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+ The 2011 General Rules
The 2011 General Rules are available for review online or in a PDF download below. The intent of the rules and the spirit of the event will be maintained by the official race marshall and judges.
Download the 2011 Rules - Click Here To read the online race rules please click on one of the red line items. + Drivers
Each driver agrees to hold White Oak Sled Dog Classic., race sponsor(s) and other contributors (sponsors and contributors of the corporation as distinguished from the sponsors of the individual driver) harmless from any claim or demand based on any alleged action or inaction by the driver, his dogs, agents, or others acting in his/her behalf. The driver also agrees to release White Oak Sled Dog Classic., sponsors and agents and employees from any claim or demand resulting from injury to the driver, his/her dogs, or his/her property.
Further, White Oak Sled Dog Classic drivers shall wear number or bibs at the race start and through out the event as requested by the White Oak Classic. Before participating in a White Oak Classic Sled Dog Race a driver must be qualified for the event they wish to enter. A musher must be at least 18 years old unless a waiver is obtained from the White Oak Sled Dog Classic. The Race Marshall has the right to reject or accept any application. Receipt of the entry fee and completed entry form will confirm that the musher intends to enter the event and agrees to comply with all event rules. Upon receipt and acceptance of the fee and entry form, White Oak Classic will confirm the entry. Bib numbers will be given in order of musher sign up!! Each event will start as scheduled unless a majority of the White Oak Classic Board of Directors agrees that conditions warrant a delay. In no case will a race start be delayed more than 24 hours. If a White Oak Classic event is canceled, then the entry fees for that race will be refunded in full. WOC will provide each driver with an official number to display on his/her sled. Drivers must be prepared to start as scheduled. Any driver who cannot leave as scheduled will be rotated to the end of the starting lineup, but the driver's recorded start time shall remain unchanged. Upon approval by the Race Marshall, substitution of qualified drivers may be made at the Musher Meeting before the event starts. The driver starting the event shall drive the team throughout the event. All winners must attend the awards ceremony to receive their prize/ money. + Dogs
10 dog pro must finish with 6 dogs in harness.
8 dog pro must finish with 5 dogs in harness. Recreation and trophy teams are 6 dogs maximum at start and must finish with 4 dogs in harness: To be eligible for the big dog award you must have at least four of the dogs in your team classified as a big dog (Malamute, Samoyeds, Inuit or large Siberians) if any questions as to your dog teams qualification the White Oak will have a committee to access your team. There will be awards to the fastest big dog team in each of the Trophy and Recreational class. Note: We will have a judge at the start to determine if your dog team qualifies as a large breed team. Judges decision is final. Remember it is the Spirit of the rule that prevails here. Any Veterinarian has the authority to remove any dog from the race that they feel is in the best interest of the dog. This can be done at any time before or during the event. Any dogs that are not in the event but are with the handlers will be marked out before the race. All dogs must be available for a Vet check before the start of the event. No drugs or other artificial means may be used to drive a dog beyond its natural ability. Before the start of the event, the Chief Veterinarian must be notified of any dog receiving any prescribed medications. Such medications must be entered into the musher's veterinary diary. The following drugs are permitted:
+ Vaccinations
All dogs entered in the event shall have had DAHPiP (distemper, adenovirus-2, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus) vaccinations at least 14 days prior to the race and within the 12 months previous to the race. Owners who vaccinate their own dogs shall submit purchase invoices and organized medical records indicating that each dog has been vaccinated within the prescribed time period.
Validated rabies certificates must be presented to prove that rabies vaccinations were given by a licensed veterinarian or Alaska lay vaccinator at least 30 days prior to the race and are current. Drivers must provide proof of vaccination at the pre-event examination. Bordetella ("kennel cough") vaccinations are recommended. Most event-related veterinary expenses are paid by White Oak Classic. However, drivers are expected to pay extraordinary veterinary expenses they might incur during the event. White Oak Classic may, at its discretion, charge a driver for any medical supplies administered to a team before the start of the event. Prize moneys will be awarded minus any unpaid veterinary expenses charged to the driver. + Race Marshall and Officials
The Race Marshall shall resolve disputes among drivers and interpret the event rules in regard to infractions and penalties. It is the spirit of the event that will determine any action if it is needed to resolve any disputes. The Race Marshall also has the authority to establish rules to cover special or unforeseen situations. The Race Marshall has the ultimate authority in all disputes from the start of the race to the finish. Judges that are appointed by the Race Marshall also have the authority to administer any decisions needed to make sure that the rules are followed.
Dogs shall be dropped only at designated checkpoints at any time during the event. The Race Marshall, Judges or Veterinarian can pull any dog from the events after consulting with the musher. + Required Gear
Drivers shall display their identifying bibs throughout the race. At all other times the bibs may either be worn or be displayed prominently on the sled.
