Rules

1. The Event

1.1     The Greater London North Scout County is promoting a motoring event under Section 5(b) of the Motor Vehicles (Competition and Trials) England Regulations 1969, as amended.

1.2     Because it is an event employing a scattered type of route, individual to each competitor, it is within Section 5(b) of the Motor Vehicles (Competition and Trials) Regulations 1969, as amended, as an automatically authorised untimed event since there is no set route and competitors are not required to visit all the same places.

1.3     The principal object of this event is to visit locations to gain information inscribed on route check boards. Each location visited is allocated points and the total of these provides some of the score from which the winners are decided.

1.4     It should be clearly understood that this night navigation event in cars is an event based upon precision map reading. It is not an event for those compelled to demonstrate their driving ability, or who have little interest in detailed map reading. The event will call for some footwork but code boards or information required will not be an excessive distance from the roadside.

1. Time and Place

2.1     The start will be at the 5th Potters Bar Scout Group Headquarters, Mutton Lane Potters Bar (next to the Furzefield Centre). The map reference is 240.75 017.50. All competitors should report to the start and must be signed in by 7.00pm.

2.2     There will be a briefing at 7.15pm. Route information sheets and road books will be handed out at 7.30pm. Cars may then start in their own time. Drivers are reminded that there are no fuelling facilities at the start.

2.3     Any crew not handing in their road book by 1.30am at the finish control which is also the 5th Potters Bar Scout Group Headquarters, Mutton Lane Potters Bar, will be deemed to have retired and will not figure in the results.

3. The competitors

3.1     The event is open to all members of the Scout and Guide Associations over the age of 14 years. This applies to all occupants of the car.

3.2     One member of the team is the nominated driver. This person must drive for the entire event. This driver must hold a full UK driving license for the class of vehicle being driven. A photocard driving license MUST be carried, and MUST be produced for inspection at the start.

3.3     A novice team is classed as a team which has not taken part in the Maypole before. This applies to ALL occupants of the car.

3.4     There are three classes of team.

•        Explorer class. All occupants of the car, with the exception of the driver are under 18 years of age on the day of the event.

•        Premier Class. All occupants of the car are under 25 years of age on the day of the event.

•        Veteran Class. This class represents all teams not included in either of the above classes.

4. The Vehicles

4.1     This event is for cars. For the purposes of this event, a car is classified as a passenger vehicle with more than three seats and less than eight. All vehicles must be legally roadworthy. Minibuses, vans, motor caravans and any vehicle looking like one of them will not be permitted. If in doubt, mention it on your entry form.

4.2     It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the car entered has adequate insurance for this event. If you are in any doubt consult your insurance company or broker. Your insurance details should be entered on the entry form.

5. Equipment

5.1     Each team must ensure that they have the correct equipment to take part in the event BEFORE reporting to the start.

5.2     Locations will be identified by six figure map references plus quarter fractions and therefore give a search area true to 25 metres square. A good Romer is therefore necessary. Apart from a magnetic compass, torch, map, pen/pencil, watch/clock and a copy of these rules no other equipment is essential. Some ‘damp’ conditions may be encountered (irrespective of the weather) so suitable footwear is advisable.

5.3     This event is based on traditional map reading skills. The use of electronic navigation equipment is prohibited. Mobile phones should only be used in an emergency.

5.4     Please ensure that Satellite Navigation Systems are switched off for the duration of the event. It is doubtful that they will be of any help during the event, and they should remain off.

6. Entries

6.1     Entries will be limited to the first 50 received. If the minimum number of TEN entries has not been received by the closing date, the organisers reserve the right to cancel the event. In that event all cheques will be returned.

6.2     The entry fee is £12.00 per car for a maximum of five persons. Cheques should be made payable to Greater London North.

6.3     Wherever possible, all communications prior to the event will be by email.  It is therefore important to include the email address of the point of contact of the team with your entry.

6.4     Final instructions will be sent to all entrants at least 48 hours before the event.

6.5     The organisers will publish modifications to these rules if considered necessary

to maintain the spirit or function of the event.

7. Information

7.1     The Required Map is Ordnance Survey Explorer Map sheet 182 (St. Albans and Hatfield) (1:25000). The event will take place entirely on this map.

7.2     At the start, competitors will be given a route information sheet bearing the information they require to work out their route. This will consist of a list of grid references and cryptic clues.

7.3     Teams will also be issued with a road book. This will have various sections which teams will complete during the event. This road book must be handed in to the finish marshal at the end of the event.

8. Marshals

8.1     The route information sheet will give the locations of two main controls. Both main controls will open at 8.00pm and will remain open until 12 midnight. The main controls may be visited once only, in any order, during the event.

8.2     Both main controls will be a car parked in a public car parking area and will not be hidden. These car parks do not levy charges for parking. Marshals will be in or near a clearly marked vehicle. Competitors must leave their vehicles and approach the marshal on foot.

8.3     Marshal’s watches will be set to BBC time and they alone will determine the opening and closing times at each control.

8.4     This year there will be NO MOBILE CONTROL. There are only two marshalled locations this year.

8.5     The Finish Control will be at 5th Potters Bar Scout Group Headquarters, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar (next to the Furzefield Centre). The map reference is 240.75 017.50.

8.6     Roadbooks must be handed in to the finish marshal on arrival. The finish control opens at 1.00am and road books will be accepted up to 1.30am.

9. Code Boards

9.1     At each search location there will be one valid code board. This is also called a route check board.

9.2     Route check boards will be white with black lettering. They will be about 125mm x 85mm in size. Each board will bear a 3 letter word and genuine boards will have the identifier GLN11 in the top right-hand corner. The letters shown on the code board need to be entered, in the correct order, in your road book.

9.3     There may be (additionally) decoy code boards and these will not have GLN11 as their identifier. These must not be recorded in your road book. They will not accrue any points.

9.4     There are other boards which will be found at the ”on foot” search locations. They will be smaller (about 60mm x 80mm) and they may be different colours. They will show a single word which should be recorded and presented to the marshal. There will be no decoy boards at these search areas.

9.5     Examples of authentic and decoy code boards will be available for inspection at the start.

10. Timing

10.1   The event starts at 7pm and all teams should be signed on by then.

10.2   There will be a briefing at 7:15pm. Road books and Route Information sheets will be handed out at the end of this, and teams should then prepare their route and depart in their own time.

10.3   The marshals open at 8pm and close at 12 midnight.

10.4   The finish control opens at 1am, and road books will be accepted up until 1:30:59am.  This time will be determined by BBC time. Teams arriving after that time will be excluded from the results.

11. Results and Awards

11.1   Provisional results will be given at the finish. Protests must be lodged immediately to the Clerk of the Course but as this is a sporting event they are not encouraged. The Clerk of the Course will be the sole arbitrator in any dispute.

11.2   The Clerk of the Course will be announced at the start of the event.

11.3   The awards are as follows:

•        Explorer Award – for the Explorer team with the highest score.

•        Premier Award – for the Premier team with the highest score.

•        Veterans Award – for the Veteran team with the highest score.

•        Ladies Rosebowl – highest score by an all female crew.

11.5   In the event of a tie (in any category) the winner will be decided based on the following criteria (in this order): Least crew in vehicle, highest score at marshal location(s) most higher point boards, earlier date of entry received (inc payment). If the teams are still level, then the award will be shared.

To refresh your memory, these pages of Rules should be printed by you and brought with you on the event

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