(i). Bonnets: must retain 95% of their original shape from factory and resemble the vehicle it is from.

(ii). Bull bar: must not have any sharp edges.

(iii). Cargo barrier: wagons, dual cabs or well back utes must have a metal cargo barrier fitted behind the driver and co-driver seats, immediately behind the roll cage. If wagon has no windows in back, you must either have an aluminium or steel or a lexan plastic rear wall and must be sealed for fumes.
Utes if chopping rear wall to make more room, it must be sealed with aluminium or steel or lexan to body for fumes and/or radiator spillage. 
All vehicle floor firewalls must be sealed with aluminium or steel only (no rubber or lexan).  
Any hole bigger than 30mm that a grommet can’t be fitted in must be plated. Sikaflex and/or sharp edges are not allowed. 

(iv). Chassis: original chassis must remain but can be modified/strengthened. Front or rear chassis can be shortened to panhard rod on coil vehicles and leaf spring vehicles will be the furthest outboard hanger. 
Fabricated chassis allowed to be bent up 150mm to factory bump stop and inwards 150mm starting from chassis mount of rear control arm. For leaf sprung vehicles it is the first mount hanger. Vehicle will be required to be approved by event organiser. Please note: tube chassis’ are not allowed. 

(v). Doors: must stay as original on outside. Inside can be modified as you choose with safety in mind. Please note: If door skins are removed (ie. for storage pockets), surfaces and edges must not have sharp edges or protrusions (so as not to injure the occupants). 

(vi). Doors and Window Nets: must be fitted to all vehicles. The window net must cover 70% of the window opening. The net shall be made of a non-flammable (nylon webbing) material with mesh size no greater than 50mm, fitted to the drivers and co-drivers doors or roll over protection structure above the driver and co-driver windows. It must be secured in such a way that they can be removed at any time from both inside and outside the vehicle with the door closed in 10 seconds or less with gloves on. Please note: Nets secured with zip ties are not allowed. 

(vii). Guards: must retain 80% of their original shape from factory. Can go bigger – not smaller.

(i). Compulsory four-wheel braking (either disc, drum or a combination of). 

(ii). Handbrake must in working order at the time of event scrutineering.

(iii). Brake and braking system must be adequate for the vehicle size, weight and power.

(iv).Cutting brakes (hydraulic turning brakes are allowed). However, 2nd set of calipers must be used when installing the system.

For in car footage, reversing and winches allowed. Please note: any camera that assists with negotiating obstacles under the vehicle are not allowed. 

Modifications are unlimited BUT are strictly the owner’s responsibility. It is expected that any modifications are completed in such a way that they are safe for the competitors and any bystanders. The competing team will be asked to sign an indemnity (scrutineering) form ensuring the modifications are safe and to a reasonable standard. The event organiser still maintains the right to exclude a vehicle if the modifications are deemed unsafe. The event organiser encourages competitors to contact him BEFORE an event to discuss any modifications. 

(i). Each vehicle shall be equipped with a master isolation switch configured so as to remove electrical power from all parts of the system, and which will stop a running engine. 

(ii). An isolator switch is required to cut power to the winching system. Winch power circuit regardless of 12/24v, must be isolated on the positive supply. This may mean that vehicles require two (2) isolators- one for vehicle power, one for winch power. 

(ii). The isolation switches shall be mounted so as to be accessible to each occupant of the vehicle. 

(iv).The isolation switches must be clearly labelled and the label/s placed as close as possible to the switch. Minimum size of 50mm (on the shortest side). The intention is that someone outside the vehicle could locate the isolator switch if required to turn off the vehicle in case of emergency. 

(v). The battery shall be securely mounted and protected in a manner that prevents short circuits and the spill of liquid onto the occupants.

PLEASE NOTE:  

• Inverters are allowed in cab for charging of communication and video recording.  
• All battery cables going to winches and batteries must have rubber boots or rubber flap over top.  
• External power sources not allowed. 

Exhausts must protrude behind the cab no less than 300mm on utes and wagons must be in the standard position

(i). All (pump) fuel types are permitted– E85, Unleaded 98, 95, 91, diesel and LPG.  

(ii). Combinations of permitted fuel types are allowed.   

