Securing Officials for Races
As soon as possible after scheduling their race(s), Race Promoters must contact the Kansas Cycling Association’s Official’s Coordinator (the “OC”), to schedule the Chief Referee and other officials for their race(s). The KCA OC is Amy Urbauer Whittaker (doajig4u@yahoo.com; 785-691-5732). A list of area licensed officials is included on this website.
The Race Promoter must designate to the OC the officials he wishes to work his race and in what capacities. Licensed officials must designate to the OC the races at which they wish to work, and in what capacity. The OC will coordinate this information to schedule the officials to work each race. In nearly all instances, the Race Promoter may designate to the OC which officials he wishes to serve at his race(s). In limited situations, the KCA Board of Directors may assign the officials to work a race if certain officials need specific race experience in order to upgrade or other scheduling conflicts exist. Every effort will be made between the Race Promoter, the OC, the officials and the KCA to adequately staff all races at least one month in advance of the race date.
The calendar of KCA races posted in the official’s section of this website indicates the officials assigned to races and existing opportunities for officials. Promoters and officials are encouraged to refer to this calendar and contact the OC to fill the open positions. The officials assignments posted will be updated as new information becomes available.Officials Training and Licensing
Individuals interested in becoming a licensed USAC official should contact the OC to obtain information regarding upcoming official’s clinics and training. After completing an official’s clinic and passing the category C official’s exam, the official is qualified to obtain a category C official’s license. The license is obtained through USAC and costs $35. Once licensed, the official is qualified to work as a class C official at any USAC sanctioned event, regardless of location. Prior to officiating at their first race, the KCA requires each new category C official to volunteer officiate for at least one race, under the guidance of a category B or A official.
Compensation
Promoters pay officials according to the pay scale set by USAC and published in the Race Officials Manual. For the majority of the KCA area races, the pay scale per racing day is $80 for the Chief Referee, $60 for the Chief Judge, $60 for the Chief Timer at a TT (typically the Chief Judge performs this role), and $50 for other officials. For any race day lasting longer than eight hours, the promoter must pay the official an additional $25. In addition, the promoter pays the officials 36 cents per mile for round trip transportation from the official’s home. For one day races lasting five hours or more, the promoter must provide a meal or pay the official a fee of $10. For races of more than one day, the promoter must provide either two meals a day or pay the official a fee of $25 per day. Officials must submit to the Chief Referee, immediately at the end of the racing day, their request for payment, on the KCA form provided to them. The Chief Referee will collect the sums due from the promoter, issue the promoter a receipt, and distribute the amounts due to the other officials. All details regarding payment of officials must be determined by the Chief Referee and the promoter prior to race day.
Apparel
Officials working or volunteering races should wear khaki or grey slacks, skirt or shorts with a light blue shirt. The USAC Official patch must be worn on the shirt or other item of apparel, such as a hat or jacket. Official’s apparel may be ordered from the USAC official apparel site www.xpapparel.com. The Chief Referee may designate specific apparel for a race.
Equipment
Each official should bring the following items to every race: USAC rule book, pens, pencils, clipboard, paper, race schedule and flyer, whistle, wristwatch, plastic bags to cover clipboard in wet weather, appropriate weather protection (rain gear, sun screen, sun glasses, extra clothing for cold weather, etc.), toilet paper, tissues, food and beverages. The Chief Referee is responsible for bringing to every race, in addition to the above items, all race forms, including the Chief Referee Report Form and the Incident Report Form, a tape measure stopwatch and bell. A voice recorder is not a necessity but is very useful. All official’s equipment should be kept in an “official race bag.” The Chief Referee will advise the officials working a race if it is necessary to bring any additional items.
Mentoring Program
Certain KCA area category B officials have volunteered to serve as mentors for first and second year category C officials. Mentors will:
(a) Encourage their mentees to serve as scorers at races at which the mentor is a chief referee or chief judge so they can receive one on one instruction;
(b) Be designated as the person to whom the mentees should direct any officiating questions;
(c) Actively work to ensure that their mentees work a variety of roles at their races; and
(d) Provide written recommendation of mentees readiness to attend a Category B Clinic and upgrade.
Mentees are encouraged to:
(a) contact the OC to work at races at which their mentor is working, and
(b) direct questions about officiating to their mentor.
Incentive Program
The KCA is very grateful for its active licensed officials. As an incentive for active officials, the KCA has established the following incentive program:
- Officials working five races in one racing season (excluding volunteer race(s)), are eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of their annual official’s license.
- Officials working ten races in one racing season (excluding volunteer races(s)), are eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of one short sleeve official’s polo shirt purchased from the official USAC apparel online store.
- Officials working twenty races in one racing season (excluding volunteer race(s)), are eligible to be reimbursed (upon presentation of a receipt) for up to $50 of the cost of officiating equipment purchased by the official that season.
Maintaining Your Officials’ License
To remain an official in good standing, you must purchase an official’s license each year. It is recommended that you attend an official’s seminar annually and work a minimum of two races per season.
Upgrading
Officials upgrade according to the rules set by USAC in the Race Officials Manual. In addition, KCA requires a written recommendation from a category C official’s mentor prior to endorsing the official’s requested upgrade. Category C officials must have worked a variety of positions at a minimum of ten races for at least one season and complete a Category B course, receiving at least a 70% on their course exam. Please review the USAC Race Official’s Manual for additional details.
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