Approved: February 2008

Print a complete copy of the AU Race rules in PDF format (Click Here To Download)
You Must have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to View and Print these files.
Get a Free copy of Acrobat Reader.... Click Here

General Table of Contents

Introduction

The American Racing Pigeon Union has developed these rules as a national set of standards for all competing organizations (Clubs, Combines, Associations, etc.) to:

1.  Maintain organizational consistency and the highest standards of honesty, integrity and sportsmanship in our competitions;

2.  To make for fair competitions within our affiliated organizations; and,

3.  To ensure that all AU members are competing on a level playing field for AU national awards, thereby ensuring the absolute integrity, honor and esteem of those awards.

Please note: All organizations should also be familiar with the AU Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Rules pertaining to racing and competition to familiarize themselves with expected standards of honesty, ethics and integrity, in particular as they apply to resolving disputes pertaining to race matters.

The AU Race Rules may not cover every conceivable incident or issue, consequently, the AU Board is receptive to and always encourages new ideas and input on suggested changes or improvements. If you have suggestions or recommendations, please submit your ideas in writing to the Chairman of the Competition Standards Committee, to your Zone Director, or to any other Board Officer for presentation to the Competition Standards Committee for review.

1.00 - Competition Standards

1.01  Any auxiliary, club, center, combine, concourse, association, federation or other organization affiliated with the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc. Shall be hereinafter referred to as an "organization."

A Combine is created when two or more clubs join together for the purpose of increased competition and/or for economy of operations.  A Concourse is created when two or more Combines are joined together for purposes of increased competition and/or for economy of operations.  A Federation is created when two or more Concourses are joined together for purposes of increased competition and/or for economy of operations.  An Association may be considered the same as a Federation or in many instances an Association may be classified as a statewide or regional area of competition.  (7/06)

1.02 The AU Race Rules provide the official standards, practices and procedures by which all AU races are to be conducted to be sanctioned for qualification for AU diplomas and national awards.

1.03 The AU Race Rules are effective for all organizations (Clubs, Combines, Associations, Concourses, etc.) conducting AU races whether or not these rules have been officially adopted by the competing organization.

1.04 AU-affiliated organizations participating in racing competition with non-AU-affiliated organizations shall follow AU Race Rules.

1.05 A.U. Diploma's and AU National awards are to be issued only to AU Members. Moreover, for a competitor's results in a particular event to be considered for AU national awards, the race must be held in compliance with A.U. Race Rules and Competition Standards Policies as adopted by the A.U. Board of Directors. (7/04)

1.06 All races conducted by AU-affiliated organizations shall be conducted in accordance with AU Race Rules, except as otherwise may be provided for herein. No result for any race not conducted in accordance with AU Race Rules shall be used, submitted, or considered for any AU national awards. AU diplomas shall not be issued for any race that is not conducted in accordance with AU Race Rules. AU diplomas will be awarded on a basis of 1 (one) diploma for every 20 (twenty) birds plus any fraction of twenty or 1 (one) diploma for every 5 (five) lofts plus any fraction of five, whichever is greater, that have been duly entered in a race. (Examples: A race with 410 birds would warrant 21 diplomas (410/20 = 20 + 1 for the 10-bird remainder would total 21 diplomas). A race with 18 birds and 18 lofts would warrant 4 diplomas (18/5 = 3 + 1 for the 3 loft remainder for a total of 4 diplomas). No result for any race not conducted in accordance with AU Race Rules shall be considered for any annual or race series award made by an AU-affiliated organization, including but not limited to: Average Speed Winner; Champion Loft; Champion Bird; or, other similar award. (1/2000) (11/04)

1.07 AU National Awards will be computed from the single, merged race sheet which lists the total number of birds and lofts for the entire liberation. (7/03)

Special provision: Events such as special races, futurities, one-loft races, or other designated special races, are exempt from this rule provided that all participants are notified prior to entering birds for shipping in the competition that the special competition will NOT be flown under AU Race Rules. Loft or bird records resulting from races that are excluded under the provisions of this exception to these rules may NOT be used for any official AU national awards. [2-28-99]

2.00 - Competition Standards Committee

2.01 In accordance with the AU Constitution and By-laws, the AU Board of Directors shall select and appoint a Competition Standards Committee.

2.02 The duties of the Competition Standards Committee shall be to maintain a true and correct copy of the official rules governing any competitive race, show, or other event sponsored by the Union or by any Union affiliated organization, and as needed to recommend modifications or amendments to those rules for adoption by the Board of Directors.

2.03 In the event of any dispute or question about an interpretation of Union rules applicable to any particular event, the interpretation of the Competition Standards Committee shall be final and binding. If the Competition Standards Committee determines that any AU-affiliated organization has knowingly violated the rules of the Union, it may file a complaint with the Infractions Committee and request that appropriate action be taken.

2.04 The Competition Standards Committee will provide, upon written request, assistance to members and organizations seeking interpretations that cannot be resolved at the local level via organizational channels.

2.05 No organization may have a race rule which conflicts with an official AU Race Rule, unless a proper exemption has been requested in writing, granted and approved by the AU Board of Directors. Organizations may develop and adopt additional race rules as long as those rules do not conflict with or purposely contravene the spirit and intent of these official AU Race Rules. (See rule regarding exceptions.)

