David Yang said:I can't make HPCX - does anyone want to take my pre-reg?
So I thought I’d post some of my thoughts about CX racing here, and I’ll also repost in the forum. A lot of this is aimed towards the rider new to CX but I’m sure it might not hurt for some of the veterans out there. These are observations as an USAC Official and CX racer.
Arrival:
When arriving at the venue never assume anything, please pay attention to the information from the following sources. If you are confused, please ask questions before you do something silly:
Registration:
What side do the numbers go? Is the schedule still on time? Races can start late but CAN’T start early. What time is my race?
The Officials:
All of the above, plus any other information. Officials tend to know first what is happening on the race course and the schedule.
The Announcer:
Most likely repeating what information they are getting from the officials but nonetheless a good source of information.
Course Marshals:
May I enter the course?
Where can I safely cross the course?
What direction do I ride the course today?
Where is the start?
Where is the finish?
Race Start:
Please, please, show up to the starting grid at the very latest ten (10) minutes before the start of your race so you can get called up to your start position. If not you’ll start at the back or further back. Working all season for a crap callup is sad.
If you are late to the start, do not cut the course to join the back of the race. Saturday, we had a person do that very thing. He was late and rode by the finish area as the race was rolling off the start line. The start grid was a good 200 meters from the finish and he did not ride to the start grid but along the edge of the area to the hole shot. We relegated him for that, and he protested 24 hours later which is past the 15 minute protest period. Don’t be that guy.
Race numbers:
Please, please, pin them properly. If we, or the camera, can’t see them, we can’t score you. And honestly after looking and writing down each number for each lap for each race you get to a point where you don’t want to take the extra effort to try to figure out the number based on poor pining practices. So:
Correct side (Left or Right) for the race (ask at registration.)
Not upside down.
Not up your back.
Not in your shoulder blades.
Not on your stomach.
DO NOT crumple them up.
Use more than 4 (the minimum required) pins. Six to eight is more ideal.
Race etiquette:
No cursing. If you crash and happen to curse, I, personally, would let that go. However, some officials might not. But throwing down F-bombs at the finish line on purpose is not acceptable, and I WILL do something about it if need be. It is also USAC policy. These are family events. Promoters have lost venues because of that.
When you finish, please exit the course at the nearest exit point. DO NOT ride backwards on the course and pull up to the officials to ask a question while they are still scoring the finish. That shows a lack of respect to your fellow competitors still racing and trying to finish.
If you have questions for the officials, please ride up to them (not on the race course) and ask nicely. Expect them to have to tell you to wait as they are usually busy at the end of the race.
If you DNF, please get the word to the officials so they don’t have to send a search party for you at the end of the race. We track the number of riders and if we can’t account for all riders at the end, then it delays the start of the next race as we have to be sure the course is clear. We also need to know if you are okay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_9_hjhP1eY