Riders receive points based on their time compared to the predicted winning time for their category, expressed as a percentage (i.e. Winning Time divided by Your Time multiplied by 100). For your protection, a predicted time is used so those winners of small categories don't get forced to upgrade before they are actually ready for a harder category. Example, if you win a small race because you are the only one there you most likely get points based on the predicted winning time for your category. However at an Ontario Cup the predicted time will almost always be the winner's time.

If you meet the requirements for upgrading, send your licence and number plate to the OCA office. We will issue you a new licence and plate. Your new licence will be mailed to you the next week. Please allow sufficient time before your race for this to be completed.

Cross Country
For upgrading purposes your best three race results points are added together. If your best three total is greater than or equal to 260 points you may upgrade to the next harder ability category. If your best three results are greater than or equal to 290 points then you are required to upgrade at the end of the season (NEW for 2005!!), unless you are in the highest category of your age group (Under 13, Under 15, U17 Expert, Junior Expert, Senior Elite, Master 30-39 Expert, Master 45+ Expert, just to name a few).

NEW for 2005!! - Riders who earn greater than or equal to 290 upgrade points on their best 3 races are not required to upgrade before the next race.  They may continue to ride in their category for the remainder of the year.  However for 2006, they will be required to upgrade when they purchase their licence.

Downhill - Upgrade
NEW for 2005!! - The DH upgrade policy has been modified effective immediately.  Beginner riders who earn greater than 260 points on their best 3 races can upgrade to sport.  Sport riders who earn greater than or equal to 275 upgrade points on their best 3 races can upgrade to expert.  Expert riders who earn greater than or equal to 290 upgrade points on their best 3 races can upgrade to elite. 

Downhill - Downgrade
NEW FOR 2005!! - The DH downgrade policy has been modified effective immediately.  Senior Elite riders will be downgraded at the end of the year if they do not earn top-10s in 1/3 of all DH O-Cups.  For example if there are 9 O-Cups than a rider must earn 3 top-10 finishes to maintain their Senior Elite status.  If the total number of O-Cups is not divisible by 3 evenly, then it is rounded up.  For example 8 O-Cups would still result in 3 top-10 finishes while 10 O-Cups would result in 4 top-10 finishes.

Riders may request "injury status" to retain their Senior Elite licence.  A letter, justifying injury status, must be sent with the rider's licence application.  This will be subject to Development Committee approval.

4-Cross
NEW for 2005!! - The OCA will be awarding separate upgrade points for the 4x series.  The upgrade policy will follow downhill upgrade guidelines however downgrading will not occur.  Riders will begin their 4x career in their DH licensed category.