DOG DAYS OF WINTER RACE RULES
INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENTS


The interpretation of the rules, principles, responsibilities and procedures laid down in this publication and the
amendment to the whole or any of its parts, shall be the responsibility and prerogative of the Dog Days of Winter Race Marshal.
ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
I.ENTRY RULES
A. ELIGIBILITY
1. ENTRIES
a) An entry for a race shall be submitted prior to OR on the race date up to one hour prior to race.
b) The musher’s cost of entry must be paid before the start of the race.
c) Race Marshal may reject any entry for just cause.
d) As a condition of entry, mushers will be required to sign a release of liability. Mushers under 18 must have a parent or guardian also sign the release.
2. DRIVERS
a) The driver starting a team at the beginning of the race shall drive that team throughout the race.
b) Drivers shall attend the driver’s meeting, held prior to the start of the race, in order to compete in the race.
3. DOGS
a) Mushers are responsible for determining dogs appropriate for their particular race.
b) There will be no vet check. There will be a Race Veterinarian on site for emergencies. Mushers are responsible for the health and care of all dogs in their team before, during and after the race.
c) All dogs should be up-to-date with vaccinations for parvovirus, distemper and rabies.
4. SIZE OF TEAM
a) Teams entering the 8 Dog Class shall start with a maximum of 8 dogs in harness and finish with not less than 6 dogs in harness.
b) Teams entering the 6 Dog Class shall start with a maximum of 6 dogs in harness and finish with not less than 4 dogs in harness.
c) Teams entering the 4 Dog Class shall start with a maximum of 4 dogs in harness and finish with not less than 3 dogs in harness.
d) Teams in the Youth Race shall run with a 1 or 2 dogs in harness.
B. MEDICATION
1. DRUGS
a) It is the intent of these rules that no drugs or other artificial means be used to drive any dog beyond its natural ability. A musher must have his/her team free of any drugs used.
b) Any concerns or decisions regarding medications will be handled by the Race Vet
C. EQUIPMENT
1. HARNESS AND LINES
a) All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.
b) All dogs shall be fastened to the gangline by a neckline and a tug line, with the exception of the leader(s) who shall be harnessed in the team by a tug line but may run without a neckline.
2. SLEDS
a) The sled must have a proper functioning brake bolted to the sled and a snow hook.
b) The type of sled used is the option of the driver, but subject to the approval of the Race Marshal.
c) If a sled breaks along the trail, outside assistance may be given to repair the sled.
3. OTHER EQUIPMENT
a) A muzzle or any collar that can be hooked as a full choke shall be prohibited on any dog working on the team.
b) No whips or other disciplinary devices will be allowed.
c) A racing number for each driver shall be provided. It shall be visible on the driver’s person at all times during the race. The numbered bibs must be turned in to a volunteer after the race.
d) *Helmets are recommended for youth mushers under 18 years of age.
4. SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT
a) At a minimum, the following shall be carried on the sled:
• Racing number/bib (visible at all times)
• First aid kit for human and animal-related emergencies (not required for Youth Race)
• Dog booties (not required for Youth Race)
• Sled bag (capable of carrying at least one dog plus equipment)
• The following items must be carried on the musher’s person at
all times: Knife, Tool capable of severing a cable gangline-if applicable
b) No driver shall start the race without these items unless authorized by the Race Marshal
D. INSPECTIONS
1. All equipment shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Race Marshal.
2. Drivers, teams and equipment shall be available for inspection one half hour prior to race time.
START-FINISH RULES
A. DRAWING
1. The starting positions for the race shall be determined by random drawing held one hour prior to race start.
2. Bibs will be distributed at the mandatory musher’s meeting held at the time of the bib draw.
B. STARTING POINT AND TIME
1. Team must be harnessed and ready to leave for the chute at least 5 minutes prior to their designated start time.
2. Any team unable to make their assigned start time will be allowed to start after all other racers in their class have departed. Trail time shall begin at the original start time.
C. ASSISTANCE IN THE STARTING CHUTE
The amount and type of assistance in the starting chute shall be determined by the Race Marshal prior to the start of the race.
D. TRAIL TIME AND FINISH
1. Subject to compliance with all race rules, regulations and determinations of the Race Marshal, a team’s finish time is measured when the nose of the lead dog crosses the finish line.
a) All time involved on the trail shall constitute trail time.
b) If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver crosses the finish line
III. TRAIL RULES
A. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL
1. A team and driver shall run the full course as established by the Race Marshal.
2. The trail shall be followed as marked:
a) “Right Turn” shall be indicated by a right pointing arrow.
b) “Left Turn” shall be indicated by a left pointing arrow.
c) “Straight Ahead” shall be indicated by a straight up arrow or piece of lathe.
d) “Caution” shall be indicated by a down pointing arrow.
3. It is the musher’s responsibility to check for traffic at road crossings on the trail; final safety is the musher’s responsibility.
B. ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL
1. Acceptable Assistance
a) All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials at designated points along the trail as authorized by the Race Marshal
b) A driver may not receive outside assistance during the race. In case of emergency, drivers may assist each other in appropriate ways. Handlers may assist the musher at the start and finish.
c) Outside assistance shall be allowed only if a team becomes so unmanageable as to create a clear and present danger to the team of dogs, other teams or persons. This action shall be reported to the Race Marshal.
d) All dogs becoming unfit after departure shall be carried on the sled and must be examined by the Race Vet upon return to the race finish.
C. RIGHT OF WAY
1. In the “No Man’s Land” zone, no team shall have the right of way over another.
D. PASSING
1. When one team intends to pass another, the passing team may request the right of way when the lead dog(s) comes within fifty (50) feet of the sled of the overtaken team.
2. The overtaken team shall make way for the passing team by moving to one side of the trail and by slowing down or stopping if requested by the overtaking team.
3. Once a team has been passed, that team shall not re-pass until:
a) Such time as the leading team has had sufficient time to pull away.
b) At any lesser interval whenever both drivers are in agreement.
4. If the passing team becomes tangled as the result of the pass, that team’s driver may require the overtaken team to stop and wait no longer than one (1) minute.
a) Should a major tangle occur, the overtaken team may re-pass with the permission of the leading team.
5. A driver coming upon one or more stopped teams may pass all such teams. The stopped team’s driver(s) shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team.
6. Teams following each other shall maintain an interval of not less than one team length except passing or in the “No Man’s Land” finishing zone.
7. In a head-on passing situation, the homeward-bound team has the right of way and the outward team must relinquish the trail. The exception to this rule is when the outward bound team is moving downhill. In this case, the outward bound team has the right of way.
E. SNACKING/LITTERING ON TRAIL
1. Any team being fed while on the trail must be moved completely off the trail.
2. Any team snacking on the trail may not leave trail food behind.
3. Fines for littering on the trail will be imposed by MN DNR Enforcement Officers.
IV. CONDUCT
A. RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP
1. Musher shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, their designated handler and themselves whenever in the race area or on the trail. Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail.
2. If the Race Marshal determines that the driver, handler or team conduct at any time in the race area or on the trail is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall be disqualified.
3. Abuse or inhumane treatment of dogs will result in disqualification.
4. Abusive or unsportsmanlike conduct toward trail help, timers, other race officials, competing drivers, handlers or spectators shall be grounds for disqualification.
B. EXPIRED DOGS
1. Any dog that dies on the trail for any reason must be taken to the race finish. Expired dogs must be covered completely when being carried in the sled. The driver must stay at the finish until the Race Marshal and Race Vet come to investigate the situation. At that time, there will be an interview between the driver and race officials. The driver
MAY be counted as finishing the race contingent on the approval of the Race
Marshal.
V. OFFICIALS AND PENALTIES
A. OFFICIALS
1. The Race Marshal is responsible for the enforcement of all policies and race rules.
2. The Race Marshal may appoint assistant(s), who will operate as race officials.
3. The Race Marshal may detain a driver for the purpose of repairing or replacing equipment, which is deemed detrimental to the safety and well-being of team and/or driver.
B. PROTESTS
1. By Mushers
a) A musher may protest any action of a competitor, which she/he feels is contrary to these rules. To be considered as a legitimate protest, any infraction observed by a musher must be presented in writing to the Race Marshal no more than one
hour after the race. This written protest must be delivered to the Race Marshal, accompanied by a ten-dollar ($10.00) protest fee. All protests shall be logged with the Race Marshal only and shall not be discussed with any other person(s),spectators or media.
b) Any driver implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules will receive a hearing before the Race Marshal and committee. Such hearings will occur prior to the awards ceremony.
C. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The decisions of the Race Marshal and committee shall be final.
D. DISQUALIFICATION
Any musher/team disqualified for any reason will forfeit entrance fee.
VI. AWARDS
A. PURSE
1. There will be no purse provided for the 8 dog, 6 dog or 4 dog Races
2. Participants in the Youth Race will be awarded prizes at the discretion of the Dog Days of Winter sponsors.
VII. REFUNDS
A. REFUND POLICY
Full refunds will be granted to those withdrawing from the race before its start
VIII. CLAIMS
A. RELEASE OF LIABILITY
1. Each driver agrees not to hold the Dog Days of Winter or its sponsors, land owners (both private and public), the Race Marshal, or volunteers (individually or jointly) responsible for injury or damage to himself/herself, his/her handler(s), dogs or equipment.
2. Drivers will be required to sign a release of liability and submit this release to Race Officials prior to the race date.
B. PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE
Each driver agrees to give the race organizers and sponsors permission to photograph himself/herself and his/her team, and to use as they see fit, any photographs taken before, during, or after the race .Type your paragraph here.

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