CAMELLIA CITY RACING PIGEON COMBINE

CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND RACE RULES

November 2008

 

Table of Contents

 

Constitution

 

            Article              I                     Name

            Article             II                    Purpose

            Article           III                    Rules

            Article            IV                    Officers

            Article             V                    Membership and Boundaries

            Article            VI                    Dues

            Article          VII                    Meetings

            Article         VIII                    Representation

            Article            IX                    Amendments

                  Section       1                           Club Proposals

                  Section       2                           Review and Approval

                  Section       3                           Urgent Changes

            Article             X                     Miscellaneous

                  Section       1                           Combine Property

                  Section       2                           Disbandment

 

By-Laws

 

            Article              I                     Election of Officers

                  Section       1                           Diversity

                  Section       2                           Nominating Committee

                  Section       3                           Election

            Article             II                     Duties of Officers and Standing Committees

                  Section       1                           President

                  Section       2                           Vice President

                  Section       3                           Secretary

                  Section       4                           Treasurer

                  Section       5                           Race Secretary and Race Committee

                  Section       6                           Publicity Director

                  Section       7                           Liberator

                  Section       8                           Truck Chairman and Truck Committee

                  Section       9                           Vacancies

            Article           III                     Membership

                  Section       1                           Application for Membership

                  Section       2                           Rejected Application for Membership

                  Section       3                           Resignation

                  Section       4                           Membership Types

            Article            IV                     Dues and Special Assessments

            Article             V                     Meetings

                  Section       1                           Schedule and Location

                  Section       2                           Notification

                  Section       3                           Quorum

                  Section       4                           Order of Business

            Article            VI                     Voting

                  Section       1                           Voting on General Issues

                  Section       2                           Voting on Race Schedules and Race Rules

            Article          VII                     Complaints

 

Race Rules

 

            Section             1                     AU Race Rules

            Section             2                     Race Schedules

                                  2.1                          Schedule Duration

                                  2.2                          Schedule Proposals

                                  2.3                          Race Rule Proposals

                                  2.4                          Ballot Preparation

                                  2.5                          Voting

                                  2.6                          Results

            Section             3                     Upfront Fees

                                  3.1                          Collection

                                  3.2                          Eligibility

                                  3.3                          Juniors

                                  3.4                          First Year Flyers

            Section             4                     Shipping and Crates

                                  4.1                           Entry Limits

                                  4.2                           Crate Birdage Limits

                                  4.3                           Reserved Crates

                               4.3.1                           Shipping Feed

                                  4.4                           Crate Allocation

                                  4.5                           Shipping Decisions

                                  4.6                           Combine Hotline

                                  4.7                           Cancelled and Postponed Races

                                  4.8                           Trainers

                               4.8.1                                Eligibility and Fees

                               4.8.2                                Releasing

                               4.8.3                                Combine Special Races

                               4.8.4                                Junior Races

            Section             5                     Races

                                  5.1                           Race Duration

                                  5.2                           Start Dates of Races Series

                               5.2.1                                 Old Birds

                               5.2.2                                 Young Birds

                                  5.3                           Releases

                               5.3.1                                Timing

                               5.3.2                                Weather

                               5.3.3                                Mother’s Day and Easter

                               5.3.4                                Final Old Bird Race

                                  5.4                           WinSpeed

                                  5.5                           Average Speed

                              5.5..1                                Eligible Races

                              5.5..2                                Number

                              5.5..3                                Long Average

                                  5.6                           Outstanding Bird and Loft Points

                                  5.7                           Responsibility for Clocks and Birds

            Section             6                     Multiple Lofts Per Location

            Section             7                     East and West Sections

            Section             8                     Awards

            Section             9                     Annual Awards Banquet

 

CONSTITUTION

 

 

ARTICLE  I - NAME

 

This organization of racing pigeon clubs shall be known as the Camellia City Racing Pigeon Combine, a non-profit California corporation.

 

ARTICLE  II - PURPOSE

 

The primary purpose of this combine is to unite racing pigeon clubs to compete and facilitate the  transportation of pigeons to races.  In doing so the combine will endeavor to promote fellowship, sportsmanship, and recreation for all its members.  It will promote the sport of breeding and racing of pigeons and join in worthy efforts of others to elevate this sport to the highest plane of sportsmanship and competition, and of honor and fair dealing.

