HUDSON BAY QUEST RULES

RACE RULES AND TRAIL PROCEDURE

1. Race Start

The official starting date is March 16th, 2012. The race will start at 12:00pm (noon) Central Standard Time. The official starting place will be Gillam, Manitoba and racers must be in Gillam by 12:00pm (noon) March 15th, 2012, one day prior to the race for the official veterinarian check. The race will be held regardless of weather conditions. Teams will leave the starting line at two minute intervals. Any driver who cannot leave the starting line in the order drawn will be started after the scheduled departure time of the final team. Any team that cannot leave the starting line within sixty minutes of the last team's mandatory start may be disqualified at the race committee's discretion.

2. Entry Fee and Dates

Hudson Bay Quest Dog Sled Race (herein referred to as HBQ) entry opens November 1, 2011. Receipt of the entry fee, completed application form, and completed driver's biography, will constitute the driver's intent to enter the race and further acknowledges that the driver understands and agrees to comply with each and every rule as stated. HBQ reserves the right to reject any entry. Entries are determined on a first come first served basis and starting order will be based upon registration dates.

The maximum number of teams for the race is twenty (20). The entry fee is $500. Registration for the HBQ 2012 closes January 6th 2012.

3. Conditions of Entry

Driver must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Drivers must not be censured by any dog racing organization. No one convicted of animal abuse or neglect may enter the Hudson Bay Quest. Each driver shall sign any and all documents or promotional material requested by HBQ prior to or at the Driver's meeting. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

4. Prize Money

The purse for 2012 is $25,000.

5. Withdrawal before Race

Any entrant once registered who then withdraws from the race prior to 31 January 2012 will be returned the registration fee and no penalty for future years will be awarded. Any entrant once registered who withdraws from the race on or after 1 February 2012 will not be refunded the entrance fee. Mushers, who have registered and withdraw on or after 1 February, will not be permitted to run in the following year's race.

6. Veterinary Checks

All dogs will undergo a thorough physical examination before the race starts. The veterinary check will be done in the Gillam dog yard starting at 1PM on 15 March 2012. All teams and drivers will be present at this time. Any dog which cannot qualify for a certificate of good health will not run in the race. All dogs entered in the race shall have had parvo and distemper vaccinations within the last twelve (12) months. Rabies vaccinations must be current. Certificates and invoices will be required to prove vaccination status. HBQ has sponsored a licensed veterinarian who will be conducting these examinations. HBQ will not provide this service after the official vet check. The official HBQ health certificate must be presented prior to the start of the pre-race drivers' meeting. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

7. Drivers' Meeting and Drawing

The drivers meeting will be at 5:30 PM on 15 March 2012 at the Gillam recreation center, prior to the meet and greet. All drivers must be present at the meeting. Drivers who fail to be present will face disqualification. Only drivers and Race officials will be present at the drivers meeting. Each driver will draw their starting position in person at the meet and greet after the drivers meeting.

8. Gear and Equipment

The following items must be presented to the HBQ Race Marshal or designated HBQ representative prior to the race, at each checkpoint and at the end of the race:

• a proper cold weather sleeping bag
• hand axe with an overall length of at least 20" or a snow knife
• proper tent that can be set up which will supply adequate protection from the elements
• heating device and fuel for that heating device
• any promotional material that the HBQ has asked the driver to carry
• spotcheck device (HBQ will loan to each driver)

9. Additional Freight

HBQ may require a small amount of promotional freight as part of the mandatory load that must be turned in to a race official at the completion of the race or when scratching.

10. Race Course

The course covers approximately 210 miles (320 km) of sub-arctic wilderness. The trail will be broken and marked prior to the race, but due to weather conditions there will be no guarantee of broken trail during the race. All teams must follow the trail as marked or as instructed by the Race Marshal.

11. Scratch / Withdraw / Disqualification

During Race Drivers wishing to end their participation in the race may do so by filling out and signing a Withdrawal/Scratch form and submitting it to a Race Official or a Checker. A team may be involuntarily withdrawn from the race by the Race Marshal. This decision would be made to protect the dogs, the driver, or the event itself, and does not imply deliberate misconduct or rule violation. Failure of a driver to comply with the published Rules of General Race and Trail Procedure will result in disqualification, monetary fine, or a time penalty. Disqualified drivers will forfeit all placements and monetary values.

12. Sled

Only one sled per driver will be used throughout the race. Each driver has a choice of sled, subject to the condition that some kind of sled or toboggan equipped with a brake must be drawn. The sled or toboggan must be capable of safely negotiating a 200 + miles (320 km) trail and hauling any injured or fatigued dogs and required food, materials, and equipment.

