Burkes Cycles Speed League Rules
Introduction
Burkes Cycles Speed League is a yearly track racing league held at Wellington Velodrome from November to March, run by the Port Nicholson Poneke Cycling Club Track Sub-Committee. The aim of the Burkes Cycles Speed League is to provide quality racing on a weekly basis, encourage competition and participation. The season will be split into Spring and Summer series with individual winners. The overall Speed League champions will be determined at the end of the season by combining riders’ points from the two series.
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These rules are to be followed in conjunction to the Cycling New Zealand Racing Rules and are subject to change.
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The Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers are Nigel Saywell, Nick Warren and the Race Manager.
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How to participate
Riders can participate in the Burkes Cycles Speed League on a casual basis, or pay for a season pass.
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Casual race entry: $8 (anyone under 19 $5).
Season pass valid beginning November – end of March: $65 (anyone under 19 $45).
Spring series only pass valid beginning November – end of December: $40 (anyone under 19 $30).
Summer series only pass valid January – end of March: $40 (anyone under 19 $30).
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Riders must have a valid Cycling New Zealand racing license of Ride level or higher.
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Riders will be split into categories based on ability and number of riders participating. Each Burkes Cycles Speed League race meeting will have a minimum of two categories and, depending on numbers, additional categories may be run. Riders can request to be placed in a certain category however the Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers have the final say. Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers may choose to move a rider into a different category at short notice.
Age Grade
Junior riders compete in the Cycling New Zealand age grade relevant to the actual race day.
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This means that some riders who move up from Under 15 to Under 17, or Under 17 to Under 19 on January 1, will change Speed League classifications, however, since category allocation is the sole factor in a rider’s ability to earn points, all Speed League points earned count in their new classification.
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E.g. A rider may start the season as an Under 15 rider but finish as an Under 17. It’s therefore possible the rider may lead the Under 15s classification until becoming an Under 17. The rider’s overall standing in the Under 17 classification will include ALL points earned during the season.
Race types
Burkes Cycles Speed League race types will vary throughout the season. The race programme for each Speed League will be published in advance.
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The majority of race types can be found on the PNP website and in the Cycling New Zealand Racing Rules, however the Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers may put on races that are not in these lists. In this case, the programme will include details and the race manager will explain the race before the start.
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Positions for handicap races will be made by the Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers and announced before the race start. Their decision is final.
How points are allocated
Riders can score points for the overall Burkes Cycles Speed League table in the following ways:
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For registering and racing at any Burkes Cycles Speed League race meeting, each rider gains 3 points
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First – 5 extra points
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Second – 3 extra points
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Third – 2 extra points
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Fourth – 1 extra point
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Some races may be have points allocated differently. In this case, the race details will be published in the race programme and explained by the Race Manager.
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Please note that the Laykold Cup track carnival and Wellington Centre Championships are not Burkes Cycles Speed League race meetings and will not count to towards the overall points table. Sprint Ace points (see below) also do not get added to a rider's Speed League tally.
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Also, the final Burkes Cycles Speed League race meeting may not carry points to the overall league table.
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Team Scratch
Burkes Cycles Speed Leagues will regularly have a Team Scratch race for teams of 3-5 riders over set distance. The aim is for the teams to work together for victory, as regardless of who crosses the line first, the entire team will score 5 Burkes Cycles Speed League points.
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Teams can only score once in each Team Scratch (i.e. if members of the same team finish first and second, the team only pick up the winners’ points and the second place points are awarded to the first rider on next highest placed team).
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Teams will be chosen at random before the start.
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Zeal Commercial Interiors Sprint Ace
The Lanes Bar and Bowling Lounge Sprint Ace will take place week, and is a separate competition within Speed League. For the 2017-18 season, it will be run as a six-up one lap derby.
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Qualifying
All riders wanting to take part in the Sprint Ace must record a flying 200m time at the first race meeting of the season. Riders will then be ranked according to their times. The fastest eight men, and six women will qualify for the first Sprint Ace ride-off which will take place at the second race meeting. Riders outside the top six will go into a pool for future ride-offs. Any riders unable to attend the flying 200m can join the pool at any time during the season at the bottom.