All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file. All harnesses shall be padded around the neck and chest areas. Reflective tape is required on harnesses. A light must be worn by each lead dog from ½ hour after sunset to sunrise. Light needs to be visible to oncoming traffic Gang lines may be cable, cable core, or any synthetic or natural material, but chains are not allowed. Each driver must have in possession at all times during the race:
+ Race Trail
Trail Use Permit
All mushers entered in the White Oak Classic Sled Dog Race will be required to have a Minnesota Trail Sticker. The cost of this trail permit is $13.00. We will collect this with the entry fee and purchase the permit for you. However if you have already purchased the permit, you will need to send in the number with your race registration. This permit will also automatically register you in the Minnesota Trail Challenge. Trail Procedures
Event Course Trails will be broken, groomed, and marked before the event. However, due to weather, there is no guarantee of broken trails during the event. White Oak Classic event is using Grant and Aid Snowmobile trails and road crossings will be kept to a minimum. The event course may be re-routed by the White Oak Classic event organization as conditions require. All teams must follow the trail as marked or as redirected by trail officials. Teams must give trail when asked except for no man's land which will be designated at mushers meeting. You do not have to stop your team but go slow enough for other team to pass. If passing team has problems passing you may be asked to assist with pass, this will be your option as snow conditions and trail might not allow a secure hold for snow hook. If team passing is unable to maintain a proper pace you may pass them back. Drivers resting, snacking, or untangling dogs must clear the trail of their dogs and gear, making passage safe for other teams. Drivers who litter the trail with food or other items shall be subject to a time penalty. When feeding dogs or snacking dogs on the trail you cannot leave anything behind that may slow down any team passing through. Required Layovers & Offset of Start Intervals
10 dog Pro - Total required layover time shall be a minimum of 6 hours plus time differential. A Minimum of 5 hours of rest must be taken at the Northome checkpoint the remainder of your rest may be taken at the Effie checkpoint. Or you can use all of it at Northome. Layover begins when the driver signs in and ends when the driver signs out. If the team returns to a checkpoint for any reason, the additional time spent at that checkpoint will not be credited towards the minimum layover requirement, but will count as race time. The two-minute start intervals will be offset by requiring additional layover time for the earlier starters. These offset times will be added to the six hours of layover required for the race. Drivers are responsible for keeping track of your layover times. Trophy Class - Total required layover time shall be a minimum of two hours. At Gosh Dam Place checkpoint. The two minute start intervals will be offset by requiring additional layover time for the earlier starters. This offset time will be added to the one hour of required layover. 8 Dog Pro - No required rest or layover. Recreational Class - All mushers in the trophy class will end at Gosh Dam Place (18 miles). + Course and Checkpoints
The pro race trail is a scenic route that traverses varied terrain including forests, brooks, lakes, fields and populated areas. The distance, terrain, and variable weather make this a very challenging race. Due to the rigors of the course, drivers will have to exercise good judgment in pacing themselves and their teams. Simply finishing is a great accomplishment. The course is run on all snowmobile trails and the course markings for the event include the markings associated with the snowmobile trails. The trails in use will be presented at the musher meeting.
10 dog pro class will start in Deer River and run through Squaw Lake then to Northome than to Effie and finish in Marcell. The total mileage for the 10 Dog Pro class is 130 miles. 8 dog pro will start in Deer River and runs straight through Squaw Lake then onto Northome a run of 60 miles. Recreation Class will start in Deer River and then finish at Gosh Dam Place an 18 mile run. Trophy class will start in Deer River and run to Gosh Dam Place for a two hour layover and then finish in Squaw Lake a total run of 38 miles. Outside Assistance: No assistance which would result in a competitive advantage may be solicited or accepted. Between checkpoints drivers may not accept assistance from any type of motorized vehicle, except to recover a lost team. Drivers are encouraged to solicit or accept any available help recovering a lost team. (However, if the Race Marshall determines that a musher has thereby gained a competitive advantage, then the Marshall may impose an appropriate time penalty.) Pacing with snowmobiles is prohibited. If personal handlers appear on the event course or at any location other than at the designated checkpoints, then the team shall be assessed a time penalty. Sportsmanship: Any driver or their handlers engaged in any un sportsmanlike-like conduct will be disqualified. We will not tolerate any vulgar or obscene language to any one associated with the event or a spectator. Any musher who has a confrontation out on the trail can file a complaint, fill out form in your vet book and give to any judge. Use of ski poles will be prohibited in all events. + Treatment of Dogs
Whips of any kind or the use of brush, branches or any object as a whip will be expressly prohibited. Cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs will result in the immediate expulsion of the driver. The event committee, Race Marshall or judges in consultation with a veterinarian will have absolute determination regarding the cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs.
Any dog that expires for any reason during the event shall be completely covered in a sled bag and delivered as soon as possible to a race official. The Chief Veterinarian will examine the body to determine the cause of death. If needed, a full necropsy shall be performed at the driver's expense. Death of a dog may result in a penalty to the driver. Teams Tied Together: Two or more teams may not be tied together in any way, except to assist a driver in trouble at some immediate location. The drivers of any teams so involved must notify event officials at the next checkpoint Loose Dogs/Lost Teams: A lost team will not be penalized if the driver regains control, provided that the entire race course is covered by both team and driver. A driver may accept help from another driver in recovering their team without penalty. Switching Dogs: Dogs shall not be switched between teams after they have officially left the start line. Dropped Dogs: Dogs may be dropped only at designated checkpoints or at the start. If a driver returns to the start to drop a dog, the number of dogs remaining in the team must still equal or exceed the minimum required at the event start. Withdrawal from a Event: To withdraw from a White Oak Classic event, a driver must sign an official resignation form (form in Vet Book) and present it to a White Oak Classic official. Driver's Report: Rule Violations and Safety Problems. Protests and reports of rule violations shall not be discussed with any other persons, including spectators or media. Only the Race Marshall may issue statements to the media regarding protests and violations. Failure of a driver to comply with the event rules and cooperate with officials may result in monetary time penalty as assessed by the Race Marshall. We feel that the spirit of the rules of this race will prevail. We do not believe in any disqualifications, for a rule infraction. You paid an entry fee to run an event course and we will do anything we can to get you there in a fair manner. However a disqualification will be handed out to any one who uses improper language. + Prizes
10 Dog Pro prize money will be awarded to the top ten teams with the best finish times. 8 Dog Pro prize money will be awarded to the top six teams with the best finish times.
Note: This is based on number of entries. If entries are low for 8 dog class number of payouts may be subject to change. |
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