Riders cannot ride near another rider except to pass. Our very best riders exceed 40kph average - however quite a few come out just for the exercise and probably do around 30kph or less. At the very least participants need a bike with a fixed gear i.e. sans brakes. Preferably they will use a track bike. Track racing is ALL about positioning - the advantage usually but not always going to the rider that comes off the lead wheel.
Riders use the banking to swoop pass etc.
Cyclocross is essentially cross country racing. Our Dundurn course is typical. The course is approx 3km. Traditionally cyclocross has its own lightweight version of a road bike with a raised bottom bracket, cantilever brakes etc. However many participants now enter using lightweight mountain bikes.