2009 AMA ATV Motocross Championship Supplemental Rules

updated 1.21.2009

The Supplemental Rules for the 2009 AMA ATV Motocross Championship are in addition to the rules set forth in the current AMA Rulebook, which governs amateur ATV racing. Current AMA and ATVA members in good standing may compete.

RED DENOTES CHANGES FOR 2009

A. RIDER ELIGIBILITY AND CLASSIFICATION

1.       Pro Am Production Class

a. Pro Am Production will be the sole gauge for advancement to the AMA Pro ATV division. To be eligible to apply for an AMA Pro Racing license a rider must accumulate 150 points based on the points scale below Section H, number 2.

b. Class is a purse paying class.

c. Both motos will be held on Sunday.

d. Riders competing in the class may only compete in the Pro Am Unlimited as an additional class.

2.       Pro Am Unlimited Class

a. Class is a trophy class.

b. Both motos will be held on Saturday.

c. "A", Age divisions and Pro Am Women are eligible for class.

3.       "A" Classes

a. All "B" class champions of the previous year.

b. All "B" riders ranked in the top three of their class earning at least 50 percent of the points earned by the class champion in the previous year. Ranking is based on year-end series points and not the banquet awards.

c. Riders that have an "A" ranking in any other motocross series. This applies to both AMA and non-AMA sanctioned events.

d. Pro Am Women may compete in "A" classes.

e. "A" class racers may not compete in the Pro Am Production class, but may compete in the Pro Am Unlimited class.

4.       "B" Classes

a. All "C" class champions of the previous year.

b. All "C" riders ranked in the top three of their class earning at least 50 percent of the points earned by the class champion in the previous year. Ranking is based on year-end series points and not the banquet awards.

c. Riders that have a "B" ranking in any other motocross series. This applies to both AMA and non-AMA sanctioned events.

5.       "C" Classes: Novice skill level riders and riders that do not otherwise qualify as an "A" or "B" level rider. Riders who receive or have ever received any type of OEM factory support in any class are not eligible for the "C" class.

6.       Women Class: Pro Am Women are not eligible to participate in the Women's Class, with the exception of co-sanctioned events (i.e. PAMX), in which case, a rider may enter both classes but National points and event awards will not be earned.

7. Schoolboy (15-17): Riders who have ever been classified as a Pro, Pro Am or "A" rider in a non-youth class, are not eligible.

8.       Age: For youth classes, age is based on the rider's age on January 1, 2009. Amateur age classes are based on the rider's age on the date of the event. However, riders, including youth, who change age during the season, may stay in the class they started the year in, or may advance to the older division.  Points accumulated to that point do not advance with the rider to the new class.

9.       Age Classes: Age class racers (i.e. College 16-24, Junior 25+, etc.) may not compete in the Pro Am Production class, but may compete in the Pro Am Unlimited class.

10.   Rider Age: Riders must be at least 16 years old to compete, with the exception of the Sport 15+ and youth classes.

11.   Advancement: Riders who participate in a higher classification (i.e. "A", "B" or "C") at any AMA or non-AMA local or National event will be considered as advanced to that higher classification and may not return to the lower class. Youth riders who compete in a higher age group may not return to their actual age group.

12.   Changing Classes: A rider may petition to move to a lower classification based on class finishes.  However, in order to do so, the rider must first petition his/her AMA district and/or the AMA/ATVA Motocross Manager for reclassification, and provide Promoter with a copy of the granted petition, prior to racing in the lower classification.

B. MACHINE ELIGIBILITY AND CLASSIFICATION

1.       Class Descriptions: Machine eligibility, including displacement limit and production requirements will be defined in the Class Chart. 2010 models are not eligible in any class.

2.       Youth Classes: No engine displacement reduction permitted.

3.       Production Rule: OEM motor and matching frame combination model required. Frame geometry must remain as designed by the OEM, including all suspension pivot points. Material may be added for strength but not removed from the OEM frame. Engine modifications, frame reinforcements, and aftermarket A-arms, swing-arms and suspension are permitted. No engine displacement reduction permitted.

4.       Modified: All non-production classes are modified. Custom frames are permitted. Production machines are eligible for modified classes.

