FAQ's

1. What type of motorcycle competition is the CEC?
The CEC is modeled after the World Enduro Championship and the ISDE format. The challenge is to go as fast as possible in the three different types of special tests and maintain a time schedule on the trail that connects the special tests. The average speed to complete the entire course is easily attainable by most off-road riders. This means, barring any unforeseen circumstances, most riders should be able to complete each lap of the course and stay ahead of the time schedule allowed to complete the course.

2. Why has World Enduro Canada (WEC) taken the initiative to establish the CEC?
This is a great question. First, everyone has to understand one very basic concept, to stage great motorcycle events, organizers and promoters (WEC) need money. Everything costs money in order to do things right. Posters, advertising, timing systems, travel, materials, and infrastructure are some of the items one needs to spend money on to produce good quality events. People's time also is of value.
In order to raise money to stage quality events you need sponsors. Sponsors can only attach their name to events that meet or exceed current standards. WEC must address issues such as legality, land use, environmental, public perception, insurance and liability issues and safety standards in order to allow the sponsors the confidence that they can be involved in the CEC.
It all boils down to Return on Investment (ROI) - sponsors will spend money on events if they can see ROI down the road. Motorcycle events must integrate into communities and not be run outside of normal society. The benefits of hosting a CEC event to a community are numerous and significant, in order for a CEC event to be welcomed into a community it has to address the issues stated above. Meeting or exceeding the current standards is why the CEC format is the way it is.
To answer the question, why has WEC taken on the enormous task of establishing the CEC? One - because we can, and Two - no one else seems to be willing to take the job on. We all agree Canada needs the CEC, it was needed 20 or 30 years ago, we just got tired of seeing opportunities pass Canadian riders by because of the lack of a genuine Canadian off-road competition championship.

3. What do you hope to accomplish with the CEC?
We want to establish a valid championship in which everyone acknowledges the winner as the best off-road rider in Canada. The CEC format is way to do this considering all the parameters we have to work within. The CEC works from coast to coast. It is easy to organize, needs fewer volunteers and is enjoyable for a competitors standpoint, plus the CEC is in alignment with what happens on the rest of the world.
The fact that Canada has a large geographic area and there are many different organizations and other entities create the need for one nation-wide off-road sanctioning body. We hope to unite all the off-road competitors in Canada by way of the CEC.
We have used all of our contacts, friends and credibility to assemble a group of like-minded people to realize this. The CEC is Canada's championship, it is the off-road community's, the media, the sponsors and the motorcycle industry's.

4. How does a typical CEC event transpire?
Each CEC will have three special tests. They are Cross (CT), Extreme (XT) and Enduro (ET) that are connected by trails, the entire course may be ridden 2, 3 or 4 laps per day at the discretion of the event organizer. The number of laps may vary depending on actual trail and weather conditions, there will be average speeds established by the time schedule that cannot be exceeded. These average speeds are dictated for safety reasons. Generally speaking, the average speed needed to stay on the schedule is very low. This means riders will have plenty of time to complete each lap of the course and still have time to rest, fuel up at the end of each lap. In Canada there is a wide spectrum of rider abilities, considering this one can expect the pace needed to stay on time will be very easy for Pro riders and less so but certainly attainable for Amateurs.

5. As an Amateur rider what differences will there be compared to Pros?
The Amateur classes will usually have a shorter day than the Pro classes, perhaps one lap shorter but will ride the same course. This means you, as an Amateur will be finished earlier than the Pros. If necessary, an easier line for Amateurs in the Extreme Test (XT) may be used, this deviation will be signed, arrowed and a trail marshal will be present to ensure everyone uses the right line. The entry fee is the same however Amateur’s will be awarded trophies back to at least third place, Pros will have prize money and trophies awarded. All finishers of both days of each CEC will receive finisher medals from World Enduro Canada. The ‘hour out’ time for Amateurs will be one full hour, for Pros the ‘hour out’ time is 15 minutes. The ‘hour out’ time refers to the time allowed for each rider to be late at the time check from the original schedule before he or she is disqualified.

6. What helmet do I need to compete in a CEC event?
We require every competitor wear a full coverage style helmet that has a Snell 2005 approval, all other safety equipment worn by each competitor is at the discretion of that competitor. Helmets will be inspected at the technical inspection.

7. What number will I use for the CEC? What color number plate background will I need?
In most cases riders will be assigned a number at sign in and may be able to use a number that is already on his or her motorcycle, in the case of a duplicate number already assigned to a rider, numbers are assigned on a first come, first served basis
Amateurs will need green number plate backgrounds and Pros will need red backgrounds. WEC will assign numbers to Pro riders who send us a letter of intent prior to the season starting. Numbers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis to Pros who intend on competing in the entire CEC. We advise Pros to send their request for a certain number as soon as possible.
Competitors maybe required to fix CEC sponsors stickers to number plates, WEC reserves the right to the space on the number plates of all the competitors. (see the response to question 2 for the reason, hint: ROI).

