Here is a quick guide to help you pass your Buggy Racing pilot licence test.
The start line will be long enough for all competitors to start safely 1 - 2m per pilot. The start will be a rolling start - all competitors must be moving in the final 5 minutes.
Raised to call the Pilots’ briefing – any pilot missing the meeting will be disqualified - dropped after briefing indicating 15 minute warning.
Raised at start line indicating 5 minute warning to the start – usually accompanied by an audible warning. (This also closes the start line from being crossed until the race start)
This flag replaces the blue flag at the start line indicating a 1 minute warning to the start – usually accompanied by an audible warning.
Race start – this flag replaces the yellow flag at the start line and is raised 10 seconds from start and accompanied by audible count down to the start, when flag is dropped.Race Flags
Danger marker – placed or waived to mark a danger point on the course.
Race Stopped – used to stop a race.
No overtaking Marker – multiples are used to create a NO OVERTAKING ZONE. Also can be used to mark obstructions or accidents by officials – this means NO OVERTAKING.Enduro Start / Finish – can be used to start and stop an enduro race
Indicates the race duration has been reduced, and is used to signal the leading pilot that they are on their last lap. It is raised on the finish line.
Race Finish – used to indicate finish of a race.
Pre Race
- Proof of insurance is required to enter any race
and is YOUR responsibility. - The wearing of helmets is compulsory
- Kevlar lines are prohibited
- All harnesses must either be open hook, roller or equipped with a suitable Quick Release.
- Race numbers must be displayed on each side and rear of the buggy ( 14cm high, 2cm stripe, 5cm wide black on a white background)
- Buggies – upper limits - width 3m, 3.5m long, 27” wheels, 5kg extra weight & no sharp edges.
(sizes apply to the extremities) - A race briefing will always be given prior to the start of a race where the general layout of the course; the length of the race; info on any hazards that may be near the course whether marked as such or not; and any further race specific instructions rules etc. will be issued.
During a race
- You must guard the front and right side of your buggy.
- Watch for other pilots to your right and avoid them.
- If you are in a head on collision course BREAK RIGHT! (as in turn to your right)
- You may overtake on the left or the right but it is YOUR responsibility to avoid collision.
- Kite height
- The upwind pilot must fly high
- The downwind pilot must fly low
- YOU MUST NEVER USE YOUR KITE TO BLOCK ANOTHER PILOT
- When overtaking you must raise or lower your kite accordingly
the overtaken pilot need not alter their kite position
but must NOT move their kite to impede the overtaking pilot. - At a mark there will be a line of pilots turning a mark, the leaders will be downwind of the followers after the mark, so kites must come in high and go out low. (this applies at a down wind turn but at an upwind turn the reverse is generally the case except for the last few yards as some pilots prepare to do a tack turn)
- Any pilot who hits a mark must go back round the mark to prove that they have not been advantaged in the manoeuvre.
- Assistance during the race is prohibited (unless for safety reasons)
- If retrieval to the pits or off the course is assisted the pilot is deemed to have dropped out of the race.
- Pilots may change any of the equipment being used at any stage of the race as long as the change is made without assistance.
- Pilots can only make kite changes and alterations to their equipment in the pit area.
- When entering the pit area you must come to a complete stop before proceeding.
- At the end of a race pilots should proceed directly back to the pit area until the race is closed.