MIDWEST VMX

2012 MIDWEST VMX Rules

The main premise of Midwest VMX is to promote and operate events that showcase all eras of motocross & off-road racing at venues throughout the Midwest. It is our intention to provide a safe, family-oriented racing alternative with an emphasis on fun and fellowship. The following is to be used as a guide for understanding our basic principles and class structures. It is not intended to be a complete source as many of our guidelines are based on those found in the AMA Sports and American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) rulebooks.

Memberships

Every entrant in a Midwest VMX event shall be a member of both the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Midwest VMX. Club participation fee is $20 for the calendar year, or $10 for the day, and can be purchased at the first race of the new season.

Events

Each Midwest VMX event will be operated by members of the Operations Committee. Race day decisions, refereeing, and rulebook interpretations will be the responsibility of those on the Committee.

Class Structure

It is understood that all entrants be familiar with the class structure prior to signing up to race. The classes are as follows…

Vintage Classes

These classes are generally designed for 1974 and earlier machines. It is hoped that the riders of these machines strive to keep them as ‘period-correct’ as possible. (No major components later than 1974.) All aftermarket components must be items that were readily available during the era; including engine internals carbs, and suspension components. All machines must have no more than 7-inches of front suspension travel, and no more than 4-inches of rear wheel travel. No remote-reservoir shocks, single-shocks, or USD forks allowed. Hydraulic clutches prohibited. Flat-slide and/or pumper carbs are not allowed. No disc brakes (except Rokon), and no later period backing plates are allowed. Modern auto-clutches or 'slipper' clutches are prohibited.

Vintage Novice - Any Novice rider age 14* and above on any Vintage machine.

Vintage Open Age – (Exp/Int) Any rider age 14* and above on any Vintage machine.

Vintage 40+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 40 and up on any Vintage machine.

Vintage 50+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 50 and up on any Vintage machine.

*If you are a Novice rider - you must ride the Novice class. There are no Age class provisions for Novice-level riders. If a second class is desired - you may bump eras to the next available Novice class, if available.

Evolution Classes

These classes are designed to represent the first and second generation on long-travel twin-shock machines circa 1975 through approximately 1980. While there are no suspension travel limitations, single-shocks and USD forks are not allowed. All aftermarket components must be items that were readily available during the era. Hydraulic clutches prohibited. Flat-slide carbs are not allowed unless manufactured during the period represented. Pumper-type carbs are not allowed. No disc brakes (except Rokon), and no later period backing plates are allowed. Modern auto-clutches or 'slipper' clutches are prohibited.

Evolution Novice - Any Novice rider age 14* and above on any Evolution or older machine.

Evolution Open Age – (Exp/Int) Any rider age 14* and above on any Evolution or older machine.

Evolution 40+ – (Exp/Int) Any rider age 40 and up on any Evolution or older machine.

Evolution 50+ – (Exp/Int) Any rider age 50 and up on any Evolution or older machine.

Revolution Classes

Revolution classes are for machines from circa 1981 through approximately 1987. The formula used is machines must be single-shock, can be water-cooled, may have a power valve mechanism, and must have been manufactured with a rear drum brake. Later models in the era that were manufactured with a front disc brake are legal No retrofitting of brake components from later machines will be allowed. It is hoped that the riders of Revolution machines use components and modifications worthy of the era. There are no suspension travel limits and USD forks are allowed – but must be of the type that were available during the era. No ‘modern’ USD forks are allowed. Flat-slide carbs are legal. Hydraulic clutches are not allowed. Modern auto-clutches or 'slipper' clutches are prohibited.

Revolution Novice - Any Novice rider age 14* and above on any Revolution or older machine.

Revolution Open Age – (Exp/Int) Any rider age 14* and above on any Revolution or older machine.

Revolution 40+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 40 and up on any Revolution or older machine.

Revolution 50+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 50 and up on any Revolution or older machine.

Modern Classes

These classes are for any current technology machine. Eligibility requirements are based on those found in the AMA Sports amateur rulebook.

250 – (Exp/Int/Nov) Any rider age 14* and above on any 125cc-250cc motorcycle.

Open – (Exp/Int/Nov) Any rider age 14* and above on any 125cc - Open motorcycle.

Modern 25+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 25 and above on any modern motorcycle.

Modern 40+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 40 and above on any modern motorcycle.

Modern 50+ - (Exp/Int) Any rider age 50 and above on any modern motorcycle.

*If you are a Novice rider - you must ride the Novice class. There are no Age class provisions for Novice-level riders.

Youth Classes

Midwest VMX Youth classes are designed to provide a safe racing alternative to the young racer. It is understood that the 50cc/65cc/85cc/Schoolboy classes are designed for advanced riders with racing experience.

50cc - Any rider 4-8 years of age on any 50cc motorcycle.

65cc - Any rider 7-11 years of age on any 65cc motorcycle.

85cc - Any rider 9-15 years of age on any stock 85cc motorcycle. (Standard wheel size.)

12/16 Schoolboy - Any rider 12-16 years of age on any 86-125cc 2-Stroke/75-150 cc 4-Stroke motorcycle (19"/16" wheel diameter minimum)

14/24 – Any rider 14-24 years of age on any full-size motorcycle 122cc-Open.

