Part 12
Urban: Speed Trials
12A Overview
12A.1 Definition
The object of Speed Trials is for riders to traverse a pre-set course as quickly as possible. Riders are either timed or raced against each other. Time is kept when the start of the race is called and when the riders cross the finish line. The winner is the fastest rider to cross the finish line or make it the furthest along the course.
12A.2 Rider Summary
This section is intended as an overview of the rules, but does not substitute for the actual rules.
- You must wear shoes and a helmet.
- There is no restriction on type of unicycle.
- You may change unicycles during the competition.
12B Competitor Rules
12B.1 Safety
All riders must wear a helmet and shoes as defined in chapter 1D.1. Gloves, shin guards and knee protection are recommended.
12B.2 Unicycles
Any unicycle may be used. There is no restriction on changing unicycles during the competition.
12B.3 Rider Identification
The rider number must be visible on the rider or unicycle.
12B.4 Event Flow
12B.4.1 Start
Riders must begin on the start pallet, mounted. It is acceptable for riders to hop in place to balance however riders will be disqualified if the tire contact point crosses the front of the pallet before the signal. The start signal will be given by the Starter by whistle to begin the race. Line judges and the starter are responsible for identifying false starts.
12B.4.2 Race
Once riders have crossed the start line, they must traverse the course without being disqualified. If a rider’s unicycle makes contact with the ground while traversing the course, they can return to the last obstacle successfully completed or at an earlier obstacle in the course.
For example, if a rider loses balance on a skinny and jumps to the ground (while remaining mounted), they must go back to the obstacle touched before the skinny.
12B.4.3 Disqualification
Disqualification is instant and permanent for the attempt or heat. A disqualified rider must stop and clear the course without interfering with judges or other riders. Disqualification happens as follows:
- False start: Starting before the signal has been given by the Starter.
- Allowing any part of the rider’s body to touch the ground or obstacle. If loose clothing brushes against the ground or obstacle but does not influence the rider’s balance, then this is acceptable.
- Allowing any part of the unicycle except the tire, rim, spokes, crank arms, pedals, or bearing caps to touch the ground or obstacle.
- Yelling or verbally distracting the opponents or judges.
12B.4.4 Finish
A rider finishes the race once their wheel fully crosses over the finish line. Once a rider has traversed the last obstacle of the course, they may touch the ground until they cross the finish line. Timekeepers and Finishers will determine the results.
12B.5 Preliminary Rounds
Competitors have 2 or 3 individual attempts to complete the course. Determining if there should be 2 or 3 attempts is decided by the Trials Director. If the number of competitors is less than 10, the results from the preliminary round will be the final results.
12B.6 Finals
Finals can be run in three different ways depending on the number of competitors. At Unicon, the trials director must follow the format indicated in this section depending on number of competitors. For smaller events where materials and construction time is reduced, the trials director may choose from the formats without having to determine event by number of competitors.
12B.6.1 Four Rider Heats
If the number of competitors is 30 or more, finals must be composed of the fastest 16 times from the preliminary round and will be organized with 8 heats of 4 riders. 4 identical lines will need to be constructed. For four rider heats, the first two riders to cross the finish line move forward and the last two riders are eliminated. The heats will be organized as follows:
Quarter Finals:
Heat 1: Seed 1 versus Seed 5 versus Seed 9 versus Seed 13
Heat 2: Seed 3 versus Seed 7 versus Seed 11 versus Seed 15
Heat 3: Seed 2 versus Seed 6 versus Seed 10 versus Seed 14
Heat 4: Seed 4 versus Seed 8 versus Seed 12 versus Seed 16
Semi Finals:
Heat 5: Heat 1 1st, Heat 1 2nd, Heat 2 1st, Heat 2 2nd
Heat 6: Heat 3 1st, Heat 3 2nd, Heat 4 1st, Heat 4 2nd
5th-8th Place Round:
Heat 7: Heat 5 3rd, Heat 5 4th, Heat 6 3rd, Heat 6 4th
Finals:
Heat 8: Heat 5 1st, Heat 5 2nd, Heat 6 1st, Heat 6 2nd
12B.6.2 Two Rider Heats
If the number of competitors is between 10 and 30, finals will be composed of the fastest 8 times form the preliminary round and will be organized by 8 heats of 2 riders. 2 identical lines will need to be constructed. For two rider heats, the first rider to cross the finish line moves forward and the last rider is eliminated.
