Answers to the your most common questions. If the answer isn't here or in the forums, give us a shout.

Is the Mountain States Cup a NORBA/USAC sanctioned series?

Yes, the MSC is a NORBA (National Off-Road Bicycle Association) and USAC (USA Cycling sanctioned series. The purpose of this affiliation is to allow racers to earn points toward national rankings and for monitoring class upgrades. In addition, USAC is the best option in the industry for obtaining event insurance. We can’t stress strongly enough the value of an annual USAC license (as opposed tor acing on ‘one-day’ licenses). If you don’t have health insurance your USAC license provides it. If you do have it, USAC acts as secondary insurance and covers the cost that your primary insurance doesn’t. How important is it? A broken collarbone is just one tree away. We feel so strongly about its importance that we’d advise you to skip a race if you have to in order to have the funds necessary to buy an annual license. Need more info? Head to www.usacycling.org

Do I need a NORBA/USAC license to compete in MSC events?

Beginner or Sport category riders may compete without an annual license at individual events. Expert riders or above may not compete in NORBA events without an annual license. You may purchase your license at any MSC event.

How do I register to compete in a MSC event?

You may pre-register for any MSC event by registering on-line (www.sportsbaseonline.com) or by faxing in an entry form from the series booklet. Online registration typically closes the Wednesday preceding the event (at midnight). Faxed entries must arrive no later than the same time. Credit card information MUST be included in faxed entries. If not included (for example, writing in “I will bring a check”) your entry will be thrown out. Pre-registering will save you $10. If you pre-register you must still pick up your racer packet at least one hour before the start of your competition. In addition, you may register on site for any event. See individual event pages for registration deadlines for each race.

Can I register for the entire series?

Yes, you can register for the entire series in three ways:

• Online. Register online for a season pass at www.sportsbaseonline.com
• Mail or fax: register for the series via mail by using the series entry form in the 2008 Mountain States Cup Series Booklet. This form is also downloadable from the RaceMSC website.

What are the season pass deadlines?

Online registration will close for Gravity, Endurance and Super-D season passes at midnight on the Wednesday preceding the beginning of each series. You may also purchase a season pass on-site at the event hosting the beginning of each series. Confused? Here are the hard dates:

• Endurance Season Pass: online season pass purchase deadline is Wednesday, April 9th. Endurance season passes may also be purchased at MSC #1, The Rabbit Valley Rampage.
• Gravity Season Pass: online season pass purchase deadline is Wednesday, May 21st. Gravity season passes may also be purchased at MSC #1 and MSC #2, The Chile Challenge.
• Super-D Season Pass: online season pass purchase deadline is Wednesday, May 21st. Super-D season passes may also be purchased at MSC #1 and MSC #2, The Chile Challenge.

Will my points transfer if I move up in category?

Your points will not transfer if you move up in category but you may begin to accumulate points in the higher category as soon as you move up. In addition, if you were to accumulate points to earn an overall award in two categories by moving up, we will award the higher category.

Why are downhill and mountain cross combined into the Gravity Championship?

Couple of reasons. The MSC has a longstanding history of awarding the series title to the best overall rider. Combining the disciplines for the overall is the best way to accomplish this. That’s why it’s called an “overall”. In 2006 a gated guy won the Pro Men Overall title, in 2007 a DH guy won, so we feel that it’s pretty balanced. Combining the championship makes for a much stronger series and therefore series champion. It also maintains consistent participation in gated disciplines, something that the bike industry would really like to see grow. Why is gated important? Think of it as a calling card for the entire sport. It makes great spectating and exciting racing. It’s a huge piece of eye candy for potential sponsors, and this is important. Mountain States Cup Gravity Series champions are well rounded in all aspects of gravity riding. In 2008 we will track UNOFFICIAL independent standings for DH and Gated. There won’t be awards or prizes handed out (we’re saving those for the overall,) but it’ll be another way to spin results to your own sponsors and hopefully it’ll help some of you out.

Why is Super-D a separate points series?

The Super-D event is neither a true gravity or true endurance event, but rather straddles the line between the two disciplines. By having a separate series for Super-D, we encourage both cross country as well as gravity participants to go head-to-head.

Do I need a lift ticket for Super-D and DH?

Yes. Complimentary race day lift tickets are provided at SOME events. This is left largely to the discretion of the host resort. We make every effort to negotiate reduced fees and in come cases free lift tickets for all DH and Super-D athletes.