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It might look like mayhem on the track sometimes and, to be honest, it sums it up well! Behind the scenes, however, there are lots of rules, regulations and courtesies to keep things safe and fair. This page will explain all of the finer points of downhill racing.

Our events are governed by the relevant Technical Regulations documents which can be found in their entirety on the AusCycling website.

For information on how to join our club, go to the Join page.

To see our events schedule, check out to the Events page.

Contents

Requirements to Race

Memberships & Race Entry

• All riders MUST be a member of Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) Inc, and an MTBA affiliated club (such as Inside Line). How to join
• All event entries must be submitted online – there are no “on the day” entries. Event calendar & registration

Clothing & equipment

All registered racers must have the following:

• Two working brakes
• Bar plugs/ends on handlebars
• Full-face helmet with a fixed non-detachable mouth-piece that satisfies the current Australian or equivalent international standards
• A jersey or shirt covering the elbows
• Knees must be covered by full length trousers and/or self-fastening knee or knee/shin guards expressly designed for off-road cycling
• Fully enclosed shoes
• Body armour, goggles and neck braces are strongly recommended
• NO singlets allowed

The following clothing requirements are MANDATORY for riders aged 17 or younger at ANY point in the current year:

• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• A long-sleeved (full length) jersey or shirt
• Full-finger gloves

NOTE: The Race Director reserves the right to deem any participants clothing or equipment unsatisfactory. It is up to the participant to ensure they meet the above minimum requirements for the purpose in which they are intended.

General racing rules

• All race entrants must attend the race briefing, held in the event village prior to the commencement of competition
• Race plates must be displayed on the front of the bicycle. Altering, cutting or placing of unauthorised sponsors’ logos is not permitted
• If you lose your plate, or it is lost or damaged, a replacement will need to be obtained from the registration caravan
• Race plates must be displayed on practice day and race day. Each race event will have a different coloured dot for the round, and this MUST be affixed to your race plate. If you do not have your plate, or correct coloured dot, you will NOT be allowed on course
• Transport (shuttles) to be used, is that supplied by the club. You are not to use any transport other than the official transport supplied by the ILMTB for the official downhill practice or race day
• Do not use offensive or abusive language during the race, act in any anti-sporting manner, be disrespectful to the event volunteers/officials or ignore the race regulations
• You are not permitted to shortcut the course. If you do not follow the official route you will be disqualified
• Riders are not permitted to alter the course in any way without first consulting with race officials. This includes moving rocks, logs, tape or other natural obstacles
• Riders must act in a sporting manner at all times, and when it is safe to do so, permit any faster rider to overtake without deliberately obstructing them
• If you do not finish (DNF) the race, you must notify the timing station or closest course marshal. This ensures that all competitors are accounted for
• STRICTLY NO DRUGS. THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY SPORT

NOTE: The Race Director and Race Officials reserve the right to report participants who fail to uphold and abide by the rules outlined above and by MTBA’s Technical Regulations and Guidelines. Sanctions may be placed on participants found to be in violation of these rules, regulations and guidelines.

Further information and details on rules, regulations and guidelines can be found on the MTBA website.

Course Markings

• Markers and bunting indicates the route to be followed, showing changes in the course, intersections, and all potentially dangerous situations
• Markers will be placed at frequent intervals along the course, to confirm to the rider that he/she is following the correct course

Volunteers

• ILMTB is run by VOLUNTEERS. They DON’T get paid. Please volunteer to help, it’s your club. DON’T ALWAYS LEAVE IT TO OTHERS

Rider Courtesy

Passing

• If you are riding in a race run or practice and you catch up to a slower rider in front of you, yell “rider”, or “track”
• If you are the rider in front, get off the track or out of the way as soon as you can. You must get out of the way as fast as you can, especially in racing
• The faster rider should also be patient and realise that sometimes there isn’t anywhere safe to get off the track

