D20_Officials

Mid-Atlantic Cycling Officials Information
Last Updated 8/17/2008

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NOTE -- Many of the new links are to PDF documents that require Acrobat 5.0 or higher. Click here for a free download

Learn about UCI Bike measurement:

Here is a link to a primer on measuring bikes using the UCI measurement jig Link. MARA owns one of the basic jigs and it will be used to measure bikes at our local Time Trials. This is in preparation for National Championships. Check out the link.

Time to start thinking about 2008 events!

It is now time to start thinking about 2008 races. The season starts in EARLY FEBRUARY. The Race Availability List will be kept up to date as I get information. Let me know which events you can help with; just send me an e-mail jim@jimpatton.net. Please remember that submitting this list only indicates that you are available for the event. It does NOT assign you to an event. If you have not been contacted about an event that you want to work, you may contact the assigned Chief Referee to confirm your assignment status. Note: Race planning, including crew assignments, nominally happens 6-8 weeks before the event.
We have THREE NRC again this season (Kelly Cup, CSC Classic, and Bank of America Wilmington Classic). We also have one UCI event, the former Crystal City Classic is now the US Air Force Classic). Last year we had a very long list of folks who wanted to join these crews. These events are staffed with senior officials (mostly Nat Comm and Cat A folks). A few lower category officials will have an opportunity to volunteer at these events, but will probably NOT be assigned to the crew.

We communicate via an e-mail list:

The MACO e-mail list is our primary communication tool. To learn about the list and how to become a member, click here. The Chief Referees will assume that you are receiving e-mail from this list. If you chose NOT to subscribe, the burden of communication is yours.

New Computer for the Finish Line:

MABRA finish lines will now use a new Macbook and iMovie to easily record and pick the final placings. The Macbook is VERY user friendly. iMovie is even easier to use. To help you become familiar with program, here is a link to the iMovie HD Getting Started. We'll only be using the basic record and playback features! Recording is a simple "click". Play back is a touch on the space bar to start and stop; the left and right arrow keys do the frame-by-frame. No more monitors, no more IR remount control, just a computer screen!

New Fine Form for Chief Referees:

Fine Form

This is the new fine form. Having learned from the first attempt last year, this one addresses several issues. First, it is in adobe fill-in format, so if you have adobe 6.0, you can type info into one line and it will duplicate it automatically into the others to save you time typing. It can still be used as a stand alone form to fill in by hand when that is necessary.

It also includes info on the top that indicates that the licensee will pay a late fee if they do not willingly submit this within 15 days. Clearly, this part falls apart if the CR does not give part A of the form to the fined licensee or his/her manager. Basically, if I have to track them down, it is going to cost them. I must have spend 20 hours this year processing fines from riders I had to track down.

Part B and C are for the CR to submit to us. Part B goes with the CR report. Part C comes to me directly. I would really appreciate it if part C gets to me before the rider sends me the fine, so I have some idea what the fine is for.

Motorcycle Handbook:

The Motorcycle Handbook on-line. Go to the SkooterRefs website, clicking on Training Information will take you to the download page.

Reference Lists and Information:

Race Availability List
Officials List
USA Cycling Road, Track and Cyclocross Rulebook (Current)
USACSchedule of Fees
USAC Rulebook (Current) (Contains Upgrade Guidelines and general rules)
NCCA Rulebook (Current)
ACCC Rules
USA Cycling Mountain Rulebook (Current)
UCI Rules (Current)
Race Official's Administrative Handbook
Officials Manual Part 1 General Officiating Principles
Officials Manual Part 2 Officiating Road Events
Officials Manual Part 3 Officiating Track Events
MABRA Cross Series Documents (2008): Series Rules; Series Tech Guide

Clothing and ID Pouches Available:
Shirts Picture

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USAC will soon have a full clothing program available on-line. All your needs should be covered, including patches. Click here or a direct link.
Contact Jim Patton for information on the ID Pouches -- they're still available.

Meet your Finish Line Camera!!!

We have two finish line cameras:

Optura 20 -- New for 2003 -- Optura 20 Manual
Optura Pi -- Your old buddy -- Optura Pi Manual

One or both of these cameras will be available for ALL mass start MABRA races. For wide finishes, two cameras can ensure that you are able to pick all the numbers. This can be done with one camera on each side of the road (the hard way) or both cameras on the same side of the road with one zoomed to the far side while the other is zoomed to include the near guys (this method is easier to control -- one remote can start and stop both cameras!).
Here are some slides that you'll see during the Crofton Seminar on our new Optura Pi (333K file).
These are the older SONY slides (665K file), yes it is still around, wounded, but could show up in a pinch.
More Camera Hints :

I've taught the camera a couple new tricks and I understand how shutter speed can be mistakenly reset - this happened at one of the early races. The reset is done by moving that little button that I told everyone to leave alone and always have in the down position - well, if you move it up, and then back to where it should be, you have to reset your shutter speed and aperture! So always check the screen to make sure that you have 1/1000th or 1/2000th showing as you get the camera ready for a finish.
And USE THE ZOOM -- many of you are not getting the numbers big enough. To make your job easier, move the camera BACK from the curb, at least six feet, focus WAY out (think infinity), and then zoom to where you can read the numbers across the road. It works.

