Downhill Rules
The following Arkansas Downhill Series (ARDH) rules are meant to provide guidance and guardrails for fair competition while promoting a welcoming atmosphere for participants, officials, spectators, or anyone connected with or attending the event. Last updated 6/11/2026.
Format
Downhill mountain bike racing is a time trial format, with participants racing solo against the clock on one track. The participant with the fastest (or lowest) time from all the timed course is declared the winner in their respective category. Participants will be shuttled via vans with bike trailers or a ski-style lift.
Overall & Point Structure
The Series Overall is based on a point structure, with a participant’s best 2 finishes in the series counting towards their Series Overall points total. Each event in the ARDH is worth up to 25 points, with the Series Overall awarded to the Top 5 racers in each category with the highest number of points after the final event in the series. A minimum of 1 finish and participation in the series final is required to qualify for the Series Overall. At the final race of the year, the Top 5 racers in each category will be recognized during a Series Overall Podium ceremony.
In the event that there is a tie in the Series Overall, each rider’s next best finish will be calculated into the overall score until the tie is broken. If two riders have completed 2 races and still have tied points then total race time will be calculated, with the rider with a lower total time advancing in position.
2026 Point Structure
2026 Individual Round Pro Prize Purse - Coming Soon
2026 DH Categories
Arkansas Enduro Series features 30 Categories with the goal to create a competitive environment that encourages participants to race amongst their peers - by age, skill level, or both. Series participation trends are evaluated on annual basis. New for 2026: As ARDH continues to grow, and for 2026 we're introducing an expanded category structure designed to create more competitive racing and better rider experiences across all skill levels.
Pro Categories
Pro Men Open
Pro Women Open
Expert Categories
Expert Women OPEN
Expert Men 19-39
Expert Men 40+
Expert E-MTB Categories
Expert Women E-MTB Open
Expert Men E-MTB 19-39
Expert Men E-MTB 40+
Intermediate Categories
Intermediate Women Open
Intermediate Men 19-39
Intermediate Men 40+
Junior Categories
Junior Women 14U
Junior Women 15-18
Junior Men 14U
Junior Men 15-18
Beginner Categories
Beginner Women Open
Beginner Men Open
Beginner E-MTB Categories
Beginner E-MTB Women Open
Beginner E-MTB Men Open
In promotion of fair competition, participants will only be allowed to register/compete in a single DH Category (1) per event.
Racing Age: A participants Racing Age is based on their “end of year” age on December 31, 2026.
Route Release & Pre-ride
Course information and maps will be consistently published in advance of each ARDH event. Withholding detailed course information until closer to race day(s) supports fair competition by removing any “home field advantage” some participants might have based on their geographical location and access to the course.
Riders are encouraged to pre-ride during scheduled practice times. Riders choosing to pre-ride outside of scheduled practice times will not have access to neutral mechanical or medical support. Walking of courses without a bike during practice is allowed unless notified otherwise by race officials. For the safety of participants and staff, pre-riding any of the course after the race starts is prohibited and subject to disqualification (DSQ).
ARDH will allow participants to utilize E-MTBs during official pre-rides, regardless of registered category. While we acknowledge that not all participants have access to multiple bikes, the reasoning behind this decision aligns with our equal decision to allow participants to self-shuttle or to be shuttled to approved drop-off points during pre-ride - regardless of registered category.
Equipment Requirements & Outside Assistance
The bike and equipment a rider starts the race on must be the same bike and equipment a rider finishes on including frame, front fork, and rear shock. The Race Director must approve any equipment exceptions.
Each rider must be self-sufficient during the duration of the competition, and any outside assistance is prohibited. Riders may, however, utilize race provided neutral support and are allowed and encouraged to help fellow competitors on the course
E-MTB Equipment Requirements
E-MTB or e-bikes are held to the same equipment requirements as traditional mountain bikes during competition with the following additional requirements:
Must be a Class One electric bicycle and have a Class One label, as per Arkansas Law.
Motor must be pedal assist ONLY. Motorcycle-style throttles are not allowed.
Maximum assisted speed of 20mph.
Maximum 750w output.
Original from the manufacturer, with NO modifications to the factory motor or battery including range extenders, software reflashes, or aftermarket kits.
Additionally, E-MTB competitors are required to complete the course with the SAME battery as they start with, with NO mid-race charging or battery swapping allowed.
The Race Director reserves the right to inspect or have inspected a participants E-MTB ahead of, during, or following competition. Participants found to be riding an E-MTB outside of the stated Equipment Requirements or a refusal of equipment inspection will be subject to disqualification (DSQ).
Number Plates, Start Waves, and Timing Chip Pickup
Participants will be issued an official number plate during the event check-in process. Number plates must be attached to the handlebars in a visible manner and displayed on the bike for both practice days and race days. Riders not displaying number plates will not be permitted to start any stages.
For rider safety, a rider’s legible medical details and emergency contact information are required to be added to the rear of the number plate.
