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11TH ANNUAL GULF COAST

POLICE MOTORCYCLE SKILLS CHAMPIONSHIP

OFFICIAL RULES

These are the official rules of the 11th Annual Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship.

All rules are subject to revision without prior notice, subject to approval by the Rules Committee.

All forms, documents, correspondence, the motorcycle riding committee logo, and materials used by the Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship are the property of the Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship.

No one may use any of the aforementioned materials without permission of the Rules Committee of the Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship.

All Rights Reserved

RULES COMMITTEE

A. DEFINED—On the day of the Skills Championship, a Rules Committee will be established to settle all disputes that cannot be settled at the judge's level.

B. DISPUTES—Disputes will handled in the following manner:

•  Any dispute of scoring of a particular event must be addressed by the affected Competitor after completing said run.

•  Only the Competitor may dispute scoring or a judge's decision.

•  Disputes will be brought to the Head Judge for a ruling over an event / course score.

•  If the dispute is not resolved by the Head Judge, the Rules Committee will resolve the dispute.

•  All decisions of the Rules Committee are final for the day of the Skills Championship.

C. CONDUCT—Participants who display or engage in an unprofessional conduct as determined by the Head Judge (or their designees), may be ejected from the Skills Championship.

GENERAL RULES

A. ELIGIBILITY—Competition is open to all sworn Law Enforcement Officers who are authorized to ride a police motorcycle through their department.

B. RUNNING ORDER—Each rider will be assigned a number at registration. The rider must run in numerical order.

C. MOTORCYCLE REQUIREMENTS—Competitors must compete on a police motorcycle of at least 998 cc, equipped in the normal deployment configuration, with all rails attached as originally equipped.

D. COMPETITOR ATTIRE—Competitors must compete wearing the appropriate uniform normally worn while “on duty”.

E. PROTECTIVE GEAR—All Competitors must wear a helmet that is properly fastened while on the course.

F. EMERGENCY MOTORCYCLE REPAIRS—Prior to entering an event, a Competitor (or team) will be allowed 15 minutes to repair a motorcycle that is malfunctioning. If the motorcycle is unserviceable, the Competitor may continue in the competition provided that:

•  The competitor can locate a replacement motorcycle within 15 minutes.

•  The “new” motorcycle must already be qualified.

•  The motorcycle must be assigned to compete in the same course as the Competitor.

G. MOTORCYCLE MALFUNCTIONS—Once a competitor or team has begun an event, no excuses for a breakdown will be allowed. THIS INCLUDES KICKSTAND PROBLEMS. It may be advantageous to secure the kickstand prior to competing.

H. ENTRY RESTRICTION—A competitor may compete in only one division.

I. COMPETITOR'S MEETING—A meeting of all Competitors riding in the Skills Championship will be held prior to the start of the competition.

•  The scoring and the approved path of travel through the events will be reviewed.

•  Competitors should understand course events prior to the end of the meeting.

•  The meeting will be conducted by a designee of the Rules Committee.

•  The Competitor's meeting time will be announced in advance.

•  It is the competitor's responsibility to attend the meeting.

•  After the Competitor's meeting, any disputes concerning information disseminated at the Competitor's meeting will not be considered.

Chris Metternich Memorial Award ( Mr. Rodeo)

This honor will be awarded to the overall best rider throughout the competition. Riders must compete in all individual events (Individual Speed Run, Individual Slow Ride, and the Challenge Ride) to be eligible for this award. Points for each event will be awarded in order placed, 1 st place finisher will be awarded 1 Point, 2 nd place finisher will be awarded 2 Points and so on. The individual rider with the lowest amount of points after all events will be the recipient of this prestigious award. For the first time, there will be ten places awarded for overall individual performance, with the first place winner being named "Mr. Rodeo".

Fastest Clean Run

This award is given to the competitor with no penalties and the fastest time. This award will be given to only one competitor, regardless of their division or level of experience.

Challenge Run

The challenge run will be designed by five representatives comprised of officers from 5 different departments. Those officers selected for the design team will determine what exercises will comprise the Challenge Run. The Challenge course will not be determined until Thursday Nov 5, 2009. Only one award will be given for this event, regardless of their division or level of experience.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION

A. DIVISIONS

•  Harley-Davidson FL Windshield

•  Expert – Any competitor who has competed in 3 or more competitions, or has placed in the top five in at least one competition.