5.       Automatic: restricted to CVT or automatic transmissions and automatic clutch.  Machines must be able to idle in gear, with the machine at a full stop, without manually disengaging the clutch.

6.       50cc Limited: Production models. The following may be changed: shocks (limited to a maximum 4" shock travel), tires, wheels (must not change stock width) internal portions of the motor, spark arrestor may be removed (must still meet 99db), sprockets, gearing, clutch, twist throttle, handlebars, grips, handle bar pads, front bumper, rear grab bar, air filter and jetting. Air box lid may be removed or modified.  Fenders may be trimmed, manufacturer installed parental speed limiting devices may be removed. Nerf bars or suitable floorboards and working tether cords are required.  No other modifications are allowed INCLUDING carburetors, oil injection, air box, gas tank, exhaust systems, wheel base, width, rear axle, A-arm, steering dampener and suspension (with the exception of shocks). However, if a violation is deemed by the referee to be cosmetic in nature, with no performance advantage or willful misconduct involved, he may issue a warning or fine in lieu of disqualification.

C. EQUIPMENT

The AMA Equipment Standards List in Chapter 2 of the AMA Sports Rulebook, which governs amateur ATV competition, will be enforced. In addition, the following apply:

1.       Maximum machine width is 50".

2.       Tether cords and nerf bars or suitable floorboards are required.

3.       Control levers must have ball ends; axle nuts must have cotter pins or clips; glass components/lights must be covered; horns, bells or other sound devices are not permitted.

4.       Sound: Machine sound level may not exceed 99dbs as measured by the stationary sound test procedures, SAE J1287.

5.       Fuel: Only petroleum-based gasoline as defined by the American Society for test and materials (ASTM), designation: D4814 may be used. All fuel must be stored in approved containers.

6.       Machines may be bored or stroked in order to increase engine displacement, so long as the engine size is stamped on the case and the class limit is not exceeded, i.e., 400cc engine may be increased to a maximum of 450cc in the 450 class.

7.       All machines are subject to random equipment inspections any time prior to, during or after the event. Displacement will be measured at the end of the meet.

8.       The machine a rider competes on in the first moto is the official machine of the rider for that event, and may not be switched during the event. Provided, however, that the engine may be changed during the event, so long as it is replaced with an engine of the same make, model and displacement.

D. NUMBER PLATES

1.       Machines must have vertical number plates mounted on the front bumper and rear grab bar. Plates may not be mounted to the handlebars, be made of wood or metal, or be cut down for cosmetic purposes. For single and two digit numbers, plates may be mounted vertically; for three digits numbers, plates may be mounted horizontally.

2.       Numbers shall be a minimum of 6" block numbers (no shading or outlining). No other letters or symbols may be used except as indicated by the event organizer.

3.       Number plates and numbers shall be of contrasting colors, clear, legible and have a professional appearance.

4.       The top two inches of the plate is reserved for the series logo identification; the bottom two inches of the plate may be used for sponsor/rider identification.

5.       Number Plate Color Codes are recommended to be the following (Age, Women and "B/C" classes should use the color code based on skill level, i.e., A, B, C.):

E. REGISTRATION

1.       Riders under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a duly notarized parental consent form in order to participate.

2.       Proof of age (i.e. birth certificate or drivers license) must be available upon request by event referee or at rider registration.

3.       Riders must register for the race before riding their machine.

4.       Riders may not exceed first gear idle when traveling to/from their pit area and must always wear a helmet.

5.       Riders will be required to either purchase or rent a transponder prior to registration.

6.       After registration, all machines must be taken through tech inspection prior to competing. Safety equipment and machine eligibility are the sole responsibility of the rider.

F. RACE PROCEDURE

1.       First moto or qualifier gate picks will be determined by computer draw. The second/final moto gate picks will be determined by first moto/qualifier finishes, with the faster qualifier moto taking precedence.

