Race event round 5 – Murray Bridge

There are four categories of riders: Category 1: Primary Schools where riders are from Year 6 and 7 only Category 2 Junior Secondary where riders are under the age of 16 on January Category 3 Senior Secondary where riders are under the age of 19 on January Category 4 Open exceed the age limit of Category 3, private and/or non-institutional teams We share the circuit with the other age categories who are also competing against each other within their own categories. There is a huge speed difference between us and more senior riders in the other categories. The top teams reach speeds of up to 65km/hour. This is just one of the aspects that we train and prepare for!. Who do we race?

Round 1 Sunday 3rd May 1 x 6 hour race. (Loxton Street Circuit) Round 2 Sunday 14th June 1 x 6 hour race. (Vic. Park) Round 3 Sunday 26 th July 1 x 6 hour race. (Vic. Park) Round 4 Sunday 9th August 1 x 6 hour race. (Busselton WA) Round 5 Thursday and Friday 17 & 18 th September scrutineering, pit & camp setup (Murray Bridge) Saturday and Sunday 19 & 20th September 24hr race (Murray Bridge). When do we race ?

At each event we are allowed teams of up to 20 riders per vehicle. We will divide our team into 3 sub-teams. Each sub teams will ride for 2 hours, rotating through their roster as often as possible. Each sub-team is looked after by 2 sub-team managers. At the 24hr event each sub-team will ride for 2 hours, then sleep / rest / eat for 4 hours. This cycle will then repeat until the end of the race. Each rider completes as many laps as they can before returning to the pits to change riders. What are Sub teams ?

Sub-team 1 (5 riders) Ride times 12-2 [start], 6-8pm, 12-2 am, 6-8am Sub-team 2 (6 riders) Ride times 2-4pm, 8-10pm, 2-4am, 8-10pm Sub-team 3 (6 riders) Ride times 4-6pm, 10-12pm, 4-6am, 10-12am [finish] * Sub-teams will be required at the pits ½ hour before their ride time. At the 24hr event each sub-team will ride for 2 hours, then sleep / rest / eat for 4 hours. This cycle will then repeat until the end of the race. Each rider completes as many laps as they can before returning to the pits to change riders (we expect the riders to accomplish 5 laps minimum on the Murray Bridge course, which is a distance of 10km. This is equivalent to 7-8 laps at Victoria Park).. Sub-teams riding times

Responsible for their group of students During the racing session: Quick rider changes Safety gear Timing Nutrition and hydration Warm up & cool down Encouragement Between racing sessions (Murray Bridge only): Student get sufficient sleep Ensure they have adequate meals Wake them and have team ready for racing Keep teams together (at least know where they are). What is the role of the Sub team managers ?

. Marshaling Each team must supply trained Marshals who are rostered on duty during each event they enter.  Training sessions will be provided before our first race.  All Marshals must be older than 18 years to ensure maturity.  Marshals operate under the direction of the “Chief Marshal”.  At the 6hr events each team usually is rostered for about two hours duty at a position on the circuit.  At the 24hr event each team usually has about 4hrs of duty in 2 shifts.  Coro tries to train at a minimum 2 parents per team so the duty can be shared or a least covered if someone can’t be there due to unforseen circumstances.  This is not a hard job and adds another dimension to parents involvement (it also gives us another cheer squad around the circuit to encourage our riders).

 Tents and camping gear are brought in to the school on Thursday.  The race vehicle is transported to the site on Friday morning.  All equipment is transported to the event early Friday morning (about 10.00am arrival).  Camping site and pits are set up on Friday.  The vehicle will be put through scrutineering on Friday.  Friday evening practice and grid position setting.  Saturday morning, team arrives by 7.30am for familiarisation, team photos etc and settling in. All riders are expected to be ready at the pits at 7.45am.. What happens at the 24 hour race in Murray bridge?

 Saturday 12 noon, race starts. (runs for the next 24hrs)  Sunday late morning, pack up camp site.  Sunday noon, race finishes.  Sunday noon, Pits are packed up, equipment loaded on vehicles  Sunday pm, presentation of awards.  We all go home and sleep. What happens at the 24 hour race in Murray bridge?

