Rule Over ‘The Amazing Race’ With These ‘Amazing Race’ Rules

October 9, 2023

The Amazing Race Australia's rules. — Network 10

The Amazing Race Australia is back, with 11 celebrity teams racing around four countries. They’ll be adventuring across India, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Borneo. However, The Amazing Race Australia is infamous for having a lot of rules, some of which might daunt your boomer father.

According to Beau Ryan, the host of The Amazing Race, this year’s contestants are taking the rules super seriously.

“I didn’t realise they’d be that invested, but they are,” said Ryan in a phone call with The Latch. “People just really find another level to try and win the show and raise money for charity.”

So, what are the rules that are amping up this season? Are they rules that your dad can easily understand? Let’s learn the facts you need to know.

The Amazing Race Rules Terminology

The Amazing Race’s rule-set is full of mythic words and meanings. To understand this series, you’ll need to understand the following terms.

Pit Start

A pit start is the starting line that each team begins at. Each section of The Amazing Race has a pit start.

Pit Stop

A pit stop is a finish line that denotes the end of a section. Typically, the final team to check into a Pit Stop is eliminated.

Route Markers

Route Markers are yellow and red flags that guide the teams during some challenges.

Clues

Clues are the little envelopes of information that give each team instructions on how to proceed during a leg of the race.

Leg Money

Leg Money is the cash each team is given to assist them in getting around when attempting to complete their tasks. Any Leg Money that is leftover from one section rolls over to the next section.

Active Route Marker

Active Route Markers are challenges both team members must participate in together.

Roadblock

Roadblocks are challenges that only one team member can undertake.

Detour

Detours are a series of two challenges. However, with Detours, each team only has to choose and complete one of these tasks.

U-Turn

U-Turns are punishment some teams can play. If you receive a U-Turn, you must complete two Detour challenges.

Fast-Forward

Fast-Forwards are a power-up that some team can win. If you use a Fast-Forward, you can skip some challenges and go straight to the Pit Stop.

Intersection

Intersections are tasks that two or more teams must collaborate to compete. If no other team is present when the first team arrives at an Intersection, they must wait for one to arrive.

Salvage

Salvages are advantages that some teams win. In previous seasons of The Amazing Race, Salvages have included personal drivers, extra money, and secret information.

Sabotage

Sabotages are a disadvantage that some teams are hit with. In previous seasons of The Amazing Race, Sabotages have resulted in some teams losing all their money and having to compete while not wearing shoes.

**How All The Amazing Race Rules Work in Tandem**

Okay, now that we all know The Amazing Race terminology, let’s unpack how a typical episode works.

In The Amazing Race, each team begins at the Pit Start. They then race, being guided by Route Markers and Clues.

If they need to get somewhere quickly, they can use their Leg Money to do so.

During this race, each team will come against Active Route Markers, Roadblocks, and Intersections. These teams must complete these challenges before they move on.

Some teams will be slowed down by Detours, U-Turns, and Sabotages. Meanwhile, other teams will go faster thanks to Fast-Forwards and Salvages.

The first team to get to the Pit Stop is the winner.

The Amazing Race Australia airs at 7.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, only 10 and 10 Play on Demand. Miss an episode? Catch up on 10 Play.

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