SUMMER SPRINTS 2026

---

---

Date	Location
Sunday 18th January	Underwood Park
Sunday 8th February	Mt Cotton - Eastern Escarpment - Gate 2, Schoeck Rd
Sunday 15th March	Daisy Hill - Ford/Avalon Rd entry gate

---

ABOUT

RATS Cycling Club presents the 2026 Summer Sprints Series – a short, beginner friendly XCO cross country mountain bike event.

• The Summer Sprints are accessible to the participation level of rider right through to the countries very best elite riders.
  
• Everyone of different abilities and genders will race in separate races so everyone has the best racing / riding experience.
  
• Beginners in CD grade will race in their own race away from high level riders.
  
• Women in BC grade will have their very own race away from the men
  
• Kids will have their own race away from the seniors with 3 separate kids only races.
  

---

CATEGORIES

• Riders self seed in to their chosen grade/category, please see descriptions below for guidance on where you should first start.
  
• We recommend first time off road races start in D. C grade if you have road racing experience, then progress from there.
  
• Consider stepping up 1 grade as A/B has been separated into under 40 and over 40 age groups.
  

This year, there are 5 new categories for seniors.

• Participation
  
• Single Speed
  
• Enduro Bike
  
• Masters A Grade - 40+ age group
  
• Masters B Grade - 40+ age group
  

Seniors

Category	Race Time	Age	Description
Participation	30 mins	U17 +	Suitable for riders who aren't concerned about racing but want to be involved. No podium.
Enduro Bike	40 mins	U15 +	It's not fair racing XC machines on big enduro bikes. Have your own category!
E-Bike	50 mins	U15 +	Must be legal pedal assist. Illegal bikes will not be allowed to race. Bikes will be checked for chips.
Single speed	40/50 mins	U15 +	Single gear or electronic gears with battery removed.
D Grade	40 mins	U15 +	Suitable for first time racers and new mountain bikers - limited riding experience / fitness
C Grade	40 mins	U15 +	Suitable for first time and regular racers - intermediated level of fitness and skill
B Grade	50 mins	U15 - 39	Suitable for seasoned racers - highly skilled and very fit riders.
A Grade	50 mins	U15 - 39	Suitable for seasoned racers - expertly skilled and extremely fit riders.
Masters B Grade	50 mins	40 +	Suitable for 40+ highly skilled and very fit riders.
Masters A Grade	50 mins	40 +	Suitable for 40+ expertly skilled and extremely fit riders.

Juniors

Category	Race Time	Age	Description
D Grade	10 mins	Under 9	Is for Balance bikes and riders on 16” wheels or smaller - 200 meter kids course at race base.
C Grade	10 mins	Under 9, Under 11	Is up to a 24” (wheel size) bike - 200 meter kids course at race base.
B Grade	20 mins	Under 13, Under 15, Under 17	Junior course.
A Grade	20 mins	Under 13, Under 15, Under 17	Junior course.

Notes:

• Only exceptional Under 13 riders are permitted to race in the Senior categories. e.g. likely to win a podium. Contact Race Director.
  
• Only exception Under 11 riders are permitted to race Junior AB grade. e.g. competitive against adults. Contact Race Director.
  
• Junior riders are recommended to start their first race in the lowest possible grade for their age group. Once experienced consider stepping up.
  
• Junior riders may be pushed up in to a higher grade to ensure the safety of all riders. This decision will be made by the commissaire at the event.
  
• Participation - Suitable for riders who aren't concerned about racing but want to support the RATS, the Summer Sprints and have a great time on course - no podium. This is the most beginner friendly introduction to racing and events.
  
• Single Speeders will race in their chosen ABCD or Masters AB race and fight for that podium as well as a Single Speed only podium where single speeders from different grades fight for a podium. 1 gear only (electronic gears with the battery removed / shifter pod removed also accepted, commissaire will check at race start).
  
• Single Speeders, please check the "Special offer opt in" box.
  
