Rules and Classes

Rules

We pride ourselves on having as few rules as possible however a few are necessary for basic safety which are summarised below

• Helmets

  All riders must wear (on the head) a helmet approved by a recognised national standards authority (e.g. Snell, ANSI, TUV, etc.). The sole exception to this rule is for a faired machine where the rider's head is enclosed, in which case any helmet designed to protect the head (such as a leather "hairnet" type helmet) may be used. The helmet must not be modified in any way that may affect its safety rating, so no removal of material or addition of any kind of fairing. Helmet mounted mirrors are acceptable.

• Arm/elbow guards

  Riders of Unfaired and Part-faired machines are advised to wear arm guards in case of a spill. This is not a requirement, but as a racer, you know that falling at speed on tarmac can result in nasty ‘strawberry’ burns for unprotected flesh. Take a little insurance by wearing arm/elbow guards. Besides, they will make you look fierce!

• Brakes

  Machines must have an adequate means of stopping.  This means having an effective brake on at least the front wheel.

• Rear-view mirror(s)

  Some form of rear-view mirror(s), helmet mounted or otherwise, is strongly advised for mass start events.

• Chainguards

  Machines may not have any forward pointing sharp points or edges. The chainring must be covered by either a fixed shield or by a strong rotating chainguard (including those with a single chainring). Any guarding must be free from sharp edges and must be fit for purpose so please no cardboard guarding! Any doubts or questions, get in touch with the Race Committee. A machine deemed unsafe will not be allowed to compete.

• Internal Protrusions

  In the interest of rider safety, machines with sharp, protruding bits on the inside or on the frame which could hurt the rider in the event of a collision or fall, will be deemed unsafe and not allowed to compete. We’ll do our best to work with competitors on this, for example it may be possible to wrap a sharp part in foam or other protective material. Still, we have experience in these matters, and we are not inclined to take chances. Make sure your machine is safe, both for others and for yourself. Any doubts or questions, check with the Race Committee.

• Riding Behaviour

  As international competitors most of you know how to behave when racing. So the rules here are simple: any competitor seen to be riding without regard for the safety of others or deliberately obstructing other competitors will be given one warning, and for a second offence, excluded from the event. If you are good enough to win, you are good enough to ride clean!

Classes

To make things fair each rider will be placed in a class. Prizes will be allocated separately for each class.  Each rider will ride in one and only one class (unlike the usual BHPC system of nested classes).

• Male Unfaired

  Vehicles must have 2 wheels and must NOT have any fairings or bodywork the exception of wheel discs/covers. The single rider must be male and aged 17 or over on 01/01/2012

  

• Male Part-faired

  Vehicles must have 2 wheels and must have either front OR rear fairing. When viewed from the side the rider’s torso, head and upper leg must be visible, the tail fairing may protrude forward to the mid-point of the rider’s torso. Anything made from clear plastic will be counted as opaque for the purposes of class distinction!. The single rider must be male and aged 17 or over on 01/01/2012

   

• Male Faired

  Vehicles may have any amount of Aerodynamic bodywork and may have any number of wheels. The single rider must be male and aged 17 or over on 01/01/2012

  

• Female Unfaired/Part-faired

  Same as the Male Unfaired and Part-faired classes except the single rider is female

• Female Faired

  Same as the Male Faired class except the single rider is female

• Junior

  Vehicles may have any amount of Aerodynamic bodywork and may have any number of wheels. The single rider of any gender must be aged 10-16 on 01/01/2012

• Unfaired/part-faired Multi-track

  Vehicles must have 3 or more wheels in 2 or more tracks (i.e. not all in a single line). The wheels must be structural, a bicycle with lifting or flexible ‘stabilisers’ is not considered Multi-track. The Vehicle maybe unfaired or part faired. The single rider of any gender must be aged 17 or over on 01/01/2012

   

• Multi-rider

  Vehicles may have any amount of Aerodynamic bodywork and may have any number of wheels. There must be two or more riders of any gender and of any age. This class depends on at least 3 multi-rider entries registering before the event otherwise riders will run in the appropriate single rider classes.

  

• Arm Powered

  Vehicles may have any amount of Aerodynamic bodywork and may have any number of wheels. The vehicle must be powered solely by the riders arms and upper body muscles from the Abdominals upwards. Bikes such as the Thys 222 are NOT considered arm powered for the purpose of this class. This class depends on at least 3 Arm powered entries registering before the event otherwise riders will run in the appropriate single rider classes.

There will also be a Children’s class with separate races for those under 10 if there are enough competitors.