These rules and guides have been produced by the South Australian Reliability Trials Sports Manager, for the running of Reliability Trials in South Australia. These rules are to be used with, and as a supplement to chapters ‘Enduro and Reliability Trials’ in the 2024 M.A. MANUAL OF MOTORCYCLE SPORT.
These rules are applicable to all Reliability Trials conducted in South Australia.
COURSE MARKING
STOP SIGNS.
a) WHITE BACKGROUND with a DIAGONAL RED CROSS means all competitors are required to stop before proceeding. A caution sign may be displayed within thirty (30) metres before the stop sign in a competitive section.
b) Forward motion will completely cease and one foot will be placed on the ground by the SOLO or SIDECAR RIDER, this also applies to RTA (Road Transport Authority) stop signs.
C) Subject to SECTION b), If clear vision of the road being entered is obstructed at the location of a stop sign which has been placed by the event organisers, the rider must stop at the stop sign, complete the stop procedure, before continuing on to a more suitable location where they have a clear vision to enter the road safely.
FAILING TO STOP may incur exclusion or the minimum PENALTY OF SIX HUNDRED (600) points.
THE ROUTE.
a) Competitors will follow the correct course as laid down by the Organising Club or Committee. It is recommended the distance between designated fuel stops not to exceed 80km. If the distance is greater than the recommendation, the promoting Club or Organising Committee is advised to notify competitors before the start of the event.
THE COURSE WILL BE MARKED AS FOLLOWS:
1) STRAIGHT ON – WHITE MARKERS, or other markers approved by the Reliability Trials Sports Manager.
2) DIRECTIONAL – WHITE BACKGROUND with RED ARROWS, or other markers approved by the Reliability Trials Sports Manager. Placement is recommended 10 metres minimum before a corner, as well as two being placed on the corner. A course indication marker should then be placed a short distance after a change of direction.
3) STOP – WHITE BACKGROUND with a DIAGONAL RED CROSS, (refer to section STOP SIGNS).
4) BUNTING – May also be used to accurately define course.
5) SECTION ALTERED – To be used at controls, in conjunction with a CAUTION SIGN, where a competitive section has been altered for safety or land management reasons.
6) CAUTION – WHITE BACKGROUND with RED EXCLAMATION MARK in RED TRIANGLE
The caution sign shall take the shape of an EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE, (fig1) the length of each side being no less than 400mm long. within the triangle there is to be placed a RED EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE of 25mm thickness, the length of each side being no less than 300mm long. In the centre of this red triangle there will be placed a RED EXCLAMATION MARK of no less than 150mm in length and drawn in proportion to its surrounds. The caution sign will be placed at least 30 metres before the danger.
7) START – THE WORD “START” INSIDE GREEN CIRCLE within YELLOW BACKGROUND
The “START” Signs shall be placed at the start of a competitive section to visually acknowledge the point at which timing has started. Two (2) START signs will be placed on the left and right of the marked course guiding the competitors to ride between. The competitors start time begins as the competitor passes the signs.
DIMENSIONS: The signs shall be square in shape and no less than 400mm x 400mm.
8) END – THE WORD “END” INSIDE ORANGE CIRCLE within YELLOW BACKGROUND
The “END” signs shall be placed for the competitor to visually acknowledge the finish of the competitive timed section.
Two (2) END signs will be placed on the left and right of the marked course at the finish of each timed section, guiding the competitors to ride between. The competitors finishing time will be taken at the exact second the competitor passes the signs.
DIMENSIONS: The signs shall be square in shape and no less than 400mm x 400mm.
b) In all private property sections competitors are required to ride BETWEEN THE MARKERS, as erected by the Organising Club or Committee. Where only single course markers are used riders will ride within three (3) metres of each marker. Failure to follow the course will INCUR A PENALTY OF SIX HUNDRED (600) POINTS or MAY INCUR EXCLUSION
c) Where 2 markers are used the minimum width between the markers shall be 1.7 metres.
d) Any damage caused to public or private property will be reported as soon as possible to the nearest control official and the Organising Club or Committee at Main Control. Should a competitor leave the course at any point, the competitor WILL RETURN TO THAT POINT before continuing along course as marked.
e) Competitors are advised of the dangers of travelling the course in the reverse direction in a competitive section at any time during the running of the Trial. Any competitor observed doing so in an attempt to book into a Route Check Point will BE EXCLUDED from the event.
f) Where the course involves riding on a sealed road, competitors will remain on the sealed portion of the road at all times. Any competitor failing to do so may incur exclusion, or a minimum PENALTY OF 600 POINTS. (Refer to section 12 compliance with road laws).
g) If changes to the course are necessary during a Trial, then those changes will be marked with discs and arrows at the discretion of the Organising Club or Committee.
