The Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department will host the 3rd annual Hickory Short Track Mountain Bike Series on the following Sundays: March 17, 24 & April 7, 14. Races start at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Hickory Trails at 1581 12th St. Dr. NW, Hickory. Participants can register for individual races or the entire series.

ALL RACES ARE: RAIN OR SHINE or in the event of cancellation due to "Acts of God".

Races will be divided into different categories by age and skill level. The event is open to age 4 years and older.

RACE PRICING:

ADULT SERIES RACE REGISTRATION
$110 = Up to Tuesday of Race Week
$120 = Wednesday to Saturday prior to Race Day
$135 = March 17th only - Race Day

JUNIOR SERIES RACE REGISTRATION
$75 = Up to Tuesday of Race Week
$85 = Wednesday to Saturday prior to Race Day
$95 = March 17th only - Race Day

ADULT INDIVIDUAL RACE REGISTRATION
$30 = Up to Tuesday of Race Week
$35 = Wednesday to Saturday prior to Race Day
$40 = Race Day

JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL RACE REGISTRATION
$20 = Up to Tuesday of Race Week
$25 = Wednesday to Saturday prior to Race Day
$30 = Race Day

SECOND RACE on the same Race Day (must already be registered for another race)
$15

REGISTRATION POLICIES:

1. There are NO refunds or transfers for these races.

2. Race Management reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to unfavorable conditions.

3. Registration fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation due to "Acts of God".

RACING AGE IS BASED ON YOUR AGE ON DECEMBER 31, 2024

If you are a JUNIOR, YOU CAN RACE UP AN AGE GROUP but you cannot race down. Opposite goes for adults. ADULTS can RACE DOWN AN AGE GROUP but NOT up. If you turn 18 in 2024, you are considered an adult and will register in an adult category.

CATEGORIES = START TIMES & RACE TIMES
BEGINNER MEN 18-34 = Start 9:15am, Race 30 Minutes
BEGINNER MEN 35-44 = Start 9:16am, Race 30 Minutes
BEGINNER MEN 45+ = Start 9:17am, Race 30 Minutes

WOMEN OPEN (18 & UP) = Start 9:55am, Race 40 Minutes
MASTERS WOMEN 40+ = Start 9:56am, Race 40 Minutes

SPORT MEN 18-34 = Start 10:35am, Race 40 Minutes
SPORT MEN 35-44 = Start 10:36am, Race 40 Minutes
SPORT MEN 45+ = Start 10:37am, Race 40 Minutes

SINGLE SPEED = Start 11:25am, Race 40 Minutes
MASTERS MEN 50+ = Start 11:26am, Race 40 Minutes
CLYDESDALE (200+ LBS) = Start 11:27am, 40 Minutes

EXPERT MEN = Start 12:16pm, Race 50 Minutes
MASTERS MEN 35+ = Start 12:17pm, Race 50 Minutes

FREE KIDS RACE (UNDER 8) = 1:05pm, Race One Lap

JUNIOR BOYS 14-17 = Start 1:15pm, Race 30 Minutes
JUNIOR BOYS 11-13 = Start 1:17pm, Race 30 Minutes

JUNIOR BOYS 10 & UNDER = Start 1:45pm, Race 25 Minutes

BEGINNER WOMEN = Start 2:15pm, Race 25 Minutes
JUNIOR GIRLS 14-17 = Start 2:17pm, Race 25 Minutes
JUNIOR GIRLS 13 & UNDER = Start 2:18pm, Race 25 Minutes

DOUBLE POINTS RACE: There will be 1 double points race throughout the season. The race will not be announced until the day of the race.

Category Explanations

EXPERT MEN = Just as stated...Experts. This category races for approximately 50 minutes.
MASTERS 35+ = Experienced racers 35 and over but not quite as fast as the experts. Race time approximately 50 minutes. Sport and Beginner Men 35+ can double up in this category.
SPORT MEN = Sport Men will be broken into three ages groups. This category is designed for those who have raced in the beginner category or who for those with a little bit of racing experience but are not quite ready to race with the Expert Men. Race time approximately 40 minutes.
BEGINNER MEN = Beginner Men will also be broken into three age groups. This category is designed for the true beginner. If you have raced in the past, you are not a beginner. This category is strictly designed for the entry level mountain bike racer. Race time approximately 30 minutes.
CLYDESDALE = The Clydesdale category is designated for male riders who weigh at least 200 pounds or more.
MASTERS MEN = Master Men is designed for exerienced races Men ages 35+, 50+ and older. Race time approximately 40 minutes.
SINGLE SPEED = Just as stated, plan accordingly with your gearing
WOMEN OPEN = This category is designed for our most experienced and fastest ladies of all ages. This category races for approximately 40 minutes.
MASTERS WOMEN 40+ = is designed for those who have raced in the beginner category or who for those with racing experience but are not quite ready to race with the younger women. Race time approximately 40 minutes.
BEGINNER WOMEN = This category is designed for the true beginner women mountain bike enthusiast. Race time approximately 30 minutes.
JUNIORS = Juniors are broken down into three age groups. If Juniors race sport or expert in USAC sanctioned races, it is recommended they race sport or expert in this race series as well.


COMBINING CATEGORIES: Sport and Beginner age group categories are subject to be combined due to lack of participation.

PRIZES: Prizes will be collected from race sponsors throughout the winter. These prizes will be awarded for the overall points accumulated throughout the Hickory series races. Trophies will be given to the top For medals, prizes or cash 3 finishers of each category. YOU MUST COMPETE IN A MINIMUM OF 3 RACES IN THE HICKORY SERIES TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE OVERALL PRIZES.



POINTS:

Expert Races will be worth 3x points.
Sport and Masters Races will be worth 2x points
All other races will be 1x point races
Pack Points for Team Competition

MOVING UP DURING THE SEASON

Racers will be allowed to move up during the season by taking half of their accumulated points to the next category. Racers will be allowed to move down a category, but will not be allowed to take any points.

Team Competition - NEW POINTS BREAKDOWN FOR 2024

The Team competition will consist of team members across all categories earning points. The points will be derived from a new system where we add points and "Pack Points". Pack Points are based upon the number of people racing in your category. The top six people from your team will be scored.

For more information, contact Lance Riddile at 828-261-2254 or [email protected].