 

ARTICLE  III - RULES

 

This Constitution, By-Laws and Race Rules document replaces all previous rules, policies and procedures of the combine.  All rules governing activities of this organization shall be contained in this document—the combine Constitution, By-Laws and Race Rules—plus the rules of the American Racing Pigeon Union (AU) and the California State Racing Pigeon Organization (CSRPO).  These rules are binding upon the clubs and their members.

 

ARTICLE  IV - OFFICERS

 

The affairs of the combine shall be administered by its officers—the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, race secretary, liberator, truck chairman and publicity director.  All officers shall be elected annually.  There are no term limits for officers.

 

ARTICLE  V - MEMBERSHIP AND BOUNDARIES

 

Combine membership is open to the members of all racing pigeon clubs in  or around Sacramento.  Clubs and their members must be in good standing with the American Racing Pigeon Union and the California State Racing Pigeon Organization.  There are no boundaries other than being located in or around Sacramento.

 

ARTICLE  VI - DUES

 

Combine dues are payable annually as specified in the By-Laws.  

 

ARTICLE  VII - MEETINGS

 

Regular meetings of this combine shall be held on dates specified in the By-Laws.  Special meetings shall be called by the president if he deems it urgent and necessary or if he is requested to do so by a member club in writing, signed by their president.  

 

ARTICLE  VIII - REPRESENTATION

 

At all combine meetings the clubs shall be represented by delegates appointed by their clubs.  Each club shall be allotted one delegate for every five (or fraction thereof) paid-up combine members from that club.  Each club shall receive full voting representation if one or more delegates of that club is present.  Only club-approved delegates shall vote and/or present motions.

 

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION       1 - CLUB PROPOSALS:   Proposals to change the Constitution, By-Laws or Race Rules first must have the support of the submitting club membership by majority vote at a club meeting.  Then the club must submit the written proposal at the January combine meeting.  The proposal must be signed by the club president and must state the specific article(s) and section(s) that are to be added, changed or deleted. If the proposal involves cost, a cost analysis must be included.  Race Rule change proposals also may be made during the race schedule process.

 

SECTION       2 - REVIEW AND APPROVAL:   The proposals shall be read and incorporated into the meeting minutes.  They shall be taken back to the combine clubs for discussion and then voted upon by the delegates at the March combine meeting.  A 2/3 majority of the delegate vote is required for approval of Constitutional amendments, and a simple majority of the delegate vote is required for approval of By-Laws amendments.  Race Rule proposals require a simple majority of the delegate vote to refer the matter to a ballot for voting by active racing members as specified in the By-Laws.  Such ballots require a simple majority of cast votes to pass.

 

SECTION       3 – URGENT CHANGES:   To deal with an urgent situation, the combine officers may suspend a By-Law or Race Rule temporarily by majority vote.  The combine president shall poll the officers and the secretary shall record their decision.  The decision must include the length of suspension, not to exceed 90 days.  The secretary shall notify each club president that the rule has been temporarily suspended, why it was suspended, and when the rule will be restored. 

 

ARTICLE  X - MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION       1 - COMBINE PROPERTY:  No combine property may be used by clubs or individuals without consent of the combine.

 

SECTION  2 - DISBANDMENT:  This organization shall not be dissolved without the consent in writing of three-fourths of its members obtained at one meeting and confirmed at another meeting convened for the consideration of such dissolution.  Upon such dissolution the assets of the combine, together with any surplus the combine may have in the treasury, shall be donated to a worthy charity or non-profit organization pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation.  The members, by vote, may decide said disposition.

 

End of Constitution

 

BY-LAWS

 

 

ARTICLE  I – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

SECTION  1 - DIVERSITY:  It is the intent of this combine that the majority of officers should not come from any one club.  There should be at least one combine officer from each of the clubs unless it has been demonstrated that one or more clubs has not shown interest in holding a combine office.

 

SECTION  2 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE:     At the September combine meeting the president shall appoint a nominating committee representing as many combine clubs as possible.  Such a committee can save the time of combine officers and delegates by contacting various candidates to ascertain if they are qualified for the position, and are willing to hold office.

