1. Introduction

Regulations below are specifically tailored for Malaysia’s downhill series. It has been adapted from the UCI General Regulations for the National/Point Series. This regulation will be carried out through out 2010 season in all form of downhill competition by Malaysian Downhill Association (MDHA) sanctioned races.

2. Equipment

2.1 Equipment use in the competition must be in good working condition that meets the safety requirements such as brakes on both wheels.
2.2 The bicycle must go through scrutinizing by the race officials before use in competition. Race officials have the right to disallow bikes that are deemed
unsafe and refund the race fees to the racer.

3. Organisation of categories

3.1 Categories
3.1.1 Age categories will be calculated by the year of the competition against the year of birth.
3.1.2 Age categories for men and women are:
i. Junior, 18 and under.
ii. Senior, 19 to 29 years of age. Divided into sports, expert and elite
categories.
iii. Masters category is subdivided into Masters A  (30-39years old) and Masters B (40 years and above)
3.1.3 Seeding and final runs will be run in the order of: junior, women, masters, sports, expert, elite.
3.1.4 In the event that expert and women’s category does not have a minimum amount of riders, these categories will be combined into elite and sports category respectively.
3.1.5 With accordance with rule 3.1.4, points for riders in the combined categories will be calculated separately for their original category as not to affect the overall points standing.
3.1.6 Racing categories for 2011 are:
i. Men’s Junior
ii. Women’s Open
iii. Masters
iv. Men’s Sports
v. Men’s Expert
vi. Men’s Elite
3.1.7 Starting order for categories in both seeding and finals will be as listed in 3.1.6, starting from junior and ending with elite category.
3.2 Category description
3.2.1 Men’s Sport: 19-29 years of age. Hobbyist, weekend riders with reasonable downhill biking skills. Riders consistently posting final run times that will get a podium position in sports category will be promoted to expert category the following year.
3.2.2 Men’s Expert: All ex athletes from other disciplines, riders who are sponsored and train more than the average weekend rider. Riders consistently posting final times that will get a podium position in elite category will be promoted to elite category the following year.
3.2.3 Men’s Elite: Riders with the highest level of riding skill and have represented their state or country, sponsored riders to race in elite. Riders who compete in EXPERT and ELITE category for the Indonesian National Series (UKDI) must race in the ELITE category. The lowest placed rider in the overall standings will be demoted to expert category the following year.
3.2.4 Junior and masters categories will be age based. Riders from junior and masters categories must race in different category only if one of the following criteria is met:
i. Junior riders who have raced as junior national riders over the previous year will be promoted to expert category.
ii. Junior and masters riders who have raced as national riders over the previous year will be promoted to elite category.
3.2.5 Categories cannot be changed over the course of the year, promotions and demotions will be done at the end of the season.

4. Course and facilities

4.1 Course
4.1.1 The emphasis of the course should be to test the rider’s technical skills rather than their physical ability. The course should comprise varied terrain
sections with a mixture of fast and technical sections.
4.1.2 Length of the course must be between minimum of 1km and maximum of 3.5km, with a minimum vertical elevation of 100m and a maximum length of total pedaling sections to be less 10% of the course length.
4.1.3 Single track areas must have at least 80cm clear path and minimum width of 1.2m to accommodate the wide handle bars.
4.1.4 The course must be clearly marked with tape, taped widely to allow for line choices on the track. All corners must be taped to clearly show the boundary of the track to prevent short cuts being used.
4.1.5 Man-made obstacles are allowed with good calculated risks and safety. Obstacles must be clearly marked and easily spotted by riders. All obstacles that cannot be rolled must have an alternative line to go around them.
4.2 Obstacles and jumps
4.2.1 Jump approach must have 3-4 meters long approach area for low speed and 7-10 meters for high speed.
4.2.2 Take Off ramps: It is advice that a high-speed jump should be made in the shape of non concave, almost straight but upwards and a low speed jump can have a concave shape.
4.2.3 No flat landings are allowed; a minimum slope angle of 20 degrees for receivers is required. The landings should be wide and clear of obstacles.
4.3 Start and finish area
4.3.1 Start and finish gate must have clearance minimum of 2.6 meters.
4.3.2 Time will be stopped after the front tire passed the finish line.
4.3.3 Track width with a minimum of 3 meters for 15 meters long after the starting gate is required.
4.3.4 Track width with a minimum of 3 meters for 15 meters long before finish is required.
4.3.5 Track width with a minimum of 3 meters for 25 meters long after FINISH for braking purpose is required.

5. Racing Facilities

5.1 Official timing booth must be clear from riders and team officials
5.2 Along with marshals, safety officers, first aid kit and evacuation team must be place in all dangerous areas or obstacles along the track
5.3 Access road for the uplift truck to the starting area or at least 80% of the climb to start point. Only uplift vehicles, team supports and journalists are allowed in the loading area.
5.4 A good communication system such as two-way radio with a sealed frequency is required for the officials and racing committee.
5.5 It is recommended a digital timing system is used that has been approved by MDHA.

6.Timing

6.1 Electronic timing is recommended as the main form of timing, manual timing is recommended as backup in an event of malfunction of the electronic timing.

6.2 In an event where a time is not recorded for a rider, a re-run must be given to the rider affected.
Uplift service that was provided for seeding and final runs must be provided to the affected rider to make it to the top of the track for his/her re-run.

7. Rider identification

7.1 All riders must show their number plates during official practice, seeding and final runs.
7.2 Number plate sizing and requirements:
i. Must be of 18 cm X 18 cm size.
ii. Must have a white background with black numbers.
iii. Must be water proof

8. Clothing and protective accessories

8.1 An approved full face helmet must be worn when training and racing on the course.
8.2 Upper body amour is mandatory for riders under 17 years old.
8.3 MDA strongly recommends that riders wear the following protection:
i. Elbow, Knee/Shin Protectors.
ii. Full Finger Gloves.
iii. Upper and lower body armour.
8.4 Lycra based skin tight clothing is not allowed.

9. Marshals

9.1 Each marshal should be located in direct line of sight of the next. They will signal the arrival of riders with a short, loud blast on a whistle.
9.2 During official training every marshal shall carry a yellow flag which must be waved in the event of a crash to warn other riders who should slow down.
9.3 Special marshals that are placed at dangerous areas of the track will be given red flags and will have a radio link with the race commissar. The red flag will be used if a serious accident has occurred where the rider cannot be moved off the track
immediately.
9.4 Riders observing a red flag during the race must stop immediately. A stopped rider should proceed calmly to the finish and request a re-start from the finish judge.

10. Disqualification and protest

10.1 Disqualification
10.1.1 Use of drugs, short cuts, and using other riders as a jockey will lead to Disqualification. Riders who have accidentally gone through the tape must return to the track at the same point where the rider left the track.
10.1.3 Disqualification is judged and given by the race commissar, reason for disqualification has to be given and the rule and regulation that was broken must be pointed out. Riders that are disqualified are entitled to a refund of the race fee.
10.2 Protest
10.2.1 Protest must be in written and send maximum of 15 minutes after the last rider in the same category crossed the finish line, given to the Race Commissar or race Director inclusive of a fee RM$100.00
10.2.2 If the rider is entitled for podium then the prize ceremony will be put on hold until a decision is made.