Rules and Conditions of Race Entry

1. The Downhill Series of races are run under the current Rules of the Scottish Cyclists’ Union (SCU), these Series Rules and, where appropriate, the Mountain Biking Regulations contained within the current British Cycling Federation (BCF) Rulebook.

   i. SDA Races adopt a 2 run format, each competitor will have 2 Race Runs on Sunday with the fastest run counting. There is no seeding run on Saturday.
   ii. Categories must have a minimum of 6 entries for the Category to be run on Race Day, excluding Elite and Expert.

2. All entries are accepted either via the on-line entry system or by downloadable entry form sent to the address given on the entry form with the appropriate entry fee, and if applicable, day licence fee.
3. Closing date for all series races are 7 days, with exception to The Scottish Championships – 14 days, before the race. With the exception of promotions from the Reserve List due to cancellations or no shows.
4. Race number boards will be issued on your first race event and are to be used for the whole Series. Forgotten, lost or defaced boards will require replacing at a cost of £5.00 per board. Broken boards will be replaced free, please ensure you notify sign-on administrator prior to leaving the event at the end of the race. It is the riders duty to make sure all boards are clean and easily read by start and finish marshals and the timing team.
5. All competitors who have indicated on their file that they have a Race Licence MUST produce a current race licence at sign-on and ensure their licence number appears on sign-on sheets. You must have a current Race Licence to qualify for Points towards the Series or Titles at the Scottish Championships.
6. The top 3 category Series winners will get automatic entry to the following years SDA race series regardless of moving category.
7. Immediate family members of the SDA Committee will get automatic entry to the current Race Series and Championships.
8. A number of spaces for both the Series and Championships will be reserved for major sponsors of the SDA Series and Championships.
9. Helmets - CE certified and conforms to European standard EN1078 MUST be worn. Only 1 piece Full Face Helmets are permitted.
10. 18 and under must have Body Armour protection as per the armour guideline document - Over 18 must have Body Armour protection as per the armour guideline document.
11. Race number boards MUST be displayed on the front of your bike, and any instructions from race officials observed during practice and racing.
12. Bar-end plugs MUST be fitted.
13. Competitors are forbidden on the course until they have signed on. SDA cannot be held responsible for injury.
14. All competitors are under the jurisdiction of the Commissaries from the time they sign on until the completion of the final prize giving.
15. Top limit of competitors – 300 riders (with small adjustments at the discretion of the committee). This will be on a first come first served basis, other than reserved spaces as indicated. These are based based or the logged entry time and date from the On-Line Entry System, or on the postmark date on your envelope, whichever is applicable. There will be a reserve list, please indicate any cancellations as soon as you can.
16. When overtaking, the rider shall shout clearly to the rider in front, ‘rider’, on hearing this all riders must keep clear of and give due consideration to the following faster rider, including those from other categories. Competitors being overtaken must not wilfully obstruct the overtaking rider, this includes the practice day. The overtaking Rider must also give due consideration to Rider being overtaken, in terms of accident or injury, by making clear his/her instructions and if possible to what side the overtaking manouvre will take place on. High speed overtaking, without warning, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the event commissaire and may result in disqualification.
17. If you retire, for whatever reason, you must report immediately to the nearest marshal who will radio your retirement to the race officials.
18. Competitors must obey the instructions of Marshalls at all times, riders who disobey these instructions will have their race number taken and may be disqualified by the race commissaire. This rule WILL apply to everyone including experienced riders, as Marshalls may be under specific instruction from race officials.
19. The final Series Results will be taken from the best 4 results from 5 races, or the best 4 from 4, 3 from 3, a decision will be made if the Series is any shorter.
20. Start Penalty - Any rider who is either late for their start or tries to delay departure from the start gate will incur a 10 second penalty. The only exception will be if a rider is delayed by a mechanical or similar technical difficulty, or if the transport is delayed. A Rider must not delay departure from the Start Gate, when you are called to the Start Gate by either the Start Commissaire or SDA committee member or helper, you must be ready to leave when called. If you miss the 30 second time slot without valid reason, you will receive a 10 second penalty.

Juvenile Specific Rules

1. To qualify to ride as a juvenile, you MUST be twelve years old at time of race.
2. All juvenile competitors MUST hold a current race licence.
3. All riders MUST wear 1 piece full face regulatory helmets. Full body protection and gloves are strongly advised for juvenile riders. SDA cannot be held responsible for injury.
4. Juvenile rider MUST walk the course WITH parent/guardian to ensure both are satisfied with the track.
5. Parent/guardian will be required to sign at event sign-on.
6. Juveniles may ride in youth category for Scottish Champs, returning to juvenile for the remainder of series.
7. Juvenile tracks will run on the main track, except when Race Officials deem part of a track to be too dangerous for Juvenile Riders, for example Dunkeld which has a extremely steep start. An alternative route will be found and wherever possible the finish will coincide with the main race finish.

Riders new to the Sport

FLAG SYSTEM - Marshals and First Aid are on course on both Saturday and Sunday. Marshals have 2 flags and a whistle, the whistle is just to warn the crowd that a rider is approaching. If he waves a yellow flag, this means caution and you should adjust your speed accordingly. The most common instance of a yellow flag is a rider has fallen on the track but is unhurt and is picking himself/herself up. A Red Flag means STOP, You must stop immediately, the most common instance of a red flag is a rider has fallen and is injured and First Aid may have to attend to him/her on the track. On Race day there are no yellow flags, as you are now in timed race conditions, only the red flag applies. Only the race commisaire can decide on a red flag, the marshal will radio the commisaire for advice, the commisaire will then decide if it is a red flag situation. Take careful note of item 13 above.

RACE DAY - Note your start time carefully, normally you should allow an hour to get the start, please ask at sign-on if you are unsure. The start marshal will assemble you in race order ready for your race run, please listen to his/her instructions carefully, if you miss your slot it puts the race order out of sync, however if you were delayed and arrive late at the top of the hill, inform the start marshal immediately, he/she may be able to slot you in at the end of the category.