2.06 In the event the Union elects to regulate any area of activity within the sport of racing homing pigeons it shall be presumed that the Union's policies and rules shall have control over any and all inconsistent policies or rules made by any affiliated organization with respect to the same subject. All affiliated organizations, and their members, are bound by Union policies, rules, and procedures. 

2.07 The Official AU Race Rules may only be amended or revised by majority vote of the AU Board of Directors. These amendments may be made and adopted at any regular or special called meeting or by official teleconference. Amendments considered by the Board will usually be those previously considered by the Competition Standards Committee and submitted for full Board review and action. 

2.08 Any changes, updates or amendments to the official AU Race Rules shall be updated on the AU website, and/or published in the next issue of a designated Union publication clearly indicating when the rule changes shall be implemented and be in effect the following calendar year OB and YB season.

3.00 - Responsibility For Following AU Race Rules

3.01 It is the responsibility of an organization's officers (whether it be at the level of the Club, Combine, Association, Federation, Centers, etc.) to ensure that the AU Race Rules are followed and enforced, and it is the responsibility of the organization members to elect officers that will accept these responsibilities and uphold the intent, the standards and principles these race rules engender. 

3.02 Each organization shall elect one person as the Race Secretary. This person shall be responsible for supervising and ensuring the integrity of each race.

3.03 The Race Secretary shall have the authority to audit, verify, question or halt any action that might compromise the integrity of any race.

3.04 Each organization shall elect a Race Committee consisting of the Race Secretary and a minimum of two other members. The Race Secretary shall chair the Race Committee. The Race Committee members will assist the Race Secretary with the supervision of each race. The Race Secretary or a member of the Race Committee should be available for assistance during each race.

3.05 If any member of the Race Committee stands to benefit or to be penalized by a decision of the Race Committee, he or she must absent themselves (abstain) from the decision process, with the exception of providing informational input to the Committee, if requested.

3.06 Interpretations and enforcement of the AU Race Rules and decisions on questions that may not be addressed herein, shall be made by majority vote of the organization Race Committee members. The decision of the Race Committee members shall be final, unless the organization has adopted procedures for appeal to the organization officers or members and those procedures are followed.

3.07 Each organization shall adopt a procedure by which a race rule interpretation can be appealed to the organization officers or members. In the event a race rule interpretation is appealed to the organization officers or members, a written response shall be provided within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such complaint. A failure of the organization to provide a timely response shall be interpreted as a ruling in favor of the complainant. Note: Organization officers and members are encouraged to seek AU assistance on rules interpretations when an appeal has been filed. The AU Competition Standards Committee stands ready to help in these matters.

3.08 If a member files a complaint that their organization is not abiding by the AU Race Rules, the AU Competition Standards Committee Chairman will forward an affidavit of compliance to the accused club's officers and Race Secretary for their signatures. If the organization fails to obtain the required signatures and return the affidavit verifying compliance within 21 days, the AU Competition Standards Committee Chairman will duly notify the AU Awards Chairperson that the organization's races do not meet minimum national standards and their members' race results are therefore not eligible for diplomas or other AU national awards. See Section 18.00 below for the Compliance Statement to be used if requested by the AU Competition Standards Committee and/or Board of Directors. (1/2000)

3.09 The procedure identified in section 3.08 may also be used when one organization files a complaint against another organization.

3.10 AU members are required to be familiar with and abide by the most current “Best Practices for Pigeon Releases.”  Failure to follow these practices will be considered a violation of AU Code of Ethics (310.12)  (7/04)

4.00 - Membership Competition Requirements - Club Level Competition

4.01 The AU will recognize as an Official race for awards any competition in which race birds are countermarked and entered by five (5) individual AU members with surveyed lofts at three (3) separate, physical loft locations.* Within the scope of this rule all of the members need not clock birds in the particular competition for it to be declared as being official. Separate loft location is defined as an address as commonly recognized by the US Postal Service as a mail or parcel pick up or drop off location or one that is a regular scheduled delivery point for the mails. An Individual AU Member is defined as either an individual member or partnership whose birds are registered and countermarked to compete in a particular event sponsored by an AU-affiliated organization. Under this rule and for the purposes of determining a count for Official race status, a partnership (regardless of the number of members in the partnership) constitutes ONE (1) member. *(See section 4.03 governing more than one team from the same loft.) [2-28-99]

4.02 A minimum of three (3) competing members from three (3) separate physical loft addresses are required to assemble and ship the race; however, as stated in section 4.01 five (5) competing members must be entered in the race for it to be recognized as an official AU club race.  Clubs that enjoy combine, or similar affiliation, may ship a race for awards at the combine level provided the club has assembled a “minimum-presence” of three (3) competing members from three (3) separate physical loft addresses.  In such cases, the three (3) competing members from three (3) separate physical loft addresses must be present to complete the shipping process.  (11/06)

4.03 Partnerships (7/04) General or Family

General Partnerships

A.   Allowing any kind of partnership(s) where more than one team is to be flown from a specific location is strictly a club decision.
A Partnership is equivalent to one vote, regardless of the size of the partnership.
A change from this standard is a decision a club must make before the race series starts.

B.       If more than one loft partnership (per location) is allowed by the club, the club will determine how many maximum loft partnerships can be flown from one location as well as shipping limits.  The Club shall determine how long a partnership must stay in effect to be a valid partnership.