•  Novice – A competitor who has not placed in the top five of any competition or who has not entered in more than three previous competitions.

•  Harley-Davidson FL Fairing

•  Expert – Any competitor who has competed in 3 or more competitions, or has placed in the top five in at least one competition.

•  Novice – A competitor who has not placed in the top five of any competition or who has not entered in more than three previous competitions.

•  Other (Honda, Other Harley-Davidson, BMW, etc.)

•  Expert – Any competitor who has competed in 3 or more competitions, or has placed in the top five in at least one competition.

•  Novice – A competitor who has not placed in the top five of any competition or who has not entered in more than three previous competitions.

B. AWARDS

•  Division 1 Expert—First through Tenth place will receive an award.

•  Divisions 2 and 3 Expert—First through Fifth will receive an award.

•  Division 1 Novice—First through Fifth place will receive an award.

•  Divisions 2 and 3 Novice—First through Third will receive an award.

C. GOAL—The object of the competition is to receive NO penalty points. All competitors begin with a score of ZERO.

D. COURSE RUNS—Competitors are required to make one run each on courses A and B. Both runs will be timed beginning when the competitor's front tire breaks the electric eye and ending when the front tire breaks the electric eye when exiting the last exercise.

E. PENALTY POINTS—Penalty points for all riders will be assessed as follows:

•  Touch a cone-1 point penalty

•  Knock a cone down-3 points penalty

•  Put a foot down-5 points penalty

•  Drop the motorcycle-10 points penalty

•  Fail to complete an exercise-10 points penalty

F. FINAL SCORE

•  Final score will consist of each competitor's final time of their timed runs.

•  After completing both runs, competitor's times will be added together after penalty points (if any) have been factored in.

G. TIES—In the event of a tie, a third timed run will be added to the first two runs to determine the winner.

TEAM COMPETITION

A. AWARDS—First through fifth place will receive an award.

B. TEAM—A team will consist of the top four riders from each department. To be eligible for team competition, each competitor must compete in all individual events (individual slow ride, challenge ride, and speed runs). For each individual event, the winner will be given 1 point, second place will receive two points, etc. After points have been assigned according to placement for those three events, those points will be added together for the final individual score. For the team score, the top four riders with the lowest scores will be combined for the team score. Each department may have only one team, unless departments having less than four riders want to combine to make a team. Departments with four or more riders may not combine extra riders with another department for an additional team.

C. TIES—All ties in the team competition will be broken in the following manner:

•  Each team involved in a tie will designate one team member to ride in a timed run-off.

•  The timed run-off will consist of the same timed run course as in the individual competition, scored in the same manner.

TEAM SLOW RIDE COMPETITION

A. TEAM—Any four Competitors from a Department, or any four Competitors from different Departments may form a team.

•  Departments may enter as many teams as they wish.

•  Competitors may ride on no more than one team.

•  All rules of the Skills Championship apply.

B. AWARDS—First through fifth place teams will receive trophies.

C. GOAL—The object of the team slow ride is for four Competitors to travel down a 35 foot long by 8 foot wide lane as slowly as possible. The slowest combined time of all four Competitors from a team will determine the winner.

D. PENALTIES—The team's time will stop at the occurrence of any of the following:

•  Any team member puts a foot down in the lane.

•  Any team member drops their motorcycle in the lane.

•  Any team member touches a boundary line.

•  The first team member does not start on time.

•  The team member's exchange was not done in time.

E. TIMING

•  The time starts when the fist team member's front axle crosses the start line.

•  The time ends when the fourth team member's front axle crosses the end line.

•  The first rider must be entered into the lane within 5 seconds of the Judge's starting command.

F. RIDER EXCHANGE—Team members shall enter on the right side of the lane.

•  When the first team member's front wheel (the area of the tire in contact with the ground) is about to exit the lane (crosses the end line), but prior to its exit from the lane, the second team member must raise their foot and enter the lane (crosses the end line). Team member number 2's front wheel must be in the lane prior to team member number 1's front wheel exit from the lane. Team member number 2 then continues in the lane to the other end.

•  Team members 3 and 4 proceed as stated above.

•  A “GOOD” exchange occurs when the next team member enters the lane (across the end line) from a point in time prior to the previous team member exiting the lane with the front wheel, up to and/or until the previous team member's front wheel crosses the end line.

INDIVIDUAL SLOW RIDE COMPETITION

A. ELIGIBILITY

•  A Competitor must be a member of a participating Department.

