The Online Rulebook

Welcome to the online version of the National Radio Control Truck Pulling Association. Just click on any of the links to the left to get started.

Pulling   General Rules   Racing

These rules shall cover all classes of pullers and racers unless specifically noted.
 
  1. All vehicles covered in this rulebook shall be radio controlled 1/12 or 1/10 scale cars, trucks or tractors and will have a body to resemble a car, truck, tractor, or full size vehicles. Vehicles must run in classes according to their factory production vehicle classification; i.e. 2wd factory production vehicle runs in 2wd classes, 4wd factory production vehicle runs in 4wd classes. The following classes are limited to run factory production vehicles only: Stock, Super Stock, and Modified. 2wd and 4wd classes compete separately. Specifications for both 2wd and 4wd in each class appear on their respective pages of this rulebook. Differentials may be locked and ball bearings are acceptable in all classes.
  2. All classes are subject to any combination of pre and post competition inspection with weigh in. Each vehicle must pass through tech and if found to be illegal, that vehicle is disqualified for that round.
  3. (Track Official Inspection) Vehicle may be inspected at any time by the head track official if suspected of a violation. Anyone refusing to submit the vehicle in question for inspection will be disqualified from event and forfeit entry fees. If inspection is regarding specific motor or component and disassembly is required, the head track official must first notify the Event Competition Committee for further review. After review the owner of the motor or component in question must first provide proof of the legality to the Competition Committee. If the owner is unable to provide proof, the NR/CTPA will ask the owner at that time to disassemble the component in question. If the owner refuses request of disassembly, the vehicle in question will be disqualified. After inspection if the component is found to be legal per current rules, the NR/CTPA will refund the cost of component in question if warranted. Refund not to exceed current market value, not manufacturers suggested retail price. The ruling of the head track official is FINAL.
  4. Ties will be broken by adding weight to the sled and re-pulling or another race. Batteries may be recharged. This will be left up to the host club or Event Director. This will be announced at the drivers meeting.
  5. There can not be a protest against the Head Track official or their staff. Any complaints must be filed with the Competition Committee. The decisions of the Head Track Official and or Competition Committee Director are final and can not be overruled.
  6. Any participant may request an inspection of a vehicle in his/her class but ONLY if suspected of a rule violation. Participant must register a written complaint with the Competition Committee along with a $30.00 protest fee in cash. The owner of the vehicle in question will be notified of the complaint by a Competition Committee member. At that time the vehicle will be placed in impound. If disassembly is required the owner will do any disassembly of their vehicle under the supervision of the Competition committee. If the vehicle in question is found to be legal, the owner of the vehicle will receive the protest fee. If the vehicle in question is found to be illegal the protest fee will be returned to the person filing the protest and the vehicle would be disqualified from the event and the owner would forfeit the entry fees. The decision of the Competition Director is final.
  7. No metal or fiber spikes, tire chains, or foreign material to be attached in any matter to or injected into tires. Liquid or chemical tire compounds are not permitted in any class.