(iv). Fuel tanks must be adequately protected from possible external penetration from objects.

(v). Aftermarket fuel tanks or fuel cells are allowed provided it follows requirements of being protected and safely installed.  

(vi). Each fuel tank must be vented externally to the vehicle.  

(vii). It is strongly advised that a roll-over check valve be used in each vent line.  

(viii). Where a roll-over valve check valve is not used, the vent pipe must be attached at the top of the tank in one corner and extend vertically to at least the same height above the tank as the tank is deep at its maximum point. It must then cross to the opposite side of the tank and extend down to a point at least 150mm below the lowest part of the tank. 

(ix). Fuel pumps and fuel lines must be installed with safety in mind (e.g., away from heat sources or moving parts) and appropriate fittings/fixings used to ensure no leakage of fuel or gas or breakage of lines. 

(i). Safety harnesses will be fitted and meet one of the following standards:  

1. SFI 16.1  
2. ECE 16  
3. AS 2596 – note; this standard includes 4pt harnesses  
4. FIA 8854/98; FIA 8853-2016; FIA 8853/98 
   

EXAMPLES of accepted harnesses: 

It is encouraged that competitors purchase a 5-point harness when upgrading/replacing their current harnesses. This is the general progression of increasing safety requirements in our sport and in some events, it is compulsory to have a 5 point harness. Do your research and check other events you want to compete in. Make an informed and educated decision to use a 5 point harness.  

(ii). Straps must be at a minimum 2 inch (50mm) in width, but it is recommended that 3 inch (75mm) strap is used.  

(iii). STRICTLY PROHIBITED is the use of “seat belt” or “lap/lash belt” type buckles/fasteners.  

(iv). Approved fasteners for safety harnesses include (but are not limited too) “latch & link,” “cam lock latch link,” “over centre.”

EXAMPLES of accepted fasteners  

(v). Safety harnesses can only be mounted to the safety cage.  

(vi). Harnesses must be installed and used as per manufacturers design and instructions. Any harness that is modified or manipulated (ie. to fit a seat or attach to a cage) that is not in accordance with the manufactures intended design will be deemed unsuitable and the vehicle will not be allowed to race.  

(vii). Any harness showing visible signs of wear, damage or degradation will be rejected and the vehicle will not be permitted to compete. Please note: be sure to clean your harness after each event; damp conditions or chemicals left on the material could damage the harness and render it unsafe at scrutineering.  

(i). Vehicles are required to have operational brake lights, high & low beam, parkers and dust light.  

(ii). Additional brake/tail light and dust light must be at headboard height. 

(iii). Dust light can be any other colour EXCEPT white, red and yellow. This light MUST be powered from the main isolation switch. 

Any pipe work used to carry high pressure/temperature fluid through the cab interior (rear mounted radiators) must be solid pipe beginning a minimum of 10cm before and after the firewall and rear of cab. Welded bends or flexible joints in cab are not allowed. 

(i). A recovery point (painted red/yellow) is required for both the front and rear of the vehicle and if mounted to the chassis a minimum of two 12mm, or four 10mm, Grade 8.8 (or equivalent) high tensile bolts be used.  

(ii). Minimum recovery point is a rated lifting lug (1.4T) with a 19mm thread. 

(iii). Hole in recovery point MUST be able to fit the hook from the winch on the vehicle. If not, MUST have a D-Shackle that does fit the hook in the recovery point at all times. 

(i). Vehicles must be fitted with a full internal roll cage starting at the ‘A’ pillar. Wagons to be 6 point inside. Utilities rear stays must be connected to ‘B’ pillar passing through rear wall and connecting to chassis in 30 degrees – 60 degrees. 

(ii). Rear stays must connect from ‘B’ pillar to ‘A’ pillar in a straight line. An ‘A’ pillar brace and side intrusion bars are also required. Refer to picture below and AASA Safety Cage Regulations diagrams SC10 & SC11. 

(iii). Tubing used in manufacture of hoops and bracing shall be round section cold drawn steel tube CDS, CDW or CEW and comply with the requirements of AS1163 1981 for better, ‘Circular and Non-Circular Steel Tubes for Mechanical and General Engineering Purposes’. 

