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Enduro Guide
This guide is based on the handbook produced by ACU  Getting Started: Obtain a copy of the Auto Cycle Union handbook. The ACU is the governing body of the sport: Auto Cycle Union, ACU House, Wood Street, RUGBY, Warwickshire, CV21 2YX, Tel: 01788 566400. The handbook contains the Standing Regulations & a list of affliated clubs. Join Croydon. Find out which events are suitable for beginners. Get involved with course clearing & marshalling to gain experience of the "going". Formats: An Enduro is a timed trial & not a race. The course is divided into stages by checks & each rider is given a start time & schedule to follow. A Rally is an enduro but the course is less technically demanding. A Hare & Hounds is a race. Riders start on mass in classes & ride continuously for 3 hours. The winner is the rider who travels furthest. Entries: To compete in enduros you must first obtain a competition licence. Croydon will provide the necessary form. Get a set of Supplementary Regulations. Fill in the Entry/Declaration forms. The Sportsman class is specifically designed for beginners. Return the forms with the entry fee & s.a.e.'s/labels to the club as soon as possible. Prior to the event you will receive a confirmation of your entry, your start time & your riding number. Preparation: Read the regulations & ensure your machine will pass scrutiny. Check levers. brakes, bearings, tyres, lights, silencer, etc. The engine stroke should be marked on the machine casing. Check the mileage. You may require refuelling. Write a check list of items required on the day eg. boots, protectors, jeans, shirts, socks, jackets, helmet, goggles, gloves. digital watch, tools, bumbag, oil, petrol, tissues, towel, pen, tube, pump. The bumbag should contain a 21" tube, tyre levers, a gas inflation kit, a spark plug, spanners, pliers/wire cutters, zip ties, electrical tape, nuts, bolts. On the Day: Arrive early to park close to the Start. Signing On: All riders must sign the organiser's indemnity sheet. After signing on you will receive your time card. Copy your time allowance from the schedule which will be on display. Adjust your watch to the start clock. Scrutineering: After signing on, present your machine, helmet and fire extinguisher as soon as possible for scrutiny. Parc Ferme: Following scrutineering you must push your machine into the Parc Ferme (Closed Control). You cannot start your engine again until your Start Time. Time Cards: You must complete your time card & carry it with you during the event. A typical enduro may consist of 3 laps for Sportsmen. There is a time check at the start & a second called the "out" check. Here is a typical Time Schedule:
Checks 1, 3 & 5 are the "out" check & checks 2, 4 & 6 are at the Start/Finish area. If your Riding Number is 96 with riders a minute your Start Time is 10.48. Your time card should look like this:
The Time column will be completed by an official at each check with your actual time of arrival & the Penalty column will be completed at the end of the event with the number of points incurred. Refuelling: This may only take place between green flags. All riders must provide a 2kg fire exstinguisher. Mark your fuel with your name/number & place it in the refuelling area with your drinks, food, spares, etc. Working Time: 10 minutes before your Start Time you may enter the Parc Ferme & push your machine into the Working Area. If your machine does not have a tank mounted time card holder write your E.T.A.s in permanent ink on a strip of duct tape & attach it to the tank or handlebars. The Start: When you are told to start you must start your engine using the kick start or starter motor. You have one minute to start the engine & ride over a line 20 metres away. If you fail to start, you will incur a 1 min penalty (60pt). You may then push start your machine without assistance. The Course: The course is marked by dayglo arrows. Two arrows inverted & crossed means "Caution". Where parts of the course such as the start, checks & refuelling areas are marked with blue tape then riders should proceed at walking pace. If you break down (mechanically or emotionally) stay with your machine. Travelling marshals will assist you. Time Checks: A white flag is placed 200 metres prior to a check. A yellow flag is placed 20 metres prior to the check & a clock displays the time. Once you have passed the yellow flag you are deemed to be inside the check & you must hand your time card to the official for stamping. You will penalised 60 points for every minute you are late or early (excluding Late Arrival Allowance). Riders arriving 60 minutes late at a check are excluded. Lateness: Using the above Time Card as an example: A. Rider's ETA at Check 3 is 12.54. He actually arrives at 12.56. He has dropped 2 minutes. He must add 2 minutes to all subsequent ETAs ie Check 4 - which was 13.22 - becomes 13.24. This is called "carrying your lateness". The Late Arrival Allowance was introduced to avoid penalising riders at busy checks. If you clock in a minute late you are not penalised 60 pts but you must "carry" that minute. This rule was devised by people who are worried about time but clearly have too much of it. Route Checks: A route or "secret" check is marked by a blue flag & may be placed on the course to deter "course cutting". You must stop at these checks for your details to be noted. Special Tests: Parts of the course are timed to decide the overall/class winners. Every second a rider spends on the tests = 1 penalty point. Finish: There is no penalty for clocking in early at the final time check. Hand in your Time Card. Don't: practise on the course, smoke in the Parc Ferme/working/refuelling area, refuel outside the designated area, refuel with the engine running, accept outside assistance. Do: Enjoy yourself. |
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