General Vehicle Regulations
General

Standard Class Vehicle Regulations

This section lists the permitted changes from the original standard production / factory design and dimensions of the whole vehicle and its component parts.

When optimising a road-legal vehicle for off-road use, owners may need to take advice on the suitability of any alterations to establish that they are not detrimental to safety for public road use, and that the terms of the vehicle’s insurance are not contravened.

Original dimensions are defined in the Vehicle Sizes Chart in the ALRC Handbook.

B.1.          VEHICLE DIMENSIONS:-
B.1.1        All dimensions given in the Vehicle Sizes Chart shall apply.  

B.2.          ENGINE DESCRIPTION:-
B.2.1.  Alternative engines or engine parts which may be interchanged are:- 

B.2.2.  Engines may be modified to enable the use of unleaded petrol, electronic ignition, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), rev limiters.
B.2.3.  Carburetors and air filters may be changed subject to the original number fitted not being exceeded and original standard inlet manifolds are retained.
B.2.4.  Spark plugs, HT cables, ignition coil are free.
B.2.5.      Additional gauges to monitor engine performance may be fitted.  
B.2.6.      Air filter elements are free and may be removed.  
B.2.7.      Engine mounts are free.  
B.2.8.      The forced induction coefficient does not apply to diesel engines. (See MSA Yearbook 2006. E12.4.1)

B.3.        SEATS & SEAT BELTS.
B.3.1.  Competition seats are permitted. (See MSA Yearbook 2006 reg. Q.2.2. for attachment specs.) Seat support structure may be strengthened as required.
B.3.2.    Seat belts are mandatory in all competitions. Anchorage points minimum specifications are:-

RTV - Standard class, as per manufacturer’s design. Modified Class as per CCV, Comp Safari, Point-to-point and Team Recovery.  
CCV, Comp Safari, Point-to-point and Team Recovery.  
For Defender style vehicles; the factory-standard anchorage points on 90 / Defender-type models onwards represent the minimum specifications. Any vehicle prior to that requires anchoring either directly or indirectly to the chassis in the manner and materials of the Defender type installation, or better.  
For Range Rover / Discovery / Freelander vehicles; the factory-standard anchorage points should be retained.  
As applicable, anchorage points on the roll-cage to the rear of the driver / passenger shall be as shown in the Roll-bar Regulations.

B.4.     EXHAUST SYSTEM.
B.4.1.  The exhaust system may be modified.

B.5.      RADIATORS & PLUMBING.
B.5.1.  Replacement or additional cooling fan(s) may be fitted but must remain within the confines of the original bodywork.
B.5.2.   Oil coolers may be added but the coolers and associated pipework / plumbing etc. must remain within the confines of the original bodywork

B.6.      STEERING & AXLES.
B.6.1.  Steering linkage rods may be sleeved or have extra material bolted to them for additional strength. Any sleeves must be made in such a way that they can easily be removed at the Scrutineers request to enable examination of the contained part(s). (For the avoidance of doubt, steering gear parts may not be welded after original manufacture.)
B.6.2.  High strength one-piece non-Rover steering rods are allowed. Locking of these will be by the use of lock nuts, not clamps.
B.6.3.  Axle casings may have strengthening material welded to them.
B.6.4.  Series I, II & III steering boxes and axles may be interchanged to an improved specification (i.e. late items to early vehicles only), points of attachment being strengthened where necessary.

B.7.      WHEELS.
B.7.1.  Any brand / make of steel wheels are allowed but they must be of adequate strength, have a diameter matching that of factory fitted wheels for that model and have an offset between the outer flat of the nave plate and the external face of the bead area (not the outermost turned-out flange of the rim) of 4” / 102mm or less.
B.7.2.   The use of wheel spacers is prohibited. (See MSA Yearbook 2006 E12.8.2)

B.8.      TYRES.
B.8.1.  Any size tyres may be used so long as they have a maximum inflated diameter of 33". Forward Control Land Rovers (all types) may have larger diameter tyres up to a maximum inflated diameter of 37”.
B.8.2.  Tyres may be changed to any type other than tractor or implement tyres, “maxi-cross” type tyres or those fitted with studs or chains. (Tractor and implement tyres have a "V"-shaped tread of separate blocks of rubber like the ones fitted to the driving wheels of tractors and dumper trucks.) 

