2003 AMA Congress

By D12 Ohio ATV Delegate, John Pellan

ATV delegates from AMA districts across the country met this past weekend to vote on rule changes and suggest details to make for a bigger and better AMA and ATVA organization. Delegates vote on rule changes that effect the following year’s ATVA rule book, some of these rules also effect ATVA national racing.

These same delegates can and did vote on recommendations. If a recommendation is passed from Congress, its exact wording is brought to the proper attention of all AMA staff members concerned. Recommendations officially brought from Congress that concern GNC racing are addressed in the GNC promoter’s meeting held today.

The following rules apply to all 2004 ATVA racing…

1. Available class listings for ATVA sanctioned promoters will change to the following; Amateur 4-wheel (16 years and older) The following classes may be offered as A, B and/or C: 1. 91-265cc 2-stroke 2. 266-Open 2-stroke 3. 91-450cc 4-stroke 4. 451-Open 4-stroke 5. Production 91-450cc 4-stroke 6. Production 451-Open (Note: production classes: 4-stroke no overboring. OEM frame, ATV engine cases.) 7. 91-200cc 2-stroke/91-300 4-stroke (ATV engines only) 8. 91-Open 2-stroke 9. 91-Open 4-stroke 10. 91-Open 2-stroke/4-stroke 11. Stock (91cc-Open) 12. Utility (Must be originally equipped with racks) 13. Women (91-Open ) 14. 16-24 (91cc-Open) 15. 25+ (91cc-Open) 16. 30+ (91cc-Open) 17. 40+ (91cc-Open) 18. 50+ (91cc-Open)

2. For an ATV to be eligible for the stock or production classes, the machine must be approved by the AMA.

3. The width of the ATV will be considered legal provided that the wheels do not lift the spreader bar off the ground with the ATV in normal ride height, as the ATV is ridden between the 50 inch wide spreader bar.

4. ATV fenders must extend to cover a portion of the rear tires.

5. Add 51-70cc Production (6-11) and 71-90cc Production classes to the existing Youth class listing

6. Pistons and rings may be accessory items as long as they maintain the stick shape and design of the OEM part. No titanium pistons allowed.

7. In any advertised class with fewer than five entries, the class must be run, scored and awarded but may be combined with a similar ability or equipment class.

8. Practice or warm up is limited to the designated areas identified by the organizer.

9. Add “TT” in front of “Scrambles”. Also Add TT in front of “Scrambles” on the table of contents page 49R.

10. Riders shall not be allowed to compete with a cast on any part of his/her body.

11. Change filing fees to $100/$200 for National events. Final appeal fees should be changed to $200/$400 for National events.

12. Add “Black Book AMA Official Motorcycle Value Guide” at the beginning of line 4 just before “Kelly Blue Book”.

13. Classification will be according to the manufacturers piston displacement specifications for the make of the ATV and/or engine. An engine can be overbored, but not pass the class limit. Stroking is not permitted in the stock classes only.

14. Replace: In addition to the stock rule, as printed in Chapter 3, for an ATV to be legal the following items cannot be changed: Rear axle, A-arms, exhaust with spark arrestor, electrical system, shocks, air box with lid, carburetor, and gas tank.

The Off Road Committee passed the following recommendations. These recommendations are being brought to the attention of the proper AMA staff members, AMA board of electives and Grand National ATV promoters. Only those that effect the ATV sport are listed below…

1. Change the 91-200cc/91-300cc 4-stroke Production ATV class to 13-15 years. (Note: it is currently 14-15)

2. At GNC MX and TT events, split 16-24, 25 Plus and 30 Plus and Production into A and B/C classes

3. Propose the AMA research the feasibility of adding resources for adding to the west coast presence.

4. Recommend that promoters/track owners be held accountable for not meeting their agreed upon requirements for being granted the ability to have a national event. That they be scrutinized by the staff GNC referee and other ATV/AMA officials and that they be required prior to an event to meet the ATVA/AMA requirements and if not be fined or put on some sort of probation or even prohibited from hosting a national event until they meet and follow the guidelines and rules set forth by the ATVA/AMA

5. Last year a recommendation was passed by congressmen for the GNC ATV MX series. This recommendation asked for a list of promoters who did not make the track 25 ft wide for the race to be placed on probation for the year 2004 and to not be granted a race the following year. It’s asked that this be addressed.

6. MX races shall have a mechanic area at all events. This is the only place mechanics can work on their rider’s ATV.

7. An AMA one day event card shall be created and available at the start of the 2004 racing season. This special card shall be available for purchase at any amateur off road or track event duly sanctioned by the AMA. The cost of this card shall be $10 payable at the track.

8. Enforce sound limits with sound tests at AMA Pro MC and AMA Amateur Nationals.

9. Include insert with each new member packet to introduce their district and district contact person information.

10. Explore feasibility of noncompetitive event category for kids and pee wee events that would not require AMA membership.

11. ATVA needs to find ways to encourage recreational ATV riders to join and become involved in the ATVA.

12. AMA members joining the ATVA should not lose their prior year’s AMA membership already acquired.

In addition to the above recommendations, GNC promoters, GNC sponsor coordinators and AMA staff are currently meeting to discuss the following and much more;

• Combining the GNC pro classes and using Production rules
• Increasing the pro class purse
• 2-stroke engine displacement
• Expanding the GNC series to possible locations in Southern California, Texas and Florida
• Top five professionally ranked riders being allowed to race the Pro-Am classes

Note: The above are only recommendations and concerns. Many are being addressed today in the GNC promoter’s meeting. As soon as any official information is brought forward we will pass the news on to you.

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