 

SECTION  3 - ELECTION:  At the November combine meeting the nominating committee shall present the names of its candidates, and then the president shall accept any nominations from the floor.  The names of all candidates shall be placed before the delegates for a vote. Written ballots must be used if there is a call for same from the floor.  In cases where there are three or more candidates for any one office there shall be run-off voting until one candidate has the required majority.  New officers shall take office at the January meeting

 

ARTICLE  II - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES

 

SECTION       1 - PRESIDENT:        The president shall preside at all meetings.  He shall supervise the work of other officers and committees, represent the organization, appoint committees and designate a chairman of each committee.

 

SECTION       2 - VICE PRESIDENT:         The vice president shall act in the absence of the president and shall have the same powers as the president when conducting meetings.

 

SECTION       3 - SECRETARY:      The secretary shall record the minutes of all regular and special meetings, retain other records placed on file by the membership, issue notices of meetings, and handle all correspondence.    In March, he shall issue the combine newsletter—The Sierra Flyer—containing the current combine roster of paid-up members, a list of combine and club officers, and the current year’s race schedules.  All minutes and notices shall be emailed to members whose current email address is on file.  Newsletters shall be emailed whenever possible to minimize cost, with hard copies mailed to members who do not have email.

 

SECTION       4 - TREASURER:      The treasurer shall receive all moneys and expend same only as required by need of the membership.  He shall require those who submit bills for payment to present itemized receipts of expenditures whenever possible.  He shall render a complete audit of the combine’s financial transactions and situation once a year..  The audit will be completed by the treasurer and two other members appointed by the president.  The treasurer will give a complete report of all current income and expenses at each regular meeting.

 

SECTION       5 - RACE SECRETARY AND RACE COMMITTEE:      The race secretary shall be responsible for combine race results and the distribution of same to all members.  He shall make available to the combine secretary the results of each race series and necessary statistics for awards.

 

The combine race secretary shall assure that member clubs of the combine are operating with the same procedures on race day.  It shall be his duty to be aware of truck procedures relative to a race, and cooperate with the truck chairman and liberator to insure the best procedures possible have been taken to insure a fair race for all.  He shall meet with club race secretaries as needed to assure uniformity and the understanding of procedures.  The race secretary and club race secretaries shall be the contact persons for the combine statistician who prepares the combine race sheet, stores individual loft race station mileage, and generates statistics for yearly records and awards.

 

Decisions of the combine race secretary shall be final, subject only to appeal to the race committee.  The race committee consists of the combine race secretary and the race secretary from each of the clubs participating in the current series.

 

SECTION       6 - PUBLICITY DIRECTOR:          The publicity director shall generate publicity for the combine in newspapers and magazines, with the emphasis on promoting the combine’s activities, racing pigeon flying, and recruiting new members.

 

SECTION       7 - LIBERATOR:      The liberator shall be in control of shipping, releasing and/or the return of birds from a race station.  He may contact the combine race secretary and/or club race secretaries to assist him in all his decisions.  He will stay in close contact with the conveyor and weather agencies to render the best decisions possible.  He will notify members of important information by use of the combine hotline phone number.  His decisions will be in compliance with all combine race rules.

 

SECTION       8 - TRUCK CHAIRMAN AND TRUCK COMMITTEE:

The truck chairman shall be in charge of crate allocation and collection/dispersing of all funds relative to the transportation of combine pigeons.

 

The truck committee shall consist of the combine truck chairman plus the truck chairman from each of the combine clubs participating in the current series. 

 

The truck committee shall meet three weeks prior to each race series to determine the upfront shipping cost and make any other pertinent decisions. The committee shall set the amount only after considering the previous year’s financial results for the series and projected racing expenditures for the coming series.  The upfront cost of each series stands alone.  Shortages and overages from previous series shall not be made up or credited to the coming series; they shall be deducted from or credited to the general fund.

 

The truck committee shall negotiate a contract with the truck driver by the end of January.  The term of this contract may be multiple years when there is an approved multiple-year race schedule.  Since the truck driver contract results in the largest financial outlay of combine members, it must be brought before a regular combine meeting for final approval.

 

SECTION       9 - VACANCIES:       Should a vacancy occur in any combine office, the president shall appoint a combine member to fill the vacant position.  This member must be approved by the combine delegates at the next meeting.  An exception is the office of president, which shall be filled automatically by the vice president.

