LIND LIONS CLUB

COMBINE DEMOLITION DERBY™

RULES & REGULATIONS

Revised 2009

DISCLAIMER

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of the events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements of such events. These rules shall govern the condition of all events, and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATION OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death of a participant, spectator or official.

The event directors and officials shall be empowered to permit minor deviations from any of the specifications herein or impose any further restrictions that in his opinion do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM SUCH ALTERATION OF SPECIFICATIONS. Any interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the officials. Their decision is final.

DRIVER MEETINGS

A driver meeting will be held three weeks prior to the derby on a Wednesday evening. At this time, rules and regulations are explained and discussed. A Steak BBQ and meeting will be held the Wednesday before the derby, and final instructions will be given. A final driver meeting is also held at the Lions Club Arena approximately three hours prior to the start of the derby. At that time, machines are inspected by the judges and heat numbers are drawn. New drivers will compete in heat #2, and all other drivers will draw for their heat assignment. All combines must be on the Lind Lions Club grounds by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the derby. Combine and driver must be ready for action no later than 2:30 p.m. on the day of the derby. Failure to comply with these requirements is grounds for disqualification.

BEST DECORATED

At the commencement of the derby, all combines will enter the arena and line up to be introduced and to compete for the best decorated machine. The Derby crowd will judge the event. A first, second, and third place award will be given to the “best decorated” combines.

HEATS

The Derby will consist of three or four heats (regulated by the number of entries), a consolation heat (if necessary), and the final heat. However, if there are only two combines left for a consolation heat, the two drivers will draw for the final heat status.

Each heat will be fifteen minutes in duration, except for the final heat, and will be run back–to-back. There will be a thirty-minute intermission before the final heat, allowing drivers and crew members time to make necessary repairs. The Championship Trophy will be awarded to the combine which is the final one continuing to do battle, or at the judges’ discretion, two or more combines will be awarded a tie. If, during a regular heat, there is no winner after fifteen minutes, the remaining combines will be eligible for the final heat or a consolation heat before the final heat.

REPAIRS

Repairs to machines may commence at any time after the machine has been removed from the arena, between heats or during intermission.

If a machine, approaching the heat or during the heat, suffers an engine failure not caused by competition contact, it may be able to return for a consolation heat before the final heat, depending on whether or not the crew is able to get it running within twenty minutes after their heat ends. This applies only to engine failure, and not to failure due to damage to the combine body.

DRIVERS

To participate in the derby, a driver must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. Drivers must adhere to safety standards to protect themselves as well as others. Drivers may be disqualified by the judges for abusing the rules, at which time a pit crew member, at the discretion of the judges, may drive the combine in the derby. The consumption of alcohol by a driver while participating in the derby increases the risk of injury or death to the participants and spectators of the derby and therefore must be avoided.

When competing in the arena, a driver must be aggressive. Drivers have a three minute time limit to make contact or to attempt to do so. The three-minute rule applies to all heats. Being non-aggressive and avoiding contact in the three minute time period can result in disqualification.

Each driver must accompany his/her combine out of the arena so the combine gets to its proper space in the pit area in a timely manner.

COMBINE REINFORCEMENT

Reinforcing iron is limited to ten pieces of iron, any length, located anywhere on the combine, except in areas restricted by the rules. Iron reinforcement is limited to a maximum gauge of 2” X 2” X 1/4”.  This 2” X 2” X 1/4” can be any type of iron, such as angle, channel, or flat. Iron spears or external iron used for aggressive action is prohibited.  There is NO extra welding on the Cutter Bar Edge.  NO welding Rock Guards and Header Bottom, and NO concrete in the platform auger. For committee inspection purposes all drivers should have a hole in the platform auger. No well casing can be used as a stiffener. Rub bars can be placed around the radiator or variable speed drives, but not the rear axle parts. There can be no bracing on the headers, beyond the limit of the inside of the main wheels. Bracing is acceptable inside of the wheels, but this does not include bracing to keep the headers at the required 16 - 18 inch height. The reinforcing ten-piece limit allows for protection, but leaves machines vulnerable enough to keep them immobilized, but not too soon. No header, however, should be reinforced to the point that it cannot be destroyed. The bracing limit does not include bracing used for hydraulic stops for safety or any driver protection supports. For safety, any number of iron pieces can be used.

One piece of iron is allowed to brace the header.  On each side of the header, the piece of iron will be no bigger than ¼” X 2” X 2”. The iron will be fastened inside the front tire out to the header. No other extra header reinforcements are allowed. Maximum header width is 22 feet (from outside the header to outside the header). (The minimum header width must be at least as wide as the outside of the drive tires.)

Square tubing may not be capped.  If square tubing is capped, you will be required to cut the cap off to verify the thickness of the metal.

If a combine has suffered a broken piece such as a tie-rod or axle, it can be repaired with iron to support the break and will not fall into the ten-piece limit, as long as reinforcing iron is the same width as the broken piece. This limit is at the judges’ discretion.

Calcium chloride must be removed from the machine’s tires, as it is very corrosive and considered an environmental hazard.

Reinforcing the straw chopper housing is not allowed.

Some sort of protection must be in place for the driver (e.g., a protective cage, or several bars in the front and to the side of the driver). This will not count against the ten-piece limit.

There is no grandfather rule for veteran combines. ALL combines will come in equal; which means that no extra reinforcements which may have been used in prior years.

