Darren Smith Classic 2024

QCRS Round 3

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Proudly Sponsored by

CHOICE HOMES

3rd and 4th of AUGUST

For entries please follow the link to EntryBoss
https://entryboss.cc/races/20459

Check out the DSC Facebook Page for up to date information:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093013047715

START LISTS

https://auscycling.org.au/events/2024-darren-smith-classic

This year the Darren Smith Classic is a two day event with a criterium at the Luke Harrop Criterium Circuit, Runaway Bay on Saturday the 3rd of August and the traditional road race at Mt Alford on Sunday the 4th of August.

For the past 30 years, in memory of Olympic cyclist, Darren Smith, who was tragically killed in a cycling accident in 1992, the Gold Coast Cycling Club has been successfully hosting the annual Darren Smith Classic. As one of Queensland’s leading cycling clubs, we are pleased to announce that this year’s event will again be a two day event with the Road Race on the 26km circuit leaving from Mt Alford.

RACE DETAILS (UPDATED 1/08/2024)

GENERAL DETAILS
– Entries close: Sun, 28 July 2024 11:59 PM AEST.
– This is not a ‘stage event’. The criterium and the road race are seperate events.
– There is no points system in place connecting the two races.
– There is a 10% discount if both the criterium and road race are entered.
– Late entries will incur a $20 late fee
– Separate money for each Grade in each Race – total prize pool for entire event = $7500
– Equal prize money Elite A Women and Elite A Men

For more information about this event please contact: Race Director, Damien McFarline 0400 586 047

Please support our sponsors:

MAJOR SPONSOR

DAY 1 – Saturday – CRITERIUM Luke Harrop Cycle Circuit, Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay

SCHEDULE UPDATED 30/07/2024

Criterium Notes:

Registration:

All riders will receive two numbers regardless of whether they are riding in the road race or the crit or both.
For the criterium one race number is to be pinned to the right-hand hip (not on the centre of the back).
Riders who are NOT racing in the road race are to return transponders to the number return area of the registration desk (riders will be charged at $95 for each transponder not returned).
Riders who are racing in the road race, keep the two numbers and transponder to use at the road race.
Placegetters return to the podium area near the start / finish line for presentation in correct attire.

Racing:

Racing will be in an anti-clockwise direction.
Marshal and briefing will be on the eastern loop of the track 10 minutes before the beginning of the race.
After the race, riders may complete one warm-down lap and exit the track at the western gate to the carpark.
Spares must be placed in the signed area near the finish line. No neutral spares.
Commissaire permission is required to race with an on-board camera. You cannot race with headphone devices.
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For most races, there will be 2 grades on the track at any one time. For rider safety, and to ensure fair and competitive racing for all riders, please follow these rules:
If you are passing another grade, pass on the outside of the track, and maintain speed until well clear of the other grade.
Your race is neutralised while another grade passes. Ride on the inside of the track and slow down to allow safe passing. Do not chase the passing grade.
Riders are not permitted to obtain an unfair advantage by joining/riding on the back of another grade.
When another race is given the final lap bell, give them the respect of a clear, safe run to the finish.

Junior Roll Out:
Junior riders U9-U17 must comply with AusCycling regulations for junior gearing, which can be found here. All juniors, including U17 men and women, roll-out before marshalling for their race/s. Rolls outs will commence at 6:40am
U17: 7.0m | U15: 6.10m | U13: 5.5m | U11: 5.5m | U9: 5.5m |

Spectators:

Spectators are restricted from entering the field of play which includes: registration/number return, roll-out and start/finish areas. Maintain good hygiene and social distancing at all times, and avoid congregating near the registration, start/finish and presentation areas.

DAY 2 – Sunday – ROAD RACE Mt Alford State School, Mt Alford.

Race Bib Colours

RACE NUMBERS ARE TO BE WORN ON LEFT HIP AND CENTRE BACK. DO NOT FOLD THE RACE NUMBER. RACE NUMBERS (X2) AND TRANSPONDERS TO BE COLLECTED AT REGISTRATION.

Course Map

IMPORTANT: PLEASE BE VERY MINDFUL OF THE COMMUNITY OF MT ALFORD. PLEASE DO NOT WARM UP, GET CHANGED, URINATE OR LEAVE RUBBISH ANYWHERE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MT ALFORD. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR RESIDENT’S FRONT LAWNS – THIS WILL RESULT IN THE CLUB NOT BEING ABLE TO HOST FROM MT ALFORD IN THE FUTURE. FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE SCHOOL. THANK YOU.

Riders will compete in one of eight Races. Within each Race there are multiple grades that normally demonstrate similar abilities and average speeds. Riders within a race are competing as a group, e.g., if a rider attempts to breakaway, anyone, regardless of grade, may work with that rider. Grades within a race will have corresponding but different colours – for example light and dark blue.

However, in order for all riders to have the opportunity to feel competitive in their race, enjoy the event and have the opportunity to stand up on the podium, the Gold Coast Cycling Club will be presenting podiums for all grades within each Race. The Gold Coast Cycling Club also proactively promotes equal prizes for women and men.

This event is part of the Queensland Classic Road Series. This is a points-based series, and as such, depending on points, series leaders will be presented with QCRS jerseys with each grade podium presentation.

There is no limit to the number of riders in each Race.

Road Conditions and Traffic Management: Queensland Police may be in attendance to escort cyclists and event vehicles during the event. Motorists are asked to obey all road signs and directions by traffic controllers and police.