What does the circuit look like at Murray bridge? OUR CAMP SITEOUR PIT SITE

 Fully fenced, security patrolled location.  Toilet blocks positioned in several locations.  Shower blocks available (central location).  On site catering (good range of food available, very good coffee all night long!).  Secure on site parking for a $15 fee (vehicles can not be moved during the event)  External car-park (vehicles can come & go) - (maybe fee, service clubs).  Full range of facilities available in the town within easy walking distance (i.e. Chemists, shops, supermarkets, ATM’s, hotels etc). What facilities are there at Murraybridge?

 On site emergency services (Police, St Johns, MFS).  Public address system.  Live internet posting of results. No free Wi-Fi though.  Comprehensive professional repair facilities available off site.  Excellent playground for younger kids.  Outdoor gym with exercise equipment.  Relaxing peaceful setting (except for all the people and all the noise ) What facilities are there at Murraybridge?

The Pits are where all the action is!  Team managers will be co-ordinating the race and communicating with race organisers.  The mechanic will be ready to ensure any mechanical issues are dealt with and to maintain windscreen, tyres and lights.  Sub-team managers will supervising their riders, ensuring they are hydrated and prepared for the next ride and assisting rider change over.. Our Pits

 Riders will be resting and relaxing before their next turn!  Or warming up on the exercise machine  Volunteers will be timing of rider’s laps  Everyone else will be trackside cheering and shouting encouragement Our Pits

 Camp Commandant this year will be Ross Smith who will co-ordinate setup and pack-up of the campsite. Everyone is expected to help with packing up.  The campsite has been at the same site for many years, right on the track with a good view of one of the corners.  We setup a shelter, BBQ, lights & catering facilities to create a place to relax outside away from the pits when not on your racing shift. Campsite at Murray Bridge

 We also set up tents on Friday for the riders who will sleep together in their sub teams so that we can easily get them up together for their next shift.  Parents tents will be set up behind these on a first come first serve basis.  There is usually insufficient room, to accommodate everyone and extra camping spots can be found at other points nearby. Campsite at Murray Bridge

. 24 Hour racing  During the 24 hour race Students will be challenging their stamina which is why fitness is so important.  We need to make sure that students are properly nourished and hydrated. Day racing can be quite hot and proper hydration is an absolute must!  We need to make sure they have the required sleep. This is not a party and lack of sleep will lead to poor performance and poor wellbeing.  We race rain or shine for the entire 24 hours..

How can I help at Murray bridge?  Sub team managers: Sub team managers co-ordinate the riders within their sub team for several two hour periods over the 24 hours.  Pit setup and pack up: The pits need to be erected on Friday and packed up on Sunday.  Camp setup and pack up: The camp needs to be set up on Friday and packed up late Sunday morning. It is expected that EVERYONE helps pack up.  Marshals: Marshals are spread around the circuit to assist in controlling the event. Each team is asked to provide a trained marshal who will be allocated a time.  Scrutineering: All vehicles are fully scrutineered on the Friday to ensure they meet safety regulations and specifications. We will need a student and parent to take the vehicle through scrutineering.  Catering: Cooking the Saturday evening meal, Sunday breakfast and healthy snacks brought across to the pits as required.  1st Aid: One or 2 parents who can administer first aid  Timing: time and record students laps  Encouragement: All students and parents will be expected to cheer and encourage the riders..

 We know from past experience, that rider fitness and stamina levels will need improving.  We are also aware that the fitter the riders are, the more enjoyable the events are.  Fitness sessions are held on Monday lunchtimes, Wed 8am & Fri 8am.  All students are required to attend all training sessions as part of their contract. What about Fitness?

. What about uniforms?  Students will wear their Pedal Prix polo shirts and will receive a team hoodie to wear.  Comfortable riding shorts.  Shoes suitable for riding

What will it cost ?  $80 fee per student for the 24 hour events at Murray Bridge. This covers the costs of our race vehicle entrance fee, Saturday dinner & Sunday breakfast and a team hoodie.  24hr Murray Bridge event entry: $15 per person (under 10 free) This applies to everybody through the gate, and covers Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - wrist bands are utilised.  A $15 fee for secure internal parking at Murray Bridge will be applied.

. Thankyou Thank you all for your attendance and interest, we are available to answer any further queries you may have. Please make sure you have filled in the “help” sheets before you leave. For further information regarding the Pedal Prix organisation including race details please visit the official Pedal Prix website. Also their Facebook page for some great photos and videos Or you can contact the Team Managers: Megan or Larry