Example:  A club may allow a partnership for just the YB series of races.  A club may require the partnership to remain together for both the YB and OB series.  Specifics of the partnership shall be up to the club.  A season is defined as both the YB and OB series of races for the calendar season.  An example is a 2006 season includes the YB and OB series of races. (7/06)

C.      Each loft partnership must have a separate list of birds; each competitor must pay all dues (club, state, national, etc.). Each competitor must pay shipping for each team.

D.   It is also a club decision regarding manual clock requirements, i.e., 2 lofts/2 clocks, or 2 lofts - 1 clock, OK for both.  If an electronic clock has the ability to differentiate and separately clock each partnership, it should be allowed.

Family Partnerships

The AU encourages families to participate in our sport together, therefore, a husband and wife, father and son, or father and daughter, or other family or adult and junior member combination, may compete (with the approval of their club) from separate lofts, or even the same physical loft so long as ALL the following  conditions are met:

1.  Each competing family member must be a current dues-paid AU member and be of sufficient age to handle and clock his/her own birds;

2.  Each competing family member must be a current dues-paid club member and pay all fees for shipping and related expenses as the organization may require;

3.  Each competing family partnership must compete under a different, unique loft name or identifier.

4.  Each competing member of the family partnership must submit a separate list of the birds with which they intend to compete to the Race Secretary or Race Committee prior to the first race of the race series in which they intend to compete. No transfer of birds from partnership lists will be allowed. No additions or replacements will be allowed after submission of the original list. CROSS- COUNTERMARKING (a  "team A" countermarked bird in a "team B" clock) disqualifies that countermark, and therefore disqualifies the missed-clocked bird from receiving any race position.

5.  All members of a family partnership must compete in each race. If one member stops flying, those birds designated for that particular team cannot compete on another team flying to that loft for the remainder of the young bird or old bird schedule.  See 4.03b for club requirements which may stipulate more stringent conditions of the partnership. (10/05)

6.  Per club requirements, the organization may require that separate clocks be used to time each of the separate teams birds. If an electronic clock has the ability to differentiate and separately clock each team it should be allowed.

7.  Clubs may have other reasonable requirements to help them ensure the integrity of the   clocking and reporting at the loft with the extra team/s. Within the scope of this rule, there is no intention to allow one member to ship more birds than his fellow club competitors and this rule in no way should be construed to condone or support any such action or attempt by anyone. Any such manipulation of this rule for that purpose to circumvent a club shipping limit will result in the loss of all eligibility for AU diplomas and national awards for the teams involved. Within the scope of this rule, a family will NOT be allowed to form an AU-chartered club at any one loft location.

8.       As in a General Partnership, a Family Partnership is equivalent to one vote (regardless of the size of Family Partnership) in race matters. (7/06)

Within the scope of this rule, there is no intention to allow one member to ship more birds than his fellow club competitors and this rule in no way should be construed to condone or support any such action or attempt by anyone. Any such manipulation of this rule for that purpose to circumvent a club shipping limit will result in the loss of all eligibility for AU diplomas and national awards for the teams involved. (1/2000)

Within the scope of this rule, a family will NOT be allowed to form an AU-chartered club at any one loft location.

4.04 If a club fails to meet the FIVE (5) member minimum competition requirements for club competition, the race shall not be recognized for AU National Awards or AU Club Diplomas. (7/04)

4.05 To close a race, organizations (a club, in this example) must have a minimum of three (3) competing members present, representing three separate loft addresses, in order to knock off clocks. The three competing members must be from the same competing organization, i.e., the same club, combine or federation, etc.

If a loft is flying more than one club, the first knock-off may be used by the second club for the official results, if approved by the second club. (7/07)

4.06 The closing of races shall be decided by the local organization sponsoring the race. For Example: Based on overall race distances, the club may establish whether the race shall be a one (1) or a two (2) day race.

4.07 Note: For Definition Of "Active Participant" and the eligibility of members to vote on race related matters see Race Rule 5.00 (7/05)

4.08-4.09 Left Blank Intentionally.

4.10 Combines, Concourses, Associations, & Federations Competition

Regarding verification of the minimum number of club level flyers and lofts, as
set forth in Rule 4.02 above, combines, concourses, federations, associations, etc. (i.e., combined level and higher) shall have the authority to verify compliance by any club or lower level organization that is countermarking and shipping birds for competition in their races, or using the combine level transporter for shipping their races. Should a combine or higher organization deny recognition of the club based on violations of the membership competition requirements, the club may appeal the decision to the AU Competition Standards Committee for the appropriate reviews. (7/2001)

4.11 Where more than one member is flying from the same loft location in a non-partnership status, the club shall determine the voting rights of the individual flyers. (11/04) 

4.12 Members that are required to move to another competing club to satisfy the "minimum presence" rule shall be eligible for AU awards and diplomas at the combine or similar organizational level.

4.13 If less than three (3) competing members (from three separate physical addresses) are NOT present for the CLOSING of the race and the OPENING of clocks, the procedure for moving to another organization as described in section 4.05 (minimum number of members present), will be required.

4.14 If a club fails to comply with the three (3) members "present" rule, the club's race results shall not be included in any combine or similar organization's race results and shall not be considered for AU awards or diplomas
at either the club level or at combine level.

4.15 A Combine and/or Concourse that fails to enforce minimum competing club requirements may forfeit all rights to AU national awards.

