Article A1

A1.1 The Inca Trail 4x4 Adventure Drive will be run between 6 October and 29 November 2001. It will be a long distance Medal event for 4x4 and other vehicles.

A1.2 The event will comply with the requirements of the Motor Sports Association UK for a Touring Assembly, and will be run under these Regulations and such amendments and further instructions as may be issued from time to time. In signing the entry form, participants agree to be bound by these Regulations and instructions.

A1.3 IMPORTANT NOTE: this event is potentially dangerous. It passes through areas and uses roads which may be hazardous. It is expressly organised to present a challenge to participants, and to test among other things their stamina, initiative, self-reliance and resourcefulness. Participants should not enter unless they accept that there is an element of risk to themselves and their vehicle.

A1.4 The onus is on participants to drive carefully and safely at all times, and to comply with the laws of each country through which the event passes.

A1.5 The Organisers accept no responsibility whatsoever for any accident or injury befalling participants, and are not bound to provide rescue or assistance of any kind. All participants will be required to sign the indemnity printed on the entry form.

A1.6 All aspects of the organisation are the responsibility of the Event Director.

A1.7 The following officials have been appointed to date:

Other officials will be nominated later.

OUTLINE OF THE EVENT

A2.1 The Adventure Drive is not designed as a trial of speed or of off-roading capability, but as an enjoyable long-distance touring event which nevertheless tests the reliability of the vehicle over great distances, and the ability of the crew to cope with a long overland journey.

A2.2 The event will be run over a period of approximately eight weeks, including approximately ten rest and transit days. Participants will cover approximately 24,500 km (15,300 miles), almost entirely on public roads open to normal traffic. The provisional itinerary published to date is subject to amendment.

A2.3 The route will be divided into approximately 45 Legs: one per day on the road. These will be mostly of between seven and ten hours, but some will be shorter and a few will be longer, up to 15 hours.

A2.4 A Trailmaster will be appointed to supervise and advise the participants, and to provide information, guidance and suggestions for each day's run.

A2.5 At the start of each day's run, or the previous evening, at a time and place to be announced, the Trailmaster will hold a daily Briefing session. All participants are required to attend this, as vital information may be given.

A2.6 Participants will carry a Control Card, which should be stamped by the official in charge at the Out and In Controls at the beginning and end of each day's run. The opening and closing times of each control will be expressed in the local time of that country.

A2.7 During the event, there will be a number of optional Explorer Sections, which use rougher or more challenging roads to take participants on scenic routes off the beaten track. There will be an In and an Out Control at the start and finish of each of these sections. In all cases, there will be an easier main road alternative to these sections.

A2.8 Medals will be awarded to participants who complete all parts of the route. Silver Medals will be awarded to crews who visit the controls at the start and finish of each day; Gold Medals to those who also complete all the Explorer Sections. All other participants visiting Lima and Ushuaia, and reaching the finish at Rio, will receive a Finisher’s Award.

A2.9 In order to qualify for a Gold Medal, vehicles must complete the course under their own power. They must not be towed (except to regain the road), nor transported by road, rail, air or water except where this forms part of the official route.

A2.10 Apart from the opening and closing times of controls, the event is untimed, and there is no system of lateness penalties.

A2.11 Crews are permitted to leave the official route in order to explore. However, in remote mountain or desert areas, they must not do so except in groups of at least two vehicles; and they must provide the Trailmaster with a "flight plan" indicating their intentions. Participants leaving the core route do so at their own risk. The Organisers will not necessarily be aware of dangers such as bad or impassable roads, wild animals or security risks, and have no duty to warn participants of these.

A2.12 Participants who do not wish to use the arranged overnight accommodation or locations, and are not concerned about winning a medal, are free to travel separately and make their own arrangements. They must however inform the Organisers if they do not intend to visit any day's In or Out Control, in order to avoid triggering a search.

A2.13 The event is run for the shared enjoyment of all participants. Although the length and the nature of the terrain make it a demanding challenge, it is a sporting and friendly event, whose object is to provide pleasure and companionship. Participants are expected at all times to show friendship, tolerance and helpfulness towards each other, and towards officials, other road users and the public.

A2.14 The itinerary as published to date is subject to amendment, and the Organisers cannot guarantee that the event will visit all the locations shown.

A2.15 Deleted.

ELIGIBLE VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT

A3.1 The Adventure Drive is open to any 4x4 vehicle which complies with these Regulations. The Organisers also reserve the right to allow other kinds of vehicle to take part, at their discretion, including motorcycles.

A3.2 The following safety features are compulsory:

(i) fire extinguisher of at least 2kg, securely fixed within reach of crew member(s)

(ii) first aid kit, to organisers' specification.

