FAIR HILL FIRECRACKER XC, Endurance & E-bike Race (MASS: Mid-Atlantic Super Series)

FAIR HILL FIRECRACKER XC, Endurance & E-Bike Race

Mid-Atlantic Super Series XC Race #8

“JUST THE FACTS”

RACE DATE

Saturday, July 11th, 2026

Rain Date Saturday, July 18th, 2026

REGISTRATION

Cycling license NOT required

Discounted registration expires 2 weeks prior to race date

Online registration closes the Thursday before the race, midnight

Day-of entry fee with surcharge, total, cash only: END $75 / PRO $70 / ADULT XC & E-BIKE $65 / U19 XC $50

SCHEDULE

Venue will not open until 7:30 am: Please plan to arrive NO EARLIER than 7:30 am

8:45 am Endurance start

9:00 am Pro / Cat 1 start | 3 Laps

11:15 am Cat 2 start | 2 Laps

12:45 pm Cat 3 start | 1 Lap

NEW CLASS! 1:45 pm E-Bike start | 2 Laps

Registration / check-in* CLOSES 30 minutes prior to each event

*All pre-registered racers must check in

MASS BIB

Don't forget your 2026 Series Number Plate if you have picked it up at a prior MASS race this season!

(plates from 2025 CANNOT be reused).

ADDRESS

Fair Hill NRMA Parking Lot #4 - GALLAHER ROAD Parking Area

483 Gallaher Road, Elkton, MD 21921

Wrong Lot = Long Walk!

Fair Hill has several parking areas. Double check GPS is set to GALLAHER ROAD parking area.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please sign up on the Reg page sooner than later.

Results available online at Mid Atlantic Super Series.

Woohoo, we've escaped Granogue and are ready to deliver a DYNAMITE time at the 3rd annual Fair Hill Firecracker, Saturday July 11th!

That's right! The producers of the Fair Hill Spring Fever, Big Elk Off Road, and legendary Escape Granogue & Granogue Classic Rewind have teamed up to ignite an adrenaline-pumping day of action-packed racing at the Gallaher Rd Event Grounds at Fair Hill.

Although the fuse went out with Granogue, we’re bringing the same POP - SIZZLE - WOW that you’ve come to expect from our events. It’s gonna be lit! Get ready for a rockin’ tent row, hunger-satisfying morsels from The Tricycle Truck, toe-tapping beats, fiery competition, sparkling camaraderie and lots of good cheer!

Whether you're a seasoned racer or just looking for a good time, all abilities are welcome! Spectators too. Pack your camp chair, bring your best cheering voice, show off your racing skills (or lack thereof) and join us for a day with a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of good vibes.

We've got a super fun course, the trails are maintained regularly, and the course is fast and flowy. Think more YIPPEE-KI-YAY and less $@#&! It’s a piece of cake compared to Granogue and has less climbing - no Chuck Norris skills required!

The Firecracker is part of the Mid Atlantic Super Series (MASS), the premier mountain bike race series of the region. One does not have to be part of the series to participate, but series racers earn points for end-of-season champion jerseys and awards - bragging rights included! If you'd like to join the series, visit masuperseries.com for more info.

Be sure to score some race swag! Show off your red, white and blue as we follow the 4th of July holiday with a spirited design on a super comfy, cotton/poly blend, high quality T-shirt. If you want a shirt and can’t make the event, go ahead and purchase online before reg closes and I’ll be happy to ship it to you, if you cover shipping cost.

Let’s light it up! Family, friends and spectators welcome! Dogs, too, on leash if you clean up after Fido. Set up your camp chair or blanket under the tree in the podium area and make it a day!

Get your sparkle on - it's going to be an absolute BLAST!

Now who's ready for an EPIC day of racing?

Your fiery friends,

Heather, Tom, John

REGISTER HERE

BikeReg.com/Firecracker

RaceFairHill.com (redirects to BikeReg)

SAVE THE DATE for our next race!

Saturday Aug 15th • Big Elk Off-Road • www.BikeReg.com/BigElk (Series Finals)

FAIR HILL FIRECRACKER XC, Endurance & E-Bike Race

Mid-Atlantic Super Series XC Race #8

DATE

Saturday, July 11th, 2026

Rain Date Saturday, July 18th, 2026

LOCATION

Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area

Parking Lot #4 - GALLAHER Parking Area

483 Gallaher Road, Elkton, MD 21921)

CAUTION! Wrong lot = Long walk! Fair Hill NRMA has several parking areas. Make sure you have selected directions to the correct parking area.