5.00 - Race Schedules

5.0  Only active racing members are eligible to vote on an organization’s race-related matters.  An ‘Active Racing Member’ is an organizational member who has shipped, clocked and reported in at least 2 races of a regular series per year the previous year.  This rule is a minimum requirement although local organizations may adopt a rule requiring higher levels of participation as a qualification to vote on race-related matters. (7/04)

Example:  A club may allow a partnership for just the YB series of races.  A club may require the partnership to remain together for both the YB and OB series.  Specifics of the partnership shall be up to the club.  A season is defined as both the YB and OB series of races for the calendar season.  An example is a 2006 season includes the YB and OB series of races. (7/06)

5.01 The race schedule, including dates, race stations, closing of races, shipping times, shipping limits, and procedures for changes, shall be established at a regular or special business meeting.

5.02 A race schedule may not be changed in any way while a race series is in progress, except:

A.  Where such procedures for changes are spelled out writing in the organization's constitution and bylaws or race rules at the time the schedule
is adopted; or,

B.  Unless deemed necessary by the Race Secretary for the safety or welfare
of the birds; or,

C.  If agreed to by ¾ of the competitors competing in the race series, or (7/05)

D.  In the event a special meeting is held to amend the race schedule, such meeting will be held with reasonable notice of the meeting being given to the competing membership in advance. (7/06)

5.03 The organization shall state in writing, prior to the start of the season for the benefit of the membership, how race schedule changes will be handled in the event of inclement weather, procedures for holdovers, delayed releases, or for possible outbreaks of disease.

5.04 For purposes of the AU National Awards, midweek races will not be allowed when those midweek races are not their own separate series. (10/05)

5.05    For the purposes of AU National Awards, the number of regional open races that are marked Special is limited to no more than two open races per organization per race series.  In the event that more than two regional opens are flown per race series, they must be submitted for AU Awards as if they were their own separate organizational level of competition and not marked Special in the WinSpeed© race program.  The AU Awards Committee reserves the right to disallow any race marked Special that, in their opinion, does not meet the intent of this definition. (10/05)

5.06    For the purpose of AU Awards, sectioning of a club’s race results is not allowed unless every section flies at least five (5) lofts.  (10/05)

5.07    For the purpose of AU Awards, stacking of club results is not allowed.  Stacking results is defined as merging a club’s results with another club’s results and then with still another club’s, etc., results sequentially until reaching the final combine/concourse result. (10/05)

5.08-5.09 Intentionally Left Blank.

5.10 Average Speed Requirements

The AU National Awards standard does not mandate average speed competition; however, organizations electing to compete for average speed awards must meet the following conditions:

A.  Eligibility. To remain eligible for the average speed award, each competitor must ship birds in every scheduled average speed race in a particular distance or division, and this requirement applies even if the race is later cancelled, ruled to be a No Contest, or the birds are brought back from the originally scheduled release point.  Note: A No Contest is described in AU Race Rule 10.04 and 10.07.

B.  The choice of a competitor to NOT ENTER an average speed race is effectively equivalent to his/her forfeiting eligibility for the award at the given distance category.

C.  A competitor must clock an eligible return, (a bird countermarked for that scheduled race) and receive a documented speed in every released average speed race to remain eligible for the award at that given distance division.

D.  A competitor to remain eligible for any average speed competition or award must compete from the same surveyed loft location for the entire schedule of average speed races.

E.  The results of a race declared by the race secretary, or race committee to be a No Contest shall not effect average speed calculations at any distance. Note: AU Race Rule 10.07 declares under what circumstances a race must be declared a No Contest.

F.  In the event a race is liberated at a different station than originally scheduled, the local organizations Procedures For Changes referred to in AU Race Rule 5.01 to 5.02 will dictate how the liberation will be treated with regard to average speed calculations.

G.  In the event an organization does not possess Procedures For Changes with respect to average speed calculations, then for example, if a Long Average Speed race is brought back (for whatever reason) and released at a shorter surveyed station, the results will still be used to calculate awards in the Long Average Speed competition division, and not applied to short or middle distance divisions

6.00 - Airline Surveys

6.01 All competitors in any given race must use airline surveys, which have been calculated by an organization approved by the AU Board of Directors, or by GPS as specified below (see 6.06). A new loft survey is required if a loft is moved 30 feet or more. (7/2003)

6.02 A two (2) member committee, neither of whom will fly from the location in question, shall make a location diagram of the property on which the loft sits, clearly showing the loft position with pertinent reference measurements from at least three points. This diagram, with the competitor's approval, shall be mailed to the surveyor by the Race Secretary or an authorized representative of the organization.

6.03 The airline distance measurement to the competing members' lofts must be from the same release point for each competitor.

6.04 Airline distances will be figured on the basis of the shortest distance (a straight line) between the release point and the competitors’ lofts.

6.05 "Bent" or modified airline surveys may only be used when NO other racecourse is available. Organizations desiring to use a bent airline survey shall submit a written request to the Chairman of the Competition Standards Committee requesting an exception for the use of bent airlines. The request must contain justification for the exception. The Competition Standards Committee by majority vote may grant an exception for bent airlines. Race results of organizations using bent airline surveys will NOT be accepted for AU national awards; however, race results shall be eligible for AU club diplomas.