Crashing

• If you crash and have accidentally dislodged a large rock, or any other obstacle, into the middle of the track, take it off the track, or put it back in its original spot
• Ensure the bunting is put back securely if you crash through it. Don’t just keep riding and leave it for someone else to fix
• After your fall, and if you decide to have a break, ensure you and your bike are well clear of the track
• If you crash, and cannot move or get off the track, and you hear a rider-approaching, yell out “rider down” or “stop” or even “help”
• Make sure you look and listen when re-entering the track

Stopping

• Never stop on the track. Always find a safe area away from the track
• If you have no choice but to stop in the middle of the track, due to a bad mechanical fault, and there is no where to move, and you hear an approaching rider, yell loud and clear “rider” or “track”

Track

• If you roll over a jump and notice the lip is worn away, advise a marshal who will get in touch with the track builder to fix
• Do not change the track because you don’t like a section. If you change the track, the new part you build will be illegal
• Don’t create new lines that are obviously not part of the track. Ride on the marked track only
• If you can’t ride part of the track, walk it

General

• If you see a rider who needs any sort of help, and you can assist them in any way (mechanical, loading bike onto shuttle or just to be friendly), DO IT
• Do not push in line for shuttles
• Always take your rubbish with you. Don’t leave for someone else to take home or pickup

Races

• Be nice to volunteers; remember they help make the race happen. If the volunteer does not know what they are doing, speak to the Race Director so the volunteer can be educated
• Help out – there are lots of jobs to be done. Stay after the race and help pack up the gear (bunting, wires, collecting rubbish, packing up tents etc
• If you placed in your race for a prize, don’t leave. Make sure you stay for the presentation and make your speech short!

Complaining

• See the Race Director on race day
• Do it politely and at the appropriate time, if they say they are busy come back and see them.
• Don’t bag the race before you have spoken to the organisers!

NOTE: Any grievances arising during the course of competition must be taken up with the Race Director immediately.

Race Categories

Note:

A rider can contest a category that is ‘more competitive’ at Inside Line events, if they wish.

The competition age is determined by the participant’s age as at December 31st this year.

If you choose a second category it must be clarified with the registration staff in the caravan, or with the Race Director (at the time of registering).
Once you have selected a category for the season, you cannot change categories, however you can add categories if approved at the time of registration.

Typical Event Schedule

Generally, Inside Line state level downhill race events follow a schedule similar to the one below. For details on specific events, be sure to check our Facebook Page for the latest news.

Saturday

• Registration and practice 10am – 4.00pm

Sunday

• Registration 8.30am – 9.30am
• Practice for all categories 8.30am – 10.30am
• Rider briefing at 11.00am (MTBA mandate that ALL riders must attend. Failure to attend could result in expulsion from the event.)
• Racing commences approximately 11.30am, after rider briefing
• All riders must be at the start 15 minutes before their event starts
• All riders racing must ride the track on day of racing, failure to do so will result in disqualification
• Racing generally concludes mid afternoon and is followed by presentations

Race Order

1. Elite Men (Seeding)
2. U19 (Seeding)
3. Elite Women (Seeding)
4. Sport Women
5. Novice
6. Chainless
7. Senior Hardtail
8. Junior Hardtail
9. Super Masters
10. Masters
11. Veterans
12. U13
13. U15
14. E-Bike
15. U17
16. Expert Men
17. Sport Men
18. Open
19. Retro
20. Elite Women (Final)
21. U19 (Final)
22. Elite Men (Final)

Order is subject to change.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

If for any reason the club must cancel an event, the elected committee may proceed with a refund option that they deem appropriate given the standing of the club at that specific time. Due to the significant financial risk associated with club activities, and the inherently unpredictable nature of many aspects of mountain biking, financial reimbursement options for participates of sanctioned club activates may include, but are not limited to:

• Fees forfeited (no refunds)
• Partial refund
• Complete refund
• Refund (partial or complete) to specific groups of riders only (eg interstate riders)
• Credits towards future events

Scheduled activities may be altered under a variety of circumstances at any point in time and the elected committee may proceed in a manner that they deem appropriate given the standing of the club at that specific time. Alterations to sanctioned club activities might include, but are not limited to:

• Cancellation – no reschedule
• Deferment
• Schedule alteration
• Location alteration
• Activity alteration