2012 GRATTAN RACE SERIES
RULE BOOK
Welcome to the 2012 Grattan Race Series. The first bicycle race at Grattan Raceway Park was held in 1980. 2012 will be our 33rd year of bicycle racing at this facility.
The Grattan Race Series was initiated to provide a regularly scheduled, safe format for bicycle ROAD racers in Michigan to hone their ROAD racing skills.
In 2012, racing will take place every Wednesday evening during the months of May, June, July and August – EXCEPT July 4th. The Wednesday evenings of the Grattan Race Series are the ONLY nights that bicycles are allowed on the track at Grattan Raceway Park.
Races take place rain or shine. In case of lightning, races will immediately be stopped until the danger has passed. If Officials determine that the danger will exist for the duration of the evening, the last complete lap of the race shall be scored as the Finish.
CLASSES
Competition is recognized in two classes: “A” & “B”. Racers may race in either of the two classes upon the determination of the Officials. New, less experienced Racers shall race in the “B” class, (See GPA). 100 racer limit per Class.
GPA
GPA is: (The total number of Grattan points a rider has earned, divided by the total number of Racers against whom he/she has competed) multiplied by 100.
When a “B” racer’s GPA exceeds 80.00, the racer shall be moved to the “A” class.
When an “A” racer’s GPA falls below 25.00, the racer may be moved to the “B” class.
These percentages may change as field sizes change.
REGISTRATION
Registration opens at 5:30 pm and closes at 6:30 pm.
Anyone wishing to ride the track - whether racing or not – must present a completed Entry/Release of Liability Form. The Form and Fee must be presented at the Registration Trailer before entering the Track.
Season/Multi-Night Racers – as long as they have paid nights remaining - need to fill out only ONE Entry/Release of Liability Form per Season.
Racers/Riders who enter by the night must fill out an Entry/Release of Liability Form EACH night they race.
Racers/Riders under the age of 18 MUST have the signature of their Parent/Legal Guardian on the Entry/Release of Liability Form.
The track opens at 6:00 pm. Announcements are made at the Start Line, at 6:40 pm. Racing starts at 6:45 pm SHARP.
NON-RACERS WHO WISH TO RIDE THE TRACK
Non-Racers may ride the track, but must present a completed Entry/Release of Liability Form and Fee before entering the track.
These Riders may enter the track at 6:00 pm but must exit by 6:40 pm.
CLUB AFFILIATION
The Grattan Race Series recognizes Club Affiliation.
Once a Racer claims affiliation to a Club, the Racer must wear that Club’s 2012 “kit” - (jersey & shorts).
CHECK-IN
Season/Multi-night Racers MUST Check-in at the Registration Trailer each night they race - BEFORE they get on the track.
Season/Multi-Night Racers who fail to Check-in on any given night may not be Placed.
LATE REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
A $5.00 Fine may be assessed to Racers that Register/Check-in after 6:30 pm.
HELMETS
Whenever riding a bicycle at the Grattan Raceway Park facility, (including warm-up, cool-down or simply riding in the parking lot), a rider must have a securely fastened helmet – that meets CPSC bicycle helmet standards - on his/her head.
COMPETITOR NUMBERS
Numbers must be positioned horizontally when the Racer is in the racing position. ( See diagram at Registration)
The lower corner of the Number, (lower right for “A”s – lower left for “B”s), is placed in the Racer’s “arm pit”.
The bottom of the paper is placed along the Racer’s mid-line, (coronal plane).
Numbers must be secured with at least 4 pins – 1 in each corner.
Racers who place their Number in any other fashion – or are insufficiently secured - may not be Placed.
Numbers from other events or hand written numbers are not acceptable.
Season/Multi-night Racers shall retain the same Number for as long as they have paid nights remaining.
Lost Numbers will be replaced for $1.00
One night Racers are asked to return their Number at the end of each night’s race.
DIRECTION OF RACE
The direction of each night’s Race will be indicated by an arrow placed on a pylon at the entrance to the track.
OFFICIALS – LAP CARDS – BELL
For “A” Racers - Officials, White Lap Cards and Bell will be on the RIGHT side at the Start/Finish Line.
For “B” Racers – Officials, Yellow Lap Cards and Bell will be on the LEFT side at the Start/Finish Line.
SCORING
All Racers are scored. Each night’s winner receives as many Grattan Points as there are Racers in their field. Each successive finisher receives one less point.