6.06 GPS units may be used by clubs/combines to obtain airline survey distance data for a loft. Only WAAS-enabled units may be used.  Bowen and GPS loft measurements shall not be mixed in a race. (7/04)

7.00 - Racing

7.01 All AU races must be conducted under the sponsorship of an AU-affiliated organization such as a club, combine, concourse, federation, association, etc.

7.02 Organizations composed of clubs may join together to increase competition and/or for economic advantages.

7.03 All pigeons participating in a race or series of races must be released simultaneously at each agreed race liberation point/station.

7.04 Race Result Accuracy

A.  Each organization shall establish its own procedures and deadlines regulating competitors seeking to correct race result/award data and place their procedures in its constitution and by-laws.  If the organization has not established procedures governing petitions for award data correction, then a competitor has 15 days from publication of the awards data to appeal to the Race Secretary in writing.  The Race Committee will then issue a written reply within 15 days to the protesting member as to why the awards data will stand as published; otherwise, the Race Committee will refigure the race results/awards data for accuracy. (AU Race Rule 3.07)

B.  Race Results shall be published and distributed to the race participants by the organization’s Race Secretary or Race Committee in a timely manner.  Race results shall include as a minimum:

1.  The true top 20% of the entered birds in the true order of their finish and the speed each has achieved; (Note: per UPR Guidelines)

2.  The name or loft name of the competitor;

3.  The number of birds the competitor shipped;

4.  The competitor's survey distance;

5.  The timed bird's color and complete band number (and sex for old birds);

6.  The time of the bird's clocking;

7.  The speed the bird attained in yards per minute; and

8.  Clocking limits will not be permitted in AU sanctioned competition. (7/03)

7.05 No bird may be entered in a race if the competitor entering the bird cannot show written proof of ownership. If written proof is requested, ownership documentation must be provided within a reasonable period of time.

7.06 The Race Secretary and/or the Race Committee has the authority to issue requests for written proof of ownership.

7.07 A bird that does not home to the loft of the competitor entering it shall not be included in any race results.

7.08 Only birds with unaltered seamless racing pigeon size bands, with size approved by the AU, may be entered in an AU recognized race. (See Rule 7.09)

7.09 Birds banded only with AU, I.F., CU, FMC* may be entered or released in an AU race and be eligible for AU national awards and diplomas, providing: (11/04) (7/05)

A. The handler must be an active AU member; 

All non-AU bands recognized by the AU: IF, CU, & FMC, must be registered with the AU office, prior to competition to be eligible for AU awards. (11/04)

I.F., CU, and FMC bands must be registered by the flyer prior to January 15 and June 1, with the AU National Office. (7/07)

Only those bands registered by the above dates, and prior to competition shall be eligible for any AU award. (7/07)

The cost of registration is $1.00 (one dollar-U.S.) for the first registered bird, and then 50¢ (fifty cents-U.S.) for each bird thereafter. This is a permanent registration for the alien banded bird. (Note: The Initials FMC cited above are the initials used by the Federacion Mexicana De Colombofilia.) (11/04) (7/05)

Please note: Applications for AU national awards by any member reentering the AU will be reviewed on an individual basis by the AU Competitions Standards Committee. Use of foreign bands for any such application shall require prior registration with the AU national office and bird records achieved prior to alien registration will not be eligible for AU awards. See above. (1/2k) 

7.10 No old bird may be entered in a young bird race. An old bird is defined as a yearling or older banded bird or a bird with a band from a year other than the current year (e.g., a bird banded as a 1997 bird and entered in a 1998 young bird race). Similarly, a young bird may not be entered in competition in an old bird race. A young bird is defined as a bird hatched and banded with a current year's band since January 1st of the year in which the bird race series is conducted. (2/1999)

7.11 Sick pigeons will not be shipped. Pigeons which appear unhealthy or contagious shall not be sent on a race or on an organization sponsored training release. Enforcement shall be by the Race Secretary and the Race Committee as stated in Section 3.06. For purposes of this rule, this will include pigeons which are showing symptoms of diseases which are known to be communicable, such as:

-Uncoordination, such as that associated with paramyxovirus;
-Standard wing boils associated with paratyphoid;
-Pox lesions on the skin or mucous membranes;
-Seriously soiled vents which is associated with serious intestinal infections;
-Outward symptoms of respiratory disease complex, such as swollen eyelids, a nasal discharge or discolored nasal ceres;
-Any pigeon that is injured and appears unable to make the flight;
-Any bird with an active external infestation of parasites.
(10/2007)

7.12 The maximum number of birds that may be entered in a given race by competing members shall be determined by the organization's membership at the time the race schedule is adopted, if the limit is not stated in the organizational constitution and by-laws or other race rules.

7.13 Clubs, Combines, Associations, etc. may not impose bird clocking limits on AU races.

7.14 Each competing organization shall establish its own rules and procedures for particulars with regard to shipping young birds or old birds, the separation of cocks and hens, liberation times, etc., providing they do not conflict with AU rules.

7.15 Birds must be at the designated place and time for countermarking/basketing or they may be barred from competition in a given race. (7/06)

7.16 Each race bird must have placed upon its leg an official race countermark OR an EBSS band, which will trigger an electronic scanning, sensing device as approved by the AU. (See Section 16.00 for Electronic Band Scanning Systems.) Competing organizations will NOT require countermarks on either leg if a competitor is using an electronic band scanning system to time his/her birds. (1/2000)

7.17 All competitors' race entry forms must clearly display the race bird's countermark number or the chip ring or chip code number, in the case of an electronic band scanning system.