2.       There will be no more than 20 riders per moto/qualifier.

3.       If there are more riders in a class than the starting gate can accommodate, the following program will be used:

a. Riders will be divided into equal qualifier groups based on current point standings, with the higher ranked riders being assigned to different groups to avoid all top ranked riders competing in the same qualifying moto.

b. An equal number of riders will transfer from each qualifier moto to the final moto.

c. All riders who do not qualify for the final moto in the qualifier motos are eligible to compete in the consolation race. A lesser number of riders will transfer from the consolation moto than from the qualifier motos.

d. Riders transferring from the qualifier motos will transfer their earned points according to their finishing position, i.e., a rider finishing in first place will receive one (1) point. Riders transferring from the consolation moto(s) will transfer their earned points according to the next finishing position, i.e., if eight riders transferred from each of the qualifier motos, the winner of the consolation moto(s) will receive a 9^th place position, and so on.

4.       Riders must start each race with their tether cord properly affixed.

5.       To accommodate the 50cc class, a shortened or separate track may be used as necessary.

6.       Radios are permitted between pit crew members, but not with or between riders.

7.       No rider may ride in such a manner as to endanger life or limb of other riders, officials or the public.  Riders will be penalized for the reckless operation of their machine or for running into an official.

8.       Unsportsmanlike conduct or the deliberate ramming, blocking or intentional contact with another rider will result in a penalty.

9.       Team tactics include blocking, allowing another rider to pass in order to affect the outcome of the race or exchanging machines in order for another rider to continue the race. Riders involved will be penalized.

G. RACE FINISHES

1.       Transponder scoring is the official scoring process. The finish line will be marked and clearly visible.

2.       The race officially ends for all contestants at the completion of the lap in which the checkered flag is displayed to the winner.

3.       Riders will be scored in order of finish and laps completed. It is not necessary to complete all laps in order to be scored. Any rider who makes at least one lap will get a finish position for that moto.

4.       DNF: A rider who starts the race but does not make at least one lap will receive a "Did Not Finish" or DNF. A DNF results in moto points equal to the total number of riders in the class, but not less than 20.

5.       DNS: A rider who does not report to staging will get a "Did Not Start/Stage".  A DNS results in moto points equal to the total number of riders in the class, plus 30 points.

6.       Amateur Awards are given at the rate of 1 per every 3 riders, with a minimum of 10 awards per class.

7.       Protests must comply with Chapter 6 of the AMA Sports Rulebook. Protests must be in writing and delivered to the referee no more than 30 minutes after results have been posted.

8.       Penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the official based on the severity of the offense, and may include one or more of the following: position(s), lap(s), time adjustment, disqualification, suspension, loss of championship points, fine, probation, warning, etc.

H. NATIONAL NUMBERS

The top 10 numbers for each class are reserved for the top 10 class champions from the previous year.  A rider with an earned number has the option to reserve a higher number, if available. Other riders may reserve a series number if that rider participated in no less than 4 events the previous year.

I. CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS

1.       To be eligible for series awards and national class ranking, a rider must enter the following number of minimum events in the same class. However, only the riders' best finishes in the following maximum number of events will be counted.

2.       Points will be earned in each class per event as follows:

3.       Ties for all class championship will be broken by the following rules:

a. The rider with the most first place finishes, then if necessary, most 2^nd place finishes, 3^rd, etc.

b. If the tie still exists, the points accumulated in the events previously not counted (i.e. throw out points) will determine the winner.

c. If the tie continues to exists, the rider who had the better score when competing against the other tied riders will be the winner.

d. If the riders did not compete against one another, the rider who competed against the most entries in that class in any round will determine the winner.

e. If the tie still exists, and the riders competed against the same number of riders in that class, the rider competing against the most overall entries in that round will be the winner.

J. PIT VEHICLES

1.       A pit vehicle is any non-racing motorized vehicle used to transport a person within the facility (golf cart, mule, mini bike, utility ATV, etc).

2.       The use of pit vehicles is a privilege, not a right, extended to our adult guests age 18 years or older.

3.       Reckless or irresponsible pit riding will not be tolerated. Violators and entered riders responsible for the violator will be subject to penalty, including, but not limited to: loss of gate pick, loss of event points, loss of series points, disqualification and/or removal from the event.

4.      Per the AMA Rulebook, "Each rider is responsible for the actions of his family and pit crew. Any unnecessary trouble caused by these individuals puts that rider at risk of disqualification."