8. When is sign in? How do I enter?
Sign in begins on Friday the weekend of the event at 5 pm and continues to 8 pm. Sign reopens Saturday morning from 7 am to 9 am. Once the event starts sign is closed. The organizer of each CEC is responsible for registration and sign of competitors. They may require pre-entry and given the popularity of the CEC this is advised. There will be a maximum number of riders allowed to enter and this is based on the length of the course. A typical CEC is expected to draw 150 riders but may not exceed 200 riders for 2009.

9. How do I pay for the entry and how much is it?
The entry fee is a standard $100 for the weekend, this does not include the required transponder. Riders pay the entry fee to the event organizer directly not WEC. It is up to them what they will accept as payment. As a travel incentive to encourage riders to compete in the entire CEC any Canadian resident Pro and Amateur riders who cross the Manitoba / Ontario borderto compete will have thier entry fee waived.

10. How do obtain a transponder and how much does it cost?
WEC will sell or rent you a transponder, the cost is $40 and if you return it at the end of the weekend you will receive $20 back. WEC can only accept cash and transponders are available at sign in. Your information is programmed into your transponder when you pick it up. They are reusable and are identical to what the AMA uses for their enduro series.

11. How do I attach my transponder?
The transponder is zip tied to your chest protector horizontally, it is a plastic tube about 4 inches or 100mm long and 20mm in diameter. It cannot be in contact with metal so you cannot zip tie it to your motorcycle.

12. What classes are available at a CEC event?
The CEC classes are as follows and brief description of rider classification:
PRO:
E1 / E2 / E3 / Vet (+40)
AMATEUR:
A (3 to 5 years experience racing or returning racers)
B (1 to 3 years experience in motorcycle competition)
C (first time competitors)
Amateur Vet (+40)
Amateur Super Vet (+50)
Women
It should be noted that the top placing Pro Junior rider will be acknowledged at each day of competition and in the CEC overall. The maximum age of a Pro Junior is 22 years by September 20, 2009, this means a rider can turn 23 on September 21, 2009 and still be eligible to be considered a Pro Junior.

13. How are championships declared?
In the Pro class WEC will acknowledge a Canadian championship winner each of the Pro classes based on accumulated points awarded at each of the CEC competitions. In 2009 there will be 8 points paying CEC competitions at the 4 two-day events. Each day is a separate event, a podium celebration and trophies will be awarded at the end of each day. For each of the Amateur classes there will be a West and East championship plus a Canadian Champion acknowledged in each Amateur class.

14. What about the Pro purse?
The Pro purse is administrated and awarded by each CEC event organizer to the Pros based on the total pro entry collected and distribute to the top 10 placing Pros based after two days of competition. The distribution breakdown for the Pro Purse is based on the number of Pro entries and will be posted at each CEC event.The Pro purse does not include entry fees that are not paid to the organizer, for example, any free Pro entries that are compliant with the travel incentive.

15. Can I ride a pit bike, motorcycle or ATV around the course as a spectator at the event?
No. All spectator and riding in the paddock is prohibited.

16. What if I want to jet my bike before a CEC?
The CEC rules state you can’t ride on the course before the event. The organizer should make available an area so that visiting competitors can ride their bike to set it up. The information will be made available at sign in or event headquarters.

17. How is a CEC event scored?
The scoring for the special tests in the CECS is based on time and is recorded electronically using transponders carried by each rider. Each transponder is programmed the rider’s number and class and records his time in each special test to the tenth of a second. As the rider passes the start and finish of a special test the information from the transponder is recorded along with the time of day. There is a digital display that shows the time the rider in questions crosses the start or finish line so that event personnel can manually record each rider’s time for backup.

18. Is each special test timed every lap?
Not necessarily, some special tests may be ridden untimed on the first lap of the event so riders can become familiar with the conditions. You will be told the event procedure and details about the CEC event at the rider’s meeting which is held half an hour before the start of the event.

19. What is required to pass tech inspection?
All motorcycles are required to have a working headlight and tail light. Brake lights are not required. There maybe a requirement for exhausts to be equipped with a spark arrestor. (check the supplementary rules for each individual race)

20. What is the sound limit of motorcycles for CEC events?
The sound limit for all WEC events is 96db. Most stock or production enduro motorcycle exhausts system can meet this standard that is used world-wide.

21. Is my motorcycle kept in an impound or par ferme overnight?
No.

22. Can I use a different motorcycle for Saturday or Sunday?
Yes, as long as the second motorcycle has been inspected by the CEC technical inspector and passes the sound control. For each event you must use the same motorcycle you started with on that day.

23. Can I use aftermarket forks or other special parts in a CEC event?
There is a production rule for the CEC. Why, it is important to keep the costs to the competitors to a minimum. You can change rear shocks and have modifications done internally to engines and suspension components but aftermarket forks are not allowed.

24. Is camping or accommodations available at CEC events?
In most cases there is plenty of room for camping at all CEC events. See the accomodation information posted by the individual event organizers for lists of nearby accommodations.

25. Does any race organization membership qualify me to race? Do I need to belong to an association or organization to compete in a CEC event?
Yes, bring proof of membership to any other racing organization to sign in. And yes again, you need to be a member of the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) to enter a CEC event. You may already be a member or can be by joining any number of affiliate organizations in Canada. If you are not an affiliate member an MCC membership costs $25 per year and can be obtained at sign in.