7.18 After the final bird of a competitor’s race entry has been countermarked, any "scratched birds" (listed, but not countermarked) must be crossed out on the official race entry form, including the countermark space, and initialed by a Race Committee member and the competitor or their representative.

7.19 A Race Committee member shall verify the number of birds entered for each competitor, initial the competitor's entry form, and forward the form to the Race Secretary or an authorized representative.

7.20 All countermark paper slips must clearly display the bird's band number. If an electronic or computer countermark system is used, the organization scanner must clearly display the bird's registered permanent band number.

7.21 Countermark slips shall be grouped together by competitor displaying the competitor’s name, and shall be given to the Race Secretary or an authorized representative immediately after all birds are countermarked.

7.22 The entry form and countermark slips for the organization Race Secretary shall be kept by some other competing member during the race.

7.23 Removed.  (7/04)

7.24 No competitor or representative of the competitor may handle their own birds during the basketing/logging process.

During the basketing/logging process, all band data must be reviewed, to ensure band data accuracy by the Race Secretary or Race Committee member.  At no time is a competitor or representatives of the competitor permitted to perform race entry logging of their own race entries or participate in the verification process of their race entries. (11/06)

7.25 A competitor (including Race Committee members) cannot write countermark numbers or operate the countermarking machine for his or her own race entries.

7.26 After a race bird is placed in a shipping crate, it will not be removed without first consulting the Race Secretary or a Race Committee member, who must then supervise such removal.

7.27 The shipping crates will be sealed with a tie wrap or locked in a secure manner to ensure security for the birds while in transit.  (11/06)

7.28 From the time the birds are delivered to the shipping organization until they have been liberated, it is the responsibility of the organization to provide the best possible security and safety for the birds. Any owner who elects to ship a race bird in competition or for training assumes all risks of loss.

7.29 An AU-affiliated organization may not ban or outlaw racing or loft management/handling systems, such as loft darkening, lighting, widowhood or other such systems. An AU-affiliated organization may not specify the physical condition of a race bird for entry into competition (such as number of flights moulted), unless they first provide the Competition Standards Committee with scientific evidence or proof that the use of such systems is harmful or injurious to birds flown under that system, or unless the organization determines that the bird is sick or exhibits symptoms of an infectious disease. (See Rule 7.11 for sick birds.)

7.30 Birds to be raced must be physically entered at a shipping site(s) as designated by their club. (12/2001)

7.31 The Race Secretary shall be assured that a sufficient quantity of birds have returned from the race and all positions for awards have been taken before designating the time for opening of the clocks and closing the race.

7.32 The minimum distance for any AU race is 75 miles calculated by either Bowen or GPS measurements from the release point to the loft.  Any loft that fails to meet the 75 mile rule shall be disqualified.

A race that was originally measured to be plus 75 miles but is brought back to a shorter distance may cause some lofts to be less than 75 miles.  Those lofts are disqualified from the AU race and not eligible for any level of AU awards. (7/07)

8.00 - Clock Operations

8.01 All timers, to include electronic band scanning clocking systems, shall be started and operated on a continuous running basis.

8.02 Only continuous running timers, or Electronic Band Scanning Systems as approved by the AU, shall be acceptable in AU sanctioned races.

8.03 Each competitor must have his or her name on or affixed to the outside of their clock.

8.04 Each competitor is responsible for winding and setting the start-time of his or her clock, for seeing that the clock has a proper supply of paper tape, and an ink ribbon that prints a clearly legible stamp. Note: Race Committee members are NOT responsible for the paper tape supply, ribbon quality, winding, batteries, or the operations of the clock.

8.05 Remote basketing and knockoff:

Clubs may allow remote shipping and knockoff by a vote of the competing membership before a race series starts (OB/YB), and all of these conditions must be met:

a.     Club must elect a remote Race Secretary prior to the start of the series.

b.     All AU race rules shall be followed.

c.     Birds must be securely transported in sealed crates. (7/07)

8.06 All clocking devices or systems must be able to generate a printout of the arrival times of all birds clocked. (7/03)

8.07 Electronic Band Scanning Systems or computerized clocking systems that have been approved by the AU Board of Directors are acceptable for either organizational or individual use.

Note: AU-approved electronic clocking systems represent a new technology for the sport. Competitors are encouraged to thoroughly investigate the features of any system prior to purchase to ensure that their system is or will be technologically compatible with other such system/s within their organization. Until more experience is gained with electronic timing systems, the AU must first approve the use of any such systems and reserves the right to withdraw the approval of any specific system that fails to maintain race integrity. (Please see Section 16.00 for Electronic Band Scanning Systems.)

8.08 Left Blank Intentionally.

8.09 Setting of Clocks

Each competing organization shall establish its own standards for setting the clock DAY hand on time stamps.

8.10 No competitor (including Race Committee members) may inspect or seal his or her own clock. Each competitor is responsible for verifying the operations of his or her clock prior to beginning competition.

8.11 For clocks that use paper tapes, the owner must either write or have his or her name written on the clock tape along with the race station and date of race.

8.12 A Race Committee member will be responsible for checking each competitor's clock, ensuring that their name, race station, date of race, and the "Time" and "Day" settings of the clock for the "Kick Off" or “Start” is correct. A Race Committee member will either initial or sign each competitor's clock tape.

