Greetings!
A quick note to those of you interested in becoming OBRA officials...
We will hold training in Corvallis, Sunday May 5 from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
More details will follow, but I wanted to let people know before the
weekend.
Those of you who have responded, please let me know if you will be able to
attend.
Regards, Jim Fischer
OBRA ATB Representative
Greetings!
I am writing to find out if anybody is interested in being trained to
officiate OBRA mountain bike events. In Oregon, there are only three (sort
of self-appointed) OBRA mountain bike officials; Shane Young, Kevin Thompson
and myself (Jim Fischer). Petr Kakes, Dana Bandy, I and a few others have
worked as mountain officials for NORBA, but there has not been any OBRA
training for mountain bike officials. We could all benefit from some formal
training to cover issues related to safety, fostering fair competition and
interaction with local agencies regarding competitive OBRA mountain bike
events.
The official will generally show up before the event to help sell licenses,
distribute plates, review paperwork and inspect the course for adequate
marking of turns, placement of aid stations, removal/mitigation of hazards,
course access etc. During the race, they may work with the timing crew to
make sure results are fair and accurate. They will deal with rider protests
(related to the race or results), collect OBRA fees and paperwork and assess
the event. They will be paid $100/day + food + lodging + $.35/mile. Some
of the officials trade fees for race entry with all the other expenses.
This is good for the promoter, but leaves them without an official until the
official is done with the race. I did this two years ago and it seemed to
work out fine.
I would like to conduct a training session before the end of April if
possible. I've been working on material to present in a one day classroom
session. I will review this material with some of the other officials in
the state so we have some other experienced input.
However, before I go to a lot more trouble, I need to know who is interested
in attending. The course will probably start at 9:30am and go until 4:30pm
or so. I will conduct the training elsewhere if there is sufficient
interest and appropriate facilities.
Please get back to me ASAP if you want to get training. We will probably
have it here in Corvallis unless another mutually convenient location is
found.
Regards, Jim Fischer, OBRA ATB Representative
(541) 715-6880 (work)
© 2026 Oregon Bicycle Racing Association