Rider Briefing | Shimano MTB GP | Kempsey NSW 2021

Welcome to the Shimano MTB Grand Prix in Kempsey! If you raced the trails with us last year, you know how flowy and fast and amazeballs these trails at Kalateenee State Forest are (and will come back for them)! If you haven’t, it’s time to do this. Remember, this is a double-header race, all deets below.

VIRTUAL RIDER BRIEFING

Martin provides important updates and information regarding the current Covid-19 situation in the Greater Sydney area and how it affects the event proceedings. Thank you.

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RACE INFORMATION

Scroll down for written rider briefing.

With support from the Kempsey Shire Council this race will take you to one of those hidden gems on the NSW North Coast, the Kalateenee MTB Trails, home of the Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers. These guys are serious about trail building and we’ve raced there with our Superflow riders – think fast and flowy trails with plenty of fun features in the so typical bushland just off the Coast.

What awaits you: cross-country racing at its best!

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The idea for a double-header was born during our COVID-recovery planning sessions, which included drafting of several scenarios to address rider limits. As health regulations in NSW and measures are slowly lifting we have been adjusting our response and can now offer two stand-alone races, back to back, only a 45min drive apart. We hope not only will the local mountain bikers love to race their own trails, but riders from further away will make it a whole XC racing weekend with us! Twice the racing, twice the exploring of two amazing NSW regions, double the fun.

 

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STAY & PLAY –

What is there to do in a coastal region when the weather turns chilly? The answer is, plenty, especially when winter in the Macleay is mostly blue clear skies and crisp, cooler days – perfect racing conditions and so many things to do off the track too! You’ve been dreaming…now’s the time to drop in – find out the top nine ways to enjoy winter on the Macleay Valley Coast!

Check out our Destination Guide for #rockytrailracers in the Macleay Valley!

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RIDER BRIEFING CONTENT IN WRITING

We are so grateful for the outpour of support and enthusiasm by our Rocky Trail riders through 2020 and in 2021. We need to continue to comply to social distancing and other COVID rules to continue to run events.

A lot of thought has gone into this Rider Briefing and we expect all competitors and non-racing visitors to comply with how this event will be run. It is very challenging and a privilege to host this event and participate in this race – we appreciate your cooperation.

• Maintain social distancing at all times in the open air event hub and when purchasing food and drinks.
• We are tracking all event participants via the Covid Check In App by the State/Territory – non-racing supporters and ANY visitor at the venue are required to sign in at the registrations tent or use the QR Code posters available around the event hub. More info via these links:

Event introduction

The Shimano GP format provides a ‘seriously fun” racing experience for all.

• Registrations open at 7:30 am and the friendly staff are there to make your racing experience as easy as possible.
• Riders will be called to the start at approximately 8:45.
• Race grid is self-seeded and we ask riders to be reasonable as no 4 or 6 hr race has ever been won in the first kilometres.
• Racing will start at 9am.
• Presentations for the 4 hr race will be as soon after 1pm as possible (approximately 1:45pm).
• Presentations for the 6hr race will be as soon as the last rider has finished their last lap.

We can wait to see you smashing it! – Remember, your race photos are included in your entry, be sure to download them after the race and share your stories using:

#rockytrailracer

#shimanomtbgp

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ABOUT the venue

Kalateenee MTB Trails – 330 Macleay Valley Way, South Kempsey NSW 2440

Event centre & parking: Located at Kempsey Golf Course, follow signs and crew instructions when you arrive.

Camping: we cannot camp right at the event centre at the golf course, however, you can camp at the adjacent NSW State Forest, this is where we will race. The closest Motel is the Kempsey Motor Inn right next to the golf course and the Kempsey Tourist Village caravan park is across the road.

Race track information:

• The event village will utilise a section of the Kempsey golf club and driving range .
• The first single track will be the “Pistol Track”. Enjoy this fast and flowy track because after just less than 2km riders will be faced with the “Stairway to Heaven” and much of the laps climbing (45m over 1.2km).
• Riders will pass through the 5ways for the first time (an excellent place to spectate) before continuing up “Fatsos” and hooking onto “Gary’s”.
• The course joins “Cross Cut” for some flat out peddling through this open forest presents some passing opportunities before a new section called “Y Not” will bring riders back to the Grass Tree Fire Rd.
• Crossing the fire road riders will hit up sections of “Billy Mav”, “Grasstree” and “Time Trial” before passing again the heckle zone at the 5ways.
• Some fun will be had in sections of “Rocky Ridge”, “Sydney Harbour” and “Tim’s Carlton Dry” before another chance to pass will be available on the West End fire Rd, and the “Club Run” takes riders back to the golf course and the end of the lap.
• The lap is 10.1km long and has only 180m of climbing in total 😉 #shutuplegs

Event Format

For those of you, for whom this will be the first Rocky Trail event, we differ from most other events by offering a much more relaxed format.