During event check-in, riders will be assigned a race day Start Wave specific to each rider’s category. The group of riders constituting each wave will be provided a timing chip pick up time, category start time, and shuttle time to the Start Point of the course (when applicable). Following each day of competition, riders are required to check back in at the event’s registration tent to turn off or turn in timing chips.
Riders Meeting
Every event will have a mandatory pre-race riders meeting to address race specifics, answer questions, and announce any course changes – typically only necessary due to weather, trail conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances impacting the safety of participants. All participants are required to attend the riders meeting, which is typically held 15 minutes before the race day’s first scheduled Wave of competition.
Starts
All riders must start under the instruction of the Course Marshall - including any direction to pause competition due to extreme weather, course impediment, safety hazard, or rider injury. Stage start intervals between riders should be 30-60 seconds. In the unforeseen instance that a Stage Marshall is not present at the stage start, riders are required to self-count the required 30-second interval.
All riders are required to start with one foot on the ground (One Foot Rule). Rolling starts, rider trains, or similar actions to start a stage “at speed” are prohibited. Riders caught not adhering to the One Foot Rule will be subject to disqualification (DSQ).
Maintain Course
All riders must stay on course. The start and finish will be marked with signs and course tape. Additional directional arrows and course markings will be installed by race officials as deemed necessary. When two pieces of course tape are installed on opposite sides of the course to create a “gate”, riders must pass between them. In some sections, a single piece of course tape may be used as or to support directional marking. Race officials may designate separate A and B Lines within the same section of course. Riders have the choice to follow either line, with the A Line the most direct (fastest) but often a more technical line choice. Any rider choosing a line outside of the defined trail and/or course markings (course cutting) will be subject to disqualification (DSQ).
Riders changing, adjusting, or modifying the course in any way will be subject to disqualification (DSQ). Riders should present course concern to the Race Director with a picture and description of the concern.
Rider Safety
All competitors are required to wear an approved mountain bike helmet during competition. A full-face helmet and additional protective gear including body armor, knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves is recommended – but not required.
First Aid
General first aid will be available at the race venue during official pre-ride and throughout competition and at the official on course aid station(s) during competition. Additional emergency first responders will be strategically roaming the course, providing wilderness first aid as needed. If a medical professional or first responder deems a rider unfit to continue competition, the rider will be issued a Medical DNF (Did Not Finish) and removed from the course. If additional race days are scheduled within 7 days of a Medical DNF (e.g. two-day events), the rider must provide a doctor’s note confirming they are fit for competition.
Rider Down
If a rider encounters another rider down on course, they are REQUIRED to confirm a verbal response from the downed rider before continuing their race. If the rider down is responsive, the attending rider should alert the next marshal or medic they encounter on course. If the rider down is unresponsive, the rider must stop and assess the health of the downed rider. If the downed rider remains unresponsive or life-threatening injuries are suspected, the attending rider should (1) begin rendering aid within their abilities.
Additional riders encountering a rider down situation should (2) continue down trail to notify the next available marshal or medic or call 911 and (3) when necessary, stop additional riders from continuing the stage until the situation is resolved or a marshal/staff member has given an all clear to resume competition. Following approval from race officials, riders who assist in a Rider Down situation during a timed stage will be given the opportunity to re-run the stage.
Re-runs
Only rider impediment, safety hazards, or injury support warrants a re-run and must be approved by the Race Director. Any rider taking part in unapproved re-runs, either intentional or unintentional, will be subject to disqualification (DSQ). Rider error or ANY type of mechanical issue (e.g. flat tires, bent wheels, broken chains) is part of racing and does not warrant a re-run.
Respect
Pack it in, pack it out rules apply. Leave no trace and above all be nice to everyone including fellow riders, animals, and the land. Any rider disrespecting the land or threatening, bullying, or displaying violence towards fellow riders or staff will be subject to disqualification (DSQ).
Rule Violations & Protests
Interpretation of the rules, rule violations, time penalties, and disqualification from competition are at the discretion of the Race Director. Expected rule violations must be submitted to the Race Director within 30 minutes of the last competitor finishing the final stage. Any protest of final race results must be submitted to the Race Director within 30 minutes of the results being posted at the event registration tent.
Final decisions on assessing penalties and corrections to race results will be made within 60 minutes after the protest period closes. All other instances, violations, or judgments will be handled on a per-case basis.
Refund Policy
ARDH events are rain or shine, and refunds will not be issued except under extreme qualifying circumstances including adverse weather, natural catastrophe, or an act of terrorism. Should a round of the ARDH be canceled for a qualifying reason and not rescheduled within 90 days, a full or partial refund of participant’s registration fees will be issued back to the credit or debit card used to originally register for the series. The Race Director reserves the right to adjust the schedule due to any unforeseen circumstances.
If participants choose to add additional Registration Protector through BikeReg.com, those claims are handled entirely by Allianz Global Assistance. For policy questions or to file a claim visit www.eventregistrationprotection.com or call 1-888-799-2832.