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Ride-Offs
Sprint Ace ride-offs consist of a one-lap, held start for up to six riders.
- The first three across the line will be allocated Sprint Ace points (not Speed League) 3, 2, 1, and the first four will qualify for the following week's ride-off.
- The bottom four will go back into the pool at the bottom.
- For the following week's ride-off, the first four from the previous week, and the top four in the pool will compete.
- If a rider who listed in the ride-off is unable to attend, their place will be carried over to the following week.
- If there is a rider in the pool who is promoted to the ride-off but isn't in attendance, they will remain in the pool and retain their position.
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Teams' Prize
Riders can register as part of a team in order to qualify for the Teams’ Prize. There is no limit on the amount of riders registered on the same team. The points of the three highest scoring riders in each team are combined and the team with the highest number of points at the end of the season will be crowned Speed League Team Champions.
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Riders are not obliged to ride together in team events during Speed League events (e.g. Team Scratch). Riders cannot switch teams during the season. Cycling New Zealand rules regarding collusion in individual races still apply.
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Sponsors
Burkes Cycles Speed League has a number of sponsors making it possible.
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Title Sponsor: Burkes Cycles Cycles, Kilbirnie, Wellington
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Sprint Ace Title Sponsor: Zeal Commercial Interiors
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Under 19 Title Sponsor: Craigs Investment Partners
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Prize Sponsor: Champion Systems
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Open Men and Women Title Sponsor: Coffee Supreme
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We ask for your support in promoting these sponsors, as without them, the Burkes Cycles Speed League would not exist.
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Overall Speed League Champions
At the end of the season, the following champions will be determined based on the total amount of Burkes Cycles Speed League points accumulated during the Spring and Summer series. Riders must race at least three times in a season to qualify for a title.
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Burkes Cycles Speed League Male Champion – male (open or masters) rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Burkes Cycles Speed League Female Champion – female (open or masters) rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Craig's Investment Partners Under 19 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Male Champion – under 19 male rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Craig's Investment Partners Under 19 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Female Champion – under 19 female rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 17 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 17 male rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 17 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 17 female rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 15 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 15 male rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 15 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 15 female rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 13 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 13 male rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 13 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 13 female rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 11 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 11 male rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Under 11 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Champion – under 11 female rider with the highest number of points accumulated during season.
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Most Improved Rider – to be decided by the Burkes Cycles Speed League organisers.
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Zeal Commercial Interiors Sprint Ace Men's Champion – highest placed rider on the Men’s Sprint Ace league mini-table.
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Zeal Commercial InteriorsWomen's Champion – highest placed rider on the Women’s Sprint Ace league mini-table.
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Teams’ Prize – team with the highest number of points accumulated during season (see Teams’ Prize section for details).
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Burkes Cycles Speed League rankings will be updated and published on the PNP website weekly.
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Prizes and Trophies
Prizes and trophies will be given out at a prize giving ceremony held at The Lanes Bar and Bowling Lounge in Wellington.
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Burkes Cycles Speed League Male Winner – Vice President’s Cup, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Burkes Cycles Speed League Female Winner – Omnium Cup, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 19 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 19 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 17 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Gary Gibson Cup, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 17 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 15 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Pointscore Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 15 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 13 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 13 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 11 Boys Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Under 11 Girls Burkes Cycles Speed League Winner – Trophy, Champion System winner’s jersey.
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Most Improved Rider – Paul Larkin Most Improved Rider Trophy, Champion System MIR jersey.
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The Lanes Sprint Ace Men’s Champion – Sprint Ace Trophy.
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The Lanes Sprint Ace Women’s Champion – Sprint Ace Womens Trophy.
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Zeal Interiors Teams’ Prize – Teams trophy.
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All prizes and trophies will be presented at the annual prize giving on at the end of the season,
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Contact
If you have any queries or suggestions regarding these rules, please contact Peter Mitchell or Nick Warren at track@pnp.org.nz.