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 wheels and/or metal 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 a time, except in the case of by-runs. Each team will have a Driver, Cook and an Outrider.
All must be in matching shirts that in a color that matches the wagon tarp.
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 or construction barrels.
Both teams will line up behind two barrels facing away from the track. 46", 52" and buckboard will have the same finish line. Big Mule & 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.
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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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May not use hot shots, sticks or clubs
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May use a whip and checklines MUST be in each hand.
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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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MAY NOT use a whip
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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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Outrider MAY NOT mount the horse until the starting gun is fired.
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MUST circle the same barrel in the same direction as their team, and MUST cross the finish line before their team.
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CANNOT have help mounting horse.
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Team & race structure
Outrider
The Outrider's role is to the get the "stove" into the back of the wagon after the starter fires the gun starting the race.
Cook
The Cook's role is to throw in a bedroll, which is placed on the ground behind the wagon, after the start calls "Cooks load your wagons".
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.