Rules

2023 Heartland Challenge Rules

The following rules and regulations supplement the AMA Amateur Competition Rules, and are solely applicable to Iowa ATV Hare Scramble (IATVHSS) events operated by IATVHSS, L.C.

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to establish minimum acceptable requirements and to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events.


General Rules:

  • 1. All competitors must belong to the ATVA or AMA, and must have membership card at the track the day of the race. If you forget it or lose it, you will be required to purchase a new membership that can be credited for another year. They do not do refunds!
  • 2. The Promoter/Heartland Challenge Officials have the final say in all disputes.
  • 3. The Referee will have the final say on any scoring or violation of these rules including special rulings.
  • 4. Heartland Challenge, L.C. members are not employees of Heartland Challenge, L.C. Members assume all responsibility for all charges, premiums and taxes payable on any funds they may receive as a result of their participation in a Heartland Challenge, L.C. event.
  • 5. Heartland Challenge, L.C. reserves the right to refuse and/or deny any entry application.
  • 6. All riders are responsible for attending the Riders Meeting.
  • 7. Warm-up riding is limited to the designated area, and only after an official has given permission, the rider has registered for the event, and quad and rider have passed through the Tech Inspection tent.
  • 8. A front and rear facing number plate is required. It must be 6″ minimum and clearly visible from a distance of 50′. Rider Numbers will be assigned at registration or pre-registration.
  • 9. Each rider will receive one transponder upon registration. The transponder must be placed on the inside visor of the helmet.
  • 10. Riders are responsible for the actions of their entire pit crew. If any crew is caught on the track on a motorized vehicle, rider will be disqualified. Crew can be on track on foot.
  • 11. Riders may not be serviced or pitted near the finish area.
  • 12. Radios are permitted between pit crew members, but not with riders.
  • 13. Rider Contact: Deliberate ramming, blocking, or intentional contact with another rider may be cause for penalty.
  • 14. Rider Conduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in penalty, including disqualification.
  • 15. Riders will be disqualified for riding the course during the 7 days prior to the day of the event.
  • 16. Riders under the age of 18 must provide a photo I.D. or Birth certificate for proof of age upon request at time of registration and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  • 17. A rider may petition in writing to the Heartland Challenge to move to a lower classification and will be judged based on class finishes and time differences. A rider’s district or the AMA are authorized to move a rider back. See AMA Rulebook page 36 2:1;B4.
  • 18. If racer is under the age of 18 and parent cannot accompany them to the race, rider must provide a notarized letter from both their parents to participate.
  • 19. Any entry who fails to fully fill out and sign required entry forms and release shall be disqualified, shall forfeit any prize money and points in that particular event.
  • 20. No entry may enter racing areas until they have signed all releases and/or entry forms. No person shall sign the release or entry forms for anyone other than himself or herself. Proper id may be required.
  • 21. The entry applications of persons under the age of 18 must have both parents or both legal guardians sign the release form or have an Annual Release.
  • 22. Any entrant who competes on a vehicle that he/she is not registered to ride or permits such action, shall forfeit any and all prize money, along with points won in that particular event.
  • 23. Alcohol or narcotics in designated pits, on the race course or in the surrounding areas by any person is strictly forbidden. Any entrant or crew member in an event that shows evidence whatsoever of being under the influence of any of aforementioned shall be subject to suspensions from all future Heartland Challenge, L.C. sponsored events.
  • 24. Any entrant who makes a false statement on a contingency or entry form shall be disqualified and shall forfeit all prize money, points and all contingencies won in the race. Entrant may also be suspended from future events for a period of one year.
  • 25. Any entry application containing a falsified signature will cause entrant to be disqualified and shall forfeit all prize money, points and all contingencies won in the race. Entrant may also be suspended from future events for a period of one year.
  • 26. Any entrant disqualified from any event for any reason whatsoever forfeits any and all rights to prize money, points and contingencies. Entrant will not be entitled to a refund of all or any portion of his/her entry fee.
  • 27. Any entrant, respective pit crews or support crews seen or reported traveling on the course in other than race-registered vehicles participating in the event before the end of the official race time limit may subject entrant to penalties of disqualification and/or suspension. There is no outside assistance permitted on the course or near the course during the event except for those Heartland Challenge designated areas for pits and/or gas stops. Infraction must be witnessed by a race official.
  • 28. Heartland Challenge, L.C. retains the right to assess each situation and respond accordingly (situations involving safety are at the discretion of the race director.

