Rules for Judging Competitive Drills
Texas Shrine Motor Patrol Association
Rules for Judging Competitive Drills
Article I – Invitation
Each Motor Patrol of a member Shrine Center of the Texas Shrine Association is urged to participate in this drill contest. The Primary reason for the contest is to promote friendly and good fellowship among Motor Patrolmen, young and old. Each participating Motor Patrol is assured that it will be afforded every courtesy and element of fair play.
Article II – Conduct of Competition
Section 2.01
A copy of rules and regulations governing the contest and announcing time and place of TSA competition shall be mailed, emailed, handed out, faxed or downloaded from TSMPA website to each Motor Patrol contact representative at least forty-five (45) days prior to competition. IF REQUESTED.
Section 2.02
(a) A diagram of the drill area on which the competitive drills will be performed will be included in the TSA program, when available. This diagram shall show size, location of the judge’s stand, entrances and exits and route of ride for entering and leaving the drill area.
(b) Two (2) drill fields may be used when deemed necessary by the President. Both to be in close proximity. One field to be used by two-wheeled vehicles, the other by multi-wheeled vehicles. Competitions will run simultaneously to expedite completion and so that each classification will be judged without interference of other types of vehicle competition.
(c) The drill pad area shall be 125′ x 125′ (feet) if at all possible, but in no case shall it be less than 100′ x 100′ (feet). It will have a center cross at the exact center with the dimensions 3 feet paralleled to the Judges stand and 3 feet perpendicular to the judges’ stand and each leg will be 2 inches wide. The drill pad will be marked by a boundary line 2″ (inches) wide. All boundaries and markings shall be yellow or white in color and contrast with any existing lines or markings.
(d) At one end of the drill area there shall be an elevated Judge’s stand with a suitable public address system (Provided by TSMPA). On the opposite side of the drill area there shall be an entrance and exit marked 10′ (feet) wide each. The entrance will be on the left facing the Judge’s Stand the exit will be on the right. About the entire drill pad area there will be a caution/safety line 3′ (feet) high and 10′ (feet) back of any boundary line.
(e) Selection of the drill area will be by the President or Association Officer appointed by the President and the host Shrine Center. In selection of the drill field the following will be considered:
LEVEL – Slope must not exceed 12″ (inches) from boundary to boundary.
SURFACE – No holes, cracks, dips or slick spots that would constitute a hazardous driving surface.
TRACTION OF SURFACE – must safely hold vehicles of all classes at a speed of 30 mph ridden in a continuous circle to within 3′ (feet) of boundary line.
PRIMARY ENTRANCE AND EXIT – should be at least 125′ (feet) from competition field entrance/exit for a straight-line approach to drill field.
INSPECTION AREA – sufficient area for inspection of all Units will be as close to the drill area as possible.
SAFETY AND COMFORT OF ALL SPECTATORS – Must be a primary consideration at all times
Section 2.03
(a) At least two (2) weeks prior to the drill contest, the Commanding Officer of each competing Unit is REQUIRED to certify by letter, email or fax to the Association Secretary-Treasurer that each competing member of his Unit is a member in good standing in his respective Shrine Center and in his respective Unit and has paid his dues to the Association. Motor Patrolmen may drill on two (2) different teams but do so at their own discretion. TSMPA will not reschedule drills to accommodate these Patrolmen. If there is a conflict, these Patrolmen must work it out on their own.
(b) A competition team should consist of not less than four (4) persons. The maximum number of persons will be left to the discretion of the competing Unit. The TSMPA Officers hold final judgment of maximum number of persons competing, for safety concerns.
(c) When a unit fields more than one team, the composition of each team must have at least 50% difference between the teams.
(d) If number of riders on field falls below required Team minimum due to mechanical or human error, the remaining riders may complete the remaining drill(s) without further penalty for loss of rider.
Section 2.04 – Class of Competition
(a) Class I – 2 Wheeled Motorcycles 0-999 cc
Class II – 2 Wheeled Motorcycles 1000 cc and larger
Class III – Unbodied Multi-wheel
Class IV – Bodied Multi-Wheel
The term “All-State” refers to the Drill Contest at the Texas Shrine Association Ceremonials. The term “cc” designates the motor size (Cubic Centimeter) displayed or placed on the outside of the vehicle, by the manufacturer and not the actual motor size stamped, engraved or cast on the motor of the vehicle. The term “Multi-wheel” designates vehicles that have more than two (2) wheels per vehicle.