•  All rules of the Skills Championship shall apply.

B. AWARDS—First through fifth place will receive awards.

C. GOAL—The object of the individual slow ride is for the Competitor to travel down a 35 foot long by an 8 foot wide lane as slowly as possible. The slowest time will determine the winner.

D. PENALTIES—The Competitor's time will stop at the occurrence of any of the following.

•  A Competitor puts a foot down in the lane.

•  A Competitor drops the motorcycle in the lane.

•  A Competitor touches a boundary line.

•  A Competitor does not start on time.

E. TIMING

•  The time starts when the fist team member's front axle crosses the start line.

•  The time ends when the fourth team member's front axle crosses the end line.

•  The first rider must be entered into the lane within 5 seconds of the Judge's starting command.

PARTNER RIDE

A. AWARDS—First through fifth place teams will receive awards.

B. This event will consist of two motorcycles being connected by a rope which is 36 inches long. The rope is divided into two 18 inch pieces. The two pieces have velcro attached to the end, so the two ropes will be joined together. The ropes are attached to the saddle bag rails.

C. Each Competing team will have a predetermined course of travel.

D. Each participating team will be given one run. After completing the original run, each team will have the option to buy additional runs for a fee of $5.00 per run. A team will be allowed a maximum of five (5) runs.

E. DISQUALIFICATIONS—If any of the following occurs, the team will be disqualified in partner ride competition:

•  If the connecting ropes are separated at the velcro connection.

•  If any team member puts their foot down.

•  If any team member touches a cone.

•  If any team member drops the motorcycle.

•  Rides out of the predetermined course of travel.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Average Turning Radius : left turn radius + right turn radius / 2

Competitor : A Law Enforcement Officer who is authorized to ride a police motorcycle by their department and is registered to compete in the Skills Competition.

Competitor's Meeting : A meeting of all competitors to review the rules, path of travel and scoring procedures of the Skills Competition.

Course : A series of six (6) events which a competitor must ride. Includes the path of travel between exercises in the individual timed run.

Cross Boundary Line : If the contact patch of a tire crosses a boundary line. Crossing is determined if a judge can see tire, surface, boundary line, surface.

Department : Any Police Agency who a competitor is a member.

Drop the Motorcycle : In an exercise, if the motorcycle falls to the surface and the competitor does not have control of the motorcycle, which would allow for safe operation of the motorcycle (includes any part of the entire course in the timed run).

Exercise : A specific set of obstacles, which makes up part of the course.

Expert Level : Primary level of competition for the individual competition.

Fail to Complete an Exercise : If a competitor starts an event, and does not finish by exiting the event at the normal exit point. Also if the competitor does not follow the correct path of travel as required.

Foot Down : In an exercise, whenever a competitor's foot comes in contact with the surface (includes any part of the course during the timed run).

Judge : A person designated to score and/or time a competitor on the course.

Judge's Meeting : A meeting of course judges to review rules and scoring procedures of the Skills Championship.

Knock over a Cone : Whenever any part of the motorcycle or competitor hits any part of a cone which causes the cone to fall over off its normal standing base.

Normal Deployment How a Department's motorcycle is normally outfitted for Configuration everyday use as ridden by the Department's Motorcycle Officers. The exception to competing with the motorcycle the day of the Skills Championship is that cosmetic bag rails only may be removed. A bag rail is defined as the rail normally mounted in a horizontal configuration, with a minimum wall thickness of 75/1000 of an inch and a maximum wall thickness of 1/1000 of an inch. Does not include engine guards or crash bars.

Novice : A competitor who has not placed in the top five of any competition or who has not entered in more than three previous competitions.

Participant : Any person who competes, judges, or offers support services to the Skills Championship.

Qualified Motorcycle : A motorcycle that has been measured in and assigned to compete in a course for the Skills Championship.

Rules Committee : Convened the day of the Skills Championship to handle disputes.

Running out of an Exercise : When the front and rear wheels cross the imaginary line between the center points of the two adjacent cones where the motorcycle would not normally enter or exit an event. In events which use a boundary line, if the tire contact patch crosses the boundary line, the competitor has run out of the exercise.

Timing : When events have to be timed, the time will start when the front axle crosses the starting gate/line and the time will end when the front axle crosses the finish gate/line.

Touch a Cone : Whenever any part of the motorcycle or competitor touches any part of a cone.

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