REFUELLING AREA EXAMPLE
This is a suggested layout only and may vary depending on the area to be used for refuelling. In any case refuel and work area shall be defined by the use of bunting tape or similar as per diagram below. The refuel and work area shall be isolated from the fuel storage in the form of a walkway to separate the two areas. Only Competitors are to enter the fuel storage area on foot to access their fuel.
MAIN CONTROL / REFUELLING AREA EXAMPLE
Competitors are to STOP, TURN OFF ENGINE and DISMOUNT before entering refuelling and work area. Failure to do so will incur a penalty of six hundred (600) points.
Motor can not be restarted until one (1) minute before leaving “OUT” checkpoint. Ref section 14 STARTING PROCEDURE / MAIN CONTROL.
This is a suggested layout only and may vary depending on the area to be used for Main Control, in any case Refuel & Work area shall be separate from Main Control area and defined by the use of bunting tape or similar as per diagram below. The refuel and work area shall be isolated from the fuel storage in the form of a walkway to separate the two areas and the machines being refuelled.
If refuelling is carried out completely away from the Main Control area (i.e. at a Service Station), Main Control should be as below with “STOP” sign at Main “IN” checkpoint.
PENALTIES
FINAL MACHINE EXAMINATION (FME)
After the completion of the Trial, a Machine Examination will be held, and the penalty for infringements (i.e.; missing or inoperative components) will be as listed below. Points lost at this examination will be included in the final points tally.
High Beam, Headlight . . . . . . 30 Points
Low Beam, Headlight . . . . . . 30 Points
Auxiliary Headlight . . . . . . . . 30 Points
Rear Red Lamp . . . . . . 30 Points
Brake Light . . . . . . 30 Points
Sidecar Front Light . . . . . . 30 Points
Rear Red Reflector . . . . . . 30 Points (each)
Registration Plate . . . . . . 30 Points
Warning Device . . . . . 30 Points
Rear-view Mirrors . . . . . . 30 Points (each)
Brake, Hand . . . . . 30 Points
Brake, Foot . . . . . 30 Points
Handle Bar Lever Balls . . . . . . 30 Points (per ball)
Mudguard Front . . . . . . 30 Points
Mudguard, Rear . . . . . . 30 Points
Muffler . . . . . . 30 Points
INDEX OF PENALTIES
Reporting late at sign on . . . . .60 Points per minute or part there of.
Failure to supply Number Mounting Plate . . . . .300 Points.
Registration Plate missing . . . . .30 Points.
Lights fitted other than those stated . . . . .Exclusion.
Failing to wear lanyard, or cut out switch not operational . . . . .30 Points.
Mounted on a machine without a helmet . . . . .300 Points.
Failing to appear on due start time (Main Control Only) . . . . .60 Points per minute or part there of.
Starting Motor at Main Control without permission . . . . .600 Points.
Failure to move machine from start line in one minute . . . . .60 Points per minute or part there of.
Reported for offence on Public Road . . . . .Exclusion.
Failing to comply with the Road Traffic Act during event . . . . .Exclusion.
Receiving outside assistance . . . . .Exclusion.
Receiving assistance from another competitor . . . . .Exclusion.
Taking on Spares and Equipment . . . . .Exclusion.
Receiving assistance with cleaning Air Filters . . . . .Exclusion.
Taking on Discarded Equipment . . . . .Exclusion.
Taking on Fuel or Oil outside of official Fuel Stops . . . . .Exclusion.
Taking on Gas(air) Cylinders or Fuel/Oil Containers . . . . .Exclusion.
Receiving assistance with the refuelling process . . . . .Exclusion.
Failing to dip headlight/s . . . . .Minimum 600 points – Maximum exclusion.
Leaving early from Mandatory Ride Break . . . . .60 Points per minute or part there of left early.
Inappropriate Rider behaviour at a Control . . . . .300 Points.
Failing to Stop at Control . . . . .600 Points.
Failing to Stop at Route Check . . . . .600 Points.
Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign . . . . .Minimum 600 Points.
Failing to ride or bypassing a competitive section . . . . .Exclusion.
Failing to Stop Turn off Engine & Dismount . . . . .600 Points.
Starting Engine inside a Designated Refuel & Work Area . . . . .600 Points.
Leaving Main Control Early into a Transport Stage . . . . .60 Points per minute or part there of left early.
Leaving Main Control Early into a Competitive Stage . . . . .120 Points per minute or part there of left early.
Leaving a Control Early into a Competitive Stage . . . . .120 Points per minute or part there of left early.
Failure to follow the course . . . . .Minimum 600 points – Maximum Exclusion.
Travelling the course in the reverse direction . . . . .Exclusion.
Failure to remain on sealed portion of road . . . . .600 Points.
Failing to repair defective machine under instruction . . . . .Exclusion.
Non Compliant replacement parts stored at Fuel stops . . . . .600 Points.