 

ARTICLE  III - MEMBERSHIP

 

SECTION       1 - APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP: To apply for combine membership, the president or secretary of the club must present a written request at a combine meeting.  The request must be signed by the club president and be accompanied by a complete list of all club members and a check for current combine dues.  Duplicate combine dues shall not be paid for club members who already are current Camellia Combine members through another club. The club list also must include the loft location, mailing address, and phone number of each club member.  If available, the club list should include members’ email addresses.  The club must certify that all its members are California State Racing Pigeon Organization and American Racing Pigeon Union members, and must meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the delegates.  The request shall be taken back to the combine clubs for discussion and then voted upon by the delegates at the next combine meeting.  A 2/3 majority vote is required for approval.

 

SECTION       2 - REJECTED APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:  A club which has been rejected for combine membership may reapply after a six-month waiting period or after the completion of one racing series.

 

SECTION       3 - RESIGNATION:  Any member or club wishing to resign from the combine should tender such resignation in writing to the secretary, must pay all indebtedness which may be due to the combine, and shall forfeit all rights and claims to combine property.

 

SECTION       4 – MEMBERSHIP TYPES:  Active members are those who belong to a combine club, are located in or around Sacramento, and are current in payment of dues.  Honorary membership may be granted to any person not eligible for active membership upon a 2/3 majority vote of the combine members.

 

ARTICLE  IV – DUES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

 

Annual combine dues shall be $12 per senior member and $5 for junior members (under age 18 as of January 1st of the current year). Dues are payable between January 1st and the last day of February each year.  The right to vote, hold office, serve on committees, or fly in combine races shall be the privilege of active paid-up members only.  If a member belongs to two or more combine clubs he must choose only one through which he will pay his combine dues, and that club shall be entitled to count him for purposes of delegate allotment.  Special assessments shall be approved by combine delegates only after the matter has been presented to the clubs for discussion. 

 

ARTICLE  V - MEETINGS

 

SECTION       1 - SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:  The regular meetings of this combine shall be held at 7:30pm on the fourth Monday in January, March, May, July, September and November.  If the fourth Monday falls on a holiday (for example Memorial Day), the meeting shall be scheduled on the following Monday.  Meetings shall be hosted in rotation by the member clubs.  At least two weeks before each meeting, the host club shall furnish the meeting location to the combine secretary.

 

SECTION       2 - NOTIFICATION:  Notices of all meetings shall be sent by the combine secretary to the president of each club and the combine president at least one week in advance and must contain the date, time and place of the meeting.  Notices of special meetings must contain a brief explanation as to the reason for the meeting.  No other combine business shall be transacted at a special meeting.

 

SECTION       3 - QUORUM:  At all regular and special combine meetings a quorum shall be determined by polling the attending delegates.  If 75% are in favor of continuing the meeting, this shall constitute a quorum.

 

SECTION  4 - ORDER OF BUSINESS:  The order of business for all regular combine meetings shall be:     Roll Call - Officers - Combine Delegates

                                    Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

                                    Committee Reports

                                    Officers’ Reports

                                    Communications

                                    Old  Business

                                    New Business

                                    Anything for the Benefit of the Sport

                                    Adjournment

 

ARTICLE  VI - VOTING

 

SECTION 1 - VOTING ON GENERAL ISSUES:  Unless otherwise indicated in the Constitution or By-Laws, all voting shall be by club delegate count and a simple majority shall prevail.  However, delegates may decide by majority vote to submit any issue other than race schedules and race rules to a full combine ballot vote.

 

SECTION  2 - VOTING ON RACE SCHEDULES AND RACE RULES:  All race schedules and race rule amendments shall be submitted to a written ballot vote of the combine members who flew at least one-half of the races in the previous series affected by that schedule or amendment.  Therefore, if only the young bird series is affected, only those combine members who flew at least one-half of the races in the previous young bird series will receive a ballot.  If only the old bird series is affected, only those combine members who flew at least one-half of the races in the previous old bird series will receive a ballot.  If an issue affects all races, all combine members who flew at least one-half of the races in the previous old bird or young bird series will receive a ballot.

