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The "General Instructions" are the basic rules under which events like Starlite are run. They explain the rules which govern how the Route Instructions are written and interpreted, how scoring is compiled and penalties for breaking the rules.
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Santa Barbara Sports Car Club
MONTE CARLO GENERAL REGULATIONS

REV: 12/89

Individual provisions of these General Regulations are superceded only by the Route Instructions, instructions given by a course worker or an addenda attached to the Route Instructions.

I. OBJECT:

1. The object of this event is to travel from the start to the finish over a route which will take you through each checkpoint and course control such that you arrive at the correct times. The route and the speeds are up to you. If a wise selection of route is made, excessive and illegal speeds will not be necessary.

II. COURSE:

1. This event has no set course you must follow. Contestants must determine their course to each checkpoint via the standoffs and course controls, by looking up the locations on the official maps and determining the best way to go.

2. The route instructions give the location of each checkpoint and course control and state the direction from which each course control, standoff, and Inmarker must be approached. The route instructions also provide TRUE TIMES. These times should be added to your START time to determine what time you are to arrive at each checkpoint INMARKER. Additional information will be noted. Course maps will be provided and are the only "OFFICIAL" maps for this event.

3. Checkpoints consist of a STANDOFF and an INMARKER as described in II.4 and II.5 below.

4. STANDOFF: As you approach a checkpoint you must first encounter the Standoff. This point will be identified by a sign with the legend "STANDOFF" painted on it. If you believe you are early and do not wish to proceed directly to the INMARKER, you may remain behind (up course of) this sign until you believe it is time to proceed to the INMARKER. Standoff points need not be entered in numerical order, however, once a Standoff point is passed through, you will be penalized (see IV.3.a) for stopping before its corresponding Inmarker for anything other than the following:

a) as required by law
b) another STANDOFF
c) getting your In Time at an Inmarker
d) a Course Control (either Instructed or Uninstructed)

The Route Instructions may require you to check in at specified STANDOFFs and have your arrival recorded.

5. INMARKER: The INMARKER will be identified by a sign with the legend "IN" painted on it. On daylight checkpoints, the general location of the INMARKER will be visible from the STANDOFF. On nighttime checkpoints, the general INMARKER location will be identified by a flashing light. This light will be located within 500 feet of the INMARKER and aimed so it may be seen by contestants at the STANDOFF. It may not necessarily be seen from any other point on the course.

6. COURSE CONTROLS: Course Controls are used to control rallye traffic past certain points of the course. They may be instructed or not, and they may be restricted to contestants of certain classes. They may be manned or unmanned. If manned, check in with the Control personnel and have your arrival recorded on your Control Card. If unmanned, follow the instructions given in the Route Instructions or you will be scored as having missed the Control.

7. UNINSTRUCTED COURSE CONTROLS: These are not listed in the route instructions. They will be manned and identified by a COURSE CONTROL sign. They will either be used to impart emergency information or in the capacity of an "Off Course" control. Contestants are obliged to stop and receive verbal or written information. Failure to stop will incur a penalty.

8. SAFE ROADS: Safe Roads are roads the INMARKER for a given leg will NOT be on. They may be used in cases where the location of the INMARKER is not given in the Route Instructions. A Safe Road may be all or part of the indicated road. If the word "inclusive" is used in defining safe road regions, inclusive means that the referenced road is also SAFE. Roads listed as SAFE for one leg are not necessarily SAFE for any other leg.

III. TIMING:

1. CHECKPOINTS: Contestants will be timed at the INMARKER using one of three methods.

a) Only the front wheels of the car are timed as they cross the timing hose.
b) Both front and rear wheels of the car are timed as they cross the timing hose.
c) Two timing hoses are used and the car’s front wheels are timed as they cross each hose.

In the latter two methods, your "In Time" is the first time recorded, however you will be assessed a penalty amounting to the difference between the first and second times recorded. In order to minimize the possibility of splitting different times it is suggested you enter INMARKERs at a speed greater than 15 mph. After crossing the INMARKER proceed directly to the timing car (or table) to receive your "IN" time.

2. Contestants will be scored from the START to each checkpoint. Timing is to 1/100th minute, synchronized to WWV and corrected to the Pacific Time Zone. Any timing discrepancies must be settled or recorded by the checkpoint captain at the checkpoint.

3. Error is scored on the basis of one point per .01 minutes early or late per checkpoint, with a maximum of 500 points per leg assessed. If for any reason it appears you are going to be more than five minutes late to a checkpoint, skip that one. Take the maximum error instead of risking an accident by driving at an unsafe speed. Lay out a new course to the next checkpoint.

IV. PENALTIES:

1. CREEPING ERROR: Creeping is generally allowed. If there is no indicated minimum speed but the checkpoint captain believes you have unintentionally stopped, you may be assessed a .03 minute penalty for each infraction. If an Inmarker is identified as having a MINIMUM In Speed, you may not slow to less than that speed when you are within sight of the Inmarker. To do so will result in 3 point penalties, incremented at the Checkpoint Captains discretion. Any penalties will be added to your timed error.

2. Failure to stop at a manned COURSE CONTROL, whether Instructed or Uninstructed, carries a 2.00 minute penalty in addition to any other penalties incurred on that leg.

3. MAXIMUM ERROR (MAX): You MAY be assessed a maximum error of 500 points per leg if:

a) In the OPINION of the checkpoint captain you intentionally stop your vehicle between the STANDOFF and INMARKER of a checkpoint other than as provided in II.4. If other contestants report you as stopping, you may also be assessed a maximum error.

b) You are observed weaving or hanging out of your vehicle while approaching the INMARKER.

c) You interfere with the "IN" time of any other contestant.
d) You enter a STANDOFF or an INMARKER area in a direction other than that specified in the route instructions.

e) You fail to pass through the STANDOFF before entering the corresponding INMARKER (except as provided for in the route instructions).

f) You fail to check in at designated STANDOFF’s and COURSE CONTROLS.

4. DISQUALIFICATION: You may be assessed a penalty (up to a max) or disqualified if:

a) You or anyone in your vehicle are observed drinking an alcoholic beverage at or near start, or at any time during the event.

b) You display unsportsmanlike conduct.

c) You hassle or argue with checkpoint personnel, or otherwise interfere with normal checkpoint operation.

d) You are observed driving unsafely.

e) You operate a two-way radio in the vicinity of a checkpoint, except in case of emergency. Violation of this point will also cause disqualification of your team members.

f) You leave START prior to your assigned starting time. You must check in with the starter before beginning the rallye.

V. SCORING:

1. You will receive a CONTROL CARD at registration on which your START time and the true time for each leg are entered. You should record your "IN" times as given to you on your timing slips for each checkpoint in the appropriate boxes on the card so you can monitor how well you are doing on the event. Turn this card in at the conclusion of the event. Please fill it out completely and legibly as it will be used for your name and address to mail you the results of the event.

2. Rallye officials will score contestants from the time logs kept by checkpoint personnel and will use the control cards as additional aid.

3. Tie breaker legs will be posted at the finish. In the case of a tie, the errors of the cars involved will be compared using the posted tie breaker sequence. If ties cannot be broken in this manner then they will be broken by alternate means.

4. PROTESTS will not be considered. However, if you feel that you have a legitimate gripe, want it known, and have a reasonable suggestion of what to do about the situation, you may submit a CLAIM. CLAIMS submitted on any material other than the designated forms will not be considered.