NOTICE TO ALL DRIVERS:
A recent amendment to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 170(1) will become effective from 1 November 2016. The amendment to AHRR 170(1) states:
A driver shall, throughout the course of a race, drive with both feet in the rests of the sulky, unless he is activating approved gear.
The amendment to Rule 170(1) is 'unless he is activating approved gear'.
Therefore, as of 1 November 2016, drivers participating in Tasmanian races will have the option to use their feet to activate removable gear in accordance with AHRR 170(1). Alternatively, drivers are able to continue to activate removable gear by hand.
An acceptable method of activating gear by foot will be considered by ORI Stewards to occur when the movement of the foot is directed in a sideways or upwards direction from the sulky footrest and it is a requirement that removable or pull –up gear is activated in the above manner.
It is not acceptable for any driver to use their foot with a downward motion from the sulky footrest to activate any gear and offenders may be liable to penalty should they do so.
Regardless of the amendment to this rule, significant penalties for improper driving may apply to any driver that places their foot in close proximity to the hind leg of a horse, to make contact or attempt to make contact with a horse's hind leg.
In an attempt to assist drivers in complying with the acceptable method of gear activation by foot, ORI Stewards will allow drivers to activate removable gear by foot in TRIALS ONLY for the remainder of October 2016.
Any queries regarding this notice please contact ORI Stewards Department on 67771900.