13. Dog Minimums and Maximums

Drivers must start the race with no less than eight dogs and no more than 10 dogs. Finishing teams must have at least six dogs. Dogs may not be added to a team after the start of the race. An expired dog does not count as a dog for the minimum required. Only dogs suitable for arctic travel will be permitted to enter the race.

14. Harnesses

The neck and breast panel of all harnesses must be padded.

15. Switching of Dogs

Switching of dogs between teams will not be permitted after they have officially left the start.

16. One Driver Per Team

Only one driver per team is permitted, and that driver must complete the race with that team only.

17. Team Configuration

There will be no loose leaders; necklines are not required on leaders. All team dogs will be attached by neckline to the towline, no more than 2 dogs abreast. Dogs may not be led behind the sled.

18. Checkpoints

There will be a number of checkpoints. These checkpoints will be named. Driver's will be given the locations of the checkpoints at the mushers briefing. . Each driver must personally check in and sign out at each checkpoint before going on. The time into the checkpoint is recorded upon the team's arrival and the required gear will be checked immediately. Any driver failing to sign out will be assessed a time penalty of two hours at the next mandatory stop or a driver and team may return on the trail to the checkpoint to sign out without penalty. The checkpoints will be staffed 24 hours a day for a period of 72 hours after the first team arrives. All dogs must leave checkpoints in harness and attached to the towline. A dog may arrive at a checkpoint in the sled and leave in harness attached to the towline.

19. Mandatory Stop

There will be a mandatory stop of 6 hours at the McClintock Checkpoint, roughly the halfway point of the race. At this time, every team will be evaluated by the HBQ veterinarian, with a report to the designated Race Official. 20. Finish Subject to checking of mandatory gear, the time of a teams official finish is when the nose of the dog in lead crosses the finish line. Should any mandatory gear be missing, 30 minutes per item will be added to the finish time. Dog teams must remain at the finish line or holding area until released by the Race Marshal, Race Judge, or the Race Veterinarian.

21. Sleeping Areas

Sleeping areas for drivers are the responsibility of the drivers only. At checkpoints, you can set up camp as designated by checkpoint staff but you have to be self-sufficient. There will be a hospitality tent for the drivers at the half way checkpoint. Drivers setting up camp must clear the trail of their dogs and gear, be it at a checkpoint or along the trail. - A driver may not make demands for food or shelter along the trail or at checkpoints.

22. Drop bags

A driver may have a drop bag positioned at the McClintock checkpoint. The drop bag must be self contained and secure. A driver can put in it what they wish. The drop bag can weigh no more then 13.6kg (30lb) and must have the drivers name on it. The drop bag must be given to a race official during or prior to the veterinarian check in Gillam.

23. Dog Food

The intent of this race is to be self-sufficient for the length of the race. As there are many unforeseen circumstances traveling in the arctic, The HBQ will preposition a emergency supply of dog food at the halfway point of the race. In the event that a driver is in trouble and does not have enough food for his/her dogs at this point, food may be drawn from the emergency dog food supply with a penalty attached of eight (8) hours to his/her time. This penalty will be recorded by that checkpoint and the penalty will be added to the team's time at the end of the race. The driver must declare what food he/she feeds his dogs at the start of the race and the amount he/she is taking with them, at the halfway point the driver must have half the dog food with them.

24. Dropped Dogs

Any injured, fatigued or sick dogs may be dropped only at McClintock Checkpoint without penalty. A penalty of 4 hours will be assessed for each dog dropped if it is not at the Mcclintock Checkpoint. Each dog dropped must be left with three days of food. The driver remains responsible for that dog and all fees incurred. The dog must be examined by the Race Veterinarian and accounted for prior to the start of the Awards Banquet.

25. Expired Dogs

The death of any dog may result in the disqualification of the driver and/or prohibition from entering future races. Any dog that expires during the race for any reason must be taken to the next checkpoint or checkpoint just passed and submitted to the Race Official. A necropsy will be performed on all expired dogs by a licensed veterinary pathologist or veterinarian at the driver's expense.

26. Standard Race Courtesy

Standard race courtesy shall prevail. An overtaken driver and team must relinquish the trail at the request of the overtaking driver, except within one mile/1.6 kilometers of the finish line.

27. Care and Feeding of Dogs

All care and feeding of dogs will be done by the drivers only. Drivers may assist one another between checkpoints.

28.Tampering

No driver may tamper with another drivers' dogs, food or gear.

29. Outside Assistance

No driver may receive outside help between checkpoints unless an emergency has been declared by the Race Marshal. The intended spirit of the race is that the driver be self-sufficient and therefore able to help other drivers in case of real need. No assistance which would result in a competitive edge may be accepted or solicited.

30. Hauling Dogs

A driver may not allow any dogs to be hauled by another team or individual. Drivers' dogs hauled in a sled must be hauled in a secure, protected, humane manner.