Quarter Finals:
Heat 1: Seed 1 versus Seed 5
Heat 2: Seed 3 versus Seed 7
Heat 3: Seed 2 versus Seed 6
Heat 4: Seed 4 versus Seed 8
Semi Finals:
Heat 5: Heat 1 Winner versus Heat 2 Winner
Heat 6: Heat 3 Winner versus Heat 4 Winner
3rd-4th Place Round:
Heat 7: Heat 5 Loser versus Heat 6 Loser
Finals:
Heat 8: Heat 5 Winner versus Heat 6 Winner
12B.6.3 Prelim Results as Final Results
If the numbers of competitors is less than 10, prelim results will be the final results (no finals necessary).
12B.7 Prohibited Activities
No rider may attempt any obstacle prior to the start of the competition. Intentional modification of a section by riders or spectators is prohibited. Note that kicking objects to test stability does not constitute intentional modification if an object moves. If the course is unintentionally modified or broken by a rider, they should inform the Event Director or Course Setter who will return the obstacle to its original form if possible.
12C Judges and Officials Rules
12C.1 Speed Trials Officials
12C.1.1 Speed Trials Director
The Speed Trials Director is the head organizer and administrator of speed trials events. With the Convention Host, the Speed Trials Director determines the course, obtains permis, interfaces with the community, and determines the system used to run the event. The Speed Trials Director is responsible for the logistics and equipment for all trials events. Speed Trials Director is in charge of keeping events running on schedule, and answers all questions not pertaining to rules and judging. The Speed Trials Director is the highest authority on everything to do with the trials events, except for decisions on rules and results.
12C.1.2 Chief Judge
The Chief Judge is the head Speed Trials official, whose primary job is to make sure the competitors follow the rules. The Chief Judge makes all final decisions regarding rule infractions. The Chief Judge is responsible for resolving protests.
12C.1.3 Starter
The starter is responsible for giving each competitor a fair and equal start. There must be only one starter for an event to maintain consistency. The starter must use a whistle to signal the start of the race. The starter must make sure all riders are ready, alert and given the signal to begin the race. The starter must check for false starts. The starter must begin the race with random delays between 1 and 10 seconds. The starter must be positioned close to the start line as possible but must not interfere or impede riders.
12C.1.4 Line Judge
Each rider must have a separate line judge assigned to them. The line judges are responsible for checking for false starts. As riders progress over the course, the line judge must make sure that their assigned rider is successfully cleaning the course. Should the rider fall or dismount, the line judge must indicate the location where the rider last made contact before dismounting.
12C.1.5 Timekeepers/Finisher
Timekeepers are responsible for keeping time during Prelims. Timekeepers are unnecessary during finals since finals are heats. During prelims, the timekeepers must press their stop watches when the races commences and when the rider crosses the finish line. A minimum of two timekeepers must be used to record time. The average of the two times must be calculated to determined the final score for the attempt. During finals, two Finishers will watch the finish line to determine order of riders. Time keepers must be positioned close to the finish line for accurate results.
12C.2 Rematch
At the discretion of the Chief Judge, a rematch for a heat (finals) may be needed if the winner is unclear. The riders in question will redo the heat without other competitors.For example, if the 2nd and 3rd place rankings are unclear, a new heat will begin with only 2nd and 3rd for tiebreak.
Rematches will not be provided for broken parts or flat tyres once the competitor in question has entered the course.
12D Event Organizer Rules
12D.1 Venue
In the Speed Trials Comp, the organizers should postpone the event in case of wet weather and exchange all the affected parts of the course for dry ones (replacing pallets for example). These competitions should be canceled if considered dangerous for the riders. If postponed or moved to an indoor location the organizers must try to keep the allowances the same as outdoors competitions (metal pedals allowed for example). If originally on the competition schedule, these canceled competitions should be rescheduled during the convention duration. The event host should try to place events that may be influenced by weather conditions in the first days of the event, giving a larger period of time to reschedule it.
There should be no dangerous objects to land on if a rider falls off a high object. Sections should be constructed so that they do not collapse or fall over under normal riding conditions.
12D.2 Officials
The host must designate the following officials for Speed Trials:
- Speed Trials Director
- Chief Judge
Starter, Line Judges and Timekeepers/Finishers will be volunteers assigned during the event.
12D.3 Communication
12D.4 Age Groups
- Scoring will be based on age groups in accordance with rule 1C.8.
12D.5 Course Design
Construction of the course is at the discretion of the Speed Trials director. However, the course should have a combination of long jumps, high jumps, balance elements, and precision jumps. The finals course should be more difficult than the preliminary course and all courses must not favour a particular hopping stance or direction. The Speed Trials director needs to provide a warm-up area with obstacles for riders.
12D.6 Course Planning
Adequate time and resources is required to set up a proper course with at least one day required to build identical lines for multiple riders to complete preliminary runs concurrently.