***Per AMA/ATVA rulebook, Page 70, Section 8, “Team Hare Scramble riders are not subject to advancement.”

Example, a C class rider races on a B Class Team is not subject to advancement to B class due to team race.


Rider Eligibility and Classification:

All 10 hour teams will be 2 or 3 person team (Excluding Ironman Classes)

Pro 4×4
Open CC
Must come standard with 4X4
Production Engine
16 years of age or older

AA
Minimum of A Classification
Open ATV Production
16 years of age or older

A Class
16 years of age or older
Open ATV
All riders must be a minimum A Classification

B Class
15 years of age or older (15 yr. old must be on a 400cc machine)
Open ATV

C Class
Novice riders
Open ATV
15 years of age or older (15 yr. old must be on a 400cc machine)

30+ Class
30 years of age or older.
Open ATV

40+ Class
40 years of age or older.
Open ATV

Family Class
91-200cc 2 stroke or 91-300cc 4 stroke motor
13 to 15 years old Production ATV
16 years of age or older
Open ATV
*check back for more qualifications

Women’s Class for 2020
Female Riders
16 years of age or older
Open ATV

Schoolboy
91-200cc 2 stroke or 91-300cc 4 stroke motor *New for 2017 Hybrids will be allowed.
13 to 15 years old Production ATV
No engine displacement reduction permitted
No Apex

Ironman Class
16 years of age or older
Rider must provide background to show experience enough to handle 10 hours
This class will only have one machine.

Youth Classes

All youth 3 hour classes will be 2 to 3 person team (Excluding Ironman Class). New for 2020+ is a Youth Ironman Class. We will start out with one class for the Ironman class. However, if we experience a large number of entries, we will split up into two classes.

A Youth Quad rider’s age on January 1 will determine his age for the year.
No Cobras – In the spirit of growing youth classes, in order to keep cost down and competition close, we have chosen to not allow cobras in the youth classes.
*DRR, Apex and Pitster Pro youth Quads will race in the Production Classes

50cc Production Class
0-50cc Motor
4 to 9 years old
Production ATV

70cc Production Class
51-70cc Motor
6 to 11 years old
Production ATV

90cc Stock Class
2 Stroke 71-90cc Motor
4 Stroke 71cc – 125cc
71-90cc Motor
8 to 15 years old
Stock ATV

90cc Production Class
71-90cc Motor
8 to 15 years old
Production ATV

Super Mini Class
12 to 15 years old
71-105cc 2-Stk; 75-150cc 4-Stk
Production/Non-production machines eligible.
Youth model frames only

Ironman
9 to 13 years old
Production/Non-production machines eligible.
Youth model frames only

9-11 years old: 71-90cc
12-13 years old: 71-105cc 2-Stk; 75-150cc 4-Stk


Machine Eligibility and Classification:

Production ATV: OEM motor and matching frame combination model required. Engine modifications, frame reinforcements and frame modifications to permit longer rear-wheel travel are permitted.

Utility ATV: Utility ATV/Open CC/Sport Utility, Shaft Driven, Production Engine, racks availability are not required standard equipment

Open ATV: 91cc and over engine, so long as the cylinder is stamped with the correct engine displacement.