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Read to see the slides. It is FREE to download, click here

The 25 Most Important Things To Know About Officiating-- Article from January 2001 Referee magazine, click to download PDF. Great food for thought for ALL officials (any sport)

General Questions (and the correct (perhaps) answers):
1. Who is ready to work which races?

The Race Availability List will be kept up to date as I get any information from you on what races you want to work.
If you still want to indicate interest for future races, look at the Race Availability List, and send Jim Patton the race names and dates that you would like be involved with. Since we are already in the season, it will also help if you contact the Chief Referee listed on the Race Availability List to express your interest; don't wait to be called if you really want to work an event.

Race crews are normally established six or more weeks before the event!

2. Motors Referee Information -- Including a great Road Racing Handbook, see SkooterRefs website

3. Need to find one of our officials?

The current Officials List can be downloaded here

4. Need Motorcycles? This is list of people having completed the New Motor Clinic.

Our Officials List has local motors listed with an "M" in the official's category.

5. Information for New Officials

To become a USCF Official, you must:
- Attend an introductory Seminar
- Take and pass an entry-level, open book exam (70% minimum score)
- Purchase a USCF Officials License ($35)

6. So, you want to Up-Grade? Here are the guidelines:

Regional "B"
      Minimum age, 19 years
      At least one season of experience
      Worked 10 Regional events in road, track, or cyclo-cross as an official
           - The official must show that the event work was in a variety of positions for each of the disciplines in which an upgrade is sought.
       Successfully complete the 1.5-2 day USAC Regional B Race Official Training Course.
           - 70% minimum score on USAC Regional B Race Official Exam
Regional "A"
       Minimum age, 21 years
       Minimum of 25 races -- road, track and cyclo-cross -- any position, plus:
        - For Road Upgrade
            - The 25 race minimum must include at least 2 stage races
            - Must have worked at least
                - 5 road races as Chief Referee
                - 5 road or cyclo-cross races as Chief Judge
                Note: No more than 2 cyclo-cross events may be counted for upgrade experience
        - For Track Upgrade
            - At least:
                - 5 races as Chief Referee
                - 5 races as Starter
                - 5 races as Chief Judge or Secretary
           - At least four of the 25 minimum events must be at the National Level or Higher
         Successfully complete the 3-5 day USAC Regional A Race Official Training Course
           - 75% minimum score on USAC Regional A Race Official Exam

7. Motor Referee Program, including upgrade process

C-Motoref (C-MR)
This would be the starting point for someone who is an official but who has not necessarily done any motoreferee work.

Must have a level C officials license or better at the time of the first motoref clinic.
Successfully completes the initial course (one-day seminar, with test)
Works at E-C level events
Works at B level events if under the tutelage* of a level A motoref
Works A level events if under the tutelage* of a level A motoref with a recommendation of the Motoref Commission

B-Motoref (B-MR)
This is a motoref that has some gained substantial experience since earning the C-MR certification. This person will have experience in criteriums, road races, and time trials. He or she may also have participated as a motoref in level B or A races with caravans per the stipulations above.

Must have a level B road officials license
Detailed resume documenting 10 road events as a C-MR

o At least 5 events as circuit or road race events
o At least 2 events as lead or follow moto for a Criterium

Two recommendations from A-MR, International Commissaires, or Regional Coordinators
Recommendations must include data from documented personal observations at events
Works up through B level events
Works A level events if under the tutelage* of a level A motoref

A- Motoref (A-MR)
This is the highest level certified. This person has experience at all levels of motorefing, including work with large caravans. This person also has extensive understanding of the rules of cycling, the relationship of the motorefs to the commissaires, and the nature of international rules and interpretations.

Attends and passes the level A motoref course
Has a minimum of one season as a B motoref before upgrading**
Detailed resume documenting 15 events as a B-MR

o At least 10 circuit or road race events
o At least 3 events at the National Calendar level or higher

Three recommendations from A-MR and international commissaires

o Recommendations must be based on documented personal observations at events.
o At least one recommendation must come from an international commissaire or a member of the motoref commission.

Works all events.

* Note that under this usage of “tutelage”, the fact that an A-MR is present is not sufficient in itself. If this A-MR is not someone who is going to help the other motorefs or the schedule is not conducive to that being possible, then this situation should not be allowed and is not counted as a qualifying resume experience.
** Two years would be better, and it would take some serious recommendations for a single year to be acceptable

8. Missed the 2008 Update Clinics and want to see the slides?

Here are some of the seminar materials: Update Clinic Slides

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jim Patton
Jim @jimpatton.net
1803 Roxboro Place
Crofton, MD 21114
410-721-7650 (evenings before 9)
202-781-1591 (days)
301-332-3358 (cell)