12/3/06 Pacific Park
Rider Briefing
Site: Pacific Park
Date: March 12, 2006
Track: “Centre to Right”
Welcome to Downhill Push Bike Racing. This sport is dangerous! Both rider and bicycle have and will be damaged by undertaking this sport. Serious bone damage regularly occurs and some deaths have occurred overseas. Do not undertake this sport if these are issues you have problems with. Your bike will also be damaged, when you fall off your bike, which will occur, broken shocks, broken frames, destroyed wheels are common in this sport. If the bike cost $20 or $20,000 it will be damaged. If you have an accident the medical person will cut you body armour off you to address your injury. If you have a head injury the medical person may cut your helmet off. It is your choice as to how fast or how much control you have when riding down the track, oblivious dangers have been addressed with padding and catch nets, etc but the rider will make mistakes. If you next of kin does not approve of this situation do not ride in this sport. In the words of Graig Flynn “I actively discourage everyone from doing anything. Stay at home. Safety-first people.
Track Changes: The centre of the area is being used today. The course begins adjacent to the power lines and heads west. Many lines are allowed here you do not have to negotiate the rock lines. The track then twists down to the gully and keep to the right side of the gully.
Site Changes: WSMTB is hosting round 1 of the NSW Trials series today, the trials riders will register at the same tent and then proceed to the competition area. Please be wary of the other people in the area.
Injury: WSMTB has a policy of medical assistance must be at an event. The first aid officer will be at the finish, with a radio linked to track marshals. If a rider cannot move contact an official and first aid officer will come to their aid. Riders should have any injury looked at by the first aid officer. Please do not think you do not need checking, people have left races with broken backs, not knowing they are in danger.
Pacific Park Water Ski Park: The Park is private property, WSMTB pays $10 per rider per day during this time the riders and spectators are covered by MTBA insurance. No riding is allowed out side race days. The race is conducted on the trials section of the park or northern side away from the motor X area on the southern side. Please enter and leave the site slowly to reduce dust and not slide on the grass and not damage the area or people and stock.
Food: Pacific Park has a Kiosk which serves hot food, sweets and drinks at the entrance or service centre.
Toilets: Located at the north and south of the service centre near the caravans.
Transport: Busses and drivers are hired to transport riders and bikes to the start area. When loading the bikes onto the trailers make sure your bike is secure and board the bus. During the trip to the top keep watch on the bikes on the trailer just in case someone has not secured their bike properly. When loading the trailer first to the line is first to load, do not jump the que. The road to the top of the track is a single lane fire trail. Private shuttles are not allowed; you may push up the hill, with regard for riders coming down the hill. If loading a nearly or empty trailer load closest to the front or closest to the back of the bus first, this will reduce bouncing on an empty trailer which could cause a bike to come loose.
Protection: Full-face helmet approved by Australian Standards with all body covered is strongly recommended. If you helmet is damaged it is time for a replacement.
Insurance: This event is covered under the Sports Cover policy of MTBA. The policy has public liability of $20,000,000, Professional Indemnity of $1,000,000 and Death and Total Permanent Disablement of $50,000. There are no Loss of income, Student Assistance Benefit, Home Help Allowance, Parent Inconvenience Allowance, Medical Benefits or Funeral Benefits. So to put it in plain English the rider will have to be seriously injured to receive $50,000 maximum.
Spectators: Spectators are allowed but remember the riders are coming down the track very fast and have right of way. If standing in an area, stand behind a tree or have an escape route so a bike or rider may not strike you. Riders and bikes have struck spectators.
Companion animals are not permitted at Pacific Park and are dangerous around bicycle riding.
Racing: Riders will gather at the start in alphabetical and number order i.e. A grade 1, 2, 3, etc. B grade 1, 2, 3, etc. This will be after practice and approximately at 11:30 hours. As riders are started and pass through the light beam the start time is recorded at the finish riders will pass through another light beam recording the finish time. Riders are started at either one minute or 30-second intervals depending on rider numbers on the day. If a rider has fallen and causes the following rider to be stopped, the finish is to be informed and the rider will proceed to the start for a restart. Club races are two runs with the best time take from the two runs, so after first run proceed to the transport and make ready for the second run. A Did Not Start (DNS) generally occurs if a mechanical failure or injury stops the rider from competing in the race run after registering. A Did Not Finish (DNF) is recorded if a rider started but did not pass through the finish.
Results: Depending on conditions and volunteers either paper or computer recording will take place at the finish. Start times are radioed or sent down with a rider. At this stage times are not available till all riders are finished. All results, points and times will be posted on wsmtb.com.au in the week after racing.
Rewards: Each rider competes in either A,B,C, ladies or under 15 classes on the day of the event. First, second and third ribbons are given out for each of these classes after the race. All the numbers from the bikes are placed in a pile and spot prizes are drawn from the pile. Spot prizes are generally inner tubes, and one $100 gift voucher is available per event to a club member.
All riders are ranked from quickest on best time and awarded points using the Cycling Australia points system. Ten points for Did Not Finish (DNF) and one point for Did Not Start (DNS). The riders are then placed into their state and national classes (Under 17, Under 19, Sport, Masters 1&2, Masters 3+, Hardtail) for the end of year first second and third club medals.
Conditions of participation This is the Disclaimer signed at entry to the event.
All competitors understand the following Conditions of participation:
1. All those taking part in the Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club (WSMTB) event do so at their own risk and responsibility.
2. Participants agree to abide by the participation rules and policies adopted from time to time by Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club.
3. MTBA and all parties involved with the event will not accept any liability to the extent permitted by law for loss, damage, injury or inconvenience that might occur to any person or goods as a consequence of participation in the event.
4. Participants consent to the administration of first aid and other medical treatment in the event and an injury and agree to pay the costs of any such treatment as required.
5. Participants in the event are strongly advised to take their own medical and ambulance insurance. You are responsible for these.
6. Helmets must be worn at all times when riding. Participants are strongly advised to wear full face helmets and body armour during practice and competition periods. Skull-cap helmets are not permissible.
Signed by competitor (or parent guardian if under 18)
__________________________________ _______________ June 19, 2005
Print Date
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