One or more judges will inspect each combine before the derby begins. Among other things, the judge(s) will be looking at major reinforcements of each combine’s header and rear axel. The judge(s) may require that a hole be cut in any piece of metal to verify its thickness. If it is determined that there is an infraction of the rules, the contestant has the option of removing the piece before the event begins or being disqualified. Welding after the 1 pm deadline on combines is not allowed unless approved by the judges. 

EQUIPMENT

A combine may use a twenty year old axle, other than original equipment, as long as the modifications are for installation purposes. Modifying the rear axle is allowed, such as repositioning tie rod, drag, and steering cylinder. Any iron used for such purposes will be counted against the ten-piece limit.

After-market steering cylinders are allowed, as long as they are of equal size as the original equipment.

The fuel tank may not be more than ten gallons, and it must be mounted in the bulk tank, and securely fastened – not with bungee straps. Fuel tanks must be secured with caps that do not allow spillage of fuel, in the event that the combine tips over. (Vent could be used for ‘breather.’) Factory fuel tanks need to be removed.

All batteries must be secured in a box for protection from debris and fastened down with metal only – no bungee straps allowed.

It is recommended that an eye be installed on the rear axle of each combine to facilitate the removal of disabled combines from the arena.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

All decisions of the judges are final! The judges may, but are not required to, impose a warning prior to a disqualification. If a warning is imposed, a driver will be allowed one warning per heat, at the discretion of the judges. A driver receiving two warnings in a heat will be disqualified from that heat. Driver will be allowed to participate in his next heat at the discretion of the judges.
 

Following is a list of common reasons for disqualifications, but this list is not intended to be exhaustive, and there may be other grounds for disqualification:

● A driver may be disqualified for pushing or pulling a combine outside of the barriers lining the arena.

● High speed ramming is not allowed.

● Two or more combines locked together must attempt to separate within the three-minute time limit or risk disqualification.

● Continual out-running or out-maneuvering another machine is subject to disqualification. Aggressive action must be initiated with the three minute limit.

● Losing your header is cause for disqualification. The judges will decide when a header is off or partially off, and will require the driver to remove his/her flag.

● Excessive speed, unsafe or reckless driving, as determined by the judges.

● Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification.

CREW MEMBERS

There will be a limit of seven (7) pit-crew members (including the driver), who may obtain complimentary gate passes. To receive your passes, you will need to check in at the main gate upon arrival. Only two (2) pit vehicles, per combine, are allowed in the pit area. NO UNAUTHORIZED vehicles will be allowed.  Each vehicle MUST have a vehicle pit pass displayed in the window. The back gate will close at 1:00 p.m., so make sure your vehicles are in place at that time. No one under the age of 18 years is allowed in the pit area for safety reasons, unless under the supervision of an adult. It is the responsibility of each combine crew to help alleviate the confusion and congestion that can cause problems in the area. Each crew member must accomplish his/her responsibilities in a safe and timely manner. All drivers and crew members will be required to wear wrist bands. If a driver or crew member does not have a wrist band, he/she will be asked to leave the pit area. Note: Your arm band is also your pass to the Friday night car derby/race.

ENTRY FORM & RELEASE

A month prior to the derby, you will receive an entry form. Please fill out all of the information required and return it as soon as possible to the Lind Lions Club.  The entry form requires a list of your sponsors, combine information (model, etc.) your driver’s name, and the combine name. This information is required before the derby so that a Master Sheet can be completed for spectators. Please use the stamped, self addressed envelope to return your entry. (It will be appreciated if you would print everything except your signature.) Each driver will be required to sign and date a release form.

Please mail your entry form two weeks prior to the derby.  Include your check made payable to the Lind Lions Club and mail to:

Mike Doyle
PO Box 209
Lind WA 99341-0209  

JUDGES

Four judges will preside at the derby. They are selected from surrounding communities and are presumed to be fair and impartial. Local residents are ineligible to be judges. Judges will carry hand held air horns which can be heard by the drivers. All decisions of the judges are final!

PRIZES

Money prizes are awarded to derby winners, heat winners, and to the best decorated combine. Note:  Your entry fee will be returned if your combine is removed from the arena within a thirty day period following the derby. If you do not remove your combine, you will forfeit your entry fee.

AFTER THE DERBY

All derby combines and equipment must be removed from the Lions club Arena and grounds within thirty (30) days following the demolition derby. It shall be the sole responsibility of the combine driver to remove the combine and equipment from the arena and grounds or to make arrangements for it with the derby chairman. Any and all combines, equipment, and other property remaining on the grounds after that time period (including any proceeds arising from the disposition of said property) shall become the property of the Lind Lions Club, and shall be disposed of and/or destroyed in the sole and absolute discretion of the Lind Lions club. Notwithstanding the Club’s ownership of the property, the driver of said combine and related equipment shall remain liable for any and all costs and expenses relating to the disposition and/or destruction of said property, and the Lind Lions Club shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages whatsoever relating to the disposition and/or destruction of said property.

For questions contact one of the following people:

Derby Chairman, Mike Doyle 677-8846

Bill Loomis 677-3658

Bill Wills 677-3221

Dave Greenwalt 659-0584

Steve Wahl 677-3605

 


Lind's Weekend

Carol J. Kelly, Webmaster
Page updated April 26, 2009