PARKING FIELD

The venue will open for parking at 7:30 AM. Unless you are a volunteer, please do NOT arrive BEFORE 7:30 AM. Signage and parking attendants at the entrance to guide you.

COURSE MAP

Trail Forks Map https://www.trailforks.com/route/mass-firecracker-mtb-race-course/ Course .gpx file available under “downloads” and map available under “map.” Lap count and course subject to change.

REGISTRATION

Cycling license is NOT required.

Registration opens at 7:30 AM for the early categories and classes (Endurance / Pro / Cat 1).

We kindly ask that you do not try to register or check in prior to 7:30 AM. While we do wake up at the crack of dawn (and maybe question our life choices somewhere around that first cup of coffee), it takes us a bit of time to get everything set up and ready to go for you.

If you arrive before 7:30, you’ll likely find us still unloading, organizing, and possibly untangling a few things—so save yourself the wait and give us just a little time to get race-ready!

Cat 2s and 3s, you are welcome to check in after the first wave of racers has been taken care of. We promise we'll get everyone through smoothly. Thanks so much for your understanding.

Sign Up Early and Save!

Discounted entry fees through 6/27/26, midnight: ENDURANCE $60 / PRO $50 / ADULT XC & E-BIKE $45 / U19 XC $35.

Note: Fees displayed on the registration page INCLUDE the $3 Fair Hill venue fee + BikeReg platform fees. We have the same platform fees as the other races, but several states, like Maryland, recently enacted new “Fee Transparency Laws” which require the advertised price (registration page price) to match the total price participants will pay at check-out.

The discounted entry fees expire two (2) weeks prior to the race. All Adult XC, E-Bike and Pro classes will increase $5 at midnight Saturday, June 27th. At that time, the following entry fees go into effect: END $60 / PRO $55 / ADULT XC & E-BIKE $50 / U19 XC $35 plus $3 Fair Hill venue fee + BikeReg platform fees.

Online registration closes the Thursday before the race, midnight.

Make sure your BikeReg profile has your CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS. We will be using that email address to communicate valuable event information to you.

Each racer will receive an email confirmation upon registering with important information. If you don't receive this, there's your first clue your email address was entered incorrectly.

DAY-OF REGISTRATION

Day-of registration is available with surcharge.

Day-of entry fee, TOTAL: END $75 / PRO $70 / ADULT XC & E-BIKE $65 / U19 XC $50 - CASH ONLY, please, so we can get you registered quickly. Prices include the $3 Fair Hill venue fee.

RACING AGE

For all racers, including Juniors, Racing Age is determined by your age on December 31st of the current year. For classes like U19 (Under 19), the racer CANNOT turn 19 in the current race year. Same for U15 (Under 15), the racer CANNOT turn 15 in the current year. Parents, please take note of this when registering your juniors for races.

MASS NUMBER PLATE

Please plan your pre-race ritual to include picking up your series plate if you have not already picked it up at race #1 earlier this season. Plates from 2025 CANNOT be reused.

SCHEDULE

Endurance › Registration Opens: 7:30am | Race Start: 8:45am

Expert / Pro / Cat 1 › Registration Opens: 7:30am | Race Start: 9:00am

Sport / Cat 2 › Registration Opens: 9:30am | Race Start: 11:15am

Beginner / Cat 3 › Registration Opens: 10:45am | Race Start: 12:45pm

NEW CLASS: E-Bike › Registration Opens: 11:30am | Race Start: 1:45pm

Note: Registration closes 30 minutes prior to each event. All races will follow a mass start format. Age-groups within each race will be dispatched in 2-minute increments.

PRIZES / PAYOUTS

The payout schedule for most MASS races can be found by clicking here MASS Cash Payouts. We have some pretty awesome medals for the other Cat 1-3s.

ENDURANCE - To be considered for the podium, cash prizes or awards in endurance, one must race for a minimum of 3 laps.

For all cash fields, a minimum of 6 starters to payout 3 deep, a minimum of 3 starters to payout first place. The race director reserves the right to not pay more than 50% of the field.

WEATHER / RAIN DATE

Zip code 21921 for your weather app. This is a light rain or shine event. In the event of postponement, an announcement will appear on the MASS website by 6:00 pm the night before the race, unless we are able to make the call earlier. We will also contact all registered racers using the email address provided on your registration - make sure it's accurate.

The rain date is the following Saturday. All registrations will automatically carry over to the rain date. No action necessary on your part,

If you can't make the rain date, consider buying refund insurance when you register (cannot be purchased retroactively).

REFUNDS / TRANSFERS

The event has a NO REFUND POLICY. Make sure that you have no scheduling conflicts BEFORE you register.