Minimum sizes: 

(a). Main hoop ‘B’ pillar 44.45mm (1 inch & ¾) diameter Wall 2.6mm (0.102”). 

(b). Straight braces 38.1mm (1 inch & ½) diameter Wall 2.6mm (0.102”). 

(c). Bent braces ‘A’ pillar 38.1mm (1 inch & ½) diameter Wall 2.6mm (0.102”). 

Please note: pipe cages are not permitted. 

(iv). Roll cage structure must not obstruct front seat access nor encroach upon the area occupied by driver and co-driver. 

(v). Main hoop ‘B’ pillar must be a maximum 150mm behind the driver and co-drivers head. It is recommended that 2 diagonal braces in the plane of the main ‘B’ pillar hoop be fitted. The ‘A’ pillar and ‘B’ pillar hoops and all other tube work to be placed as close as near as possible to the roof in order to limit crushing in the event of a roll over. The forward tube work from main hoop ‘B’ pillar to ‘A’ pillar hoop should be placed adjacent to and horizontal with the door frame as close as possible to the roof in order to limit crushing in the event of a roll over. 

(vi). The right and left hand tube work must be mounted in such a manner that it does not obscure the driver’s vision past the ‘A’ pillar and doorframe combined. 

(vii). Mountings will comprise of an upper mounting plate attached to the roll cage and a lower mounting plate, sandwiching a section of the vehicles structure between them. The following requirements outline minimum sizes for mounting plates. Smaller width plates minimum 45mm wide may be used provided that the overall area is not reduced. 

(viii). Mounting plates to be steel 100 x 100 x 6mm for vehicles over 1150kg and 100 x 75 x 6mm for vehicles under 1150kg. The lower mounting plates must be at least 100 x 45 x 6mm. At least two 10mm Grade 8.8 high tensile bolts are required at each mounting point. 

(ix). Where roll cage mounting bolts pass through a hollow section of the vehicles structure, the section must be locally reinforced to prevent crushing. 

(x). Continuous lengths of tubing will be used for all braces and main hoops, with smooth continuous bends and no evidence of crimping, wall failure or significant section weakening. All welds will be full penetration butt welds. All other types of joins will be done to accepted engineering and competition standards. 

(xi). Upper sections of the roll cage or bracing (where they may contact occupants) must be fully protected with high-density foam or equivalent, of at least 15mm thickness. Hollow cylindrical pipe insulation may be utilised for this purpose. 

(xii). In open vehicles, the driver and co-driver profiles including shoulders, must be within the main hoop viewed from the front of the vehicle. All open top vehicles will have a solid cover fitted over driver and co-driver head area of 3mm alloy or 1.6mm steel. 

(xiii). Safety padding must be fitted to each region of the safety cage structure that comes within 200mm of the occupant’s helmets when the occupant is seated normally with the safety harness tightened. 

(xiv). Any safety cages built after 1 January 2021, CANNOT apply for an exemption from AASA Class 3 safety cage requirements. Builds completed before 2021 can contact the Chief Scrutineer to discuss if the cage will meet requirements. Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis and will require footage, photos or an in-person inspection to be approved.  

(i). From 1st April 2022, OEM seats with reclining back rests, adjustable sliders and factory mounts are strictly prohibited.  

(ii). Fixed back style seats that incorporate mounting allocations/positions/holes suitable for the vehicle harness are the only permitted seats. A fixed back seat is a one-piece moulded seat made from material designed to withstand impacts or forces sustained in significant vehicle impacts or roll overs. They are generally designed to an FIA or SFI standard.  

(iii). There must be a headrest incorporated into the seat or as a standalone item and must extend to at least half the height of the helmet. 

(iv). Where no headrest is incorporated into the seat, a separate headrest must be provided to support the occupants head against a rearwards impact. The headrest must be constructed of a flat plate of steel at least 2mm in thickness and an area of at least 225cm2 with no projections on its surface. It shall be covered with energy absorbing padding to SFI 45.2 or equivalent at least 25mm thick and must be within 50mm of the occupant’s helmet when the occupant is seated normally.  

(v). Seats must be solidly mounted to the safety cage only (not the floor pan or using existing OEM or aftermarket seat mounts/sliders) and with appropriate provisions for the vehicle harnesses.  