B.9.      SUSPENSION.
B.9.1.   Leaf-spring shackle plates may be altered but the distance between the spring bolt centre and the chassis bolt centre must be no more than 6" / 152.4mm. If greater than 5" / 127mm between pin centre’s, they shall incorporate a mid-point strengthening device forming an H-shape assembly.
B.9.2.   Any make of suspension springs may be used but they shall be the same type as those fitted as standard for that model. (See B.20. “Use of non-Rover parts”).
B.9.3.    Leaf spring types:-

B.9.3.1.   In all cases, the ends of the top and the second leaf must wrap around the eye.
B.9.3.2.   Springs that were originally built with more than 5 leaves may be rebuilt so as to have no less than 5 leaves. The leaves below the top two MUST be in proportionally reducing steps similar to the originals and must be of the original thickness.
B.9.3.3.   Parabolic leaf springs may be used but must have at least two leaves on each spring. (This allows, but is not restricted to, the use of leaf springs built to the Santana parabolic designs.)

B.9.4.      The narrow springs on 80" Land Rovers may be replaced with wider springs as an alternative.
B.9.5.      Axle check-straps may be removed.
B.9.6.      Any radius arms that have been welded to, drilled or cut into, deliberately notched or bent up / down / sideways are prohibited.

B.10.       DAMPERS.
B.10.1.     Dampers are free
B.10.2.            On Series Ones, the front damper mounts on the axle may be altered to give more clearance.
B.10.3.            Additional damper mountings are permitted to be in place.

B.11.      FUEL TANKS.
B.11.1.            For safety reasons, under seat-tank-covers / lids shall be screwed down with a gasket. This affects early vehicles in particular.
B.11.2.            Fuel tank location / design may be changed. If the fuel tank is moved, a separate metal cover (vented at the bottom) must be fitted even if a truck cab is fitted.
The basic requirement is to prevent fuel leaking onto the driver / navigator if the vehicle overturns. The design should be such that any fuel that has leaked into the cover when the vehicle was inverted will drain onto the ground when the vehicle is righted. The cover must NOT be sealed at the bottom or fumes will be trapped.
B.11.3.            Where an alternative fuel to petrol or diesel is used, the installation must conform to current Road Vehicle Construction & Use Regulations. If it is LPG, then follow the LPG Industry Technical Association Code of Practice No. 11 as a minimum specification. The cylinder(s) and the pipework must be protected to at least the same standard as the original fuel system equipment. If the tank is installed inside the passenger compartment, the tank must have a cover to protect it and its valves and pipework etc. from damage. Relevant test certificate(s) must be retained for inspection. Any date markings on the pipework must remain legible.
B.11.4.            Fuel pumps are free

B.12.     BODYWORK & CHASSIS.
B.12.1.    Bolt-on sill panels and air dams / front spoilers may be removed. Where applicable bumper end caps may be trimmed along the horizontal moulding line level with the bottom of the bumper.  The number plate moulding may be removed.
B.12.2.    Bonnets.

B.12.2.1. Series I, II, IIA and III vehicles may be fitted with Defender-style bonnets, grilles and front panels.  
B.12.2.2. Composite material bonnets are allowed if they have been made from fire retardant materials.  
B.12.2.3. If the vehicle has a permanently fitted windscreen, then the bonnet may have holes, louvers, air-scoops etc.

B.12.3.    The shortening of a chassis is permitted providing the resulting wheelbase matches the body being used. The ends of the chassis may be altered to accommodate the requisite style of bumpers and / or cross-members.
For example, if a Range Rover chassis is shortened to go under a 90 style body, the wheelbase must be the same measurement as in a 90 and body dimensions and appearance must be exactly as in a 90. All welding on the chassis must be of a high standard.
B.12.4.   Cross members and outriggers may be replaced by section of equal or greater strength than the original whilst retaining original minimum
               silhouette.  
B.12.5.    Underbody protection may be added.

