AMA Congress 2002
- Updated: November 24, 2002
By ATV D12 Ohio Delegate, John Pellan
ATVA responds to 35th annual AMA Congress Delegate Recommendation
The following are some of the comments provided by the AMA and ATVA that we thought you might be interested in. These recommendations will be brought to the board of electives on November 24th…
| Lowering the age limits for ATV racing… | ||
| “For several years, AMA Congress and AMA staff have agreed with the ATV committee that current ATVA age rules are not realistic and indeed present a safety problem in instances where are are restricted to machines that are physically too small for them to ride comfortably and safely.
The staff of ATVA and AMA Sports support the introduction of revised class rules for ATV competitors aged 5-15 as indicated below. We have listed the classes currently in place as well as the class structure proposed by AMA Congress with four exceptions
AMA Congress and staff understand that there may be some reluctance to adopt class rules which vary from the CPSC guidelines, but we must point out that those guidelines were first adopted in 1988 and that they expired in 1998. Although most manufacturers continue to operate voluntarily under those guidelines, clubs and promoters throughout the country are not bound by them and routinely offer classes more in line with what we have proposed. The age and displacement classes we propose are considerably more conservative than long-established rules for motorcycle riders, and that conservatism is magnified by the substantial power-to-weight advantage enjoyed by motorcycles over ATVs. By any real-world measurement, the proposed classes are reasonable and necessary if ATVA is to be relevant in the marketplace. We propose implementing the classes outlined below on a trial bases for the 2003 season, with ATM Staff instructed to pay special attention to injury statistics”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris
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| Allow non AMA members under the age of 16 to participate in noncompetitive off-road trail rides, charity events and youth fun runs… |
| “This recommendation is worded to encourage additional participation in AMA sanctioned events, but staff has reservations about opening off-road events to nonmembers. Staff will consult with the AMA’s insurance providers to learn if there would be a negative impact on rates should this be adopted. If the Board of Directors directs staff to implement this recommendation, staff suggests that the same policy that currently applies to road riding events should be in effect: Namely, AMA members should be provided with a tangible advantage when participating in AMA sanctioned events that are also open to nonmember participants”, — Bill Amick & Gary Sweet. |
| Research a family membership program… |
| “Family memberships are not possible at this time. AMA’s membership database, membership acquisition methods (including on-site sales for immediate race participation) and membership retention methods would have to be completely overhauled.
Today we encounter problems with the current “Minor Release Forms” where non family/custodial adults sign off as parent or guardian. We do not have resources or manpower to eliminate this cheating now. Likewise, we have no methods to verify related problems to continue with family membership sales. The AMA’s database has no capability of tracking familial status at this time; and the Association does not have methods in place to do verification of family status or member age of competition purposes. As explained at AMA Congress, lieu of a family membership program the AMA staff is developing a program to provide a rebate to families/households with three or more full members. Finally, bases on input at Congress, the AMA Membership Department will work with AMA corporate members to identify possible benefits such as gift certificates and discounts that could be made available to families with multiple members”, — Gary Sweet. |
| AMA to investigate group insurance for promoters and clubs to cover club and track premises, practice days and the like…. |
| “This recommendation derives from a serious issue facing AMA promoters and clubs, many of whom lost their traditional source of practice and premises coverage in 2001 or 2002 and now face both availability and price problems as a result. This is an ongoing point of discussion between the AMA and our primary providers of event liability insurance. Any new development will be reported at sanction meetings, in the Organizers News newsletter and at future board meetings”, — Bill Amick. |
| “Revisit” the AMA’s sound rules for competition events… |
| “Since AMA Congress, AMA staff has had an opportunity to discuss this important issue with the Motocross Commission and Technical Panel of the FIM; with representatives of the AMA’s counterpart in Japan, the MFJ; and with representatives of the Motocross Manufacturers Association (MXMA). A meeting including AMA Sports, AMA Pro Racing and the AMA Government Relations department will be held during the week of October 23 to discuss an international initiative to reduce the allowable noise level of motocross machines (either two or four-strokes) to 96 decibels by 2006”, — Bill Amick and Douglas Neubauer |
| Separate rule books for AMA and ATVA… |
| “The ATVA is a department within the AMA rather than a separate entity, and a separate rule book would require recognition of a different governance structure than presently called for in the AMA Code of Regulations. Cost is also an issue. AMA Staff does not foresee separation of the rule books in the short term, but will work with ATV delegates to AMA Congress to provide the best structure possible within the existing framework for ATV rules”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |
| ATVA training programs for flag marshals… |
| “The AMA has a basic set of guidelines for flag marshals that AMA Sports and ATVA staff will review for distribution to ATV event promoters”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |
| ATVA to train the key official who will supervise all ATVA GNC events… |
| “Assigning a common referee to all events within national championship series is desirable. In concert with the series promoters, ATVA will strive for that goal. However, neither the AMA nor ATVA is in a position to offer formal training or certification of officials”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |
| ATVA to increase exposure for ATVing in part by requiring event promoters to prove they have spent a specified minimum amount on event advertising. |
| “While staff believes this recommendation is well intentioned, it is not a practical approach to the perceived problem. A myriad of factors goes into selection of venues for inclusion in national championship series. Free market competition will in the long run prove much more effective improving championships than will the imposition of arbitrary economic conditions governing just one aspect of promotion. Staff will encourage more effective advertising campaigns by ATVA promoters, but does not plan to enact this recommendation”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |
| Require separate spectating areas at ATV national events…. |
| “Staff does not view this recommendation as practical and for basically the same reason noted above, does not plan to enact it”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |
| Widen ATV national track widths… |
| “Staff believes that this type of recommendation should be dealt with in the context of formal rules, and as such should be reintroduced as a rule proposal rather than a recommendation”, — Bill Amick and Doug Morris. |