8.13 For Benzing computer clocks, after the start "Kick Off", the clock will generate a specific race number (randomly generated) for that race series. A Race Committee member shall record the race number from the computer clock on the competitor's entry form and shall verify the race number again after the clock knock-off (Stop Time). If a different race number is displayed, the computer clock is disqualified for that event.

8.14 Each clock shall be sealed with a numbered seal by a Race Committee member checking the clock. If numbered meter seals are not used, a plain lead seal may be used in conjunction with a seal press containing a distinguishable die known only to that racing organization. All lead seals shall be pressed with a seal press. The Race Committee person shall record seal numbers or verify all distinguishable organization die imprints before timer start and after timer knockoff.

8.15  The competitor is responsible for verifying the proper placement and physical integrity of the seal on his or her clock prior to removing the clock from the club, or shipping point for clocking race returns.  The competitor is responsible for making sure a seal is present, the seal number is properly threaded, (through all holes in the clock’s pin and locking mechanism) and the lead seal proper has been crimped tightly.  The competitor should report and discrepancy found to the Race Secretary or Race Committee before the timer is removed from the shipping point.

8.16 No clock will be considered in proper working order if the number one (1) porthole for clocking the first bird has not moved to the ready position during the starting knockoff, and the tape moved proportionately. If a competitor's clock has an operational problem that will not permit the number one (1) hole to come up, the organization Race Secretary shall be assured of the clock's integrity before use of the clock is authorized. If satisfied with the clock, the Race Secretary shall record the cylinder hole position on the competitor's entry form and release the clock.

8.17 All clocks will remain on the table until inspected and released by a Race Committee member who shall record the porthole number up for each competitor's clock.

8.18 If the competing organization requires that clocks be "knocked" a second time BEFORE clocking birds, the Race Committee shall perform the second knock at random times insuring that the capsule cylinder moves in sync with the knock.

8.19  Left Blank Intentionally.

8.20  Opening of Clocks

When an organization requires a double bump of a clock at closing, and the clock CANNOT be bumped the required number of times due to the portholes being full, a Race Committee member from the local organization shall open the clock, pull the tape forward and take the closing bump, to obtain any clock variations. Computer clocks shall not require double bumps at closing. 

8.21 After the closing knockoff (Stop-time) with the Master Timer, the competing members may open the clocks. However, clock owners may not open their own clocks. Competitor's clocks must be opened and read by the organization (club, combine, etc.) sponsoring the race. Example: A competitor may NOT take a clock to another competing organization and receive a clock opening and reading.

8.22  Prior to opening a clock, the clock seal number (where used) will be verified against the recorded record, and the seal checked to see that it has not been tampered with: broken, replaced, or mis-threaded through the locking mechanism.  If a seal is not present, or the seal number cannot be verified by the recorded record, or the seal has been broken or altered against without the Race Secretary’s and/or Race Committee’s knowledge, the clock and all race results shall be disqualified.  Any discrepancy found should be reported to the Race Secretary or the Race Committee.

8.23 The clock shall be opened and the capsule cylinder, or top of the timer (for computer clocks) will be removed.  Clocks with holes left empty inadvertently will not be disqualified.

8.24 For clocks with tapes, the tape must be removed and checked to see if it has been perforated at closing and opening of the clock. There must be ONLY two perforations on the tape, and all stamp times MUST be positioned between these perforations. (Any other perforations between these stampings indicate the clock has been opened during the race and is thereby disqualified subject to section 8.26 below.)

8.25 For clocks with tapes, the tape must be advanced so that when the clock is opened, the tape will be perforated after or near the knockoff stamping. (See sections 8.49 through 8.52.)

8.26 If uncertain of the perforations on a particular clock, the Race Secretary may perform a test with the clock tape. The test must show that the beginning perforated hole(s) was made prior to the starting knockoff and that the ending perforated hole(s) was made after the closing knockoff (stop-time).

8.27 Reading of Tapes

Read the time-stamp and write "START TIME” for the first imprint on the tape. This is the time the clock was started with the Master Timer. The next time stamping will be the first bird clocked, unless your organization requires a second knock.

8.28 Next, write the ''BIRD CLOCKING TIMES" beside each time-stamp. If the minute hand prints between two numbers on the tape, read the SMALLER number. If the second hand prints between two marks on the tape, read the LARGER number.

8.29 Finally, the "STOP TIME" must be recorded, and marked FAST or SLOW. This is the time the clock was stopped with the Master Timer. If the minute hand prints between two numbers on the tape, read the SMALLER number. If the second hand prints between two marks on the tape, read the SMALLER number.

The difference between this recorded STOP TIME and the Master Timer is the amount of time the clock is FAST or SLOW, and is commonly known as the VARIATION (i.e. slow 0 minutes, 44 seconds). The variation is then properly recorded on the competitor's entry form.

8.30 For FAST clocks the variation (after being corrected) will be subtracted from each bird's clocking time; for SLOW clocks the corrected variation will be added to each bird's clocking time. Clocks varying more than five (5) seconds per hour will be penalized (see section 8.40).