  8. All weights must be firmly attached. External weights must be of scale appearance and proportionate to that vehicle size. Weights may not extend more than ½ inch past either edge of the body. Vehicles using a scale tractor body may exceed the width limit but no weights are to exceed the vehicles width. Weights may not exceed 3 inches in height. Weight bar and/or weights must have a minimum of ¼ inch clearance when set on a table. All four wheels must contact the table surface. All batteries, motors and non-scale appearing weights must be located under the body of the vehicle. The body may be cut to allow for the wheel openings, exhaust, starter drive access and for clearance of oversized motor housings. Custom work is allowed. Unless it is listed differently in the class rules all dimensions include all of the vehicle components as it is to be competed with.
  9. Any production R/C vehicle shall be reviewed by the NR/CTPA and approved for a particular class based on their review.
  10. Experimental vehicles not specifically addressed by this rulebook are permitted to compete as exhibition only. The decision to allow these vehicles to compete in their own class is left up to the host club.
  11. No automatic transmissions or transmissions that shift while in motion are allowed. The exception to this is Open Monster truck and the 4WD Independent Suspension monster truck classes.
  12. There will be no verbal or physical abuse directed towards any track officials, tech staff, or Competition Committee members by competitors or other officials. There will be no verbal or physical abuse directed towards any competitor by any officials or other competitors. No alcohol or drugs are allowed in the event area during competition hours. Anyone found to be soliciting drugs or alcohol to minors will be asked to leave. You will be disqualified from the event without refund. No exceptions. This will be decided by the event officials, Competition Committee, and/ or the Executive Board.
  13. External propellers and or fan blades may not be used to cool motors in any class. Small blower assemblies will be permitted if mounted securely to the vehicle and properly encased.
  14. No walking with the vehicle. The driver must stand in one spot anywhere along the track. Pivoting to the right and left is permitted. The exception is; you may not stand on the track surface at the finish end of the pulling surface. This is for safety and vision reasons. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification for that round. The enforcement of this will be up to the event director. Exceptions may be granted for physical disability, (i.e. vision), or for building interference.
  15. No truck maximum per person per class. This will be left up to the host club or the Event Director and announced prior to the event.
  16. A chassis may be entered only once at any event. For Example: different bodies may not be put on the same chassis and run twice. The exception to this is the Novice class.
  17. All members will be expected to help in any way if asked at events if physically capable.
  18. No teching of brush hoods on any motor (lay down or standup) during tech inspections. The exception to this is during special inspections such as those in general rules number 3 and 6. During these inspections the brush hoods may be disassembled and inspected to prove legality.
  19. A minimum of three (3) entries per class must be pre-registered and prepaid, at least four (4) weeks prior to the World Championships in order to purchase trophies for said class of trophies. All exhibition classes will be awarded plaques instead of trophies at the World Championships and the Spring Nationals events unless the class is sponsored.
  20. You may not tech your own vehicle or measure its distance in pulling. 21. All competition courses and/or tracks must be set up in a safe manner. This is for the safety of the participants, spectators, building and vehicles.

