Isle of Man 4 Wheel Drive Club Ltd

The official 4×4 off-road club on the Isle of Man

Challenge Series Supplementary Regulations

Last updated 1/12/24

These events are run as Clubman Events and are therefore confined to members of the Isle of Man Four Wheel Drive Club Limited and by invitation a limited number of members from other clubs. All Entrants, Drivers, Navigators and other passengers must ‘sign-on’ and produce the necessary documents to prove their eligibility for the event, whether this be by means of an approved Club Membership Card and/or a Motorsport UK RS Competition Licence.

The aim of these Challenge events is for competitors to manoeuvre their vehicles by driving and or winching in order to reach a ‘clicker’ where proof of visiting that clicker is by way of the ‘punching’ the scorecard, which shall be permanently attached to the vehicle. The colour denoted by the clicker post corresponds to that of the colours on the scorecards and should therefore be punched on the scorecard accordingly.

Competitors will be competing in one of two classes; these classes are Modified and Unmodified (less than 4 modifications) and should ONLY attempt to reach clickers applicable to their allocated class. Modified class competitors are eligible to collect Orange, Red and Blue clickers, while Unmodified class competitors are eligible to collect Red and Blue coloured clickers ONLY.

The score for the clickers varies depending on those collected; with Orange worth 15 points, Red worth 10 points and Blue worth 5 points.

There is a time limit for these events of 4 hours from start to finish and penalty points are awarded for lateness when returning after the 4 hours has finished.

All drivers must be at least 17 years old, hold a valid driving licence, be a current club member and hold a RS Clubman Licence (minimum level competition licence required). Co-drivers may be aged 16 years old and do not require a valid driving licence but cannot drive during the event.

Penalty points are applicable for competitors as follows:

  • Breaking clicker post -20points
  • Not wearing seatbelt when the vehicle is moving -15points
  • Winching from outside the section -15points
  • Breaking course tape/canes -5points
  • Late to return to start point after the time as run out -3points (for every minute late)
  • Not using winch sail/weight when winching -3points
  • Not using protective strap when winching off a tree -3points

The following rules are to be followed at all times throughout the duration of the event:

  • All competitors MUST be seated in forward facing seats, securely fixed within the vehicle.
  • All competitors MUST wear their seatbelt whenever the vehicle is moving.
  • ONLY competitors (driver and co-driver) may be carried in the vehicle.
  • Competitors MUST ensure that their vehicle is maintained in a safe condition throughout.
  • A maximum of one vehicle is allowed into each section at a time unless for purposes of recovering another vehicle.
  • When attempting to reach the clicker competitors MUST do so by means of their own, no aid from other competitors is allowed. Assistance from other competitors may ONLY be given to help with recovery.
  • When winching a winch sail/line weight (minimum 1Kg dry weight) MUST be used.

Vehicle requirements and equipment required as a minimum

  • The vehicle MUST have a minimum wheelbase of 127cm (50in).
  • Vehicles MUST not be fitted with ‘Bush Wires’.
  • All tyres MUST have at least the 1.6mm minimum legal tread depth on all tyres.
  • All open or soft top vehicles MUST be fitted with a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS). It is strongly advised that all vehicles are fitted with a ROPS to protect both driver and co-driver.
  • Where a windscreen and/or rear window is not fitted a full width wire mesh is mandatory with 2in maximum square aperture of 10g minimum weldmesh and must be securely fitted.
  • Tyres that are permitted to be used can be classified as All Terrain, Mud Terrain or Extreme.
  • Hub adapters/wheel spacers are permitted up to a maximum of 30mm in depth.
  • Seatbelt cutter (with blade that is not exposed).
  • Window/glass hammer.
  • Hand-held fire extinguisher, to be fixed in the vehicle so it is easily accessible to both driver and co-driver when seated.
  • A spill kit of either absorbent pads or granular absorbent material capable of dealing with spillages up to 1.25 litres capacity.
  • A polyester towing rope, or a tow strap rated to 2 tonnes minimum SWL.
  • Two shackles, stamped with a minimum WLL of 3.25 tonnes and be CE marked.
  • Two tree protecting strops, labelled with a minimum WLL of 2 tonnes and be CE marked.
  • All equipment, including cables, ropes, straps/webbing, shackles, blocks, hooks, ground anchors, etc stored within the passenger compartment of the vehicle must be securely stowed when not in use.

Requirements for vehicles fitted with a winch:

  • Where a winch is fitted to a vehicle it MUST use winch cable/rope must be rated in excess of the maximum rating of the winch.
  • Where a winch is fitted any loop at the end of a steel cable MUST be swaged. Any loop at the end of a synthetic rope MUST be spliced.
  • Where a winch is fitted an isolator switch MUST be fitted inside the vehicle that can be operated by the driver when seated.
  • It is strongly recommended that all members of the team wear protective clothing during winching operations, i.e. overalls, gloves, eye protectors.

Entrants’ Responsibilities

An entrant shall ensure that:

  • Only the nominated car is used throughout the event.
  • Only the nominated driver(s) drive that car.
  • Only nominated persons are carried in that car.
  • An entrant shall, before the event, satisfy himself as to the eligibility and safety of the vehicle and safety equipment and the competence of its driver.
  • An entrant shall furthermore ensure that a vehicle is maintained in an eligible and safe condition throughout the event or meeting.
  • All Entrants, Drivers, Navigators and other passengers must ‘Sign-On’ on a form prescribed by Motorsport UK and undertake to comply with the declarations laid down in D.13 and shall not be allowed to take part in the event until they have produced the necessary documents to prove their eligibility for the event, whether this be by means of an approved Club Membership Card and/or a Motorsport UK Competition Licence.
  • Competitors and their service/pit assistants must at all times obey the instructions of an authorised official of the meeting.

Entrants’ Declaration

Every entrant, driver and passenger before taking part in any competition must sign an undertaking as follows:

  1. “I declare that I have been given the opportunity to read the General Regulations of the Motorsport UK and, if any, the Supplementary Regulations for this event and agree to be bound by them. I declare that I am physically and mentally fit to take part in the event and I am competent to do so. I acknowledge that I understand the nature and type of the competition and the potential risk inherent with motor sport and agree to accept that risk.”
  2. “I understand that motorsport can be dangerous and accidents causing death, injury, disability and property damage can and do happen. I understand that these risks may give rise to my suffering personal injury or other loss, and I acknowledge and accept these risks. In consideration of the acceptance of this entry, I agree that neither any one of or any combination of Motorsport UK and its associated clubs, the organisers, the track owners or other occupiers, the promoters and their respective officers, servants, representatives and agents (the “Parties”) shall have any liability for loss or damage which may be sustained or incurred by me as a result of participation in the Event; including but not limited to, damage to property, economic loss, consequential loss or financial loss howsoever caused. Nothing in this clause is intended to or shall be deemed to exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury. To the fullest extent permitted by law I agree to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Parties in respect of any loss or damage whatsoever and howsoever arising from my participation in this event.”
  3. “I declare that to the best of my belief the driver(s) possess(es) the standard of competence necessary for an event of the type to which this entry relates and that the vehicle entered is suitable and roadworthy for the event having regard to the course and the speeds which will be reached.”

Download a PDF version of the Challenge Series Supplementary Regulations