EVENT GUIDE The 4WD Explorer is an adventure, taking 4WD vehicles and their owners off the bitumen and on to challenging yet fun dirt roads and tracks, at all times travelling in comfort and style whilst helping children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs. The emphasis is on tackling off the beaten tracks, while enjoying remarkable scenery, fabulous food and of course plenty of fun. The Explorer caters for four wheel drive enthusiasts of all abilities with plenty of experienced drivers on the course willing to help out if the need arises. The following event guide details vehicle requirements, fundraising and associated costs, safety aspects, event rules and regulations and the Participants Code of Conduct. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS Below is a list of all vehicle requirements for the 4WD Explorer; LOW RANGE All vehicles need to have low range RADIOS All vehicles must be fitted with a 40-channel UHF radio. Radios are required for safety reasons and for communication between vehicles. LIGHTS As the 4WD Explorer travels many dirt roads, off the beaten track, it is essential that all cars are fitted with the following lights, to allow for maximum visibility in these conditions. Each 4WD is required to have a high mounted brake light. Each 4WD is required to have a flashing Amber light, mounted high to the rear of the vehicle. For heavy dust conditions, the amber light is not always sufficient, therefore all vehicles will also need a rear mounted dust light. This is a white light, mounted high at the rear of the vehicle and facing down, with the purpose of illuminating your dust so it s visible to vehicles travelling behind you. When travelling on dirt roads, both the flashing amber light and dust light should be switched on. They should be switched off at all times when on bitumen roads.
TOWING All vehicles must be fitted with front and rear towing hitches. All vehicles must carry a heavy duty snatch strap All vehicles must carry 2 x 3 tonne bow shackles. WATER 20 litres of drinking water. WHEELS 2 spare tyres and a repair kit (for slow leaks). A compressor is recommended but not essential. A jack capable of lifting a loaded vehicle is also required. Also, a board to rest the jack on in soft conditions is recommended. CARGO BARRIERS You will need an SAA approved Cargo Barrier TOOL KIT It is recommended that you bring a tool kit with enough tools to do small repairs. Nuts, bolts, screws, electrical wire and terminals should also be carried. FIRST AID KIT All vehicles are required to carry a basic first aid kit. FIRE EXTINGUISHER All vehicles are required to carry a fire extinguisher FUEL TANK Each car should have a fuel tank capacity of 450km in off road conditions (double that of normal highway driving). You may also carry jerry cans with extra fuel. These must be carried on the outside of the vehicle NO fuel is to be carried inside the car. TAMPERING (very serious) Participants must never tamper with other vehicles on the event or any signage erected by Officials on the route. OVERTAKING The overtaking vehicle must signal by; radio communication, sounding horn or flashing lights, their desire to overtake. A driver about to be overtaken must allow the following vehicle to overtake immediately by moving to the side of the road and, if necessary, slowing or stopping. This is as much for safety reasons as for pure politeness. SCRUTINEERING It is the responsibility of owners of all vehicles that their vehicle be roadworthy. It is NOT the responsibility of Variety Queensland to ensure that the vehicle you re driving is roadworthy. That responsibility lies solely with each driver. It is recommended that you service your vehicle just prior to the event
FUNDRAISING; COSTS AND ADMINISTRATION - A $550 application fee is required with the application form - Each 4WD team is required to raise a minimum $5,000 which is tax deductible. We encourage every team to raise as much as they can. The more money that is raised through the event, the more children we are able to assist. - A provisions levy will be set closer to the event date and will include most meals, some accommodation during the Explorer, entertainment, merchandise and a DVD of the event. This provisions levy is applicable to each person participating in the 4WD Explorer. Due to the location of the event there will be some nights of camping and participants are expected to provide their own camping equipment. - All participants are required to fill in a crew form, which provides Variety Queensland with the necessary information to provide a fun and safe event for all. COMPULSORY RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. EVENT CONTROL In the interest of safety, insurance and event management, the requests and directions of all people designated by Variety to be Officials ( Officials ) will be observed at all times. If, in the opinion of the Event Director, a participant s or team s behaviour compromises the interests of other participants, the Explorer or Variety Queensland; that participant or team may be asked to withdraw from the event and will not be invited to participate in future Variety events. The Event Rules are those made by the Event Director or the Officials at any time. From time to time these rules may be amended by the Event Director at their absolute discretion without notice. Any decision handed down will be final and no discussion entered in to.