 

ARTICLE  VII - COMPLAINTS

 

When a member club or individual wishes to file a complaint against another club or individual in the combine, or protest some action or situation, the charges must be submitted in writing.  The charges or protest shall be read by the protesting member or club representative at a combine meeting, and a copy of the charges or protest shall be presented to the individual or club so accused.  If the combine delegates indicate by vote at the next combine meeting that the charges or protest have merit, the accused individual or club will have the right to a hearing with the combine officers.  The officers’ majority decision shall be final.

 

End of By-Laws

 

RACE RULES

 

 

SECTION 1 - AU RACE RULES   This combine shall operate under the rules established by the American Racing Pigeon Union (AU) as our minimum racing standard.

 

SECTION 2 - RACE SCHEDULES 

 

2.1    SCHEDULE DURATION - Race schedules shall be in effect for a period of three years. 

 

2.2    SCHEDULE PROPOSALS - In November of the final year of the current race schedule, the new schedule voting process shall begin.  At least two days prior to the November combine meeting, each club shall submit to the combine secretary their written proposed old bird schedule and young bird schedule.  This proposal first must have the support of the submitting club membership by majority vote at a club meeting and must be signed by the club president.  If a new station is being proposed, GPS coordinates and estimated distance to downtown Sacramento must be included.  Driver accommodations and phone contact should be available at the proposed station.

           

2.3    RACE RULE PROPOSALS - Along with each club’s schedule proposals, the club may additionally propose changes to the race rules to be included on the ballot.  Proposals must state the specific race rule to be changed.  Each proposed race rule change shall be considered separately by the voters.

     

2.4    BALLOT PREPARATION - The combine secretary shall prepare draft ballots containing all proposals from the clubs.  If two or more clubs submit the same proposal it shall be listed once and shall indicate which clubs submitted it. Old bird proposals and young bird proposals shall be placed on separate ballots.  At the November combine meeting, club delegates shall discuss the proposed ballots and shall authorize any changes to their club’s proposals.

 

2.5    VOTING - Within 3 days after the November combine meeting, the combine secretary shall mail a ballot to each eligible voter (see By-Laws Article VI Section 2) and shall include a self-addressed return envelope marked “BALLOT”..  Due date for return of the completed ballots shall be no later than December 20th, on a special combine meeting date set by the combine president for the sole purpose of counting ballots.  Returned “BALLOT” envelopes shall remain sealed until the special ballot counting meeting.

 

2.6    RESULTS - At the ballot counting meeting two combine officers shall open the ballots, tally them, and announce the results.  Minutes of this special meeting shall be distributed to the clubs and shall include the vote count for each proposal.  If no proposed old bird schedule or young bird schedule receives a simple majority of votes cast, the two schedules with the most votes shall be resubmitted by the combine secretary to eligible voters on another ballot.  The second ballot shall be handled in the same manner as the first ballot.  Due date for return of the second ballot shall be the date of the January combine meeting, at  which two combine officers shall open the ballots, tally them, and announce the results.  If the second ballot fails to provide a majority vote, toss of a coin shall determine the winner.  The meeting minutes shall include the vote count on the proposal(s) submitted for second ballot.

 

 SECTION 3 - UPFRONT FEES 

 

3.1    COLLECTION - It is the responsibility of each club to collect upfront moneys and remit to the combine treasurer no later than two weeks before the scheduled start date of each series.  If a club check is submitted, a list of flyers covered by the check shall be included.  In the event of any problems with returned checks or other collection problems, the club shall be responsible for payment of said amount to the combine.

 

3.2    ELIGIBILITY - Only paid-up members of the combine are eligible to participate in combine races.  A member who is determined to owe a given combine club funds for any reason will not be eligible to participate in any other member club races.  It is the responsibility of the club that is owed to notify the combine so that other clubs are aware of this problem.

 

3.3    JUNIORS - Junior members are exempt from paying upfront fees; they only pay for the junior races they fly.

 

3.4    FIRST YEAR FLYERS - First year flyers may pay only ½ of the upfront fee and fly only in the short average speed races.  (Added 4-13-08)

 

 

SECTION 4 – SHIPPING AND CRATES 

 

4.1    ENTRY LIMITS - Entry limits shall be 15 birds per flyer per race. 

 

4.2    CRATE BIRDAGE LIMITS - The maximum number of birds per shipping crate for races scheduled for 1 night shipping shall be 30 birds.  The maximum number of birds per shipping crate for races scheduled for 2 day shipping shall be 20 birds 

 

4.3    RESERVED CRATES - Shipping crates  #35 and #75 are designated for storage areas for feed trays.  These crates will not be used to ship birds.  This will ensure the proper storage area for the feed trays.