• Enduro Bikes, more than 151mm of travel in the front fork. As printed by the manufacturer.
  
• A Grade and Master A Grade may be merged into one podium if low numbers.
  
• B Grade and Master B Grade may be merged into one podium if low numbers.
  
• All categories above have male/female except D grade which is men only. (due to numbers).
  
• You may be asked to move up one grade if you are dominating a lower grade.
  
• Participation may be merged with the CD grade race pending numbers
  
• Participation race is men and women on course together. If you would like a women's only race please enter C Grade women.
  
• Contact RaceDirector@RATSCC.com.au if you have issues or questions or if your normal category is not available.
  

---

Prize money

Prize money is available to all A grade senior races, including masters. This is to promote upward movement of racers to higher grades to keep lower grades competitive and fair.

Position	Prize
1st	$40
2nd	$20
3rd	$10

• To claim your prize money, if you choose, please email the club Treasurer on treasurer@ratscc.com.au
  
• Funds will be transferred to your bank account.
  
• A minimum of 5 riders is required in a category for prize money to be eligible.
  
• Prize money must be claimed within 7 days of the last round.
  
• Prize money for all races will be transferred after the last race.
  
• Prize money can be donated to the club by not claiming it.

---

Pricing

Entry Type	Price
Senior full price	$35
Senior RATS club member	$25 (save $10)
Juniors	FREE thanks to RIDE MECHANIC
Participation	$10
Senior RATS club member 3 rounds	$60 (save $15)
Senior full price 3 rounds	$75 ( save $30)

• If you are a RATS club member, select the "Membership claimed" tick box when entering to gain the discount.
• Juniors racing up in senior races will be charged at the Senior rate
  
• If you want to race all 3 rounds and claim the discounted entry, you must enter using the series entry.
  
• If you enter round 1 then later decide to race all 3 rounds, you cannot claim the series discount.
  
• Series entry is only available to senior riders not juniors. Juniors enter each individual round as normal.
  
• Series entry does not support scratching unfortunately.
  

---

RIDE MECHANIC SPONSORSHIP FOR UNDER 19

Ride Mechanic, a local Brisbane business has sponsored the Summer Sprints, offering FREE ENTRY FOR UNDER 19s
If you are eligible please enter promo code "RIDEMECH" for free entry.
Please support this business that supports us for you next purchase of chain lube, chamois cream, tyre sealant or bike wash."

---

Free Entry

Free entry is available this year to reward racers at our major events, volunteers and our committee members. Please consider volunteering to keep our club strong.

• Free entry is available for ALL podiums from Bayview Blast 2025 and Chicks in the Sticks 2025
  
• Free entry is available for trail care volunteers at RATS hosted sessions (RATS members only)
  
• Free entry is available for event volunteers e.g. set up, pack up, marshals, BBQ, etc (RATS members only)
  
• Free entry can be used for your kids, partner or friend
  
• Free entry is available for RATS committee members (plenty of openings we especially need a SECRETARY!)
  
• Our new Secretary will receive a yearly off road AusCycling Membership and free entry to all RATS races!
  

To claim free entry, enter the appropriate promo code into the "Promo code" box when entering:

"TRAILFAIRY" for trail care volunteers.
"BVB25" for podium prize from Bayview Blast 2025.
"CITS25" for podium prize from Chicks in the Sticks.
"VOLUNTEER" for event volunteers.
"COMMITTEE" for our very hard working committee members.

In the "Entry remarks" comment box, add a brief description of why you are eligible for free entry, please see examples below.

• Trail Care Volunteer (e.g. volunteered on Sunday 20th at Underwood Park session. 7am to 11am)
  
• Committee Member (race director, secretary , president, etc)
  
• Bayview Blast Podium (name, age group, podium position, etc)
  
• Chicks in the Sticks Podium (name, age group, podium position, etc)
  
• Event Volunteer (Summer Sprints round 1 BBQ, marshal, set up, etc)
  Free entries need to pass the pub test. e.g. attending trail care for 30 minutes doesn't pass the pub test, a 3 hour session would.
  