8.31 Checking Countermarks

The countermarks must then be removed from the clock cylinder porthole - one at a time. Each countermark number is read and recorded on the clock tape, starting with the first bird's stamp time. After each countermark is read, the countermark (and capsule, if used) is placed back into the original cylinder porthole or placed in clocking sequence order. This is required, in the event an error has occurred with the clock reading and an audit is necessary. If electronic band scanning systems "chip rings" are used, the organization scanner shall display and record each electronic countermark clocked.

8.32 The countermark numbers must then be checked against the entry sheet countermark numbers, and also the band number of each bird marked on the tape at each stamping. The entry sheet is then marked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., to indicate the clocking sequence.

8.33 The inside countermark number must be verified on at least the first bird clocked by each competitor in each race. With Electronic Band Scanning Systems (EBSS), on basketing, they automatically write a security code to the electronic countermark (chip ring), and authenticates that security code when the eligible race entry returns. The electronic security code written on basketing must match the authenticated security code when the bird returns, or the systems will not recognize that clocking as being valid.

8.34 For computer clocks, after the clocking sequence has been recorded, the competitor reading the clock will scroll through each clock stamp time and record that time against the proper countermark or sequence number 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

8.35-8.39 Intentionally Left Blank.

8.40 Clock Malfunctions

A clock which varies more than five (5) seconds per hour of running time will be penalized. Clocks fast more than five (5) seconds per hour shall have each bird timing read and calculated without any adjustment. Clocks slow more than five seconds per running hour shall have the variation, without adjustment, (entire amount slow) added to the clock's time of each bird's arrival as a penalty, before calculating. A clock running in excess of eight (8) minutes fast or slow in a 24-hour period shall be disqualified.  (7/2001)

8.41 If a competitor's manual clock malfunctions, the competitor may time a countermark in another member's clock with that member's permission.  For malfunctions of Electronic Band Scanning Systems, see Race Rule 16.15.  (7/2001)

8.42 The official distance of the competitor whose clock had the malfunction will be used, as will the time of clocking, with no allowances for traveling time or distance.

8.43 Should a competitor, before clocking time, notice that his or her clock has malfunctioned or may be disqualified for any reason, he should then take advantage of section 8.41 or contact a Race Committee member with a time Cube or official club timing device for a clock inspection and reset, if time permits.

8.44 If a clock inspection and reset is performed for a malfunctioned clock, the Race Committee member shall report to the Race Secretary the procedures that were followed.

8.45 If a clock stops after birds have been clocked, the competitor with the faulty clock, in order to get a quicker "Closing Knock-Off", may take his or her clock to a Race Committee member, place a slip of paper in the next porthole of both clocks noting the situation, and clock them the same as a countermark. The competitor with the faulty clock may also telephone a Race Committee member and ask them to perform the same stamping process to minimize penalty time.

8.46 The competitor with the running clock shall become the master timer for the faulty clock. The time stamped during this procedure shall be considered the "Closing Knock-Off" time for the faulty clock.

8.47 The arrival time of the birds clocked in the faulty clock will be adjusted with the full amount of time that the faulty clock is slow. Example: The time difference between the "Closing Knock-Off" and the last bird clocked in the faulty clock will be added to the clocking times of each bird stamped on the tape.

Note: The purpose of this provision is to aid a fancier whose clock has stopped after having timed one or more birds in a race in which the returns are spread out and/or to help the competitor stay in average speed. It would not be of any competitive value where the returns are close together, and is not intended to be so.

8.48 Clocks that have malfunctioned will not be opened and read until the regular opening time for all competitors. The clock shall be turned in to the Race Secretary or Race Committee with its numbered seal intact. Any alteration of the clock seal or other evidence of the clock being tampered with shall result in the disqualification of the clock and all results.

8.49 If a competitor's clock tape tears, fails to wind properly, fails to print, overprints, or does not allow arrival times from being positively and accurately read, his results shall NOT be considered in a race. See 8.51.

8.50 If a tape partially tears and the stampings are readable, and the clock stampings are between the perforations, then they will be read and accepted.

8.51 If a clock tape tears during (or after) the "stop-time" knockoff, the Race Secretary may open the sealed clock and inspect the tape for perforations. If the clock tape bears any other perforations other than the opening "Kick," then the tape and race results shall be disqualified. If the clock tape has the opening "Kick" perforation only, the Race Secretary may pull the tape forward and take a closing "Knockoff". The closing "Knockoff" shall perforate the tape and provide the Race Secretary with a FAST or SLOW reading on the clock.

8.52 Every effort shall be made by the Race Secretary and/or the Race Committee to include all time stamps if readable.

8.53 Any evidence of a clock having been tampered with shall be sufficient cause for all awards and diplomas in that particular race to be forfeited by the owner of the clock. The AU Rules of Conduct, section 1.01, paragraph 11 shall be reviewed for any appropriate action to be taken, as club officers deem necessary.

8.54 No clock shall be used that has been modified from the original manufacturer's specifications for clocking operations. Note: To help determine if a clock has been modified, take one in its original state, as shipped by the manufacturer and place it next to the one being reviewed. Both clocks should be the same operationally with nothing changed, bent, filed, enlarged, or modified in any way.

8.55 (See also 9.07.)  Regarding the use of two or more manual clocks for timing returns, except as noted herein no competitor may time birds in a second manual clock in any given race until the first manual clock being used is full (the last porthole may be left empty for a knockoff or stop time).  The second timer will not be used unless and until:

A.  The first clock has malfunctioned; or,

B.  In special races, where a majority vote of the organization’s race c