 

4.3.1    SHIPPING FEED - The Combine will provide a single feed mixture for all birds shipped to a race.  The Truck Chairman will determine the appropriate mixture for each race.  (Added 4-13-08)

 

4.4    CRATE ALLOCATION - Crates will be allocated to the member clubs by the truck committee two weeks before the first race of each season, based upon the number of upfront fees received..  Before the second race, the crates will be reapportioned by the truck committee according to the actual number of flyers.  After that, crates will only be changed by agreement between the clubs.  If a flyer has prepaid upfront and learns he cannot fly (before the first race) he can request a refund by petitioning the truck committee in writing.  If a flyer has not prepaid upfront his club can allow him to pay upfront and fly, but this will not change the club’s crate allocation.  Individual clubs shall determine the number of crates to be used for race birds or trainers.

 

4.5   SHIPPING DECISIONS - The goal is to release birds during a given weekend in the best weather possible.  The liberator shall attempt to make shipping decisions by 12 noon on shipping days.  If weather conditions are unfavorable for the scheduled race date but favorable for a Sunday release, the liberator may postpone shipping accordingly.  If neither Saturday nor Sunday weather conditions are favorable, the race (s) shall be postponed until the next weekend.  A club that believes the weekend weather will not permit release may request the combine liberator to poll the race secretary and race committee to consider delaying the shipping.  If a majority of the clubs wish to delay shipping, then the liberator may delay shipping for a more favorable release day.  If there are weather and/or mechanical problems, the liberator will  request assistance from the race secretary and race committee regarding any decisions.  (amended 11-08)

 

4.6    COMBINE HOTLINE - The liberator shall put shipping and release information on the combine hotline in a timely manner.  The goal is to provide shipping information by 12 noon on scheduled shipping nights and by 8 am on race days.  If GPS coordinate changes are necessary, the liberator shall update the hotline as soon as additional information is available. (amended 11-08)

 

4.7    CANCELLED AND POSTPONED RACES -  If the first two stations of a series are not flown, the series will start over with the first scheduled station.  Once a race series starts, if a station is shipped but then cancelled, the schedule continues without making up that station.  If a scheduled station is not shipped it shall be postponed one week and the rest of the schedule will be offset by one week.

 

4.8    TRAINERS

 

4.8.1    ELIGIBILITY AND FEES - Flyers must be entered in all average speed races on the current race weekend to be eligible to ship trainers that week.  There shall be no charge for trainers.

 

         4.8.2    RELEASING - Trainers shall not be released with any regular combine release.  On all one-day shippings, trainers shall be released at the race station at least 30 minutes after the last race release of the day.  However, trainers may be brought back to be released at a shorter station due to weather conditions.  On two-day shippings, trainers will be released at Lovelock on the morning after shipping, on the way to the race station.  For a Friday morning release, the conveyor must call the liberator from the training station before releasing the birds. If the weather is not acceptable to release by 9 am, the conveyor will proceed to the race station and then will release the trainers on the way home or bring them back to the club shipping locations. (amended 11-08)

 

 

4.8.3    COMBINE SPECIAL RACES - Two-day shipping trainer releases shall be special combine races separate from the regular race series.  There shall be no awards or diplomas, just combine race sheets, with a limit of 15 birds per flyer entered in the special race.  Special trainer race birds and other trainers shall be released together.

 

4.8.4    JUNIOR RACES -  Provisions shall be made for junior flyers by arranging for them to race among themselves and releasing their race birds with combine trainers.  There shall be a maximum of ten birds per junior flyer. 

 

 

SECTION 5 – RACES

 

   5.1    RACE DURATION - All races up to 260 miles shall be two-day races.  Races 261 miles to 400 miles shall be three-day races.  Races 401 miles and up shall be four-day races.  Short loft shall determine the race distance.

 

5.2    START DATES OF RACE SERIES

 

         5.2.1 -   Each old bird series will be scheduled to begin on the 3rd Saturday of April. 