---

Member Pricing

RATS Cycling Club members will enjoy member pricing, please check the "Membership claimed" tick box to receive your discount.

---

Series Entry Discount

• Senior RATS member 3 round discount. Entry price $60 (save $15)
• Senior non member 3 round discount. Entry price $75 ( save $30)
• 3 round discount will be applied on the last race. e.g. pay full price for the first 2 rounds, then the discounted price for round 3
• If you want to race all 3 rounds and claim the discounted entry, you must enter using the series entry.
• If you enter round 1 then later decide to race all 3 rounds, you cannot claim the series discount.
• Series entry is only available to senior riders not juniors. Juniors enter each individual round as normal.
• Series entry does not support scratching unfortunately.

---

Licensing

You need to be an AusCycling race member.
All participants will need to show proof of membership when collecting race-plate or purchase a day membership.

Day membership is available for $44 per race day.
The day membership can be purchased at https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/event-licences

A 4 week free trial is also available, we suggest you time this to allow you to race all Summer Sprints rounds where possible. E.g. start the trial the day before the first race. https://auscycling.org.au/become-a-member/free-trial

Yearly membership is also available as 1 yearly payment or monthly payments

Please select the RATS Cycling Club as your club. This increases your AusCycling membership fee by $20. Our membership numbers provide massive power when advocating for more trails / upgrades, funding and maintenance with governments and council.

AusCycling membership is mandatory as our club is affiliated with AusCycling, the governing body for cycling in Australia. This money goes directly to AusCycling. The Club receives $20 per year from your membership fees. Unfortunately RATS do not have any control over this fee.

---

Schedule

Start Time	Race Category
6:00am	Registration opens
7:00am	Race 1: (D Grade Girls - D Grade Boys)
7:20am	Race 2: (C Grade Girls - C Grade Boys)
7:45am	Race 3: (A Grade Boys - B Grade Boys)
8:30am	Race 4: (B Grade Female - B Grade Masters Female - C Grade Female - A Grade Girls - B Grade Girls - E-Bike Female - Enduro Bike Female)
9:15am	Race 5: (C Grade Male - D Grade Male - Enduro Bike Male)
10:10am	Race 6: (A Grade Male - A Grade Masters Male - A Grade Female - A Grade Masters Female - B Grade Male - B Grade Masters Male - E-Bike Male)
11:15am	Race 7: (Participation Male - Participation Female) [If low numbers, race is merged with race 5 for men and race 4 for women ]
11:45am	Pack up, please consider helping to collect bunting

---

Registration

Online entries only for the 2026 Summer Sprint Series. No Exceptions!
Changes can be made by emailing the racedirector@ratscc.com.au before the race or at the rego desk on race day. Email preferred.

---

Event Cancellations

Riders will receive 100% refund if the event is cancelled.
We will do our best to communicate our intentions early if the event is at risk of not proceeding.

---

Need to talk to someone?

Please read this entire page, your question might already be answered.
Questions or problems regarding Entry Boss, formatting error please report to the Race Director.

Email: Racedirector@ratscc.com.au
Website: www.ratscc.com.au/summer-sprints/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RATSCyclingClub/
Phone: Race Director - Keegan Barns - 0401502343

---

Locations

Round 1
982-1006 Underwood Rd, Priestdale QLD 4127
Google pin: -27.59701693620576, 153.1495063411243
Event village: On the grassed area up the very end of the property.

Round 2
Corner of Schoeck Rd and West Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton QLD 4165 (Gate2)
Google pin: -27.591847665188716, 153.21881217879115
Event village: At the toilet block / water tap

Round 3 Don & Christine Burnett Conservation Are, 691 Ford Rd, Priestdale QLD 4127
Google pin: -27.610961906255834, 153.18274694334116
Event village: 300 meters straight ahead into the conservation park at the map hut.