Racing isn’t (just) about how long it takes you to get from the start to the finish.
It’s (also) about the adventure you have along the way, the people you meet and the unique moments you share.
This is cross-country endurance lap racing at its best! This Season we are taking a more focused approach to our XC lap racing events – this is a classic 4 hour lap race, which will challenge the pros and rewards the personal bests of ambitious and passionate Rocky Trail racers.
Make this a smashfest, show off your sponsor logos, re-kindle your love for XC racing or catch the racing bug with us! From the first time between the tape to people that have spent a lifetime training for power output, we have you covered when you line up at the Rocky Trail start line! You will all enjoy the community spirit and classic XC racing thrill that Rocky Trail Entertainment delivers like no other – be a #rockytrailracer!
Race for four hours solo or in relay pairs. There are age-group and eBike categories. Expect less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers. 👇 Find more details about the event format, categories and entry fees in the drop-down menus and scroll down for track maps and destination information!
At Awaba MTB Park singletrack fun and exciting racing action is guaranteed for everyone! We are teaming up with one of the country’s best and most active mountain bike clubs – the Hunter Mountain Bike Association. If you haven’t raced a Shimano MTB GP and you are about to have you’re first #rockytrailracer experience… it won’t be your last, we’re sure!
What Is Shimano GP Racing?
What is Shimano MTB GP racing?
Racing is a matter of spirit not strength.
This is cross-country racing at its best!
What’s the challenge? These cross-country events are normally run on an 8-10km circuit for solo racers and pairs. The solo rider or relay team in their respective categories/age groups with the most amount of laps completed in the least amount of time within the racing window, wins.
These events aim to reward as many riders as possible with prizes at each event and across the series. There are age-group and eBike category podiums. Racers receive a placing in their age category and in an online General Classification (GC).
Who can race it?
GP racing
Less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
Podium chasers
Line up with Australia’s elites and experienced endurance racers – we’ll put you to the test!
Casual racers
Catch the racing bug with us – slapping on a Rocky Trail race plate can be addictive!
How does it work?
All Shimano MTB GP’s are stand-alone races and all riders are welcome. You can also collect points for an overall series ranking throughout the season – details will be sent out via the Rider Briefing ahead of each race.
About the series
At the core of all our efforts to put together the annual racing calendar have and will always be the trails. We are working very closely with property managers and organisations, local councils and clubs and our aim is to deliver a versatile selection of terrain, regions and mountain bike trails.
There are quite a few regional trail networks – this will give more #rockytrailracers the chance to race at their local trails and let visiting riders compete with the growing Rocky Trail community, discovering favourite and brand new trails.
We use a state-of-the art live timing system that will allow you to check results instantly and remotely.
Why you will love it!
We created Rocky Trail Entertainment so that you can RACE THE WAY YOU RIDE!
We want our events to spark and feed your love for racing. With the Shimano MTB GP’s we deliver events where podium chasers can line up with Australia’s elites and experienced amateur endurance racers and were casual racers have a blast, all feeling safe and part of our community.
The SHIMANO MTB Grand Prix Series is in its 14th year in 2022. Under the patronage of SHIMANO Cycling Australia and with its host of major sponsors and supporters it has grown to one of the major cross-country endurance racing series in Australia.
Our GP events are less of an elite- and winners only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all participants – on awesome trails at fun and exciting destinations that will make it worthwhile for your whole group of riding mates and for taking the family to!
Our GP philosophy
With this series we deliver a set of events that is less of an elite- and winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all participants – on awesome trails at fun and exciting destinations that will make it worthwhile for your whole group of riding mates and for taking the family to! Race on Saturday, explore on Sunday! Every race is a stand-alone event and offers points for a series ranking.
Included in each entry: $60 race photo package from the crew at OuterImage.com.au – competitors can download their photos from an online portal after each event.
Location
Olney State Forest – Jenkins Rd, Freemans Waterhole NSW
The Awaba race circuit will take you through many different terrains as we will be using the biggest loop in the park. You’ll start in the rocky bushland and traverse into lush and moist rainforest vegetation that’s so unique to this track! Big berms, big descents, big smiles guaranteed! If you are bringing the little shredders along that there are awesome kids and junior trails at Awaba that they will enjoy.
The trails are managed by the Forestry Corporation and built and maintained by the Hunter MTB Association. Camping is allowed at this venue.
The Track
Shimano MTB GP – Awaba 2022 on Trailforks.comHow To Get Here
INFO: How to get there
How to get there coming from Sydney:
Head up the F3 freeway towards Newcastle (Highway 1).
After about 100 km take the exit toward Freemans Dr.
Turn right at Freemans Dr and drive for 4.6 km.
Turn right at Mount Faulk Rd and continue for 2.4 km.
From there you can see the MTB Park signs.
Not far from Newcastle and right near Lake Macquarie, these are the home trails of the Hunter Mountain Bike Association. Awaba MTB Park has an abundance of gravity and cross-country trails. If you have little shredders come along who are too young for the big Superflow trails, know that there are great tracks to explore with kids and junior and adaptive trails at Awaba MTB Park – the Fox Superflow schedule is very flexible, so if the family comes along you can hop on the junior trails with the kids in between race runs for the perfect riding and racing weekend getaway!
Schedule
Friday
All day The track is marked and you can practice on it but we won’t have any services (marshals, first aid) in place.
Saturday
7:30-8:45 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
1.00 pm Race cut-off time.
If you haven’t completed your distance challenge, your last possible lap can be started before 1pm. If you are out on course at 1pm, that lap still counts.
approx. 1.45pm Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes when all riders are across the finish line.
2.00 pm Ceremony
Destination & Plan your trip
Camping: There are permanent toilets at Awaba MTB Park and you can camp on-site for free as it is a NSW State Forest.
Accommodation: The closest tourism destinations are Newcastle, as well as the Lake Macquarie, Hunter Valley and Central Coast Regions.
Links:
Latest Event News
Rider Briefing | Shimano GP | Awaba NSW
Welcome to the Shimano GP at Awaba MTB Park! Rocky Trail Entertainment bring back classic lap racing with a refreshed Race Format for one of our first event brands, the Shimano Grand Prix. We proudly look back at a 12-year history and are ready to create new memories for and with our Rocky Trail Racers.…
Destination Guide | SUNSHINE COAST
The Sunshine Coast is brimming with the best that Australia has to offer. Pristine beaches sit alongside subtropical rainforests and majestic mountains, interspersed with villages steeped in history. Discover an array of attractions, tours and experiences – from wildlife encounters to getting lost in a hedge maze – there is a veritable goldmine of activities.…
Port Macquarie | Jolly Nose Destination Guide
We invite you to explore the beautiful Port Macquarie-Hastings Region while you’re in the region for our event – Port Macquarie has so much to offer! Boasting 17 gorgeous beaches, a lush hinterland, and a diverse variety of attractions (including a Koala Hospital!), not to mention one of the best year-round climates and a busy…
Testimonials
Fantastic, well run events with character!
Well run event, friendly service, good course markings and priced reasonably. Thanks for a good day out.
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!)
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