Racing Divisions & Wagon Types
The ACWRA offers 8 thrilling divisions of chuckwagon racing, catering to mules, ponies, and horses. We also feature three distinct wagon types, each with its unique specifications.
Divisions
Horse Divisions
Mule Divisions
Wagon Types
Rubber Tire
Made of light weight metal with rubber tires. These are used in the 46", 52", Big Mule and Big Horse divisions. It will have bows on the back with an outside measurement of no less than 3 feet from front to back a the top of the bows, front and back. A tarp with the team name on each side covering the bows is required.
Buckboard
Wooden wagon that weighs no less that 500lbs. The buckboard wagon must have wooden and/or metal wheels with no ball bearings. Tarps are not required but wagons must have a sign on both sides bearing the team name in letters at least 4 inches high.
Classic
Wooden wagon with wooden wheels that weighs no less than 1000lbs. The wagon bed is to be at least 10 feet, 6 inches. The side boards are to be a minimum of 12 inches high. The tarp must be at least 3 feet high measured from the floor of the wagon and at least 6 feet long at the top of the bows. The wheels must be wood and/or metal with no bearings. These wagons must include a lantern, skillet and water barrel.
POny Divisions
Teams
Races typically involve two teams competing at the same time, except in the case of by-runs. Each team will have a Driver, Cook and an Outrider. All must be in matching long-sleeve shirts that in a color that matches the wagon tarp. Teams can run in a cowboy hat, helmet, or no hat. Each race will run two teams at a time except in cases of a by-run.
Tracks
Most ACWRA tracks will be oval, tear drop, or u-shaped. They are lined with 55 gallon barrels/construction barrels to create an inside barrier. Starting barrels and finish lines are marked with ACWRA barrel covers. Both teams will line up behind a barrel facing away from the track. 46", 52" and buckboard will have the same finish line. Big Mule, Big Horse, and Classic will have the same finish line.
Rules
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Teams line up on their respective side of the line. The first team listed on the lineup starts on the left and swaps the next day.
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Both teams will turn LEFT around their respective barrel unless track space prevents it.
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Teams will be called to the line 2 times at 2-minute intervals before being disqualified.
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Cook, driver, stove & bedroll must all be in the wagon when it crosses the finish line.
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No gadgets can be used to assist loading the stove or bedroll.
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There is no outside boundary to the track. If a team goes inside the track, they can only return to the same place they left to get a qualified time.
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Team members must wear western attire. No ball caps. Shirts must be the same color.
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No restarts or reruns unless there is interference on the track.
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Only the Head Judge can call a rerun or a restart.
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ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE HEAD JUDGE ARE FINAL.
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The wagon team must be behind the starting line when the gun fires.
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No driver is permitted to use hot shots, sticks or clubs.
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Drivers are allowed to use a whip, but their checklines MUST be in each hand throughout the duration of the race.
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Drivers are no allowed to pull back on their livestock to a trot during their race's heat.
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Cooks must load the bedroll in the back of the wagon when the starter says, “Cooks load your wagons” and then get in the wagon. Bedroll MUST be touching the ground until that time.
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Bedroll must measure no smaller than 30” x 50”.
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Cooks are NOT permitted to use a whip.
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Outider must load the stove in the wagon after the starting gun is fired. The stove must be touching the ground until then.
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Stove must measure no smaller than 9” x 4.25” x 6.5”.
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If stove does not land in back of wagon, outrider is allowed to pass off stove to their team prior to the team crossing the finish line.
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Outrider MAY NOT mount the horse until the starting gun is fired.
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Outriders MUST circle the same barrel in the same direction as their team and MUST cross the finish line before their team. If outider does not cross the finish line before their team, the team will not get a qualified time for that heat.
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Outrider CANNOT have help mounting horse.
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Team & race structure
Outrider
The Outrider's role is to throw the "stove", which has to be on the ground, into the back of the wagon after the starter fires the gun starting the race. The outrider must pass the wagon and get their horse ahead of the their team's leading horse before the team crosses the finish line to get a qualified time for that race.
Cook
The Cook's role is to throw in a bedroll, which is also placed on the ground behind the wagon, after the starter calls "Cooks, load your wagons". They must be aware throughout the entire race to be able to inform their driver of the outrider's and other wagon's position throughout the duration of the race.
Driver
The Driver's role is to direct the team safely around the track while trying to beat the other team across the finish line. They must be able to drive their team around the track while watching their competitor and listen to their cook who is advising them of their outrider's position around the track to the finish line.