In the event of postponement or cancellation, registration fees will not be refunded by the event organizer unless you have purchased the $6 Refund Insurance with your entry fee. This optional purchase is offered under “EVENT ITEMS.” BikeReg platform fees and the insurance fee are not refunded.

NO INSURANCE = NO REFUND if we have to postpone or cancel the event.

Refund Insurance is a smart purchase for those who know they CANNOT make the rain date.

You are allowed to TRANSFER your entry to someone else, before online registration closes, for the original transaction entry amount. You must coordinate with your replacement, who can choose any category in the event, and your replacement pays the difference in price of entry fee, if applicable. (No refund if they register for a lower cost entry, i.e. an adult transferring to a junior). And perhaps they’ll reimburse you for the original amount - that is to be worked out between you and them.

RULES

• MASS Race Rules can be found HERE. This includes information regarding series rules, determining your racing age/category and upgrade policy.

• MASS Rules apply to all races.

• No e-bikes outside of the e-bike category.

• Helmets must be worn at all times while riding, including warm ups.

• No earbuds permitted during pre-ride or races.

• No course pre-riding during races.

• Any rider littering the course with food packages or waste will be disqualified.

• NO ALCOHOL is permitted within park property.

NO WATER PROVIDED - BRING YOUR OWN

You must provide your own water. It will be hot; you will be thirsty. Even if you are just doing one lap, you will need to HYDRATE so bring water with you. You will drink more than you think.

FOOD VENDOR

Waffle'n Joe! Offering a variety of sweet or savory open-faced sandwiches served on a rosemary waffle and cooked to perfection. Artisanal coffee, too!

Waffle'n Joe • Facebook

Waffle'n Joe • Instagram

PRE-RIDES

The park is open to the public. You may ride during open hours. We may or may not hold guided rides. If you are interested in leading a ride, please let us know. There will be no pre-riding or warming up on the course during any race. If found doing so, racers are subject to disqualification with no refund.

If pre-riding day-of, please be off the course by 8:45am on the day of the event.

NO CAMPING

There is no overnight camping. See here for Fair Hill Rules. The race directors are not campers. Please use the web to search, not our inbox.

KINDNESS IS KEY

Remember when you were a rookie? Let’s set a fabulous example for our junior racers and everyone else out there too! When overtaking a racer, be courteous. Communication is key! Announce yourself and pass only when you can safely do so; we want EVERYONE'S racing experience to be nothing short of positive!

WATCH OUT FOR HORSES

Although we have a park permit, and we have signage up about our race, there may be other user groups in the park, including EQUESTRIAN TRAFFIC. Our course and roving marshals will be there to help deflect outside traffic and keep the course clear for you. However, if you do come across equestrian traffic, please be courteous and be a positive representation of mountain biking. We don't want to jeopardize future events.

TEAM TENTS

We’ll have a suggested area designated for tents along both sides of the course along the gravel road between the Finish and the Start. On one side, vehicles will be allowed with your tent. You will have to cross the course with your vehicle to access this area, so please arrive before the first race starts, 9am. Once you are on this side, we ask that your vehicle remains until no more racers head out for their next lap.

On the opposite side, (where the registration tent and the podium are), there will also be team tents, but no vehicles allowed on this side. You can easily drop off your gear and walk it into position, then park in general parking.

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FEED ZONE

Feed zone will be along tent row, either side of course, as you choose. This is the section of course between the finish line and the start. You are also welcome to leave bottles elsewhere, if you choose. However, we ask that you do not use the area just before the finish, so you don’t potentially jam up racers in a battle to the finish line. See Tent Row map above.

T-SHIRTS

Pre-ordered T-shirts can be picked up at the registration tent or purchased on-site. To ensure you get your preferred size, pre-ordering is strongly recommended on BikeReg.com. If you'd like to snag one of these sweet T's but can’t make the event, go ahead and purchase online before registration closes and I’ll be happy to ship it to you if you cover shipping cost.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional photography by First Place Photo. Link to photos to be emailed to you after the race.

MUSIC

We've curated a killer compilation of songs to kick up the excitement and amp up your motivation! Carrying over the Classic Rock vibe from Granogue, these songs will boost your confidence and get your blood pumping with a variety of energizing vibes. Think of music as your secret weapon - let it fuel your motivation and go crush this race! Each track hits differently, and hopefully, you will be able to find some that inspire you as you both prepare to race and as you sprint to the finish line!

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Our partner who hooks us up with the finest screen printing!

Other Industries

Other Industries • Facebook

Other Industries • Instagram

Our partner who fixes us up when we fall down!

Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists

Del Ortho • Facebook

Del Ortho • Instagram

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