(b) First, Second and Third-place awards are to be given to each classification defined in this Article, paragraph (a). High point awards are to be given to the Two (2) wheel and Multi-wheeled competition Unit, plus overall high point, for a total of 15 awards.
(c) Class competition time and sequence within each class for competitive drills will be designated by the Executive Committee. The drill time and sequence shall be communicated to each competing Unit Commanding Officer or Contact Person at least four (4) weeks prior to the day of competition. Sequence will be determined according to TSA Host Shrine Temple Order. Practice time will be set by the Executive Committee and communicated to the competing Units prior to the scheduled time.
Heading level 3:
Section 2.05
(a) No points shall be awarded, nor penalty assessed, against any Patrol Unit for the use or non-use of Officers in the drill. All men and machines inside the boundary line after the starting signal and until the final signal will be judged as part of the drill team. Men and Machines outside the boundary line shall not be so judged. No one shall enter the competition area after signal of drill commencement.
(b) Officers may be used in the competitive drill with no penalty for difference in Uniform. Further, no penalty shall be assessed for type of uniform worn in competitive drill; as long as they are uniform in style. Glasses or sunglasses will not constitute a penalty.
Section 2.06
(a) All Units will wear D.O.T. approved helmets on the drill pad during both practice and actual competition.
(b) A maximum of Ten (10) minutes and a minimum of Eight (8) minutes will be allowed for each Motor Patrol to perform its drill. Each participating Unit will be present at the scheduled time and ready to move on the field at the conclusion of the preceding Units drill. Failure to be on time will place the Unit at the end of the list of competing Motor Patrols of their class and subject the offending Unit to a five (5) point penalty. Timing starts with the sound of the horn by the Unit representative accompanying the Drill Count Judge. Timing will cease by the same method and is thus explained.
(c) A Unit Representative shall take a position on the Judge’s stand, salute and inform the officials that his Unit is ready for competitive competition drill. He will assume control of the horn. The competition team will then be allowed to enter the field. Entry and exit must be made through designated entrance and exit locations. Failure to comply will result in a 1/2 point penalty per rider violation.
(d) Horns will be furnished by TSMPA to signal the start and stop of each competitive drill on each competition pad used. These Horns are to be used at the Judges stand, by the Unit representative.
(e) Upon the signal ending the drill and departure of the unit from the drill field, the Unit Representative shall stand, salute the Judges and retire from the drill area.
(f) Neither the representative, nor any member of the competing Unit will be allowed to use a timing device during their Unit’s competition drill. Any clock or timing device installed on a competing machine, must be turned off or obstructed from view by some means during competition. A one (1) point penalty will be assessed per infraction (man or machine or combination). No music, drumbeats, lights, sirens, props, ramps or commentary may be used during the actual drill execution (except where required by law).
Section 2.07
No scores will be available or announced until the awards presentation. At this time, First, Second and Third-place winners as well as two-wheel, multi-wheel and overall High Point Unit winners will be announced. A permanent award will be given to each Unit.
Heading level 3:
Section 2.08
(a) All judges shall be furnished with a proper judging sheet for each competing Unit.
(b) Judge’s point deduction will be indicated in tenths (1/10) and the total points deducted will also be indicated in tenths (1/10) unless otherwise dictated by score sheet.
(c) The 1st Vice President will be Head Judge for the Men and Machines Inspection and may call upon Past Officers or members of the association to assist him. The 2nd Vice President will be Head Judge for field competition and may call upon Past Officers or members of the Association to assist him.
(d) Tally sheets of each judge will be presented to each Motor Patrol Commanding Officer after presentation of awards and a copy retained for the contest committee. The President will appoint the 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents and Secretary-Treasurer as final Judges and computing officials.
Section 2.09
Type of drill commands or instruction, whether silent, verbal, signal or head phones will not be considered in grading by judges.
Section 2.10
(a) All competing Units must complete a minimum of four (4) maneuvers. Each Unit shall receive one (1) bonus point for each maneuver performed in excess of the required four (4) to a maximum of four (4) bonus points. Eight maneuvers will receive a maximum of four (4) bonus points.
