Class/Truck Rules

All class rules can be found in the drop down menu at the top of this page. Each class has its own page. 

​

General Procedures

• Any competitor or crew member attempting to sway the decision of any official by talking to the official, sled operator, or the promoter is subject to disqualification from that class. 

• When a truck is under the green flag, no is allowed on the track except for track officials. 

• Any unsportsmanlike conduct and/or language on the track, pit area or on social media is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

• Judges have the right to stop and disqualify any vehicle or contestant

• All trucks are subject to inspection randomly during the season. 

• All trucks are subject to re-weighing at any time. 

• All drivers must be 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. Written permission from parents turned in with the membership fee. 

​​

Event Procedures & Requirements

• All trucks with the registered driver will weigh in before pulling. COTPC representatives may inspect or re-weigh the truck and driver at any time. 

• No adjustments may be made to the truck after weigh-in and hitch height & safety checks are complete. 

  • Top paid pullers can be asked to weigh-out at the end of the pull. ​

  • The same person who weighs the truck is the same person to drive it. 

  • Bags of ice must weigh-in with the trucks - either in the weight box or in the bed.

  • Events are open to any four-wheel drive truck - NO membership is required - ALL Safety Equipment must be followed.

  • No riders shall be allowed in the truck when towed, driven or hooked to the sled. 

​

Entry Procedures

​Upon arrival at the event, please go to the entry site. 

• The truck must compete in a class at the event before the truck may receive hook points, place points or purse money. 

• A truck may be entered in more than one class, but only once in each class.

• A competitor's pulling position will be determined by draw at time of entry. 

  • Each competitor will have two (2) numbers drawn from the bingo cage and can choose between the two (2) numbers. ​

• If a competitor breaks on a previous class and cannot pull in the next class, the competitor may ask the track official or competition director to drop positions. 

​

Withdrawal (scratch)

​To scratch a truck and receive a full refund of entry fee, the competitor is required to notify the entry clerk of their withdrawal prior to the start of the class. 

• Entry number card is required to be turned into the entry clerk for refund. 

• If a competitor scratches from a class prior to the start of the class, that competitor will receive the entry fee back. However, if the competitor does not officially scratch prior to the start of the class, the competitor will forfeit the entry fee. 

• Once a competitor has scratched from the class, that competitor may not re-enter that class for that session. 

​

Contest Procedures

• All competitors must start with a tight chain

• All pulls will be run as a floating finish. There will not be a pull-off. 

• Each competitor will be allowed two (2) attempts to make a measurable pull. 

  • An attempt is defined as moving the sled a measurable distance (1" or further) ​

  • On the first attempt, if the competitor lets off the throttle before going 100 feet, the competitor will get a second attempt, even if the competitor goes beyond the 100 foot mark. 

Note: Intent is for the driver not to slam on their brakes to stop before 100ft mark (or any time), but come to a smooth, safe stop. 

• Jerking of the sled to cause slack in the chain will be grounds for disqualification. 

• Each competitor has the privilege of, and the responsibility for, spotting the sled for both of their attempts. 

  • Sled operator must be notified of where competitor wishes the sled placed. ​

  • Use of crew member is recommended to expedite the show. 

• Pulling vehicles must remain within boundaries of the contest course during the pull. 

• If a vehicle is legal when hooked to the sled and breakage occurs while under green flag, the pull be measured. 

• Any vehicle that hooks to the sled and makes a measurable pull shall be considered to have made an official hook even if the sled is reset and truck cannot hook and receive last hook points. Measurable distance is defined as the truck must tighten the chain under its own power. 

​

Test Pull Options

The competitor pulling in first position as determined by draw time of entry is considered the test puller. 

• Competitor may take their first pull, provided the weight transfer is deemed right, OR

• Competitor may immediately take their second pull, OR

• Competitor may drop and pull in the sixth (6th) position, OR

• Competitor may drop and pull in last position. 

Note: The sixth (6th) position is defined as the position immediately following the next five (5) scheduled competitors and their attempts. ​

• The "running out of bounds" disqualification still applies. 

• If the wight transfer needs further adjustment, the competitor immediately following each adjustment will be considered "test puller". 