Projected Schedule:
05:00   Setup Team on site
07:00   Registration opens
07:00   Commissaires & volunteers on site (convoy assemble)
07:00 Commissaire briefing
07:10 Volunteer (Course Marshals and Convoy drivers) briefing
07:30 Traffic Control on site
07:40 U17 rollouts
07:40 Convoys assemble
07:50 Race 1, 2, 3 & 4 rider briefing
08:00 Race 1 depart
08:10 Race 2 depart
08:15 Race 3 depart
08:20 Race 4 depart
10:15 Officials Break
10:40 Race 5, 6, 7 & 8 rider briefing
10:45 Race 5 depart
10:55 Race 6 depart
11:00 Race 7 depart
11:05 Race 8 depart
14:30 Pack up and clean up

PARKING: PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR RESIDENT’S FRONT LAWNS – THIS WILL RESULT IN THE CLUB NOT BEING ABLE TO HOST FROM MT ALFORD IN THE FUTURE.

ENTRY: ALL COMPETITORS MUST ENTER THE TRAFFIC-CONTROLLED HOLDING SLIP LANE IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE OVAL CAR PARK. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FINISH STRAIGHT IS KEPT CLEAR OF VEHICLES.

Car parking will be on the Mt Alford SS school oval – please be mindful of this when parking and setting up any equipment. If there has been recent rain then the school oval may not be useable and therefore competitors be will asked to park along the road.

ALL CARS LEAVING THE CAR PARK (SCHOOL OVAL) MUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL. WHEN LEAVING, TURNING RIGHT IN THE DIRECTION OF RACE IS ADVISED.

Registration: Registration will take place under the main building of the school beside the oval. At the registration desk we will collect your AusCycle licence and issue your transponder and race numbers.

RACE NUMBER COLOUR TABLE This refers to the available race number range not actual entries.

If you competed in the Saturday criterium then you will already have your race number and transponder but you will still need to have your name ticked off at registration as being present. Once you are ready to race, please make your way down to the rider briefing area. Once you have completed your race you may keep your numbers as a souvenir of your experience. Transponders must be returned. Registration closes 20 minutes prior to each race start.

Junior Roll Outs: 7:40am onwards. U17 juniors will be required to roll out as per usual. This will take place on the path near the official’s tent in the official’s carpark 30 minutes prior to your race.

The Course: The course is challenging and technical but also fun! Please take into consideration the varied terrain as you are racing. Please also note we are asking competitors not to warm up on the race course.

Spares: Spare wheels are to be placed in the signed vehicle e.g.: ‘Convoy C – Spares’ (See below. Convoy category for each Race is also denoted on the flyer). Vehicles will be found in the official’s carpark near Registration. Please collect your spare wheels from this area after your race. Please ensure your wheels are labelled with your name and race category. Riders should be prepared to attend to their own mechanical issues where possible and are encouraged to carry a pump and spare tube should you fall behind the spares vehicle.

Spares will be on a “spares in, spares out basis”. Neutral spares may be available. It may not be possible for spares vehicles to carry all spare wheels. Volunteers will do their best to include wheels of each specification in the vehicle. There are no rider/team support vehicles allowed on the course.

Feeding:

** 2024 PCP (Chief Comm) decision is to allow feeding on the 2^nd lap of all races **

The Feed Zone is located after the start/finish line on Mt Alford Rd extending for 80m (see map below). Unless additional provisions are made by the commissaires, feeding is not permitted during the first 30km and the final 20km of a race. One lap of the DSC circuit is 26km. Therefore, the following groups are permitted to feed:
Race 1, 2, 3, 4 & 8: Feeding is being permitted on lap 2
Race 5 (131km): Men A – laps 2, 3, 4 & 5
Race 6 (105km): Men B / Masters A – laps 2, 3 & 4
Race 7 (79km): Women A – lap 2 & 3

Waste Zone: This course has a dedicated Waste Zone. There will be a dump zone 200 meters prior to the left hand turn on Ganthorpe Rd, where riders will be allowed to dispose of their water bottles and rubbish. This will be cleaned up at the end of the last race. Fines will be imposed by the commissaires if you litter outside the Waste Zone. Please see map.

KOM/QOM: Races with 3 laps or less will accumulate KOM/ QOM points every lap. Races with more than 3 laps will not accumulate points on the first lap. First 3 places in the Race will receive points (3, 2, 1). Only first 3 riders across the line for each race, irrespective of grade, will be allocated KOM/QOM points. Points are not allocated per grade. See KOM/ QOM points and presentation schedules below.

Presentations and Prizes: Even though each race is one race, in order to recognise people’s efforts within their categories, we will be placing the first 3 riders in each grade within the race. There are no prizes for the race placegetters (as you would have already received a prize for the grade), however, there will be a podium photo.

Food & Drinks: The Club will be supplying for and drinks to volunteers only. We will not be running a canteen or selling drinks.

Coffee Van – Scenic Rim Expresso will be selling coffees near the registration table.

The Mt Alford Hotel and the Scenic Rim Brewery will be operating on the day but both expect to be busy with standard weekend patronage. If you wish to order food from either please contact them on the Saturday. They will have limited take away available on the day. The Scenic Rim Brewery will also be selling coffee. Please do not park in the car park of the Mt Alford Hotel.

Please ensure you have your own supplies of food and drink in case both of the establishments are busy.

Toilets: Toilets will be the Mt Alford SS toilets – please be respectful when using these toilets as the Club will be ensuring that the toilets are left clean for students on the following Monday. Urinating anywhere in the township of Mt Alford or on the course is strictly prohibited.

Spectators: COVID Restrictions: Please refer to guidelines below. We encourage friends and family to come and watch you race, however, it is important that spectators are aware of their surroundings.

END