Why volunteer?
Riders who volunteer to officiate on race days are eligible for a reduced entry fee and earlier race entry for all races they contest during the season.
What if I cannot volunteer?
Riders who do not volunteer on race days will be charged the full entry fee for all races they contest during the season.
How do I volunteer?
Please see this page.
Can someone else perform my volunteer duties?
A family member or friend can complete your volunteer duty, thereby allowing you to race, however you will be liable for penalties if the substitute becomes unavailable.
What if I don't show up?
If you don't show up to your volunteer rostered day without notification you will be fined $50 and we may have to cancel the race. You will be expected to then organise a new date to volunteer on. If you do not select a new date you may be asked to pay the discounted entry for all previous races you have taken part in.
How can I check what date/role I have?
Frequent updates to the roster will be posted on the website, you will also receive a confirmation email from the volunteer co-ordinator confirming your role. Any discrepancies should immediately be notified to the volunteer co-ordinator.
What time should I arrive at the course? Who do I report to?
This depends on your role, however generally you are asked to arrive arrive no later than 9.00AM and report to the start desk and Race Director. Once all volunteers have arrived, the Chief Commissaire will conduct a pre-race briefing to provide you with details of your role and the race plan for the day.
Do I need a working with childrens check to volunteer?
No, but we do encourage you to obtain a Working With Children's check, which is free for volunteers, easy to complete and may be helpful for other activities. We do require that commissaires, race directors, committee members and lead/follow cars to hold one. Amost no volunteers or officials should find themselves alone during an event with any senior or junior rider.
What do I need to bring for my volunteering duties?
Volunteers should bring a healthy dose of optimism, good humour, warm clothes and a hat. Please make sure you have your mobile phone charged, in case you need to be contacted while out on course.
Lead and follow car drivers need full access to a motor car for the duration of the race. At the start desk, you will be issued with appropriate signage to identify your vehicle to other road users and the riders.
Corner marshals should bring warm clothing as you may be quite exposed for approximately 2 hours. If you have driven to the course, bring a broom suitable for sweeping stones, glass, etc to improve the riders’ safety at your corner. At the start desk you will be issued with a high visibility vest and a red flag.
What does a lead car driver do?
The lead car alerts other road users and race officials that riders are approaching.
It is recommended that you drive with your headlights on and keep a safe distance ahead of the first bunch (minimum of 200 metres). Be aware of riders speed down hills and through corners and adjust your speed accordingly.
What does a follow car driver do?
The follow car alerts other road users that there are cyclists racing ahead and provides some protection to riders from rear end collisions.
It is recommended that you drive with your headlights on and keep a safe distance behind the riders (a 10second count which can be a long way on downhills). Be aware of the traffic following and move as far to the left when practicable so that they can safely pass the riders. You must stay behind the last rider in the race. On the last lap, advise the corner marshalls that the race is “over” and it is safe to leave their positions.
What does a corner marshall do?
The corner marshall provides direction to the cyclists and contributes to a safe race by slowing or stopping riders as necessary. Under no circumstances should a corner marshall attempt to stop other road users.
As riders approach point them in the correct direction with appropriate hand signals. Where in your opinion it may be unsafe for riders to enter an intersection, hold up the red flag and use appropriate hand signals to slow or stop the riders – you cannot stop other road users.
What do we do after the race is finished?
Before leaving the course, report to the race commissaries and advise them of your departure. Brief them on any matters that ought to be brought to their attention.
What does a finish line assistant do?
This role requires someone to stand on the finish line for the duration of the race and writing down race numbers as riders go past. This role will help us to further improve our handicapping system by knowing what riders are off the front or off the back of each grade.