 

         5.2.2 - Each young bird series will be scheduled to begin on the 4th  Saturday of August. (amended 11-08)

 

5.3    RELEASES  

 

5.3.1    TIMING - The first release (A) will take place as early as conditions allow and will be coordinated by the combine liberator.  The second release (B, if any) will be one half (1/2) hour after the A release and again be coordinated by the combine liberator.  It is the goal to release at a time of day where day birds are possible; however, this may not always be possible. (amended 11-08)

 

5.3.2    WEATHER - The liberations from all stations are to be in fair weather.  All decisions of this type shall be based on recommendations made by the race committee.  The final decision shall be made by the combine liberator.  He shall have the authority to protect his charges whenever they require it.  He may hold the birds at the release point until Tuesday for better weather..  He may have the birds returned to a shorter station for a race, to a shorter location for a training toss, or back to the clubs for pickup. 

 

5.3.3    MOTHER’S DAY AND EASTER - The combine recognizes and supports the importance of families and family obligations in the lives of its members; therefore, the combine shall not schedule, reschedule or liberate races on Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday.

 

5.3.4    FINAL OLD BIRD RACE - There shall be no late releases after the combine release on the day of the final race of the old bird series.

 

5.4    WINSPEED – The WinSpeed program shall be used by all clubs to calculate race results.  Clubs shall maintain their WinSpeed and clock interface programs at the most current version and shall use the GPS method of determining distances between the race stations and the lofts.  Club race secretaries shall email their WinSpeed backup file each week to the statistician, who will compile combine and section reports.

 

5.5    AVERAGE SPEED     

 

5.5.1    ELIGIBLE RACES - All races are average speed races. 

 

5.5.2    NUMBER - A minimum of eight races for old birds and four races for young birds must be flown for average speed in each series. 

 

5.5.3    LONG AVERAGE - Old bird long distance average speed races are 350 miles and above.  Short loft shall determine the distance.  Long distance races brought back to less than 350 miles will be included in overall average speed but not short average speed or long average speed. 

 

5.6    OUTSTANDING BIRD AND LOFT POINTS - The AU Standardized System for computing points will be used for all Combine and Section scheduled races. (amended 11-08)

 

5.7    RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLOCKS AND BIRDS -  Damage or theft to clocks shall be at the risk of the owner, or owners, at all times.  The combine shall not be responsible for any damage or thefts to said clock.  All birds shall, as between member and organization, be at the owner’s risk from the time they leave his hands.

 

SECTION 6 - MULTIPLE LOFTS PER LOCATION   A location is a unique latitude/longitude measured by a GPS unit.  When a club allows multiple lofts at the same location, each loft shall be allowed to enter up to the per-flyer shipping limit.  Each member shall pay AU, CSRPO, club and combine dues and upfront fees as a separate flyer.  Each flyer shall be counted for Combine representation purposes but each loft location is eligible for only one vote on issues pertaining to race rules and race schedules.  Each loft shall have a different name. 

 

SECTION 7 – EAST AND WEST SECTIONS    The combine shall be divided into two sections for additional levels of competition.  The West Section shall be the 1993 FSC/SAC/YOLO club boundaries and the East Section shall be all remaining flyers.  The line runs down Douglas, over Atlantic and Baseline. Race reports will be published for East Section, West Section and Combine level competition.

 

SECTION 8 - AWARDS    An engraved plate shall be awarded to the Combine, East Section and West Section winners of:

 

                                                Each average speed race

                                                Old bird overall average speed

                                                Old bird short and long average speeds

                                                Young bird overall average speed

                                                Young bird red and green average speeds

                                                Old bird/young bird combined average speed

                                                Outstanding Old and Young Birds

                                                Old and Young Bird Lofts of the Year

 

Whenever a flyer has filled up the engraved plate slots on his combine or section plaque or a flyer wins his first engraved plate, the combine shall furnish a plaque for that flyer.

 

SECTION 9 – ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET    There shall be an annual combine awards banquet hosted in rotation by the combine clubs.  The prior year’s combine and section diplomas and plaques/plates shall be presented at the banquet.  Net proceeds of banquet activities shall be split 50-50 between the combine and the host club. 

 

End of Race Rules