(iii) warning triangle

(iv) properly anchored seat belts for all crew members

(v) drinking water container(s) of 2 litres per person; these must be full at the start of each day

(vi) survival food rations

(vii) tent, and sleeping bag for each crew member

(viii) no fuel cans, containers or unprotected tanks to be in the vehicle passenger compartment (see A7.1)

A3.3 Most good modern 4x4s should be able to cope without major modification, but heavy duty springs and shock absorbers are recommended. A list of recommended special equipment will be sent to all participants.

A3.4 Vehicles must be of good clean appearance and in proper and safe running condition. All vehicles will be checked at Vehicle Inspection prior to the event for compliance with these Regulations and for general appearance and safety. Vehicles found not to be eligible, or to be in unsuitable or unsafe condition, will not be allowed to start. This check is not however a comprehensive safety inspection, and the scrutineers accept no responsibility for warranting or ensuring that all participating vehicles are in a safe or legal condition; the onus for this lies entirely upon the First Driver. No refund of entry fee or of other expenses will be made to any participant whose vehicle is not allowed to start.

A3.5 All vehicles must carry throughout the event (i) two rally plates, supplied by the Organisers, fixed to the front and rear in a position where they do not mask the registration; (ii) side rally number panels, provided by the Organisers, of approximately 45 cm x 45 cm to be affixed on or adjacent to each front door; (iii) any publicity material required by the Organisers. Rally numbers must be covered or removed after the event or on retirement, and possibly for parts of the route as instructed.

A3.6 The onus is on participants to ensure that their vehicle complies with the legal requirements in each country. The Organisers will provide guidance on these, but cannot accept liability for any failure to inform participants of particular regulations.

A3.7 Publicity and advertising material, other than that provided by the Organisers, may be carried on participating vehicles provided (i) it is not of a kind likely to be illegal or offensive in any of the countries traversed and (ii) a permit has been obtained from the Organisers. For this, participants will be required to submit an application form to the Organisers together with photographs or sketches. The Organisers reserve the right to charge a permit fee, depending on the nature of the publicity and the sponsor. This fee will normally be waived for publicity linked to charitable fund-raising by the competitor concerned, or for the sponsorship of bona fide private entrants.

A3.8 These Regulations do not prohibit satellite phones, mobile phones, GPS or radios, but it is each owner's responsibility to ensure that any such item is not imported, registered or used in contravention of the laws and regulations of the countries traversed.

CREW

A4.1 Those carried in a participating vehicle are collectively termed its crew. The Adventure Drive is open to crews of two or more, up to the seating capacity of the vehicle; seat belts must be worn by all crew members. At least two members of the crew at any one time must be nominated as drivers, and be licensed and insured to drive the vehicle in each country the event passes through.

A4.2 Each vehicle's entry must be made by its First Driver, who is in charge of the vehicle and must remain with it throughout the event. The First Driver is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle and its crew comply with the event Regulations at all times; and is liable for the entry fee and all other payments due to the Organisers, to public authorities and to hotels and suppliers along the route.

A4.3 Other crew members may travel for part of the event only, so long as there are at least two drivers at all times. The First Driver must notify the Organisers by 31 August 2001 of all intended changeovers of crew members. An administrative charge of £250 per new crew member will be payable. Every person who is to drive the vehicle during the event must be shown on the vehicle documents such as insurance certificate etc.

A4.4 All crew members must be members of HERO - Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation. The membership subscription is included in the event entry fee.

A4.5 No special provision is made for children to participate in the event. However, a crew may contain a maximum of two children of between 11 and 17 years, provided that at least one crew member aged 25 or over is either their parent or legal guardian, or has undertaken in writing to act in loco parentis during the event. In the latter case, a letter of consent from each child's parent or guardian must be produced. Participants considering bringing children are reminded that the event is hazardous, and that the Organisers will accept no responsibility for any child's safety or well being.

A4.6 All crew members will be required to wear at all times during the running of the event, a necklace identity badge, supplied by the Organisers, incorporating a photograph and showing their blood group, plus any other special information which could be needed by paramedics.

A4.7 Note that the minimum legal driving age in some countries on the route may be more than 18 years. Participants are advised to check in the case of any driver aged under 25.

A4.8 Participants are responsible for ensuring that there are no restrictions - for example, on grounds of nationality or religion - on their entering any of the territories traversed by the event.

A4.9 At least one member of each crew must be in possession of a first aid certificate, which must be produced at the start, unless they have some other formal medical qualification.

ENTRIES, ACCOMMODATION

A5.1 Entries must be made on the official entry form, which must be signed by all crew members.