Equipment:

The AMA Equipment Standards List in Chapter 3 of the Amateur Competition Rule Book applies. In addition, the following apply:

  • 1. No rider is allowed to carry gasoline except inside his machine’s fuel tank.
  • 2. All ATV’s must be equipped with a functional tether type mechanical kill device attached to vehicle and rider so that the engine ignition is cut off at any time when the rider becomes separated from the ATV.
  • 3. All rider helmets must be brought to registration. Safety equipment and machine eligibility are the sole responsibility of the rider.
  • 4. Adult Classes – Rider number, minimum of 6″ high, must be visible from the rear of the machine or rider with the class color). Front and rear numbers are required.
  • 5. Youth Classes – Rider number, minimum of 6″ high, must be visible on machine or rider. Front and rear numbers are required.
  • 6. Riding Boots, Gloves, Long sleeve shirt and long pants are required for all riders.
  • 7. Safety equipment and machine eligibility are the sole responsibility of the rider and may be tested at any time prior to, during or after event.

Course:

  • 1. A course may include trails, footpaths, roads, hills, motocross tracks, or any type of terrain which can be negotiated by an ATV.
  • 2. The course will be open to inspection at Noon the day prior to the race. Participants are permitted to walk or bicycle the course only.
  • 3. Marking, cutting, tampering with or otherwise changing the course in any manner is strictly prohibited. Course modifications may only be made by a Heartland Challenge official.
  • 4. Only registered racers and officials may ride the course during the race.
  • 5. Riders must remain on the marked course. A marked course is that official route designated by and marked with official Heartland Challenge, L.C. markings.
  • 6. Riders must stay within the confines of the following “direct path” markers: double arrows posted on both sides of the trail, ribbons, signs, stakes, hay bales, barrels, motocross track, grass track, etc.. Furthermore, riders may not cut to the inside of any corner marker.
  • 7. Riders encountering a traffic-jam or bottleneck may go within than 25 feet off the course to get around the bottleneck as long as no “direct path” markers are compromised. However, the rider must re-enter the course as soon as possible, and upon approaching this section the next lap, must ride the original arrowed section if the track is clear. If the original marking devices are knocked down, the rider must stay on the original marked course. A “bottleneck” is a section of the track that becomes impassable for any reason, with the exception of check points.
  • 8. All riders must proceed only in the correct direction of the course route or trail. Riding backwards on the race course at any time is prohibited. Riding backwards on the course is grounds for penalties of up to and including disqualification.

Starting & Scoring Procedure:

  • 1. The event uses a LeMans style start. All classes will start at the same time.
  • 2. Rider will line up based on class and their number at registration.
  • 3. Teams will be given 3 bar codes to be stuck on the lower left side of each team rider’s helmet.
  • 4. A 3 min warning signal will be given, a 1 min warning, a 30 second, and finally a 10 second warning, followed by the air horn start.
  • 5. All rider changes, pitting, fueling or equipment changes such as tires, goggles, lights, etc., must be done only in the team’s pit area or other designated area.
  • 6. All machines must have a working head and tail lights or alternative lighting on during night session. If lights are to fail, you must remain in the pit area until they are repaired or will be given a penalty of 1 lap.
  • 7. If an ATV is towed in, that lap does NOT count.
  • 8. If a rider is given any illegal help during a lap, a min of 1 lap penalty.
  • 9. If you leave the course for any reason to return to the pits you will lose your lap, NO returning to where you left the track – NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • 10. Rider contact: deliberate ramming, blocking or intentional contact with another rider, may be cause for a min of 1 lap penalty.
  • 11. Rider contact: unsportsmanlike conduct, including aggressive behavior, rude gestures, or insult toward any race official between riders, or between rider and a team member will result in as much as a ten lap penalty or disqualified.
  • 12. If team is found to have switched to any ATV NOT entered in the race during the event, that team will be disqualified.
  • 13. Teams with the most laps in the least amount of time will determine the scoring and the placement of each team.
  • 14. Official clock will be the ref’s watch and also displayed at the scoring area.

UTV only Rules:

Machine eligibility, classification of equipment: all classes must wear fire suits & window nets.