31. Unmanageable Team

Outside assistance will be allowed only if a team is unmanageable. Whether a team is unmanageable will be ruled upon by the Race Marshal in each separate instance.

32. Lost Team

A lost team will not be disqualified if the driver regains control of it, provided that the team and driver complete the entire race trail and comply with the rules including checkpoint requirements. A driver may receive assistance from another driver to regain control of his/her team. A driver may receive assistance from a motorized vehicle to regain control of a lost team provided the driver and team return to the point which the team was lost and continue the race from that point. The incident shall be reported at the next Checkpoint.

33. Dog yards

Prior to the race in Gillam, all dogs will stay in the official HBQ provided dog yard. This includes dogs that are in vehicles. After the race in Churchill, dogs may be transported and stay outside the confines of the Churchill community. No dogs will be permitted to stay within the confines of the Churchill community unless they are in the official HBQ provided dog yard. Drivers are responsible for the security and well being of their dogs while in the dog yards.

34. Litter

Litter of any kind may not be left along the trail, at the checkpoints or at cabins. Camps must be cleaned up before the team moves on. Failure to comply with this rule may result in disqualification

35. Killing of Game Animals

Any animal killed in defence of life and property must be reported to an HBQ Race Official at the next checkpoint. A food animal must be gutted before proceeding along the trail. No hunting is allowed during the race.

36. Motorized Vehicles

In no case may a driver accept assistance from any type of motorized vehicle between checkpoints. Pacing will not be permitted.

37. Claims

Each driver agrees to hold HBQ, the race sponsors and other contributors harmless from any claim or demand based on any alleged action or inaction by the driver, his/her dogs, agents or others acting on his/her behalf. The drivers' also agree to release HBQ, race sponsors, their agents, employees and volunteers from any claim or demand resulting from injury to the driver, his/her dogs or his/her property. Further HBQ has the unqualified and unrestricted authority to permit the race sponsors to photograph and otherwise collect information for advertising, public relations or other publicity purposes.

38. Driver's Report/Protest Form

This sled dog race will not survive if the competition is not conducted fairly and the dogs are not well cared for and humanely treated. It is the duty of every driver to report all violations of these Rules to the Race Marshal or Race Judges. The forms for reporting violations or protests are available at the mushers briefing and at the checkpoints. Protests and violation reports must be in writing and on the official HBQ forms. Protests and violation reports will only be accepted and considered if they are presented to the Race marshal, prior to 2 pm on the day of the HBQ banquet in Churchill (19 March 2012)

39. Treatment of Dogs

There will be no cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs. No use of whips will be allowed. The race Marshal or Race Judges in conjunction with the Race Veterinarian will have absolute authority over the dog teams. Their judgment as to withdrawal of a dog or dogs from the race, or any other conditions relative to dog care on the trail, shall be final. The health and condition of all dogs will be visually assessed at McClintock. Dogs may not be examined without the driver's knowledge. The Race Veterinarian in conjunction with the Race Marshal or a Race Judge may deem it necessary to detain teams at any checkpoint if the health and welfare of a team warrants it. No dog teams will leave a checkpoint until the dogs in that team are fit to continue in the race.

40. Race Officials

The intent of the rules will guide the Race Marshal and Race Judges in their decisions. The Race Marshal is in charge of all aspects of the race from the pre-race drivers meeting to the awards presentation. Race judges will act as deputies of the Race Marshal. The Race Marshal may waive or reduce monetary or time penalties for unforeseen circumstances that might befall a driver. The Race Marshal or a Race Judge in conjunction with a Race Veterinarian shall have final authority to remove a dog(s) from the race for medical or other reasons. The Race Veterinarian will be present throughout the race to monitor the health and welfare of all dogs, advise drivers in caring for their dogs' medical needs and provide veterinary treatment for dropped dogs, if necessary

41. Transportation of dogs before and after the Race

Drivers are responsible for the safe transporting of their dogs be it by train, truck or air. All dogs transported by train will be in dog boxes. It is the musher’s responsibility to provide the required number of dog boxes for all their dogs.

42. Meet and Greet Gillam

All drivers will be present and partake in the meet and greet in Gillam. The Gillam meet and greet starts at 6:30 PM 15 March 2012 and is in the Gillam recreation center

43. Awards Presentation

The awards presentation ceremony will be held in Churchill, Manitoba on 19 March 2012.

44. Sportsmanship

The Code of the North dictates that all travelers be courteous, helpful, generous and honorable. Conduct yourself well enough so that the next driver will be welcomed with equal hospitality. Rude behavior or inappropriate actions by a driver will result in a penalty. Any competitor or athlete worthy of the name realizes that all people, officials, volunteers, media, and fans are equal participants in this event, and that it is the drivers responsibility to define the upper limits of human performance. A true sportsman is an inspiration to all witnesses.

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