1. COMPETITION - PREAMBLE
1.1 The intent of these rules is to provide equal opportunity to all intending or active competitors and at the same time preserve the integrity of the Sprite/Midget.
1.2 Motorsport will teach you, in a safe, controlled environment about car control and driving techniques, and allow you to explore the limits of your car's handling and performance. In doing so you will become a more skilful driver with enhanced car/road safety awareness better able to handle situations that may occur in everyday driving.
1.3 Competition provides a forum for the encouragement and training of Junior members of the club in the basic skills of driving a car
The events run by AHSDC Inc. include the following categories:
In motorkhanas drivers are timed by stop-watches or electronic means and the lowest aggregate time for all tests performed at the event is the winner. These events are usually run in shopping centre car parks, private property or areas of land set up for this purpose. Surfaces can be either grass, dirt, gravel or bitumen/concrete.
In an OST (Observed Section Trial) the driver has to negotiate a set course over a steep slippery surface gaining points for each section successfully negotiated.
Speeds attained in motorkhanas and OSTs are not great with most vehicles tending to use only first and reverse gears.
Multiple starts (group system) may be permitted for some events for experienced drivers if they so choose.
2. DRIVER ELIGIBILITY
2.1 Competition is available to eligible full member of the Club. Membership cards and CAMS licences (basic) must be produced at events which the club runs or attends. Civil licences are only required for events held in public places.
2.2 To compete in motorkhanas, the minimum age of Junior members is 12 years. To compete in one car at a time speed event, the minimum requirements are 14 years of age, plus experience in non-speed events with competency approved by the Club Committee.
2.3 Junior competitors will be under 18 years of age at start of competition year and not possessing a civil licence at that time and at Comp Sec discretion.
3. SPRITES AND MIDGETS
Within the AHSDC, MG Midgets produced after 1958 are considered Sprites. Therefore Midgets will compete in the relevant engine size Sprite Class. Whenever "Sprite" is written in these rules, read this as meaning "Sprite/Midget" (Spridget).
4. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Any driver or official consuming or affected by alcohol or drugs at an event will be excluded from participation and results on the day.
5. MULTIPLE ENTRIES
A driver may compete in up to two vehicles at any event run by the Club. He/she must nominate prior to the event which one is competing for Championship points. That Sprite must run before his/her other car in each part of the competition. The second car is not eligible for Championship points.
6. CLUB RECORDS
6.1 Club records may only to set at events open to all eligible full members.
6.2 In the event of a double entry records may only be set in the car/class nominated for championships points.
6.3 From 1995 new records will state the actual swept volume of the engine as well as the relevant Class.
7. SPRITE CHAMPIONSHIP
7.1 Sprite Championship points will be awarded on the basis of the best 5 performances in championship motorkhana events from a minimum of 6, plus the best 5 performances of Speed Championship Events from a minimum of 6 for the year plus the best 2 performances from a Regularity Trial, Economy Run or OST, when such events are held.
When less than the minimum number of events are run in either of the Speed or Motorkhana categories, then all the events in that category shall count.
7.2 It is anticipated that drivers will compete in the same vehicle for Sprite Championship points throughout the year. Should the competitor alternate vehicles during the year and be deemed by the Committee to be deliberately gaining advantage in particular events thereby, Sprite Championship points will be forfeited for that event.
8. SPEED EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Competitors will earn points towards the Speed Events Championship from their best 5 performances out of the Championship Speed Events. If less than five Speed Events are held, then all those events held will count towards the Championship.
9. MOTORKHANA CHAMPIONSHIP Competitors will earn points towards the Motorkhana Championship from their best 5 performances out of the Championship Motorkhana events. If there are less than five motorkhanas held, then all those events held will count towards the Championship.
10. POINT SCORING
10.1 Sprite Class - Points for Motorkhana and Speed Championships as well as Sprite Championship shall be scored from 50 to 1, for the first 50 eligible place getters in Sprites and 1 point thereafter.
10.2 A competitor will be classified as finished at a Motorkhana event provided he/she has recorded times in at least 50% of tests. Refer Appendix 4.2.3 and Rule 9.3.
10.3 Associate Class is scored from 20 to 1 point in both motorkhana and speed championship.
10.4 To win any Championship a driver must have competed in at least half of the events at which points could be earnt for that Championship.
11. CLASSES
A Class must have a minimum of three competitors for a trophy to be awarded for that event. Points gained will count towards the relevant Class point score whatever the number of competitors in an event.
11.1 Sprite Motorkhanas
A driver who normally runs on racing tyres in speed events may elect to run in the same class in Motorkhanas, in order to maintain eligibility for Class Championship points.
11.2 Sprite Speed Events
11.3 Ladies Class
11.4 Class awards will only be made if there are at least three eligible contenders for each award
12. REVIEW
It is recommended that the competition rules be reviewed, ratified and re-issued prior to the commencement of each competition year. Any changes must be passed by 2/3 majority at any general meeting and notice of the change must have been announced at the previous meeting.
Changes will become operative at the commencement of the new competition year, with the exception of vehicle eligibility rules where competitors will be allowed a year of grace to comply, in accordance with appendix 1.1.10.
Where no changes have been made, then the previous year's rules will prevail for the new competition year.
APPENDIX TO AHSDC COMPETITION RULES
1. VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY
1.1 Sprite/Midgets
1.1.1 Engine: BMC 'A' Series, of one of the Sprite/Midget engine sizes, viz. 950, 1100 and 1275cc blocks. State of tune free (see points 7 and 8). 1500cc 'Triumph' blocks, as fitted to late model Midgets will only be allowed in that model Midget.
