RTVexplained


Road Taxed Vehicle Trialling Explained If you're interested in what we get upto at the weekend, then read on The major part of our calendar revolves around competition in the form of Road Taxed Vehicle Trials (RTV). As a member of the Association of Land Rover Clubs, there are various competition disciplines you can participate in, from RTV where little modification is required to compete, to Competition Safari where full racing regulations apply. Historically, our Club ran Cross-Country Vehicle Trials (CCVT) in conjunction with the RTV events mentioned above, but now we run mostly RTV events. To compete in an RTV, the only additions required to a standard, currently road taxed and MOT'd vehicle, are the addition of front and rear recovery points. The rules defining 'what is a standard vehicle' can be found in the ALRC Handbook. The handbook is free to all HBLRO members, and can be obtained from the competition secretary. Certain vehicle types are categorised into classes. This allows for a level playing field, as you will be competing against like vehicles in the same class, as well as possibly beating every motor to win the event out-right. The Event Sign-on. All of our events are published in the monthly magazine. Details on how to get there and what time it all starts are listed. As a rule of thumb if you want to compete you need to come armed with your membership card (or you could join on the day). Be there between 08:45 and 09:30 to insure all the official paper work is out of the way in good time for the event start at 10:00 prompt. Once there find the competition control to sign on. This involves you parting with £15.00 of you hard earned cash. You will be asked to produce your membership card that you so carefully remembered to bring. With this in order, you fill out your details on the official list of competitors, and are passed a score card/scrutineering record. Scrutineering. Safety is a key part of any motor sport, and RTV is without exception. The scrutineer for the meet will check your vehicle for basic safety and soundness. If your vehicle fails then you maybe able to rectify minor a point (that's why it's always a good idea to get there early!) and re-submit the vehicle before the trial starts. See the ALRC handbook for scrutineering checks. Drivers Briefing. The Clerk of the Course or (CoC) will call all the competitors together to outline the days trailing ahead. Drivers will be made aware of deep water, dangerous or out of bounds areas, and other issues that can be foreseen. The chief marshal for the day will call a running order, and then it's off to play. The Competition. The RTV trial comprises of about 8 sections of twelve or thirteen gates set out across challenging terrain. Gates are pairs of canes no less than 3 meters apart. Vehicles must drive through the gates without touching them, or ceasing forward momentum whilst negotiating the terrain. Gates are scored from 12 down to 0 or clear, the lower the score the better you are doing. This is a very basic interpretation of a trial section, full details of scoring vehicle allowances and standard classes are available in the ALRC handbook. After a full days driving you may have a cricket score, or a very reasonable total in single figures. All that is left to do is pack up the equipment and award the prizes. Awards are given for first and second place in each vehicle class, apart from when low numbers of competitors cause classes to be amalgamated.

Road Taxed Vehicle Trialling Explained

If you're interested in what we get upto at the weekend, then read on

The major part of our calendar revolves around competition in the form of Road Taxed Vehicle Trials (RTV). As a member of the Association of Land Rover Clubs, there are various competition disciplines you can participate in, from RTV where little modification is required to compete, to Competition Safari where full racing regulations apply.

Historically, our Club ran Cross-Country Vehicle Trials (CCVT) in conjunction with the RTV events mentioned above, but now we run mostly RTV events.

To compete in an RTV, the only additions required to a standard, currently road taxed and MOT'd vehicle, are the addition of front and rear recovery points. The rules defining 'what is a standard vehicle' can be found in the ALRC Handbook. The handbook is free to all HBLRO members, and can be obtained from the competition secretary.

Certain vehicle types are categorised into classes. This allows for a level playing field, as you will be competing against like vehicles in the same class, as well as possibly beating every motor to win the event out-right.

The Event

Sign-on.

All of our events are published in the monthly magazine. Details on how to get there and what time it all starts are listed. As a rule of thumb if you want to compete you need to come armed with your membership card (or you could join on the day). Be there between 08:45 and 09:30 to insure all the official paper work is out of the way in good time for the event start at 10:00 prompt.

Once there find the competition control to sign on. This involves you parting with £15.00 of you hard earned cash. You will be asked to produce your membership card that you so carefully remembered to bring. With this in order, you fill out your details on the official list of competitors, and are passed a score card/scrutineering record.

Scrutineering.

Safety is a key part of any motor sport, and RTV is without exception. The scrutineer for the meet will check your vehicle for basic safety and soundness. If your vehicle fails then you maybe able to rectify minor a point (that's why it's always a good idea to get there early!) and re-submit the vehicle before the trial starts. See the ALRC handbook for scrutineering checks.

Drivers Briefing.

The Clerk of the Course or (CoC) will call all the competitors together to outline the days trailing ahead. Drivers will be made aware of deep water, dangerous or out of bounds areas, and other issues that can be foreseen. The chief marshal for the day will call a running order, and then it's off to play.

The Competition.

The RTV trial comprises of about 8 sections of twelve or thirteen gates set out across challenging terrain. Gates are pairs of canes no less than 3 meters apart. Vehicles must drive through the gates without touching them, or ceasing forward momentum whilst negotiating the terrain. Gates are scored from 12 down to 0 or clear, the lower the score the better you are doing. This is a very basic interpretation of a trial section, full details of scoring vehicle allowances and standard classes are available in the ALRC handbook. After a full days driving you may have a cricket score, or a very reasonable total in single figures. All that is left to do is pack up the equipment and award the prizes. Awards are given for first and second place in each vehicle class, apart from when low numbers of competitors cause classes to be amalgamated.

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