For regular Shimano MTB GP racers – we have a major change for you in 2021: we are racing for 4 and 6 hours and the main racing categories are solos or pairs only!

How does it work?

• Most laps per solo rider or team in the least amount of time wins.
• The race track is closed at 1pm for 4 hour racers and at 3pm for 6 hour racers – you may still start another lap before that cut-off and that lap still counts.
• There are age-group and eBike categories – eBikers: only eBikes that conform with the Australian standards are allowed at our events.
• Expect less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
• Rider call up 8:45am, race start 9am
• Last lap start: 1pm for 4 hour, 3pm for 6 hour race – this lap still counts.
• Most laps per solo rider or team in the least amount of time wins.

Schedule

Friday/Saturday
All day The track is marked and you can practice on it but we won’t have any services (marshals, first aid) in place.

Sunday
7:15-8:45 am Registration open to pick up your number plate
8.45 am Rider call up, be race ready.
The official rider briefing usually held before the race start will be available online before the race.
9 am Race start
approx. 11 am Kids race
1.00pm Race finish – GP4 hour
2.00pm Est. Ceremony GP4 hour
3.00pm Race finish – GP6 hour
4.00pm Est. Ceremony GP6 hour

approx. 4.00pm Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes.

Presentation

• You can check your race results on your phone as soon as you cross the timing mat/finish line after every lap – we have LIVE TIMING, so also everyone back home on the couch 😉 can check your racing progress throughout the day.
• When you finish your 4 or 6 hour race do check those results and laps.
• If you’re on a podium, please come and see the timing/registration desk to claim your podium race plate/accolade sticker.
• This is YOUR race number for the remainder of the Season, reserved for you and you can keep collecting racing accolades/podium stickers for it.

Event Support:

What can you expect:

• A well-marked course
• Caution signs in technical areas
• Passing opportunities
• A large transition area
• Online rider briefing prior to event
• Music, BBQ and medical service in case something doesn’t go to plan
• Easy registration
• And a supportive community

Come along and join the team to make the first Victorian Shimano GP a great success!

We thank the support of the local business across the weekend;

• Food – the local club will look after us – BBQ!
• Coffee – we will organise a local coffee van for the morning
• Tech Support – tbc
• Merchandise: Available for purchase at registrations are “Race the way you ride” t-shirts and hoodies, Rocky Trail Socks, Mudguards as well as Gu’s.
• Music:  Our Rocky Trail Rradio with DJ Mista Nige powered by earSHOTS will be providing the beats to kick off racing and give you the adrenalin you need. 
• Giveaways: Will be again supported by our sponsors and will have giveaways available on the day.

Event Facilities:

• Medical: Medics will be on site for the duration of event with roaming marshals out assisting across the day
• Toilets:  Portable toilets will be provided at the event hub
• WATER: NO WATER IS AVAILABLE ON SITE – please bring sufficient personal supply

Event Photos:

Outer Image Collective photographers will be on site to snap that action photo you have been dreaming about.

Weather:

We will provide information closer to the event date.

Event updates during the race / weekend:

We always announce any major updates mainly via the FB event page, as well as our news blog and email newsletters:

Rider List and Results

All weekend you can find links to Rider List and LIVE Results via the drop-down menu from the event page on our website! You can check these now and throughout the weekend via your mobile devices – to reduce touch points we will not have any public display computers on-site.

Emergency contacts:

Race DiRace Director – Martin Wisata 0403090952
Event Manager & Media Liaison – Juliane Wisata 0416737972