B.13.        BUMPERS & CROSS-MEMBERS.
B.13.1.            Heavy-duty bumpers, and bumpers associated with winch installations are permitted on condition they are no smaller or weaker than the originals. See Log Book article Dimensions Chart for bumper widths.
B.13.2.    On Land Rovers, bumpers, mounting and rear cross-members must be straight, have at least equal strength to the original fitment and shall be mounted in the original position with the front and rear faces presenting flat vertical faces. 
B.13.3.   On Range Rover / Discovery / Freelander bumpers must be of original size and shape and have at least equal strength to the original fitment. Bumper sizes and shapes may vary with the model concerned.

B.14.     BATTERIES.
B.14.1.            Non-standard batteries are permitted but wet batteries must be fitted with anti-spillage caps. All types of battery must be separated from the driver / passenger compartment by means of a bulkhead or cover, must be securely fixed and if moved from the normal place of fitment must be adequately covered to contain any spillage in the event of a roll over. Covers do not have to be of metal; plastic and wood are acceptable.

B.15.       BRAKES.
B.15.1.            The hand-brake lever may be altered or changed in order to meet the requirement that the hand brake is operable by the driver whilst wearing a seat belt.
B.15.2.            Land Rover drum brakes may be interchanged with other Land Rover drum braking systems.
B.15.3.            Land Rover disc brakes may be interchanged with other Land Rover disc braking systems.
B.15.4.    Brake friction materials are free.

B.16.       TRACTION CONTROL
B.16.1.            The use of traction control and hill descent systems will be limited to standard vehicles where fitted as original equipment.

B.17.       AXLE DIFFERENTIALS
B17.1.     Lockable axle differentials may be fitted on condition they are disabled in an unlocked state to the satisfaction of the Scrutineers and not used during competition.

B.18.       GEARBOXES.
B.18.1.    All types of Land Rover gearboxes and their component parts may be interchanged.
B.18.2.    Automatic Transmissions must be fitted with an inhibitor to prevent the engine from being started in gear.

B.19.        RECOVERY POINTS.
B.19.1.            Adequate front and rear recovery attachments must be provided for recovery purposes in all events. Bumpers, tie-down rings, lifting rings or Range Rover / Discovery "tow fittings" are not adequate. Factory specification (or better) trailer hitches are acceptable. If a tow-ball is fitted, welding alone is insufficient - high tensile nuts and bolts must be used for attachment. If the recovery point is attached to a bumper, the bumper must be attached to the chassis with high tensile nuts and bolts. A clevis and pin fitting or pair of Land Rover chassis-shackles (not spring shackles) are recommended.

B.20.       NON-ROVER PARTS
B.20.1.    The following non-Rover design items may be fitted (subject to limitations elsewhere in these rules):-
a) Wheels, tyres, steering wheel, seats, seat belts, mirrors.
b) Service items (ignition components, filters etc)
c) Bull-bars, entry steps, lens guards, roof-racks, tow-bars, extra lamps / lights (spot, fog, etc.), winches.

Modified Class Vehicle Regulations

The following changes from the Standard Class Regulations are permitted in this class:-

When optimising a road-legal vehicle for off-road use, owners may need to take advice on the suitability of any alterations to establish that they are not detrimental to safety for public road use, and that the terms of the vehicle’s insurance are not contravened.

C.1.   VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
C.1.1. All dimensions given in the Vehicle Sizes Chart shall apply.

C.2.     STEERING.
C.2.1.   Power steering may be fitted to any model, using parts from any other product listed in A.2. Points of attachment may be strengthened where necessary.

