Weather Policy

Below are the guidelines for how the ACA will conduct races in the event of challenging weather. Our primary considerations are the safety of riders, support staff and spectators, and potential damage to the venue and trails.

Any decisions regarding canceling, postponing or altering race start times, lap lengths, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by the ACA Executive Director, Race Director, Operations Director, Chief Referee and the land manager. Often this decision cannot be made until the morning of the race due to the unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of severe weather.

The ACA will make every attempt to notify the racing population as soon as possible via email, social media and website updates.

WEATHER GUIDELINES

  • Races are held on their scheduled dates unless the race course on the day of the race is deemed unrideable and/or dangerous.
  • The ACA will have the option to alter the start of a race from its published times if the weather has created dangerous conditions.
  • Courses and/or lap lengths may be altered or shortened because of weather conditions.
    • Changes to race course and/or lap count will be announced at the pre-race coach meeting, if changes are known at that time.
    • Last minute changes will be broadcast to racers at the start of each field via the staging and starting staff.
  • All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning, as signified by the race director. Course marshals will direct racers off course where they can seek shelter in vehicles, trailers/RVs or buildings.
  • Re-starting a race that has been stopped due to lightning or other emergency:
    • Depending on schedule and number of laps completed, the race may be declared over.
    • If time permits, racers will be able to resume laps beginning from the lap line.
  • Race registration fees:
    • If a race venue is moved or a race is rescheduled, race registration fees will automatically be applied to the moved or rescheduled race.
    • If a race is cancelled due to weather conditions, fees will not be refunded.
  • Race points:
    • If a race is cancelled (unable to be moved or rescheduled):
      • No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the overall team series point standings.
      • No individual points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the overall individual series point standings. The 25 season bonus points will be awarded based on starting all races in the shortened series.
    • If a race is partially completed (some fields complete their race and others do not):
      • No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the overall team series point standings.
      • Individual points will be awarded in all of the fields that completed their race and those fields will proceed through the season as normal.
      • No individual points will be awarded in the fields for which races were not completed and the race will not be included in the season overall individual point standings. The 25 season bonus points will be awarded based on starting all races in the shortened series.

Refund Policy

The ACA understands that money is valuable and circumstances arise that can cause a change in plans. We want to work with you to put your money to good use wherever possible. We also forecast our race resource planning based on having a solid understanding of how many riders we are expecting. Based on these considerations we have adopted the following refund guidelines for all requests not directly related to weather (as noted in the weather policy):

  • The annual ACA Membership (season registration) pertains to a host of activities outside of racing and is not refundable once paid.
  • The Race Package (registration for all races during the season) is refundable, minus a $10 administrative fee, for any reason through August 31. Beginning September 1 the Race Package is not refundable.
    • The Race Package may not be prorated based on the number of races a rider attends.
    • Exceptions may be made for season-ending injuries or other medical reasons. A doctor’s note must be provided.
    • All requests for refund must be sent to the registration manager.
  • Individual race registration fees may not be transferred to subsequent races and are non-refundable.
  • No refunds are given for canceled races due to inclement weather, acts of nature or air quality conditions. Please review the Weather Policy above.
  • The Coach License Fee and Team Registration Fee are not refundable.