2. ENTRIES Entries are not transferable. The person(s) who obtain the entry is the Entrant. The entry is not attached to a vehicle. The number of spaces available for each 4WD Explorer may be limited for safety reasons. 3. ENTRY FEE (a) (b) An initial non-refundable entry fee must accompany your entry form. This deposit includes GST and is not tax deductible. Subsequent instalments as specified in the entry form must be paid to Variety Office by the dates specified. 4. TEAM PRE-REQUISITES All participants must be over 18 years of age. Teams will be no less than two and no more than the car legally allows (seatbelts) All participants who will be driving in the event must have a current driver s licence, which will be required to be shown to Event Officials prior to the start of the event. 5. EVENT ROUTE The Explorer route is that set by the Event Director with the approval of the road owners. If these roads are affected by adverse weather conditions, Officials will liaise with local Councils, station owners/managers and any other appropriate bodies to determine an alternative route. Any participant who disregards the Event Director instructions to abort the original route will be ejected from the event. We are the guests of property owners and local communities and care must be taken. Please leave gates as you find them. If you cause any damage to gates or fences you are required to report any such damage immediately to the Event Director. Arrangements will then be made to repair or compensate the Landowner for damage. You will never: * Affix advertising decals and stickers to gates and signs. * Wire shut, or padlock, boundary and paddock gates. * Smear grease or other substances over gates or accessories. Any collision with stock must be reported promptly to the Event Director or an Official. The stockowner can then be notified and compensated. Tampering with road or event signs is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Litter Please ensure you pack rubbish bags in your vehicle, and remember to use them. The bags should be disposed of in bins provided at each overnight stop. Local communities should not have to clean up after us. Carry all litter with you and dispose carefully at the next appropriate spot.
6. ROAD RULES The 4WD Explorer is not a speed event or race and is not exempt from current road and traffic rules. In particular, infringements of speed limits and blood alcohol limits can be prosecuted by the Police. Event Officials may at any time carry out random breath tests and all drivers agree to submit to such tests conducted by these Officials. However, each participant must ensure that he or she is under the legal blood alcohol limit while driving. Participants who bring discredit to the 4WD Explorer and/or Variety (by breaking the law or behaving in a dangerous manner) may be asked to withdraw and must do so immediately upon request by an Official and will not be invited to participate in future Variety events. 7. FIREARMS Participants are prohibited from carrying firearms on any Variety event. 8. FIREWORKS Fireworks are a hazard to the environment and human safety and are therefore banned from any Variety event. Licensed fireworks displays organised or approved by the Event Director will be the only exception to the above. 9. FLARES Flares are for emergency use only, unless special dispensation has been obtained in writing from the Event Director. 10. REGISTRATION All vehicles must have current registration covering the period of the 4WD Explorer. 11. INSURANCE It is essential that, at minimum, third party property insurance is held by all Participants. 12. VARIETY LOGO The copying or use (in whole or in part) of the Variety logo or any other intellectual property belonging to Variety is not permitted on letterhead, in advertising material, brochures, tickets or any other medium without prior written permission of Variety Queensland. All promotional fundraising flyers must be signed off by Variety Queensland prior to being circulated to the wider public.
A Normal Explorer Day The 4WD Explorer is, for the most part, a holiday. It is a chance to experience everything the Australian countryside has to offer, whilst giving you the opportunity to test your 4WD skills and enhance your capabilities. The days are designed to make the most of your time and are divided into AM and PM sections. Sightseeing and fun stops are indicated on your daily run sheet as well as interesting facts about the areas we visit. Checkpoints are in place throughout the day to ensure that everyone is accounted for and no one is missing. Please ensure that you are checked in at each of these points to prevent officials spending a long time searching for you. Your accommodation list will be provided to you prior to the start of the event. This list will also include a list of emergency contact phone numbers enabling you to leave these with your loved ones for use should an emergency arise at home. Evening meals and festivities will be provided and, in some instances, entertainment will also be provided. Night times are always a great time to mix with the other event participants. You will, without fail, depart the Variety Explorer with new friendships that will last a lifetime. Officials The Officials are primarily focused on ensuring everyone gets to the finish safely while having a good time. The number of Officials is selected to ensure the safety of all participants. Officials raise funds, cheerfully put up with the ravings of the Event Director while working long hours and missing most of the fun. The basis of our Safety System is the tracking of entrants from start to finish during each day. As Outback Australia can still be a potentially dangerous environment, it is important that all entrants are accounted for. Any entrants not accounted for at checkpoints along the way will be notified to our Event Director. Be certain your vehicle is checked through at all checkpoint locations. We would appreciate it if everyone would help the Officials with their objectives by following their directions, which may include the offering of friendly bribes.