Driver Information

DRIVER INFORMATION

1. Race Course
The 45 and 20 mile races cover the Sandwich and North Sandwich scenic White Mountain National Forest, historic Wonalancet and Tamworth trails that include winding tight trails, narrow bridges over brooks, steep hills and open fields. This is a very challenging trail.

2. Community Schedule
This race is a community-sponsored event and the local residents enjoy being able to interact with the drivers’ and their families. The Sandwich Central School PTO sponsors a spaghetti supper at the School Cafeteria on Friday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children and $25.00 For a family of four. Please support our community since it is the backbone of this race.

3. Conditions of Entry
This race is limited to 60 teams in the following classes, so please register early.

    ∙ 6-8 dog class will be limited to 25 teams
    ∙ 6-dog class will be limited to 25 teams
    ∙ 2-dog Skijor class will be limited to 10 teams

The Sandwich Sidehillers will begin to accept applications on Nov. 1, 2009. Registration deadline is at 2:00pm Wednesday, February 17, 2010. See General Rules for more information.

All entrants must attend the Drivers’ meeting on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sandwich Elementary School Cafeteria. To allow for potential pre-race dog and gear checks, teams are required to be present at the staging area on Saturday morning by 7:15 a.m. Bibs must be visible during the check time.

6-8 Dog 45 mile Class:
Drivers must start the race with no fewer than 6 dogs and not more than 8 dogs. Drivers must finish the race with no fewer than 4 dogs.

6-Dog 20 mile Class:
Drivers must start the race with no fewer than 5 dogs and not more than 6 dogs. Drivers must finish the race with no fewer than 4 dogs.

2-Dog Skijor Class:
Skijorers must start with 2 dogs. Must finish with at least 1 dog.

4. Entry Fees & Assignment of Bib Numbers

The entry fee is $60.00 for the 45-mile race, $30.00 for the 20-mile races. This does not include the mandatory North Country Mushers Membership Fee. Entries will not be confirmed until the Sandwich Sled Dog Race Secretary receives the entry fee and all properly completed and executed documents as described in the General Rules. Bib numbers shall be assigned at the Friday night Drivers’ meeting.

5. Refund Policy
Drivers’ withdrawing before January 31, 2010 will receive a full entry refund excluding administration fees when they have contacted the Race Secretary. North Country Mushers membership is not refundable. No refunds will be honored on or after February 17, 2010 unless you are on the waiting list. Withdrawn entries after the deadline through the drivers’ meeting will be assessed a $10.00 admin fee. Pre-registered no shows will receive no refund.  In the event the race is cancelled, all entry fees will be refunded (minus the NCM membership). The Race Secretary will announce the cancellation on the Sandwich Sled Dog Race website by 5:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 as well as on Sled Dog Central.

6. Race Start
The starting and finishing lines shall be from Bennett Street, Floyd's Field North Sandwich NH.  Teams will leave the starting line at two-minute intervals beginning at 9:00 a.m. starting with the 45-mile teams; the 20-mile teams and finally with the 20 mile Skijor teams.

7. Required Gear
Drivers’ shall wear their identifying bibs throughout the race. The bibs will need to be visible at all times. Non visible bibs may disqualify you. All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file. All harnesses shall be padded around the neck and chest areas. Reflective tape is required on harnesses and highly recommended on the dog sled. It is recommended that dogs and driver's names be written on or attached to each dog's collar.

Ganglines may be cable, cable core, or any synthetic or natural material, but chains are not allowed. If cable ganglines are used, the driver must have easily accessible cable cutters, which are known to be capable of cutting the gangline.

Each driver must have on his or her sled at all times during the race:

∙ A sled capable of accommodating injured or fatigued dogs as well as the required materials and equipment. The same sled must be used throughout the race. Spare parts are the responsibility of the driver. The sled shall be equipped with an adequate brake, brushbow, snow-hook and a snub-line that is at least 8 feet long. Note: A snow-hook cannot substitute for a snub-line.
∙ A sled bag capable of safely restraining a struggling dog and, if necessary, covering a severely injured or expired dog.
∙ Fire starting material (must be kept on person at all times)
∙ One pair snowshoes with bindings.
∙ Knife (must be kept on person at all times)
∙ Working headlamp with batteries
∙ First aid kit
∙ 4 booties per dog on team. They may be used if conditions warrant
∙ Skijoring teams must be attached via harness and tow line to the skijorer’s belt in a safe and secure manner, leaving the skijorer’s hands free of the line. The line length shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet and a maximum of twelve (12) feet as measured from the skiers belt buckle to the snap on the dog’s harness. The minimum width of the skijoring belt across the back shall be three (3) inches in the interest of safety; there must be a quick release device within arm’s length of the skijorer.

Skijorer’s must carry at all times:

∙ Working headlamp with batteries
∙ Knife
∙ Fire starting material
∙ 4 booties per dog on team

8. Dropped Dogs
All dogs that are unable to complete the course must finish in the sled bag and cannot be dropped anywhere along the race course; however, dogs may be dropped at checkpoints in accordance with the General Rules, Dropped Dogs

9. Withdrawal From the Race
Drivers wishing to withdraw from the race must go to the next checkpoint and check in.

10. Prize Money
Prize money will be awarded to the top 7 teams in the 45; the top 5 teams in the 20 and the top 2 Skijoring teams. Total Purse: $2000.00 Prizes to be announced later.