C.3.     ENGINES.
C.3.1.   Any Land Rover or Rover car engines (and others with Rover part numbers) up to a Max of 4600cc may be used complete with their ancillaries subject to A2.
C.3.2.    Carburetors may be changed; air intake system and manifolds may be altered to any specification.
C.3.3.   Engine location and orientation is free on condition that the forward facing part of any engine block (the main cast structure and not ancillary equipment / bolted-on parts) shall be forward of the midpoint of the wheelbase of the vehicle.
C.3.4.      Forced induction petrol engines are not permitted.

C.4.       TRANSMISSION.
C.4.1.      The transmission type and its location are free, provided the transmission consists of parts that have Land Rover / Rover part numbers or equivalent cross-references.

C.5.        SUSPENSION & AXLES.
C.5.1.      Any Land Rover suspension system and components may be used on any model and the suspension mounts modified to accommodate the components, the use of air suspension is prohibited except in classes and periods where fitted as original equipment.
C.5.2.      Any axle types may be used (provided they have Land Rover part numbers or equivalent cross-references).
C.5.3.      Coil assisters (where the coil is separate from the shock absorber / damper) may be fitted to a leaf-spring vehicle. The suspension system shall then be deemed to be a coil-spring type and not a leaf-spring type.
C.5.4.      Bump-stops must be fitted in the appropriate location and must be complete factory-specification items that match either the chassis or axles in use.

C.6.       DAMPERS.
C.6.1.      Additional dampers may be fitted.

C.7.         BRAKES.
C.7.1.      Any type of braking system may be used except fiddle brakes.
C.7.2.      Bias braking (front to rear) is permitted but the ability to alter the settings from the driver / passenger compartment, or whilst the vehicle is being driven, is prohibited.

C.8.     CHASSIS

C.8.1.   The chassis may be modified from one or more original Land Rover chassis or one(s) of Land Rover design maintaining a chassis rail separation of Land Rover Ltd design specification. The profile and rectangular cross section above and between the axles must remain as the original.  All welding on the chassis must be of a high standard.

C.8.2.   Rail, space-frame or monocoque chassis construction may be used where factory fitted to that model.

C.9.      RADIATORS & PLUMBING.
C.9.1.     The radiator may be fitted in any suitable location within the confines of the original silhouette. Coolant hoses and pipework may be re-routed but must be separated from the driver / passenger compartment by means of lagging (if metal pipework) and a solid metal cover (if rubber pipework) to protect all persons including marshals and spectators.
C.9.2.     All pipework, header tanks etc. shall be covered to protect occupants, marshals and spectators should any part of the cooling system fail and cause water or steam to escape.
C.9.3.     The radiator shall be shielded from the driver / passenger compartment regardless of its location. Louvre vents are acceptable as radiator shielding.
C.9.4.     The cooling fan(s) must be protected by a grille, Louvre or similar.

C.10.       FUEL TANKS.
C.10.1.    Fuel tanks may be changed or repositioned but must be securely fixed in place and be of metal construction. Plastic or composite fuel tanks are permitted only where they are factory fitted to that model and mounted in the original position.
C.10.2.    If non-standard fuel filler is used, it must have a leak-proof cap, and be isolated from the driver / passenger compartment by the best possible method commensurate with the vehicle design. Under-seat lids shall be screwed down with a gasket. The very minimum protection for an early under-seat filler is the cap separately sealed. The fuel filler cap must be located in a safe place. Fuel tank air vents must be at least 25cm to the rear of the cockpit and must be designed to prevent the escape of fuel should the vehicle be inverted. It is recommended that a non-return valve is incorporated in the vent system. (See MSA Yearbook 2006 reg Q.6.)

C.11.       BUMPERS
C.11.1.    Heavy duty bumpers, and bumpers associated with winch installations are permitted on condition they are no smaller or weaker than the originals.  See Logbook article Dimensions Chart for bumper widths. (Rules B.12.2 and B.12.3 do not apply in Modified vehicles)