  • 1. UTV OPEN Class:
  •  * All machines allowed in class.
  • * Required to run with an on-board fire extinguisher that is accessible to track officials
  • * UTV OPEN Payout
  • * Must run doors.
  • *Must have roof, window nets and plates on front AND back.
  • 2. UTV A Class:
  • * All machines allowed in class.
  • * Required to run with an on-board fire extinguisher that is accessible to track officials
  • * Must run doors.
  • *Must have roof, window nets and plates on front AND back.
  • 3. UTV B Class:
  •  * Required to run with an on-board fire extinguisher that is accessible to track officials
  • * Must run doors.
  • *Must have roof, window nets and plates on front AND back

Every UTV team must have a manned fire extinguisher at their pit for each pit stop.


Equipment:

  • 1. Machine width, we recommend no more than 72” anymore you will have tight spots but can be maneuvered.
  • 2. The following equipment is required for all machines: *four-point harness restraints, securely fastened on both occupants at all times *silencer/muffler
  • 3. The following gear is required for all competitors:
  • helmets
  • protective eyewear
  • rear tail/brake lights must remain on at all times
  • fire suits (driver AND passenger)
  • window nets
  • Roof
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Doors
  • 4. The machine a team leaves the starting line on is the official machine of the team for that event, and may not be switched during the event.
  • 5. Fuel can only be carried inside the machine’s fuel tank.
  • 6. Only Open UTVs are allowed horns, and they cannot be used while going in or through scoring. No other machines are allowed any other sound devices.
  • 7. Machines may be tested by officials any time prior to, during or after the event.
  • 8. All UTVS must have working brakes and taillights.
  • 9. NO REAR FACING LIGHTS OTHER THAN BRAKE OR TAILLIGHTS. THIS MEANS NO STROBING, FLASHING, AND NO OTHER COLORS OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL BRAKE LIGHTS.
  • 10. ALL CLASSES REQUIRE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.
  • 11. Racers can only be on ONE team.
  • 12. There can be a total of three people on a team, and any team member can be the driver or the passenger at any time during the race as long as they have signed the entry form prior to entering the vehicle.
  • 13. All classes require a driver and passenger in the vehicle during the race, Single rider UTVs may be allowed at the Referee’s discretion under certain circumstances.
  • 14. Starts will be dead engine.
  • 15. Four- or Five-Point Harness is required.
  • 16. Roll cages, roof and doors are required on all machines.
  • 17. Drivers must have helmets and eye protection (goggles with roll offs or tear offs are highly recommended).
  • 18. AMA cards are NOT required for drivers or passengers. The UTVs will not run under AMA sanction so cards are not required to race.
  • 19. Team members must be at least 18 years old (without prior approval from referee).
  • 20. Internal Radio communication is permitted between drivers and passengers, and between driver/passengers and pit crew members

At sign up, we’ll print bar codes with your number for the race–numbers are required on the front and back of machines.

***Per AMA/ATVA rulebook, Page 70, Section 8, “Team Hare Scramble riders are not subject to advancement.”


Plate Requirements 

CLASSCLASS NAMEPLATE COLORNUMBER COLORHOURS
1Pro 4×4RedWhite #10
2AARedBlack #10
3AWhiteBlack #10
4BYellowRed #10
5CWhiteRed #10
630BlackWhite #10
740BlueWhite #10
8WomanBlueRed #10
9SchoolboyYellowWhite #10
10FamilyRedWhite #10
11IronmanYellowBlack #10
12Youth IronmanYellowWhite #3
1390cc ProdRedWhite #3
1490cc StockBlueWhite #3
1570cc ProdBlackWhite #3
1650cc ProdYellowBlack #2
1750cc StockWhiteBlack #2
18Super MiniWhiteBlack #3
19UTV OPENYellowBlack #4
20UTV AOrangeBlack #4
21UTV BBlueWhite #4