A5.2 The entry fee will be £8,500, plus £5,525 for each crew member. This includes

• shared accommodation and breakfast for two nights before the start, at each overnight rest halt, and for two nights at the finish
• evening barbecue at camp sites
• vehicle and passenger fares, and sleeping berths on certain major ferry crossings on the route
• pre-start farewell dinner
• celebration and prizegiving party at Rio
• personal accident and medical insurance package
• Organisers' cancellation insurance
• detailed Road Book
• detailed full colour Rallymaps Map Book, with route and other information shown
• two rally plates and side panels
• for each crew member, an enamel brooch, a cap, a sweatshirt, a rugby shirt, and a copy of a souvenir book
• life membership of HERO - The Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation for each crew member

A5.3 At some overnight halts, more than one hotel and/or campsite will be used. Although the Organisers have done their best to find establishments of similar quality, some differences of standard may be perceived. The Organisers will endeavour to provide a fair balance for all competitors, taking account of the date of entry.

A5.4 A supplement will be payable for single room occupancy. Meals other than breakfast are not included.

A5.5 The entry fee does not include charter of a heavy-lift aircraft. If this becomes necessary, the Organisers reserve the right to charge a supplement to cover the extra cost. In the case of other unforeseen contingencies, the Organisers further reserve the right to increase the entry fee by up to 7.5%. By the fact of applying to enter the event, competitors undertake to pay such supplements.

A5.6 The closing date for entries is 30 June 2001, although the Organisers reserve the right to accept late entries.

A5.7 The first named driver on the entry form undertakes to pay the full amount of the entry fee in accordance with the Regulations and in default the other signatories shall be jointly and severally liable.

A5.8 The entry fee may be paid in instalments, due as follows:

Before 31/7/99 £2,500

Before 31/1/00 a further £2,500 - total now due £5,000

Before 31/7/00 a further £2,500 - total now due £7,500

Before 31/1/01 a further £5,000 - total now due £12,500

On 30 /6/01 balance of full fee

A5.9 Entry forms must be accompanied by the full sum due at the date on which they are submitted. Discounts are available for those paying the full entry fee well in advance, as follows: full fee received before 30.06.1999, 12.5% discount; before 30.09.1999, 10% discount; before 31.12.1999, 7.5% discount; before 30.06.2000, 5% discount; before 31.12.2000, 2.5% discount.

A5.10 If an entrant whose payments are up to date withdraws his entry, he or she shall receive a refund of fees paid and/or due as follows:

Before 1 July 2000 all but £1,000 refunded

Before 31 July 2001 all but £3,000 refunded

After 31 July 2001 No refund

A5.11 Entries which are fully paid up may by the written agreement of the Event Director be transferred to another person (whether or not they are in the same crew), who must have signed an entry form. Entrants who fall behind with payments will be deemed to forfeit their entry and the fees paid up to that point. The entry becomes the property of the Organisers, to dispose of as they see fit.

DOCUMENTATION, INSURANCE

A6.1 Although the Organisers will provide help and advice in securing visas, permits, vehicle carnets, immunisation and medical certificates, etc, and take steps to facilitate frontier crossings, the onus is on participants to ensure that they have all necessary documentation.

A6.2 The Organisers will produce fact sheets about the rules of the road, the medical advice and the visa requirements of each country traversed, but they cannot guarantee their total accuracy, given complexity of the task and the rapidity with which changes can occur.

A6.3 Each participant will require a Carnet de Passages en Douane for their vehicle. The Organisers will set up a special scheme with RAC Motoring Services for the issue of these at moderate cost.

A6.4 The Organisers cannot guarantee any participant’s right to enter or drive in any of the countries visited, especially if he or she does not have the correct paperwork. No refund of entry fee or other recompense will be made to any participant unable to start, delayed en route or unable to continue for any of these reasons.

A6.5 Participants are responsible for all charges and fees relating to visas, carnets, Customs duty, and import and export handling and clearance, before during or after the event. Any fees incurred by the Organisers before the event on participants' behalf must be settled prior to the Start.

A6.6 Participants are responsible for ensuring that their vehicle is covered by third party insurance for all drivers and all countries visited. In some countries, this must be separately obtained in advance or at the frontier. The Organisers will set up schemes for third party insurance along the route, and issue a fact sheet about this.

A6.7 The personal accident and medical insurance cover includes £100,000 for death or permanent total disablement as a result of an accident; £500 per week up to 52 weeks for temporary total disablement as a result of an accident (excess 7 days after completion of event); and accident and illness medical expenses including repatriation up to £50,000. An excess of £250 applies to each and every claim.