(b) A maneuver is an artful change of position, originating at any point and ending at any point on the drill field. A maneuver must be performed a minimum of two (2) consecutive times and the unit may begin and end the second performance of the maneuver at a different point on the drill field than the first performance of the maneuver. The same maneuver performed in an opposite direction will not constitute a different maneuver.
(c) In order to have a complete understanding between the judge and the competing Unit, the Unit shall furnish the Judge a diagram of each individual maneuver drawn on a white piece of paper 8 1/2″ x 11″. The individual maneuvers will be numbered in the sequence to be performed and identifying the individual maneuvers by number. Changes from one maneuver to another will not be shown on the illustrations. These sheets may be returned to the Unit representative after the drill is finished.
Article III – Judging
Section 3.01
(a) Each Unit will have a representative present at the “Instruction to the Judges Meeting” which will be held at a time designated by the President prior to the time of competition. The purpose of this meeting is to answer any Judges or Unit representative’s questions. Should there be any questions as to the number of maneuvers, difference of maneuvers, or questions about Judges or drill field, this will be resolved by the majority of Unit representatives present. ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE AND ONE ALTERNATE FROM EACH MEMBER UNIT WILL BE ALLOWED AT THIS MEETING.
(b) Four (4) Men & Machine Judges shall be used. Two (2) for inspecting Two-wheel Classes and two (2) for inspecting Multi-wheel Classes.
(c) Two (2) Timing Judges should be used at each field in the event of a watch failure. These timekeepers will use stopwatches or suitable signal devices to assure accurate timing. One Judge will be the official timekeeper and his time used as long as his watch is operative.
(d) One (1) Drill Count Judge shall be used at each field. Each competing Unit should furnish a representative to assist the judge in the identification of each maneuver as it is performed.
(e) Five (5) Field Judges shall be used at each field to score according to the Instructions on the score sheet. Four (4) of these judges shall be assigned a quadrant of the field and are to move at will anywhere within that quadrant. The remaining Judge will be the Head Field Judge and shall be at liberty to move anywhere around the field to score. This Judge should know the Rules of Competition thoroughly. It is his responsibility to assemble all judges in the center of the field after judging has taken place; to discuss the ride of the competing Unit and answer any questions from the Judges pertaining to the ride. No more than two (2) judges should be within a single quadrant at the same time. HOWEVER, ALL THE FIELD JUDGES MAY SCORE THE ENTIRE FIELD.
(f) Field Judges shall also assist in removing equipment that has mechanical failure or in the case of an accident on the field. No other persons shall enter the competition area after signal of drill commencement.
(g) The executive Committee computing personnel shall determine which of the five (5) field judges score sheets have the highest and lowest score. The lowest (only 1 in case of tie) total score and highest (only 1 in case of tie) total score shall be thrown out and the three (3) remaining total scores averaged (added together and divided by 3) to obtain the final General Effect, Riding and Maneuvering of the Unit.
Section 3.02
(a) The inspection and score sheets shall be considered as part of the rules for judging competitive drills. (attachments I A thru I D)
(b) Any dispute of any nature will be resolved by the Executive Committee and their decision shall be final.
Section 3.03
Class II vehicles are not required to be identical and may be customized on an individual basis. No point will be deducted at inspection for this customization.
Appendix A – Summary of Changes
REVISED 2001 AT THE TSMPA MID – WINTER MEETING IN GARLAND ADOPTED AT THE TSMPA 2002 MID WINTER MEETING IN WICHITA FALLS.
Mid – Winter 2012 – Inserted the following text regarding the use of helmets:
Article 6
(a) All Units will wear DOT – approved helmets on the drill pad during both practice and actual competition.
Mid – Winter 2013 – New rule regarding team composition:
Section 2.03 (b) – When a unit fields more than one team, the composition of each team must have at least 50% difference between teams
Mid – Winter 2016 – Classes realigned into four (4) trophies increased to include 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards as well as high point for 2-wheel, 4-wheel, and overall.
TSMPA Annual Business Meeting August 2, 2019 – A significant revision including the replacement of the wording: Midwinter Meeting by Annual Business Meeting was adopted. The revisions were approved at the TSA Midwinter meeting February 7, 2020.