(vi). Each occupant must be provided with a seat capable of supporting and restraining the torso and of sufficient size to permit the occupant to sit fully into the seat (hips and shoulders). The minimum width of the seat at each of the hip and shoulder is 350mm.  

(vii). Any seats showing visible signs of wear, damage or degradation will be rejected and the vehicle will not be permitted to compete. 

(i). Hydro steering is permitted. 

(ii). Rear wheel steering is not permitted. 

(i). Hydro steering is permitted. 

(ii). Rear wheel steering is not permitted. 

Modifications are unlimited BUT are strictly the owner’s responsibility. It is expected that any modifications are completed in such a way that they are safe for the competitors and any bystanders. The competing team will be asked to sign an indemnity form ensuring the modifications are safe and to a reasonable standard. The event organiser reserves the right to exclude a vehicle if the modifications are deemed unsafe. The event organiser encourages competitors to contact him before an event to discuss any modifications. 

(i). Tyre combination: 940mmx370mm (37” or smaller). (These measurement are horizontal measurements with tyre pressure at 24psi). Wheel and tyre combinations can protrude past the vehicle body but such protrusions must be covered by flare material. 

(ii). Rims are unlimited 

(iii). Bead locks are permitted. 

(iv). Agricultural tyres are not permitted. 

(v). Wheel chains of any type are not permitted. 

(vi). Wheel spaces are not permitted. 

(i). Winch must be readily available to the public. Any further modifications are at the discretion of the competitor/owner. 

(ii). Air or mechanical free spool or disengagement is allowed. 

(iii). Winches must be fitted with an operational automatic brake. If the automatic brake is damaged during a competition stage it must be repaired/replaced before any more competition stages are attempted. 

(iv). Winch cable must be in a serviceable condition. 

(v). Winch cable hooks must have a safety catch (no open hooks) for all competition stages. If the safety catch is damaged during a competition stage, it must be repaired/replaced before attempting any more stages. 

(vi). Only synthetic rope is allowed. It is the owner’s responsibility that the synthetic rope is rated the same or better than the standard cable used on the vehicle winches. 

(vii). Synthetic rope will be spliced. 

(viii). Winch cables are to be fully spooled at the start. 

(ix). Winch cable is allowed to be wrapped at the finish of a competition stage. The protruding ‘horns’ must not be pointy and made of material with a minimum diameter of 15mm and have a radius of 50mm length and distance apart is optional. 

(x). Rigging will be done to the safe working capacity of the equipment. 

(xi). Winch isolator switch. Winch power circuit regardless of 12/24v, must be isolated on the positive supply. 

Windscreen must be in vehicle at start of event and must be in good condition.  

(i). Each windscreen fitted to the vehicle shall be made from laminated glass or polycarbonate (Note: Perspex is specifically not permitted). 

(ii). Where the driver must look through a windscreen, an effective wiper and washer system must be fitted to the area ahead of the driver. 

(iii). If a vehicle windscreen is damaged during competition and can’t be replaced each occupant of the vehicle must use eye protection.  This may be incorporated into the helmet in the form of a visor fitted by the helmet manufacturer. This visor must comply with AS1609 or equivalent and shall cover the complete eye opening of a full-face helmet, or extend to the level of the chin in an open face helmet. 

(iv). Alternatively, each occupant may choose to use close fitting goggles with non-glass lenses to AS/NZS 1377 or similar. The goggles shall be securely held in place by an elastic strap. NOTE: Open face helmets provide limited protection against head strikes by larger objects. It is strongly recommended that a full-face helmet with a shield provided by the manufacturer of the helmet be utilised in all vehicles without a windscreen. 

Please note: SSS Winch Challenge recognises that some vehicles have been in competition for many years and during those years there have been various changes made to vehicle specifications. We encourage competitors to be proactive and contact the event organiser with regards to their vehicle builds, changes and modifications. You may be eligible for a exemption based on the following: 

• The modifications or changes have been made with safety in mind. 
• Will not cause undue competition advantage. 
• Does not grossly deviate from the essence of the existing rules. 
• If there is no contact made prior to the event, competitors will be turned away without consideration if the vehicle does not apply. 

If there is no contact made prior to the event, competitors will be turned away without consideration if the vehicle does not apply.