The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

 


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Bed Race Rules

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1. THE TEAM
a) The team shall consist of six persons of the same sex to propel the bed and one person of the opposite sex on the bed as a passenger.
b) The Bed passenger must be at least 10years of age and suitably attired. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR MUST BE WORN by the passenger during The Race.
c) No substitutes will be allowed at any time during the race.
d) Except for the nominated passenger, any riding on the bed is strictly forbidden.
e) Race competitors must obey instructions from The Police & Race Officials (e.g. Starters, Timekeepers, Marshals etc.).
f) ALL COMPETITORS MUST be able to swim for their own safety.
g) All beds must complete the course as far as The Yorkshire Lass within 30 minutes, so that all roads can be reopened to traffic as soon as possible.
h) The throwing of missiles or objects of any description is dangerous and is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN at ALL TIMES. (this includes Water Bombs, Flour, Eggs, Sweets and anything else that could cause alarm, damage or injury).
i) There must be no deliberate obstruction of other beds during the race.
j) During the race beds should keep to the left hand side of the roads, unless overtaking.
k) All teams must participate in The Parade to qualify for entry to The Race.

2. THE BED
a) Each team must provide a bed, decorated in the theme for the year and sponsored for a named charity.
b) When decorated the bed must not exceed 2 metres in width, 4 metres in length and 3 metres in height. Decorations MUST be removed from the bed before the start of the race, provided that the bed will still conform to the race rules (under section f below).
c) The bed must have no means of mechanical propulsion.
d) The bed must not deliberately run on less than four wheels during the race.
e) All beds must have been examined and passed by The Scrutineers before the start of The Race.
f) The Bed Must:-
i) Have four wheels of not more than 0.25m in diameter. The maximum to include the tyres.
ii) Allow a gauge of 0.15m high by 0.45m wide to pass under the bed in the direction of travel.
iii) Allow a gauge of 0.15m high by 1.25m long to pass under the bed in the direction of travel.
iv) Have a minimum length of 1.75m and a minimum width of 0.75m.
v) Have a maximum width of 1.35m.
vi) Have a built in buoyancy aid capable of supporting the bed and the passenger for not less than five minutes and have an aperture large enough to allow the passenger to escape quickly if required.
vii) Display the race numbers given upon arrival. These must be displayed and securely attached on the front and sides of the bed. It is the teams' responsibility to ensure that these stay attached during the Parade and the Race.
viii) Have two ropes, each not more than 3.75m long attached to the rear of the bed, in order to slow its progress when necessary. A maximum of two additional ropes, not more than 3.75m long may also be attached to the bed.
ix) Have an audible means of approach (e.g., a horn or a hooter).


PENALTIES:
Infringements of the Rules will be penalised as follows:-

Rules 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 2c, 2e, & 2f (items vi & ix). - Disqualification.

Rules 2b, 2d, 2e, 2f, (except items vi, vii & ix) -
2 minutes penalty for each infringement.

Rules 1i, 1j, 2a, and 2f (item vii). -
30 second penalty.

Race Marshals will the sole judge of any infringements during the race and the Team Captain will be notified of any penalties after the race.
Teams will be allowed until 15 minutes before the start of the race to rectify any construction faults or mechanical problems.


NB. To enter for the fastest new team, no team member must have competed in a previous Bed Race.
All members of a junior team must be under 16 years old on the date of The Race.


Revised April 2007


PRIZES:
To be announced at the presentation.
To be announced at the presentation.
Trophies will be awarded as follows:-
Fastest Mens Team; 1st Mother Shiptons Trophy
Fastest Ladies Team; William Youngers Cup
Best Decorated Bed; Theakstons Trophy
Most Entertaining Mens Team; GSPK Trophy
Most Entertaining Ladies Team; Britannia Building Society Cup
Fastest Junior Team; Tony Teggin Memorial Trophy
Fastest New Team; Vaux Trophy
Best Sponsored Team; Sandra Bradley Trophy

Thew Great Knaresborough Bed Race
NB. To enter for the fastest new team, no team member must have competed in a previous Bed Race.

All members of a junior team must be under 16 years old on the date of The Race.

08/2006