A6.8 The Organisers' cancellation insurance policy will enable entry fees to be refunded if the event is cancelled or curtailed for reasons beyond the Organisers' control. The policy does however have some exclusions, and the Organisers reserve the right to retain all or part of the entry fee if the event is cancelled or curtailed, to cover uninsured costs incurred to that point.

A6.9 Marine transit, third party and participant's non-appearance insurance will be available through our brokers. The last of these will enable participants who are forced to withdraw for bona fide reasons to recover certain costs incurred to that point, including entry fees paid or due. Participants are advised to take out this cover.

FUEL, ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCIES

A7.1 In places, there will be long distances between filling stations. Although the Organisers will make every effort to ensure that supplies are available, the onus is on participants to ensure that they obtain the fuel necessary to complete the route, and no claim will be allowed if a station is closed. Participants are advised to ensure that they can carry enough fuel for at least 500km. This figure may be amended later.

Fuel cans, containers and unprotected fuel tanks may not be carried inside vehicle passenger compartments. Participants are advised to carry extra fuel in supplementary long range tanks rather than jerricans.

A7.2 Recovery vehicles with mechanically and medically trained personnel will follow the event. However, the assistance they can provide will be limited at best to simple roadside repairs and basic first aid; they may well be delayed, e g in looking after other participants; and they may be obliged to miss parts of the route to recover lost time.

A7.3 These support vehicles should therefore not be relied upon to provide speedy first aid; in the event of a serious medical incident, the emergency services of the country concerned should be contacted. Participants will be given a fact sheet for each country setting out the emergency procedure.

A7.4 The Organisers cannot undertake to repair, tow or transport vehicles which break down; the onus is on participants to extricate themselves or each other from difficulty. Participants are expected to help each other.

A7.5 The Organisers cannot undertake to provide medical assistance to participants who are injured or fall ill. They must use the normal emergency services of the country concerned. Participants are advised to take out medical repatriation cover.

A7.6 Participants are wholly responsible for the repatriation of their vehicle, and of all tools and spares carried, from each of the countries visited, and for any import duties, fines or other costs which may result in their failure to do this. They are advised to join a motoring organisation (such as the British AA or RAC) which is a member of the Alliance Internationale du Tourisme (AIT), which entitles them to varying kinds of benefit and service in many of the countries visited.

A7.7 Participants who are substantially delayed during the event must inform the Organisers of their whereabouts and safety at the earliest possible moment. All crews must, on finishing or retiring from the event, complete and hand in the official Incident and Damage Declaration form.

ROUTE, NAVIGATION

A8.1 A route outline and timetable is published with these Regulations, showing each day’s run in broad terms.

A8.2 A detailed Road Book will be produced, containing sufficient information to follow the correct route. This may include signposts to be followed, landmarks, and other relevant information; plus town plans showing the location of controls, hotels, selected garages, etc.

A8.3 Some parts of the route will not necessarily be fully roadbooked - especially where cutting out an Explorer Section - but these will normally be along main roads that are relatively simple to follow.

A8.4 Participants will also receive a special Rallymaps Map Book of full colour photocopies in A3 format of maps and town plans at various scales, showing the route, controls, hotel locations, etc.

A8.5 It is intended that the Road Book and Rallymaps Map Book should be mailed to participants on 7 September 2001.

A8.6 For those who also wish to have proper maps, a list of recommended maps and an order form will be sent to competitors by the official supplier, Rallymaps, of The Gate Lodge, 107 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast, BT4 2DP, Northern Ireland, tel (+44/0) 2890 808808, fax (+44/0) 2890 808809.

INTERPRETATION AND ADJUDICATION

A9.1 "Organisers" means the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO) Ltd, or its successors to whom responsibility for the organisation of the event may be wholly assigned. "Regulations" means these Regulations as at herein, and as supplemented, varied or modified from time to time.

A9.2 Save where provided otherwise, the signatories to the entry form shall be jointly and severally liable under the Regulations.

A9.3 All communications shall be given to the first named driver or otherwise as determined by the Organisers. Any communication signed by the first named driver shall be binding on all the signatories.

A9.4 Stewards will be appointed who shall have powers to adjudicate in any dispute concerning the penalisation of competitors through infringement of these Regulations or of other instructions to be issued. In all other cases of uncertainty or dispute over the interpretation of the Regulations or their application to any occurrence, the decision of the Organisers shall be final and binding.

A9.5 The validity, construction and interpretation of the Regulations, the Entry Form and other documents issued to competitors shall be governed by English law, and the Courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction. All parties shall however use their best endeavours to settle any dispute amicably and without resort to law.

A9.6 All sums of money are expressed in pounds sterling.