1.1.2 Gearbox: Sprite casing, internals free, utilising original gearbox and body mounting points, 4 forward gears only.
1.1.3 Rear Axle: Sprite Banjo casing and diff carrier, otherwise free.
1.1.4 Clutch and Brakes: Free, save that rear brakes must be of drum type.
1.1.5 Suspension: Free, save that the original mounting points remain intact and readily usable.
1.1.6 Engine and Gearbox: Assembly must remain in their original position as specified by the manufacturer. Tailshaft length must remain as specified by the manufacturer.
1.1.7 Body: The basic floorpan and bulkhead structure is to be retained. Other panels, where necessary, may be replaced with panels of different materials and/or styles.
1.1.8 Sprites with forced induction engines shall compete in Class D in Motorkhanas and Class D in speed events.
1.1.9 'Healey Frogeyes' manufactured by the "Frogeye Car Co" of the Isle of Wight shall be eligible to compete in Sprite Class according to rule 1.1.1.
1.1.10 Owners of vehicles which fall outside these requirements may apply in writing to the Committee for allocation to the appropriate Sprite Class. Once a car has been accepted for competition (ie. modification accepted) it shall remain as accepted - regardless of ownership changes.
All applications and rulings must be minuted by the Committee for future referral.
1.2 Associate Class: Any non-Sprite Class car, except racing cars or specials.
1.3 Specials: Any vehicle not covered by the above classes. Specials will be permitted to run for times only. No awards or points will be given. Cars shall be based on a road registerable production vehicles to be eligible for points and records.
2. TYRES
2.1 Motorkhanas: No racing tyres or off-road type tyres will be permitted.
2.2 Speed Events: Tyre choice will be free. Racing tyres will be permitted in the appropriate class. See Rule 1.11.3.
2.3 Racing tyres: These are tyres manufactured exclusively for competition use,and tyres which are not legal for road use when new
3. SPEED EVENT REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Approved crash helmets, fire extinguishers, the wearing of seat belts, and limbs fully covered with suitable clothing, are all compulsory. 'Roll bars' meeting CAMS specifications are a strongly recommended fitment, and mandatory with racing tyres.
3.2 All vehicles competing in speed events shall be inspected for track and roadworthiness and safety prior to each event (scrutineered).
3.3 All vehicles/drivers must comply with the specific directions and requirements laid out for each event (ie. the 'Supplementary Regulations' and Final Regulations) including the NCR applicable to car and event.
4. MOTORKHANA REQUIREMENTS
Wherever possible, the starting vehicle for each test will be rotated through the competing number of vehicles based on the number of tests and the number of entries.
Penalties will be applied as per CAMS Motorkhana Code.
4.1 Failure to attempt or complete a test (DNS or DNF). WD penalties will be calculated separately for junior and non-junior classes. At the discretion of the competition secretary extraordinarily slow times may be discounted for the purpose of those calculations (amended Nov. 1990).
5. OBSERVED SECTION TRIAL (OST) RULES
5.1 Following points to be read in conjunction with Supplementary Regulations on the day.
5.1 Points will be gained for each 'Section' or 'Gateway' entered by the bodywork at the front of the vehicle (excluding bullbars, etc.).
5.2 A vehicle is deemed to have finished when the vehicle ceases forward motion, or it touches a flag.
5.3 A passenger may be carried in the passenger's area only.
5.4 Apart from the passenger, spare wheel and normal tool kit, no additional weight may be carried.
5.5 Cars must proceed only under their own power.
5.6 Off-road tyres MAY NOT be used.
5.7 Vehicles must follow the marked course, and attempt consecutive sections.
5.8 Where the AHSDC is the only competing club, all Sprite/Midgets will run before Associate vehicles, to avoid excessive damage to the surface by larger associate vehicles. Surface damage from excessive wheel spin is to be discouraged. Multiple entries (Competition Rule Number 5 of these rules) are allowable as stated.
5.9 All vehicles shall attempt the course in a forward direction.
5.10 Wherever possible the start vehicle for each test will be rotated through the competing vehicles, based on the number of tests and the number of entries.
6. REGULARITY TRIAL
6.1 Following points to be read in conjunction with Supplementary Regulations on the day.
6.2 Vehicles will be scrutineered as for a speed event.
6.3 No timing or communication device and/or equipment shall be allowed in the vehicle (pit signals for timing are also forbidden).
6.4 No passengers allowed.
7. ECONOMY RUN
7.1 Results will be determined primarily on the basis of fuel usage over a predetermined course distance; a weight factor may be used in the calculation of outright results (if provided for in supplementary regulations).
7.2 Refuelling during the event is forbidden.
7.3 Passengers/navigator earn the same Championship points as the driver. Class points for both driver and crew will be determined absolutely by the Class of the vehicle used.
TROPHY HIERARCHY
Sprite Champion
Runner Up
Highest Placed Lady - Sprite Championship
Clubperson Award
BEST PERFORMANCE IN SPRITE CHAMPIONSHIP
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Motorkhana Champion
Best Ladies Performance Motorkhana
Speed Champion
Best Ladies Performance Speed Events
Concourse Champion
Associate Speed Champion
Associate Motorkhana Champion
Junior Champion (Motorkhana only)
Most Improved Motorkhana
Most Improved Speed
Committee Award (this may not be awarded every year)