​

Class Restart Procedures

If the class is restarted, all competitors having pulled previously have the following options: 

1. May hook immediately 

2. May drop six (6) positions

3. Can NOT drop to last! 

Note: The competitor must alert the track official of their decision. ​

On any re-pull caused by contest malfunction, the competitor may either re-hook immediately or may drop six (6) positions. 

• Competitor must pull at position drawn within two (2) minutes of time the sled is ready. 

  • Delay will result in a disqualification. ​

    • If the track official is notified prior to competitor's time slot, they will drop the competitor six (6) positions. This  constitute one of the competitor's two (2) attempts. ​

      • A competitor may do this only once per class. ​

• Competitor will be able to drop six (6) positions if breakage occurs on their first attempt and they did not go past 100ft. They still have one attempt remaining. 

​

Flagmen

• Pulls will be operated with two (2) flagmen per track. 

• Starting flagmen shall be responsible for readiness of track, pulling truck and competitor. 

• Second flagman shall be responsible for balance of course. 

• The same flagman shall work for an entire class to assure consistency and equal treatment for all competitors in that class. 

​

Vehicle Operations

• Pulling vehicles must be operated in a safe manner at all times within the confines of the track, pits and staging areas.

  • Event officials have the right to stop and disqualify any vehicle if it is not being operated in such a manner as would be considered safe. 

• Driver must remain seated while the truck is under the green flag and must have complete control of the truck at all times. 

• All pulls must start with a tight chain. No jerking or yanking of the sled. Once the slack has been taken out of the chain, you cannot back up and jerk the sled. Once the sled has stopped, the pull is over. 

• Attempting to pull under a red flag will result in disqualification. The flagman will cue the start of each pull by displaying the green flag. When the red flag is displayed, you must stop. Any attempt to continue to pull under the red flag will result in disqualification. 

• Each contestant may spot the sled before the pull. Contestant must notify a track official or sled operator before the sled backs to the starting line.

 

Hitches

• All hitches will be a minimum of 3 3/4 inches long and a minimum 3.5 inches wide at the hook point. Lateral thickness of the hitch will be max 1 1/2 inch maximum and 1 inch of cross-sectional thickness. 

• No twisted clevises

• All hitches will be checked with a legal COTPC stand

• Hitches must be rigid in all directions

• Clevis needs to be welded

​

Tech Area Procedure/Tech Official

• There will be a designated area set-up by the track officials as a teching area where all vehicles will be teched. 

• The tech official's decisions are final at the event. 

• The tech official has the right to determine the legality of the truck at any time. 

• The tech official has the right to make all decisions regarding these rules. 

• The tech official has the right to open the hood or any panel at any time or make any visual or audible decision. 

• The tech official does not need to hold any certification of any kind to perform any test or make any decision. 

• Adhere to the tech officials is final at the track. 

• Must stay within 20ft of the truck until it is teched. Hoods must be open and ready for tech official. 

• Being illegal is anything that is a performance violation: 

  • If caught being illegal you will lose your points and money for that event. 

  • If caught a second time, you will lose money and points and be banned for the next two (2) pulls. 

  • If caught a third time, you will be banned for the remainder of the season. 

  • If cauht with nitrous and/or over cubic inch will result in disqualification for one (1) year and a day from the violation. 

​

Tie Breaker at the Event

In the unlikely event that two (2) competitors pull the exact same distance at the same event the pullers have the following options: 

1. Pull-off at the end of the class

2. Flip of a coin​

All distances are measured three (3) places out and all three (3) numbers must be exact for this to occur. ​

​

Inclement Weather/Sled Malfunction Procdure

In the event of inclement weather after the pull has started or a sled malfunction the following will occur

• Purse shall be paid in all completed classes

  • If a class has started, but not completed, the purse will be paid to those that hooked according to the results. ​

    • Those that did not hook will receive a refund of their entry fee 

      • Number entry card must be turned into the entry clerk before the start-up cash is given back to the promoter or it will be forfeited. ​

        • Entry fees can not be saved for the next pull. ​

• No points awarded to any classes not run if the event is stopped for any reason. We will not give "show-up" points. 

• ​10 hook points will be awarded to all COTPC members who have pulled in the class before it was canceled. ​

• The officials at the event (promoter, event director and head track official) shall determine if and when an event will be stopped for inclement weather, track conditions, sled malfuction or any other reason. 

• If a session is canceled prior to start time, competitors will receive refund of paid entry fees, but no other compensation. 