Pulling

  1. Each puller has the option to restart his/her pull if he/she stops before the front of the sled reaches the 10 foot default line on both carpet and dirt tracks in round one only. If this option is taken you must re-hook immediately with no vehicle adjustments, only driving adjustments. You will be allowed two minutes to start your pull once the Track Official calls you to the track. The exception to the two minute limit is if the participant is required at another track. If your vehicle does not make it off the line, you will have the opportunity to make vehicle adjustments on or off the track. When pre-tech is used,  if you make any changes to the vehicle,, the vehicle must have re-inspection by tech officials before second attempt is made. If vehicle leaves the track surface for repairs, you will be rotated down in the field and if you are the last puller you will have five minutes to return or you will be disqualified for that round. The repair procedure will be announced at the drivers meeting.
  2.  The order of pullers in each class may be determined by the order of registration. Random drawing at the event is preferred. This is up to the host club or Event Director.
  3.  Start and finish of each pull shall be determined by an official starter using an audible or visual signal such as a whistle, flags, and lights. The type of signal will be announced at the drivers meeting.
  4. All sleds are to be chain drive except for the Digger class may use a string drive sled. Sleds are not allowed to lock up before the finish like. The pull chain will be 8” long and attached to the center of the skid plate no higher than ¾” above the track surface. The length of the pull chain is measured from the skid plate to the inside of the hook. No twisting of the chain is permitted. All sleds used for liquid propelled vehicles shall have a second chain or strap firmly attached to hook to vehicles using a tether or kill switch. Distance pulled will be considered the distance the sled is pulled down the track. All sleds will have and indelible mark in which to measure to. The mark will be on the center of the front of the skid plate. This point will be known as the “zero” point. The front of the sleds skid plate is “front” of the measurement point. The distance can be measured using the front of the skid plate or may be measured using two points in which to measure. For example the distance can be measured using the back of the sled as long as the zero point is known when the front of the skid plate is on the starting line.
  5. If the pulling sled malfunctions at any time during a pull, that pull will be null and void. The participant will be allowed to recharge the batteries and re-pull at a time determined by the track officials. Sled malfunctions will only be determined by the track officials.
  6. If any item falls off of the vehicle, the vehicle flips over backwards or sideways, the vehicle will be stopped at that point. If the sled passes the vehicle’s part on the track the measurement with a 12 inch penalty will apply from the spot where the part lies. This shall also apply to the exhaust elimination system when an overhead elimination system is used.
  7. During a pull if any part of a vehicle touches, hangs over the sideboards, or crosses over the edge of the pulling surface the vehicle will be disqualified for that round.
  8. Intentional jerking of the pulling sled will disqualify the vehicle for that round. Intentional jerking will be determined by the Head Track Official.
  9. A 30 second time limit is to be imposed for the length of time to compete a pull from the start of the signal. If a vehicle has not completed the distance or has been stopped by the sled prior to the 30 seconds, it will be signaled to stop. A measurement will be taken from that point. If a vehicle restarts according to Pulling General rule number one, the clock will be reset and started again at the signal.
  10. The only person allowed in the track area once the vehicle has started its pull shall be the driver and Track Official. No assistance is permitted, either verbally or through hand signals in the direction of the vehicle. Pit crew will be allowed to assist with the vehicle in the hooking, unhooking, turning on, turning off, and adjustments only. This shall include helping the driver prepare the vehicle to make its run especially in the larger classes, which are more dangerous. The Pit Crew must leave the prior to the pull starting. Any violation will result in a disqualification of the vehicle for that round. Violations will be determined by the Track Official. Participants with disabilities and children under ten will be an exception to this rule.
  11. For indoor events when an exhaust elimination system is used, all vehicles must be able to adapt to the exhaust system. The current exhaust system has a 4 inch hose that hangs over the vehicle. The vehicle is required to attach to that hose. The attachment need not be air tight but is required to direct exhaust into the hose.
  12. Fuel for gasoline vehicles may not be more than 94 octane. The gasoline may not contain any additives other than the two cycle engine oil. All of the fuel shall be contained within the fuel system.

Racing

  1. The Monster Truck and Tuff Truck competition will consist of a timed event or side by side elimination. The vehicles will race over obstacles such as; Jumps, crushed cars and/or a slalom course. Whether timed or elimination, two trucks will run side by side on identical or mirror image courses. During timed events one or two trucks may run but the time will be recorded for each truck individually.
  2. At least two wheels from the same side of the vehicle must pass over obstacle. A one second penalty will be assessed to the final time for every missed obstacle and every pylon knocked over. Cones will be placed at corners and must be placed no more or less than 3 inches from the edge of any ramp. In elimination racing a missed obstacle or knocked over pylon will result in a disqualification.
  3. The course layout will be determined by the Host Club or the Event Director. The layout will be announced at the drivers meeting.
  4. Immediately after completing a round the participant will return to marshal for the next participant. If the participant can not return to marshal, it is their responsibility to find a replacement. A driver that does not return or find a replacement will have their last truck disqualified for the day. A vehicle that requires assistance in order to finish the run will not receive a score for that run. Exact rules for marshaling will be left up to the Host club or Event Director and announced at the drivers meeting.
  5. Tracks and foam tires are not permitted in any racing class.
  6. All four tires must be the same size and width.
  7. All vehicles will be inspected either before or after their runs.
  8. Ramps are to be 18 to 24 inches wide. Maximum height is 8 inches. Maximum pitch of 45 degrees. The first ramp is to be placed at the starting line.
  9. The front tires of the vehicle will be on the starting line before the race can begin.
  10. If a part or parts fall off of a vehicle while competing, the vehicle may continue if able. The vehicle must then pass tech inspection with the part(s) missing.