General race regulations

• Race etiquette – Important: you MUST adhere to social distancing rules AND rude behaviour out on track is not acceptable. Please be kind to each other. We are all here to compete and to race and that is fine, but as owners of Rocky Trail Entertainment, Juliane and Martin Wisata EXPECT their competitors to be respectful of each other:
  • We have seen an exciting and amazing influx of new competitors at Rocky Trail events an especially as we move into new regions with our races, we want to be very clear about this: EVERY competitor has a right to be out on track.
  • The fast and semi-pro racers need to be (and would be from their experience) aware that especially at a lap race, a podium position is not won by one or two seconds that you might loose by overtaking a slower rider in a respectful and friendly manner. Call out to the rider or runner ahead of you, tell them you are there and that you will move past on which side.
  • For casual racers, please respect the fast guys too – sometimes the fast riders see a gap that you don’t and they have the confidence that they can overtake you safely. Trust in their judgement. – At the same time, stand your ground, no need to stop completely, move to the side and let them pass. You will find you’ll get into a flow and a rhythm.
  • We appreciate every racer and we have been building the Rocky Trail community for over a decade – we are grateful to have you all racing with us.
  • Chat to our Event Managers if you have any questions.
• If you are the parent or carer of a junior racer you can ride or run with them, either as a racer or see rego to nominate as a marshal.
• We love to help and chat! Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
• No cheating! You need to stay on the race track. No cheating or ‘sneaky pro lines’ where you leave the track and reenter.
• Don’t litter – please take your rubbish back with you or throw it in the landfill or recycling bins we have near the registration tent.
• Toilets will be cleaned and disinfect during the day. Please let us know if they need a clean.
• Timing will be done with your timing chip – please ensure it is on your bike/attached to your chest and in the MTB that the plastic doesn’t touch any metal parts of your bike (e.g. don’t wrap the number plate around your handlebar).
• You agreed to our RACE WAIVER when you registered online – here is a link to the RACE WAIVER again
• Click here for DETAILED RACE RULES

COVID-specific Event Rules

• Social Distancing: Our main request is that you follow the Covid-Safe rules and regulations as laid out by the State Government and observe strict Social Distancing Rules throughout your race day. A lot of thought has gone into this Rider Briefing and we expect all competitors and non-racing visitors to comply with how this event will be run. It is very challenging and a privilege to host this event and participate in this race – we appreciate your cooperation.
• Racers AND Non-racing supporters and ANY visitor at the venue are required to sign in via the relevant smartphone app. (scroll up for info)

Rocky Trail Covid-19 safety guidelines:

1. BEFORE THE RACE: If any of the following applies please contact us immediately.
   We will transfer or refund your entry but you CAN NOT PARTICIPATE in the event:
   1. If you are showing any signs of the cold or flu.
   2. If you have event the slightest fever (we have facilities on site to test and will send you home immediately if you have fever).
   3. Please be aware that we will and are ready to shut down and postpone the event if direct Federal or State Health orders change in the event lead up until Friday.
   4. For details regarding event transfers or to cancel an entry, please refer to our policy.
2. ON RACE DAY: There are a few important changes on how we run things on the day:
   1. ACCESS:
      • We use the majority of the trail network; if you are not racing please chat to us at the rego tent to understand where you can ride.
      • if you are spectating on your non-racing day, please check in online and report to the Rego tent as a supporter/visitor.
      • You can practice on non-racing days, but we won’t have any services (marshalls, first aid) in place.
      • Volunteers are welcome, again come out and bring your bike if you have one.
   2. RACE PLATE: You can pick up your race plate with the timing chip from the rego and info point – check the schedule for opening times.
      • This way we avoid queues near the registration area.
   3. RACING & ETIQUETTE: You MUST adhere to SOCIAL DISTANCING rules!
      • If you queue up at a start line please leave a bike length between each other.
      • Overall we don’t expect much queuing as the field will spread quickly.
      • When you finish your race please give each other as much space as possible.
   4. RESULTS & CEREMONY:
      • Race results are LIVE throughout the day.
      • Access race results via the website.
      • approx. 4:00pm Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes.
      • Presentation ceremony will kick off when majority of riders are back, approx. 1.40pm and 3.30pm
      • Giveaways to every racer: pick a Red Bull or Rocky Trail freebie at rego.
      • IMPORTANT: CHECK YOUR RACE RESULTS with us or as soon as you cross the line! The top three podium getters in each age category will receive a podium accolade.
   5. PARTICIPANT TRACKING:
      • Every person at the event (including non-racers) need to register via the relevant Covid Check In App.
      • Racers will be tracked with race plates.
      • Non-competitors will need to sign on via the online system.

Enforcement of COVID Safe Plan

Please understand that the team won’t shake hands, hug, high five or fist bump anyone and will be trying keep some distance to all riders during registration, start and finish. There will be a lot socially distance elbow bumps from us, which is almost as good .

Now, get ready!

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Do you have any questions?

Talk to us via our online chat – click on the orange circle symbol on your bottom right screen corner and we’ll be right with you! (We always love talking bikes, racing and riding!)

See. You. Soon.