C.12.       SILHOUETTE.
                Definition:- The "body capping line" on a “Series” Land Rover or Defender is defined as a horizontal line level with the top edge of the
                fixed rear load area surround. The "window line" on Saloon / Station Wagon types is level with the bottom edge of the driver’s door
                window.
C.12.1.    The body parts above the “body capping line” or “window-line” (as defined above) may be removed.
C.12.2.    The silhouette (as viewed from the side and front) of the bodywork below the “body capping line” or “window line” (as applicable) must be retained. The chassis, fuel tank etc. are not considered to be part of the silhouette.
C.12.3.    Sill panels may be removed and wings cut away, provided they present no sharp edges. Inner faces of the wings (those either side and forward of the radiator panel on a Series Land Rover) shall remain leaving the silhouette of the body unaltered.
C.12.4.    Bodywork may be replaced with non-Rover items on condition that all other shape / dimension specifications above are adhered to

Road Taxed Vehicle (RTV) Trial - Specific Technical Regulations

E.1.     BODYWORK

Rule C.12. states which part(s) of the bodywork may be removed. However, in this class, the following applies:-

E.1.1.  All vehicles must be in one of the following two configurations:-
E.1.1.1.   Soft-top vehicles - must have the manufacturer’s windscreen raised, and complete manufacturer’s hood and support structure in place. The rear flap on the tilt may be secured open.
E.1.1.2.   Hardtop vehicles must have the whole of the manufacturer's hardtop or truck cab with all fastenings secured and all glass in position.

E.1.2.      Door tops must be in place complete with all glazing panels in place.
E.1.3.      The tailgate must be in place and secured closed.

E.2.         TYRES & WHEELS
E.2.1.   Vehicles must be entered on their normal road tyres which must be UK road legal for the vehicle on which they are fitted.
E.2.2.   Aluminium wheels and matching nuts may be used in place of factory-fitted steel wheels where suitable hubs are fitted. (See Scrutineering Guide in the ALRC Handbook for details on identification of suitable hubs.)
E.2.3.   Minimum tyre pressure to be 22 psi.
E.2.4.      Spare wheels and tyres need not be carried. (See MSA Yearbook 2006 H.36.7.2.) 

E.3.         SEATS & SEAT BELTS.
E.3.1.   Seat backs and squabs must be secured to the vehicle structure at least as securely as originally manufactured unless originally manufactured with no securing devices.
E.3.2.   Vehicles must have a minimum of lap and diagonal seat belts fitted and worn by both driver and passenger. This is to apply even if the vehicle does not require seat belts for use on the public road. A properly fitted 3-point (or better) safety harness is an acceptable replacement for the standard seat belt. Lap belts only are required on Series vehicles up to 1965.

E.4.         FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
E.4.1.   It is recommended that all competing vehicles carry a fire extinguisher, minimum 1.75 litre AFFF or equivalent extinguishant / weight as specified in the MSA yearbook, operable or accessible from the driver’s seat.

E.5.         FUEL TANKS
E.5.1.   Where the fuel tank and filling system are unaltered from the original design, a standard filler cap may be used unless event SRs state otherwise. See also rule C.10.2.

Cross Country Vehicle (CCV) Trial - Specific Technical Regulations

F.1.         ROLL-OVER PROTECTION
F.1.1.   All vehicles must be fitted with an ALRC approved roll-cage.  See separate regulation set for details.

F.2.         SEATS & SEAT BELTS.
F.2.1.   Minimum of a lap belt to be worn by all occupants whilst on a section.
F.2.2.   All seat components must be securely attached regardless of original design.

F.3.         WHEELS & TYRES
F.3.1.      Minimum tyre pressure is 12 psi.
F.3.2.      Spare wheels and tyres need not be carried. (See MSA Yearbook 2006 H.36.7.2.)

F.4.         FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 
F.4.1.     All competing vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher, minimum 1¾ litre AFFF or equivalent extinguishant / weight as specified in the
              MSA Yearbook 2006, within reach of, or operable from the driver’s seat.

Competitive Safari - Specific Technical Regulations

G.1.         ROLL-OVER PROTECTION
G.1.1.  All vehicles must be fitted with an ALRC approved full roll-cage. See separate regulation set for details.

G.2.     WHEELS & TYRES
G.2.1.      Minimum tyre pressure to be 18 psi.