Rules
United Kingdom Gravity Enduro Series Rules 2015:
Scope: To define the rules specific to the UKGES. These are designed to complement and support existing BC and UCI cycling regulations and are intended to provide rules and guidance specifically for the UK Gravity Enduro sector. This is not downhill or cross country, but a new discipline/format.
Format
Your timed stages + seeding will be added together for an aggregate time which will decide the winner in each category.
The top 5 in each category will be required for the podium, no show no prize!
Bike
Stages must be contested on the same bike. Clearly there is scope for setup change between seeding and race day, however, the same chassis, suspension forks, rear shock, wheels and cockpit must be used for all stages and seeding. Random checkswill be undertaken. Any rider contravening this will be penalised.
Bikes must be of a sound mechanical order and have no electronically or mechanically assisted motors. Bar end plugs or equivalent must be fitted. Official checks will be undertaken. Any rider not adhering to this will not ride the course or start the race.
It is the riders responsibility to ensure their bike is safe to compete on.
Courses
Stages will be double taped where it is deemed appropriate. Taping will leave suitable line choices where possible, but it will not allow for any significant ‘cutting’ of race track. Where course tape is only present on the outside of a corner, this defines/marks the route. It is not open to inside or homemade lines.
Two pieces of tape on either side of the track is deemed “A gate” and must be passed through.
Any competitor seen to be crossing stage tape, marker posts or taking any route deemed to be off the official race track will be penalised.
There must be no interference with the track such as removing rocks, roots or branches (Unless there is an inherent safety risk to following riders) Any competitor deemed to be interfering with the track will be penalised.
Creative line choice is allowed, however, creating your own trail/line is not allowed.
If a Commissaire or marshal witnesses or receives unbiased witness evidence, the rider will be penalised. 2 riders (not from the same team) who witness another rider taking a short cut (this includes the transitions) may report the rider with his/her name and their number to the nearest official/marshall, stating where the offence took place, penalties will be applied accordingly.
Conduct
Competitors must behave in a sporting fashion, observe all rules and instructions provided by organisers, timing staff and marshals.
Should you be caught by another rider in a stage you must pull off the racing line to allow a safe passing move. The pursuing rider must give clear audible notice of which side they intend to pass. For example; the pursuing rider may shout “On your left”, allowing the slower rider to move to the right.
Foul or abusive language aimed at any of the Gravity Enduro series team will not be tolerated. Any such action will result in an on the day penalty. The organisers will also impose a lengthy restriction from any future events.
Any rider coming across an incident on stage that he/she deems serious must stop immediately and inform the nearest marshall.
No Motorized play things will be allowed on site.(Except for official use with prior permission)
Signing on
All competitors must, read the declaration, sign on and pick up their number board before riding the course.
Any rider found on stage without a number board will receive a 2 minute penalty, 2nd offence will be automatic DQ.
All competitors must leave the arena on race day at their allotted time and be signed out. Late departures will incur a penalty.
Race numbers will be issued at the first round; this is your number for the whole series. If this is lost a replacement will cost £5.
Do not tamper, modify or deface number boards in any way. Failure to comply with this will result in a penalty and a new number board at £5.
Number boards should be fixed to the bike in such a way as all “Sponsors” logos are visible
All competitors must have personal insurance, covering at a minimum death and disablement to compete in the 2015 UK Gravity Enduro Series
We may ask for proof of cover at sign on. The onus is on you the rider to have valid insurance in place at the time of signing on, the online entry process of providing a policy number is deemed acceptance of this rule.
Safety Equipment
Full Face helmets or helmets with either a fixed or removable chin piece are compulsory on stages for Saturday and Sunday. Any removable chin pieces MUST BE SECURELY FASTENED to the helmet whilst on special stages.
A helmet must be worn at all times when riding your bike and be securely fastened, they must carry a Snell, Kite mark or EN 1078. Chin pieces DO NOT have to be fitted while on transition.
If a rider is seen without their helmet on a transition whilst on their bike, a penalty will be imposed. Repeat offenders will be disqualified.
Full length gloves are compulsory, body armour is highly recommended.
Shoulders to be covered by at least a T-shirt or long sleeve top, NO VESTS!
The use of helmet cameras/Bike mounted cameras is forbidden during official practice and race day. Except for official use with prior permission from the organisers.
Seeding
Seeding is designed to decide the running order for the following race day’s timed stages. The time from seeding will count towards your overall aggregate time.Competitors must, as a minimum, break the first timing beam at the start of the course to enable participation in the following day’s race.
Failure to complete the seeding run will result in that rider being awarded the slowest time in that category plus a 5 minute penalty.
Link sections
The organisers will mark out a link between stages (Transition) with a time limit to reach the next stage. Transition time is based on using the full link. Alternate links are not permitted.
It is important to use the marked link so we can trace riders in case of emergency or injury.
Any rider caught or seen off the linking stage will incur penalties
We will place an A0 map + some A4’s in sign on tent for your reference.
Helmets must be worn whilst on your bike.
Stages will be closed 5 minutes after the last rider has completed the stage.
Elite Category
Any rider who is ranked as elite or expert in any MTB discipline will automatically race elite in UKGE.
If a rider racing his/her first round does not wish to race in elite, then at the organisers discretion that rider will be demoted to the next applicable category pending a performance appraisal. The rider will either remain in the new category or will be promoted back up to elite dependant on his/her result for the remainder of the series.
Performance appraisal will be as such; If the demoted elite rider wins his/her new category and that time places them in the top 10 of elite then said rider will be promoted back to elite for the remainder of the season. Points gained will be equivalent to position in elite rankings. Any rider who has not raced elite or a UKGE and wishes to race in the elite category must provide evidence of prior results to the organiser.
The organisers decision is final.
Time penalties
For every second you are late to the start of your stage, a time penalty (1 second recurring) will be added to your stage time. If you miss your call up from the start marshal or are unable to start due to a mechanical then the penalty will still apply. The onus is still on you to make sure you start your stages on time.
Late start from the arena/podium, 2 minute penalty.
Defacing of number boards, 2 minute penalty and £5 to buy a new number board.
Helmet off on transition or not correctly fastened; 1st offence; 2 minute penalty, 2nd offence; disqualification.
Course cutting, 1 minute penalty (Transitions and stages)
General
A second breach of any rule by a competitor will result in a harsher penalty or disqualification, the organisers can also eliminate the rider from the remaining rounds of the series.
No uplifting of competitors is allowed on Saturday or Sunday, if seen, you will be disqualified from the event and a possible multiple race ban may be applied.
There will be a riders briefing after seeding, weather and light permitting; attendance is compulsory.
If a stage is cancelled due to an incident, all times for that stage will be voided.
Gravity Enduro is by definition an Enduro, please take with you all clothes, food etc that you require to get you through the day and bring your rubbish back with you.
YOUR TIMING TRANSPONDER MUST BE HANDED IN AS SOON AS YOU FINISH OR IF YOU RETIRE, THIS IS SO WE KNOW WHERE YOU ALL ARE!
Littering will not be tolerated.
Respect Nature.