Race Panel

General Philosophy - what happens on race day is dealt with on race day.

The Race Panel (in the absence of a Commissar) is in charge of all aspects of racing from the time the first rider arrives until the last rider departs the race venue. Where specific duties have been allocated by the club, eg handicapper, starter, duty members etc, these operate with the Race Panel. If these positions are vacant at a particular race, the Race Panel delegates these duties as needed.

Once at the race venue the Race Panel has the powers described below.

Conduct the racing with due care:

  • Ensure the circuit is safe;
  • Change the circuit or venue if necessary;
  • Delay the start time; and
  • Change the nature of the race - upon request of the handicapper, insufficient numbers, safety concerns etc.

Enforce the rules of cycling and club rules:

  • Start time;
  • Late arrivals;
  • During a race; and
  • Off bike etiquette – e.g. keeping the road clear.

Hear and adjudicate on complaints from officials or competitors:

  • Officials may make a complaint against a rider;
  • Riders may make a complaint against other riders; and
  • Handicap or grade complaints go to the race panel, but are usually addressed after the race.

Apply penalties, with the range of penalties including:

  • No action necessary – e.g. a minor dispute that is settled amicably;
  • Official Warning;
  • Relegation in placing – e.g. rider not holding his/her line in a sprint;
  • Points deduction for that race;
  • Disqualification;
  • Fine; and
  • Referral to the Club Executive.

Refer matters to the Club Executive:

  • Major problems or clarification of rules or procedures e.g. consistent complaints against the handicapping or a particular rider; and
  • Concerns about the safety of a particular circuit.

When the Club has an accredited Commissar he/she takes on the conduct of the race, enforces the rules, applies set penalties and takes other incidents to the Race Panel.

Any judgement made by the Race Panel is subject to appeal. Such appeal is to be in writing to the Club Executive by the end of the second day after race day (cooling off period).
Any judgement made by the Club Executive (or its appointed Disputes Committee) is subject to appeal to the SACF. See SACF By-laws.
The Race Panel has a role in deciding individual cyclists’ handicaps on the occasions when the nominated club handicappers are not available.
 
The Race Panel may decide on the race type and distance on the day if circumstances require amendments to the written program. It will also be responsible for determining if a race is to be postponed or cancelled.

The Race Panel operates as the appropriate forum for any dispute lodged by a rider over the decision of a handicap or race placing. The dispute may be in writing or verbal. Any decision by the Race Panel may be appealed against to the Club Executive and further, to the SACF if necessary.

Membership of the Race Panel is open to nomination and election at the Club’s Annual General Meeting. The current Race Panel is listed on the Club Executive page.
Determining a Race
The conditions that may determine if a scheduled race is to be cancelled may include:
  1. Unsafe road conditions due to road works, traffic, or unsafe surfaces.
  2. Unsafe conditions due to rain, where the safety of riders is jeopardised by low visibility etc.
  3. Where no provision is made to identify riders with a race number.
  4. No road signage alerting other road users of a cycling event in progress.
  5. Where a situation arises during a race, e.g. an accident, which necessitates cancellation of the race.
Procedure for Determining if a Race is to Proceed
The Race Panel will decide if the race will proceed, based on the climatic conditions. For wet weather it may cancel the race up to two hours before the start time, so that riders may make contact before having to leave for the race venue, or it will make a decision at the race venue prior to the start.

If wet weather is the cause for concern, then Club members have two options:
  1. Contact a member of the Race Panel for direction at least two hours beforehand; or
  2. Turn up at the race destination and await a decision.