4 BRAKING SYSTEM
3.4.1 Brakes No alterations or modifications allowed.
3.4.2 Hand brakes No alterations or modifications allowed.
3.5 STEERING
3.5.1 Steering equipment No alterations or modifications allowed, except installation of power steering system and/or non-original steering wheel.
3.6 BODY
3.6.1 Body Body lift kits are not allowed. Installation of safety tubes and roll-cages is accepted.
3.6.2 Seats Must be securely fastened to the body of vehicle and correspond to official technical requirements.
3.6.3 Seatbelts Vehicles without seat belts as standard must be equipped with three-point seat belts.
3.7 LIGHTS Must match to the public traffic regulations.
3.8 OTHER
3.8.1 Towing points Towing points must be clearly identified both in the front and in the back of the vehicle.
3.8.2 Weight Weight of the vehicle must match to the weight of vehicle with standard equipment. Additional weights are not allowed.
3.8.3 Optional equipment Optional equipment, which does not improve the advancement of the vehicle, is allowed. These are e.g. winches of any kind, extra auxiliary lights, front or side guards, side steps, wheel arch covers, additional gauges etc.

4 REGULATIONS FOR CLASS: MODIFIED

4.1 ACCEPTED VEHICLES The vehicle must be four-wheel drive, road taxed and registered.
4.2 BODY AND CHASSIS Modifications to the body and chassis of the vehicle are allowed.
4.3 WHEELS AND TYRES
4.3.1 Tyres The maximum diameter of the tyre is one meter. Alternation of tread pattern of tyres is allowed, except dredging of the tread.
4.3.2 Wheels No restrictions. May be altered or modified.
4.4 SUSPENSION Installation of additional springs is allowed, but original springs must carry the weight of the vehicle also after removing of additional springs. Altering the length of the springs is allowed.
4.4.1 Shock absorbers No restrictions. The amount and type are not regulated. Fitting points of the shock absorbers may also be altered.
4.5 DRIVE LINE
4.5.1 Engine No restrictions on the type of engine. Turbo-chargers may be retrofitted. Placing of the engine may be changed.
4.5.2 Fuel system The parts of the fuel system must be securely fastened and protected by body or other parts of the vehicle from any kind of injuries. No leaks are tolerated.
4.5.3 Fuel tank The fuel tank must be made of fireproof metal or plastic. It must maintain its steadiness between temperatures –40° C and +55° C. The fuel tank must sustain 2 minutes open flame exposure, may not be placed inside the cockpit and after turning over the fuel may not leak faster than 30 g/min.
4.5.4 Cooling No cooling system or expansion tank may be placed inside the cockpit or outside the bodyline. The tubes and pipes must be produced of high quality material and junctions in the cockpit are not allowed. The tubes and pipes must be secured so that there is no danger of burns even in case of leakage.
4.5.5 Exhaust The exhaust pipes must be placed in safe distance from fuel tank and –pipes so that in case of fuel leakage the leaking fuel will not reach the exhaust pipeline.
4.5.6 Electric system The battery (-is) must be securely fastened both from top and from bottom. The poles of the battery must be protected. Only dry batteries are allowed inside the cockpit. The poles of the dry battery must be protected and the wires of the dry battery must also be protected and securely fastened. Main power switch may be installed. Outside switch must be clearly marked with the sign of lightning.
4.6 DRIVELINE
4.6.1 Transmission Gearboxes and transfer case are free to alternations or modifications.
4.6.2 Axles No restrictions in types and/or modifications. Differential locks are accepted. No leakages from axles are accepted.
4.7 BRAKING SYSTEM
4.7.1 Brakes The brakes must operate simultaneously on all wheels. Steering with brakes is forbidden.
4.7.2 Hand brakes Free to alterations and modifications; must operate simultaneously on either one or both axle(s).
4.8 STEERING
4.8.1 Steering equipment The steering must function while engine is not running. Four wheel steering and chassis steering is forbidden.
4.9 BODY
4.9.1 Body Modification is allowed.
4.9.2 Cockpit Protective bulkhead is obligatory. It prevents the access of fire and harmful liquids to the cockpit. A window net or strap that prevents hands from falling out from the cockpit while the vehicle is upside down, is recommended.
4.9.3 Floor In case there is no floor, a 2 millimetres aluminium plate or 1 millimetre metal plate covering the size of the cockpit must be installed.
4.9.4 Seats There must be two seats securely fastened to the body of the vehicle. Race or rally type seat recommended.
4.9.5 Seat belts Minimum requirement is a three-point belt.
4.10 LIGHTS Modifications are allowed. Fully operational brake- and reverse-lights are obligatory. If driving- and turn lights are removed their places must be covered (with sheet metal).
4.11 DASHBOARD Switches and gauges may be freely altered or modified.
4.12 OTHER
4.12.1 Towing points Towing points must be clearly identified both in the front and in the back of the vehicle.
4.12.2 Weight The weight, without the driver, is minimum of 500 kg. Additional weights must be securely fastened.

5 PENALTY POINTS

The judge observes the competitor's performance on the tracks. Penalty points are given as follows.
1 penalty point Stopping. Stopping is considered, as the vehicle is not moving within five seconds. Stopping before or after reversing is allowed without extra penalty points.
3 penalty points Reversing. Reversing is considered when the vehicle is moving backwards or when the driver is knowingly using forces to move the vehicle in a backward direction, to enhance his/her performance.
5 penalty points Deviating from the track maximum of one (1) meter. Alternatively, if the driver is not ready when the section is free from other competitors and the marshal gives the “go ahead” to start the section.
15 penalty points Deviating from the track over one (1) meter. Using outside help. Stopping the vehicle for over one (1) minute.
20 penalty points Refusing to start the section.
A competitor starting a section/sections can get the maximum of 15 penalty points per section, unless he/she refuses to start the section. If the maximum penalty points are collected the judge has right to remove the competitor from the section.
Competitor is allowed to try again three (3) times to get over the same spot where he/she has difficulties to proceed or becomes stuck. After third try the competitor must proceed to the next section and collects the maximum penalty points from not finished section.
The section begins when the vehicle's front axle passes over the start line. The section ends when the front axle passes over the finishing line.
The competitors will be disqualified if:: The competitor distracts the driving of a fellow competitor; Neglects the use of seat belt; The competitor discontinues the competition without immediate notice to the Winter Trial 2001 Competition Office; The competitor does not start a section within one (1) minute from when the marshal has given the go ahead
In case of equal points the winner is competitor who has gained less penalty points in previous section, beginning from the first section.

6 TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For the competitors there is a service box, which is located on the territory of Song Festival Ground. There is a possibility to use air pressure and welding machines. All competitors using the service box must possess their own tools. The use of the facilities is only for the competitors and is free of charge.

7 SHOW DRIVES

During the brakes there are show drives addressed to the visitors of the event. There will be held competitions in mountain climbing and tug of war.

Go to the 4X4calendar and 2001 News pages