Rules

Liability Disclaimer

Downhill mountain biking is a high-risk sport with inherent dangers. By attending, spectating, or participating in the VDHS, you acknowledge and accept that you do so entire at your own risk.

The VDHS is a state-level competition and serves as a pathway to national, international, and World Cup events. It is not designed for beginners or novices. As such, the tracks will include sections that are technically challenging and potentially dangerous. Alternative “B” lines will be
available.

It is incumbent upon each rider to ensure that they are physically, mentally, and technically capable of navigating the tracks.
The VDHS, its organisers, Hosting Clubs, race officials, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliates accept no responsibility for any injuries or damage to personal property, however caused, including but not limited to bikes and personal vehicles. This disclaimer applies to all activities associated with the event, including practice sessions, races, and shuttles.

These are the rules, IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THEM, DO NOT ENTER THE SERIES.
Participants or supporters engaging in discussions contrary to this disclaimer and the following rules may face disqualification from the entire series.

Code of Conduct

The code applies to all people associated with our Series. The VDHS wishes to operate in a non-discriminatory environment where people show respect for others and their property. Please line up for shuttles considerately at the back of the line, you will all get plenty of runs in and queue jumping will not be tolerated, repeat offenders will be disqualified
• All Attendees must respect the countryside and ride only on the official course.
• All Attendees must avoid polluting the area and must not leave any waste or litter.
• No glass containers of any kind are permitted on or near the race course.
• Participants and Spectators must only park in official parking areas – Park with consideration for others
• Do NOT block access roads or tracks – this can prevent or delay emergency access
• No Stopping, dropping off, pick-up, parking or turning in shuttle staging or turning areas- this can cause significant delays in race operations and can prevent or delay emergency access

Equipment Requirements for Riders

Your Bike:
• Suitability: Must be designed for Mountain Biking; catalogue and department store bikes are not suitable for Mountain Bike Racing.
• Mechanical Condition: Must be in good working order and good structural condition
• Brakes: Must have two working brakes.
• Handlebars: Must have bar plugs/ends installed.
• Wheel Size: All bikes must have a maximum wheel diameter size of 29 inches.
• Inspections: All bikes are subject to random inspection throughout the course of an event and those bikes not meeting the above requirements will be forfeited from immediate competition and not allowed back into competition until deemed satisfactory by a race official.
• Highly Recommended: Dual suspension, downhill-specific tyres, and hydraulic disc brakes.

Clothing requirements

All clothing and protective equipment must meet the event’s safety standards and regulations.
Failure to comply may result in disqualification or prohibition from participation.
• Helmet: A Full-face helmet with a fixed, non-detachable mouthpiece is required
• Standards: Must meet current Australian standards or equivalent international standards for downhill mountain biking.
• Condition: Helmets must be in good condition with no visible damage or cracks.

• Helmets must be fastened at all times whilst on a bicycle, including the race village and other event staging areas
• Inspection: All helmets used will be inspected for compliance as determined by the presence of an appropriate compliance sticker.
• Jersey/Shirt: Must have Full Length Sleeves – Elbow pads are highly recommended.
• Knee Covering: Full-length pants or Knee Pads are required.
• Footwear: Fully enclosed, sturdy shoes.
Clothing required for U17 and U15
• Full-finger gloves.

• Knee pads and elbow pads must be worn.
Prohibited Clothing:
• Singlets or any clothing that does not meet the protection standards outlined.
• Headphones: Riders are not permitted to wear headphones or other similar music/communication devices during practice and competition.
• Compliance: Riders must adhere to all clothing and protective equipment requirements. Failure to do so may result in penalties or disqualification from the event.
• Safety First: The primary goal of this policy is to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, by minimising the effects of crashes by using appropriate clothing and protective equipment. Event officials have the final authority on the acceptability and safety of all equipment and clothing.

Items recommended by AusCycling for all riders

• Neck brace expressly designed for off-road cycling.
• Back and shoulder protection expressly designed for the purpose.
• Full finger gloves.
• Elbow protectors and/or long sleeve jersey to the wrist.
• Goggles expressly designed for the purpose.

Race plates

• Competitors must securely fasten the number plate supplied on the front of the bike.
• Riders are not allowed to cut, bend, fold or otherwise modify the race plate without the express permission of the Chief Commissaire.
• No stickers, written text or other forms of advertising are to be placed on the number plate without the express permission of the Chief Commissaire.

Practice

• All riders on the course during an event must be registered participants.
• All riders on course during an event must have an event number plate specific to the event attached at all times.
• No practicing is permitted on a course while a race is being conducted.
• A compulsory practice run must be provided which all riders must complete before the qualifying run.
• A mark or sticker is to be placed on the rider’s number plate after the completion of a run during compulsory practice.

Racing

• Riders must complete the entire distance of the race or as directed by Race Officials.
• Riders must finish with their bicycle at hand.
• The riders finish is defined by the moment the leading edge of the front wheel crosses an imaginary plane rising vertically from the finish line drawn on the course surface.
• The responsibility for following the official course lies with the rider.
• A rider is not permitted to take any shortcuts or to omit a circuit or take other advantage of a similar nature against opponents.
• If a rider exits the intended course for any reason, they must return to the course at the same point from which they exited. The Chief Commissaire will however, decide if any advantage was gained if the return to the course is different from the exit.
• Riders must act in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster rider to overtake without obstruction at the earliest opportunity.
• Any walking or running of the course is carried out in deference to any riders still riding their bicycles.
• A rider may only change his/her bike between races.
• A rider must not use offensive or abusive language, act in an un- sportsman like manner, be disrespectful to the officials or ignore the race regulations.
• Riders must respect the countryside and ride only on the official course.
• The rider must avoid polluting the area and must not leave any waste or litter.
• No glass containers of any kind are permitted on or near the race course.

At the event

• A rider must act in a sporting manner at all times and must permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing.
• If a rider exits the course for any reason, he/she must return to the course at the same point from which he/she exited. If the president of the commissaires’ panel deems that the rider gained advantage, the rider is disqualified (DSQ).
• The riders must respect nature and must make sure that they do not pollute the course venue.
• Anyone who is found to have altered the course has his/her accreditation removed or, in case of a rider, is disqualified (DSQ).

All participants, including competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators are expected to comply with the AusCycling Policies and Rules when involved with AusCycling sanctioned events.