Vermont Tractor Pullers Association
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Vermont Tractor Pullers Association
VTPA Garden Tractor General Rules 2015-2018 General: 1. Violation of any rule may constitute disqualification.  The punishment of the violation will be up to a panel of judges.  Grievance will be discussed at the point, with the judge’s decision being final. 2. Judges (consisting of flag person, tech personnel, sled operator, pull supervisor and/or VTPA officers/directors in attendance) may stop and/or disqualify any operators not operating safely.  Refunds of entry fees will be at the judge’s discretion. 3. Any operator, owner, or pit crew disrupting the pull whether in the pit or on the track, will be cause for disqualification for that tractor from the class in question, all previous, and all subsequent classes for the remainder of the event.  All trophies and ribbons will be returned to the steward immediately. 4. Vehicle may be disqualified if it delays contest. 5. Any loss of weight and/or safety equipment while hitched to sled will result in disqualification with exception of test puller. 6. No pit crew or operator coaching on track except for youth classes (See Youth section for specifics) Coach must maintain a safe distance from tractor. 7. Spectators and other operators not entered in class are not permitted on track area.  Track area is defined as area within the white lines and 3 feet outside of each white line. 8. Since reasonable rules cannot cover any and all eventualities, the discretion of judges will prevail, including safety, operations equipment, good sportsmanship and common sense.  Safety is paramount. 9. All competitors are required to attend meeting at scales approximately 15 minutes prior to event time. 10. All competing vehicles must have adequate brakes. 11. No tire chains, studded tires or duals. 12. No moving of weights between pulling vehicles within the same class. 13. All vehicles will be teched and subject to random teching at any event. a. Tech inspectors have the authority to inspect for enforcement of any rule at any time.   These inspections may be on all vehicles at an event or all vehicles in a certain class, but may not single out certain competitors unless there has been an official protest made against them. b. Competition specific inspections such as weight, hitch height, etc, must be performed before the vehicle returns to the pit area.  Announcement of these inspections must be made at the drivers meeting.  Drivers intentionally returning to the pit area without allowing these inspections may be disqualified at the judge’s discretion. 14. Competitors wishing to compete for points in their class must contact VTPA for a competition number.  This number must be displayed on the side/window of the vehicle.  Competitor must be a VTPA member. 15. Any protest against operators/equipment must be made by end of that class and before start of next class, and only by another operator within the class.  Protests must be brought to attention of tech officials.  The protested puller and/or spokesperson for them will be allowed to speak to the judge on their behalf at some point before a decision is made. 16. PROTEST RULE:  The protest rule will be in effect for all classes.  Please refer to each class for protest procedure.  This procedure will be strictly followed.  No exceptions.  The tear-down will occur at the end of the event, not between classes.  The techs, operator/owner will be the ones involved during the tear-down.  If found illegal, the puller/tractor may be disqualified, removed from the points race, and not allowed to pull in upcoming pulls depending on the violation.  Judge’s decision is final. Operators: 17. Must have written permission of parent or guardian if under 18 yrs of age. 18. No alcoholic beverages/drugs before or during events for operators and/or crew members. 19. Must remain seated, be in full control, and operate in a safe manner at all times. 20. All participants must be able to handle their pulling vehicle safely by themselves. 21. Long pants, shirt and closed toe shoes required.  No sandals. No Shorts. Pulling: 22. First vehicle will be test puller.  Test puller may take pull if sled is properly adjusted, or may refuse that pull and immediately pull again or may pull in third position. 23. All decisions on re-pull must be made prior to pulling away from the sled. 24. All pulls start with a tight hitch, no jerk pulls permitted. 25. Competitor is allowed 2 attempts for the pull.  For Stock and ATV classes if the vehicle is shut down within 25 feet of the start line, the puller may make a second attempt, that attempt will count; 50 feet for Sport Stock, Super Stock and Pro Stock Diesel.   Drivers must make noticeable attempt to stop before shut down line. 26. Operators have the option of spotting the sled on the starting line. 27. Judges have the option of moving the starting line between classes. 28. Any portion of the vehicle touching boundary line during pull will result in disqualification.  Sled can touch out of bounds lines without disqualification to tractor/driver.  There is no out of bounds past the full pull mark within safe limits, and/or the flagger’s discretion. 29. Vehicles that are being repaired and miss their turn to pull will pull last. 30. Vehicles must stop immediately and safely when signaled by track official. 31. Vehicles must be in neutral or park when hitching/unhitching to/from the sled. 32. NO PASSENGERS.  This applies to track and pit area, pulling vehicles and pit vehicles unless the pit vehicle is manufactured for more. 33. No running tractors shall be left unattended.