The WRCCA rules are the rulebook of the World Radio Controlled Crawler Association for RC rock crawler competitions. The latest edition sets the scoring penalties, the vehicle limits of each class, how events are run, how courses are built and how judges score a run. The lowest total score wins.
1. Scoring penalties
Each course is scored in penalty points. A reverse costs 1 point, a rollover 5, and a gate marker, a boundary marker, a vehicle touch or driving the course the wrong way 10 each. A course is capped at 40 points, which is a DNF; a course a driver can't start is a DNS of 50 points. Every gate cleared takes 2 progress points off the score, and a driver can pause the timer to move safely around the course.
2. Vehicle requirements
Vehicles have four wheels, driven by those wheels only, and should look like a full-size vehicle. Each class has its own limits:
| Class | Wheelbase | Wheels |
|---|---|---|
| Super | 16″ to 18″ (406.4 to 457.2 mm) | 3.2″ (81.28 mm) or larger |
| Pro | up to 12.5″ (317.5 mm) | no part wider than 2.55″ (64.77 mm) |
| Mini | up to 9″ (228.6 mm) | no part wider than 2.2″ (55.88 mm) |
| Sportsman | up to 12.5″ (317.5 mm) | no part wider than 2.55″ (64.77 mm) |
| Performance Scale | scale rules of its own | scale rules of its own |
Performance Scale vehicles must look like a trail or competition rig, with a full body from the grille to the B-pillar.
3. Event rules and management
The lowest total of all course scores wins. Ties go to the driver with more of the best course scores, and then to a one-course shootout. Pre-running a course or missing the course cut-off time scores a DNS. Winches and ramps aren't allowed, nobody may change a course, and a vehicle keeps its wheelbase, track width, ride height and tyres for the whole run. Two drivers may share a vehicle, and one vehicle may run in several classes if it meets each class's limits.
4. Course design
A gate is at least two numbered markers that show the direction to drive. The minimum gate width depends on the class: 20″ (508 mm) for Super, 16″ (406.4 mm) for Pro and Sportsman, 12″ (304.8 mm) for Mini and Performance Scale. About 10 gates per course and at least 3 courses per event are recommended. Bonus and alternate gates are optional extras for course designers.
5. Judging
Judges watch the vehicle, call and mark penalties and keep time, ideally two per driver: one to call, one to keep score. A spectator who interferes by accident doesn't cost the driver points. Spotters are allowed if the organiser permits them, and a driver leaves the course quickly once a run is over.
6. Glossary of terms
The rulebook defines the words used in its rules, such as wheelbase, gate, boundary marker and grille, with measurements and drawings, so that every judge and driver reads a rule the same way.
7. Penalty examples
Worked examples with drawings show when a reverse, a cleared gate or a gate marker penalty counts. The rulebook then closes with sportsmanship, a ban on alcohol and drugs on course, and the rule that the intent of a rule counts, not only its wording.
WRCCA Rules and the World Ranking rules
The WRCCA Rules decide who wins a round. The World Ranking rules on How It Works turn those results into World Ranking points.
| WRCCA Rules | World Ranking rules | |
|---|---|---|
| What they cover | How a round is driven, judged and scored | How results become ranking points |
| Set by | WRCCA | IRCCF |
| Result | Places in each class at one round | A world ranking per class, updated every Monday |
| Scoring | Penalty points, lowest total wins | Grade points by place, best 6 of 52 weeks |
| Where to read them | WRCCA Rules | How It Works |
Frequently asked questions
What are the WRCCA Rules?
The WRCCA Rules are the official rulebook of the World Radio Controlled Crawler Association for RC rock crawling events. They cover scoring penalties, vehicle requirements per class, event management, course design and judging.
Where can I read the full WRCCA Rules?
The full 2026–2027 WRCCA Official Rules are published as a Google Docs document. Use the Read the WRCCA Rules button on this page to open it.
How is a WRCCA round scored?
Each course is scored in penalty points, such as 1 for a reverse, 5 for a rollover and 10 for a gate marker. Every cleared gate takes 2 points off. The driver with the lowest total over all courses wins.
What are the WRCCA classes?
The classes are Super, Pro, Mini, Sportsman and Performance Scale. Each class has its own wheelbase, wheel and body limits, and all five are ranked in the WRCCA World Ranking.
Do the ranking rules change the WRCCA Rules?
No. The WRCCA Rules decide the result of each round. The ranking rules only turn those results into world ranking points, with a grade for every round and the best 6 results of the last 52 weeks.
Which rounds count for the WRCCA World Ranking?
Rounds driven under the WRCCA Rules count: the Worlds and EuroCrawl, the Nordics and Sudics, and approved national rounds. Training days, tests and fun runs don't count.