“B” Racers that fall 2 minutes behind the leaders of their Field must stop at the Start/Finish line when directed by an Official. They will be put back into the race on the next lap. These Racers are scored as Lapped.
Racers that are lapped, regardless of how many times, share points.
Lapped Racers must retire from the Race when they see 2 Laps to go.
Racers who do not appear on the Finish Video will be scored as DNF and share points.
Racers points are recorded and accumulated for the Month and the Season.
High point Racers in each class receive prizes at the end of each month and season.
FREE LAPS
The Grattan course is a “Circuit Road Race”. Free Laps are not offered/allowed.
Racers claiming a mishap, (a crash, flat or breakage of an essential piece of equipment), must report to their Official before leaving – and before returning - to the track.
Racers who have a mishap - and are unable to continue - accumulate no points, but their GPA is unaffected.
Racers who have a mishap - but are able to continue after repair – may return to the Race but are considered lapped.
RESULTS
Results will be announced as soon as possible after the finish of each night’s race. Nightly Results are posted early Thursday mornings at www.mwsport.com
Any challenges to the posted Results must be presented before Friday midnight.
A copy of each night’s race will be posted at Registration the following week.
The Monthly and Season Standings will be mailed to each of the Sponsoring Shops at the end of each month.
VIDEO
The Finish of each Race is captured on HD video. Racers are allowed, (encouraged!), to join the Officials in reviewing the video. The review takes place in the building at the northwest corner of the parking lot, immediately after the Finish of each nights’ last Race.
AGE GRADED RESULTS
ADVANTAGE BENEFITS GROUP and Midwest Sports Services are Sponsors for the 2012 “Age Graded Results”: 35-44, 45-54, 55+ and Women (no age differentiation) - “A” and “B” Class.
A Rider’s Racing Age is his/her age on December 31st of the current year.
RIDER MISCONDUCT
Officials reserve the right to penalize a Racer for his/her misconduct.
The following are some – but not all – of the actions that constitute misconduct:
- Foul riding,
- The use of foul language,
- Taking hands off the handlebar at the Finish Line.
- Entering a race without having checked in with the Officials,
- Improper placement or securing of Competitor’s Number,
- Riding out of class (“A’s” must not ride with “B’s” – “B’s” must not ride with “A’s”),
- “Taking a lap” anywhere but at the Start/Finish line,
- Holding a Team meeting on the course. Team meetings must take place in the parking lot.
- Misconduct on the part of any individual Racer, may result in penalties to other members of the same Team.
- Riders may not discard anything during a Race.
Officials may warn, relegate or disqualify a Racer who commits a misconduct.
Protests of foul riding not observed by an Official, must be made in writing, signed by the protestor, presented to the race Official within 15 minutes of the Finish and accompanied by a fee of $20.
If the protest is upheld, the fee will be returned. If the protest is denied, the fee is forfeit.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Only Motor Vehicles authorized by the GRS Race Organizers may enter the track.
ASSISTANCE WITH CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS
The Grattan Race Series will work with and assist Clubs/Organizations and ”Causes” with their promotions. Flyers/leaflets for other events may be placed at the Registration table ONLY. They may NOT be posted, distributed by hand or placed on vehicles. Any “actions” shall take place only with the prior approval of the Grattan Race Directors.
SPECTATORS
Spectators are always welcome! The Racers enjoy the encouragement! We advise spectators that:
- The Wednesday nights of the Grattan Race Series are the only nights that bicycles are allowed on the track at Grattan Raceway Park.
- Minor children must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.
- No one is allowed past or over the guardrail before 6:00pm.
- Only Registered Racers/Riders may ride their bicycles on the track.
- Spectators must stay on the grassy area north of the track’s straightaway. Spectators may not walk across or around the track.
- Personal photographs or video may be taken from the spectator area. Anyone wishing to take photographs or video for any other purpose or from any other location must obtain written permission from the Grattan Race Series Race Director.
- NO PETS. The owners of Grattan Raceway Park do not allow pets - leashed or unleashed – on their premises.
- Flyers/leaflets for other events may be placed at the Registration table ONLY. They may NOT be posted, distributed by hand, or placed on vehicles.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Spectators’ vehicles are NOT allowed on the track.
While there are no spectator fees, we do encourage spectators to bring “Primes” (pronounced “Preems”) of cookies, pies, baked goods, treats, etc. These are awarded to the Racers.
RESTROOMS
Restrooms are located on the south side of the building on the west side of the parking lot.
Rev 4/12
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