• Any class not completed for any other reason will be treated the same. 

 

Causes for Disqualification

**Any Disqualification points will NOT be considered a dropped Point at the end of the season**

​

Vehicle/competitor will receive only hook points (10 points) when while under green flag: 

• Loses ballast weight

• Loses safety equipment and failure of safety equipment to function. 

• Excessive loss of liquid onto the track by a pulling vehicle while hooked to the sled. 

  • Note: excessive is defined as any steady or intermittent stream discharged onto the track, or a spot equivalent to more than eight (8) inches in diameter. ​

​

Vehicle/competitor will receive no points when: 

• Intoxication - any competitor or any member of their crew under the influence of an intoxicating agent, drug or having a measurable blood alcohol content during contest activities shall be considered under the influence and will be barred from any further involvement or participation in the event. 

• Any competitor or member of their crew who exhibits unprofessional and/or unsportsmanlike conduct including, but not limited to abusive language and/or physical action toward event officials, fellow competitors or spectators and/or deliberate delay of event will cause disqualification from that event. Having unsportsmanlike conduct, improper language or conduct that is detrimental to pulling. 

• Illegal equipment, illegal fuel and competing without proper fire protection. ​

• Unsafe operation of the competition vehicle in all areas of the event. 

• Leaving the start line while under the red flag.

• Anyone who knowingly tampers with a vehicle could be permanently suspended. 

• Any competitor does not have any safety equipment. 

• Going out of bounds. 

​​

Protest Procedure

A protest may be made prior to or following a pull.

• A fee of $200 for gas trucks and $400 for diesel trucks

• If protest is found true, the protester will receive $150 for gas trucks and $250 for Diesel trucks

  • Tech official receives $50 for gas trucks and $150 for diesel trucks​

• If protest is found false, the protested will receive $150 for gas trucks and $250 for Diesel trucks

  • Tech official receives $50 for gas trucks and $150 for diesel trucks​

​

Points/Awards/End of Season Procedures

Points

• Points will be awarded based on the finish position of the truck that is a PAID COTPC member. 

  • Any puller not a member will be pulled from the finish position before points are calculated. 

  • Points are NOT transfered if the vehicle is sold during the season. 

The following points system will be used:

1st place - 26 points

2nd place - 24 points

3rd place - 22 points

4th place - 20 points

5th place - 18 points

6th place - 16 points

7th place - 14 points

8th place - 12 points 

9th place and on - 10 points

• All points are awarded to the vehicle and not the driver. Must have their COTPC number on the entry form. Failure to do so will result in no points for that truck. 

​

Drops

• Lowest point will be dropped only if a class has 10 or more completed hooks. 

  • If the class only had 9 completed hooks, no points will be dropped - all 9 will count. ​

• Drop points will be determined at the end of the season. 

• The lowest point will be dropped from the final total. 

  • For example: If the puller has all 26 points, then one 26 will be removed. If a puller has a zero, then the zero will be removed. DQ​'s will NOT be counted as a drop. 

​

End of Season Tie Breakers

If the end of the season points race results in a tie, the following formula will be used to break the tie: 

• Ties will be broken by using the greatest number of 1st place finishes at events counting toward that position. 

• If a tie still exists, second place finishes, third place finishes, etc will be counted until the tie is broken. 

​

Award/End of Year Procedures​

• 100% of all sponsorship money and sanctioning fees ($100 per class from promoters) collected will be awarded to the top 5 winners in each class and broken down in the following percentage. 

1st place - 38% of total

2nd place - 23% of total

3rd place - 18% of total

4th place - 13% of total

5th place - 8% of total

For example: If $3000 is given in sponsor money and $1200 in sanctioning fees are collected the total of $4200 is divided out with the above percentages. First place winner will receive $1596, second place winner will receive $966, third place winner will receive $756, fourth place winner will receive $546 and fifth place winner will receive $336. 

• End of the year payouts will be determined after the pulls have been completed - subject to rain-outs and/or cancellations. 

• Sponsorship money will not be returned mid-season to a sponsor. 

​

Any infraction of any of the outlined general rules, class rules or safety rules will result in a loss of 26 points at the end of the season for the first offense. If there is a second offense, the competitor will be dismissed from the organization for one year plus one day. This applies to COTPC members and non-members.

​