What is the Challenge? The Challenge is an event like no other consisting of eight events held over a weekend combined to ascertain the practicality of your HPV. You can either compete in individual events or for the overall prize. The emphasis is on competing in everything and having a machine that will do everything. Changes can be made to the vehicle between events to make it perform better for that event eg. off-road Tyres for the enduro, fairing for the speed events or smaller wheels for lower centre of gravity. Designing a vehicle for a particular event is encouraged to develop vehicles to be lighter, more robust, faster or even have better storage for carrying luggage, depending on the race you are entering. For example the drag race needs a lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle for fast acceleration. On the other hand the off-road event needs a robust vehicle that can take a fair bit of abuse (program of events included in package).
Where is the Challenge held? Previously held in Canberra for over ten years, it has been relocated to Victoria, including Shepparton, Werribee, Broadford and currently Casey Fields.
What can you ride at the Challenge? Anything that is human powered eg. bicycle, tricycle, in-line skates or even a unicycle. As long as the only form of forward drive is provided by a human/s, your mind is your only limitation.
What rules are there for my vehicle? None really, as long as it passes basic safety requirements and you wear an approved helmet you are ready to race.
Am I competing against everybody? Only people in your class eg. Women, Men, Junior and Team.
What will I see at the Challenge? Most of Australia’s leading recumbent manufacturers and home builders attend and these machines are usually made available to ride between events, lunch time or full-time from the manufacturers tents. You will also witness what recumbents can and can’t do with bikes and trikes etc going through their paces. Sunday’s racing provides for a great spectacle with tight cornering sprint events with plenty of sliding.
Do I need to be fit? No, the Challenge is all about coming along and trying every machine in sight. The Challenge is a national event for everyone around Australia to meet and have fun and test his or her metal against someone else’s. The Challenge is to better the speed you did last year in the 200m sprint, finish the road race, complete the enduro in one piece or stay upright in the criterium.
Road Race-The 26-kilometre road race consists of 10 laps around the marked circuit. The start is unassisted. The race ends when the first entrant completes 10 laps. Each further entrant finishes their next lap after the winners tenth lap, the times and laps completed place the remaining contestants.
Time Trial-Riders are released every thirty seconds, generally in registration order, for a single lap of the road race circuit. Riders can receive assistance at the standing start. Fairings are encouraged. Vehicles may compete in both faired and unfaired (with same rider/s) out of registration order but must be registered with the chief marshal for two runs beforehand and their points tally will only consider their best time.
Enduro-The Enduro is an off road race with a Le Mans start over an undulating course.
Shopping Race-The shopping race is a test of the practicality of the vehicles. Vehicles race around a tight and challenging course, stopping to collect and deliver a load of shopping. The shopping race points will be based on both time taken to complete the course and the amount of shopping carried.
Twin Drag-This 200-metre event will be run on a knock out basis consisting of heats of two competitors in registration order. The start is unassisted. Times are recorded for yearly comparison, not point scoring. Placing will be dependent upon the last heat which the vehicle won, therefore all but the winner will share equal placing.
200m Sprint-An unlimited run up to a set out 200m stretch with timing gates. Point in order of fastest times. Fairings are encouraged. Vehicles may compete in both faired and unfaired (with same rider/s) out of registration order but must be registered with the chief marshal for two runs beforehand and their points tally will only consider their best time.
Criterium-The criterium is a quick race with many corners. The field of entrants will be broken into manageable numbers for each heat, and the winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) of each heat will compete in the final. The criterium uses a Le Mans start.
Dual Slalom-A combination of sprint and slalom ride. Depending on the numbers of competitors, fastest riders/winners of heats go into the finals.
Rules
Helmets must be worn at all times during all events.
Vehicles must be safe and in good working order. Adequate control and braking must be demonstrated to the marshals at registration time. Vehicles must not have dangerous projections likely to harm competitors or spectators.
Vehicles may be modified between events but once an event has started attached components must be carried for the entire event.
Vehicles are allowed to use energy storage devices only if they are charged during the event from human power. Such devices must be fully discharged before the event commences. Separate batteries for cycle computers are acceptable.
Vehicle and rider numbers must be adequately attached and clearly visible to timekeepers. Two numbers will be provided at registration, one for the rider and one for the vehicle. Riders will not be able to race if their numbers are not clearly visible.
Entry is at the risk of the entrant. The safety of all vehicles is the responsibility of the entrant.
All types of human powered craft are allowed. There are no restrictions on layout, fairings, drive systems, materials or number of riders. However, in crowded events, preference will be given to non-standard cycles.
Decisions of the judges will be final and all requests by the marshals must be obeyed promptly in the interests of smooth and safe competition.
If a vehicle fails to complete a timed individual start due to mechanical failure or crashing, they may be given a second chance at the sole discretion of the chief marshal. Re-runs in the case of uncompetitive times will not be granted.