Miscellaneous Classes

Classes based on other criteria are as follows…

200cc Dual Shock Any dual shock bike 0 to 200cc all skill levels.

200cc Mono Shock Any mono shock bike 0 to 200cc all skill levels.

*Women – Any woman on any motorcycle legal for Midwest VMX competition. (XR100 allowed.)

*VMX 60+ - Any 60 years of age and up on any Vintage/Evolution/Revolution machine.

Protests

Any entrant has the right to file a protest if they feel that an infraction, or an act, has caused them to lose a finishing position. Protests must be hand-written on clean paper, signed, and submitted by the protesting party directly to the race referee no later than 30-minutes after the alleged infraction occurred. Verbal protests, or protests submitted by anyone other than the protesting rider will not be accepted. The referee has the right, and is encouraged, to discuss the protest with the members of the Operations Committee. However, only the referee will submit the decision to the rider in question. The referee reserves the right to disallow any protest if he/she deems it frivolous. The referee’s decision is final and there is no appeal process.

Technical Inspection/Rider Safety

All machines competing in a Midwest VMX event must be safe to race. Midwest VMX reserves the right to conduct technical inspections at any time at its events. Any machine deemed unsafe for any reason by any Midwest VMX official will not be allowed to compete. All machines must have a functioning handlebar mounted engine kill switch, self-closing throttle, ball end levers, no less than 50% of original tire tread, securely mounted exhaust components, and any accessories must be appropriate for the period of the motorcycle in question. No Trials-type tires allowed on any Vintage/Evolution/Revolution-type motorcycle. No dual-sport or dirt track-type tires allowed on ANY motorcycle to be used in Midwest VMX competitions.

Riders must also be deemed safe by wearing the minimum following equipment: A full or open-face helmet (Snell rating is suggested.); eye protection; long-sleeved shirt/jersey; long pants that cover the ankles; and sturdy boots that cover the ankles. Midwest VMX reserves the right to deny competition to any racer whose personal safety equipment is deemed unsafe.

Rider Offenses

Midwest VMX strives to maintain a safe, family-oriented racing environment. Any negligent action by a rider, participant, etc. will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of race officials. Actions include, and are not limited to…

1) Failure to obey the instructions of any race official.

2) Any action with the goal to deprive or defraud the promoter, race officials, sponsors, other competitors, or spectators.

3) Reckless or dangerous riding, or an act exhibiting a disregard for the safety of any participant or any other person, including the offender. An entrant shall be responsible for all acts of his or her crew.

4) Any action with the goal or affect of participation of an ineligible rider or motorcycle in competition.

5) Physical violence or abuse of any other participant or official will result in prosecution through local authorities.

6) No use of alcohol or other intoxicating/debilitating substances by a competitor, participant, crew or official until competition is complete.

7) Open use of an illegal substance by a competitor, participant, crew, or official.

MX Scoring

The Olympic scoring method is used for each moto: 1 point for first, 2 points for second, 3 points for third, etc. The smallest score wins. Riders must complete at least one full lap to be scored. A non-starter is anyone who does not complete one full lap, following the circuit in its entirety; a DNS receives no points. A non-finisher is anyone who completes one full lap but does not reach half-distance of the race; a DNF receives last-place points plus two positions, to avoid scoring problems. A finisher is anyone who completes at least half the number of laps completed by the class winner in a moto (e.g., three laps of a five-lap moto); points are paid in the order of finish. If there are fewer than three entrants in a class, the winner must complete at least half the prescribed race distance (track conditions allowing, as determined by the referee or race director), to receive first-place points. Each race concludes with the display of the checkered flag, even if a competitor believes the number of laps is not consistent with pre-race instructions. If there has been a flagging error, the race referee may revise the results if he deems it appropriate.

Ties are decided by the finishing position in the last moto. If two classes are run together in one race, a rider may ride one motorcycle in one class and be scored in the other class, provided the machine is eligible and entered in that other class. The rider shall start from the least favorable wave or grid position. The rider, not the motorcycle, is the entry. A rider may switch to a second eligible motorcycle for the second moto in a given class. If there are too many entrants for one moto, a class will be split at random and run as if there were two separate events. Series points will be awarded as if there were two separate events. If a rider believes there is an error in scoring, he or she must make a written protest and deliver it to the referee within 30 minutes of the results being posted. Un-protested results will stand. Any discrepancies will be resolved at the track if possible, or later if required.

Series Points

Points will be awarded according to each moto finish, without regard to rider’s overall performance for the day. A rider will receive points if he or she is the sole class competitor. The following points are awarded for each moto’s placing…

Position	Points	Position	Points
1	20	8	7
2	16	9	6
3	13	10	5
4	11	11	4
5	10	12	3
6	9	13	2
7	8	14	1

Year-end scoring ties will be broken by the greatest number of individual moto wins, then second-place moto finishes, third-place, etc. In the event of an absolute tie, the oldest rider wins. In the event that only one moto is run, double points will be awarded.

Race Procedures/Information

Riders on any given class of motorcycles (except Modern bikes) may enter class(es) in the next newest era. (Vintage in Evo, Evo in Revolution, etc.)

During an event it is expressly forbidden to ride any vehicle in the direction opposite to that in which the event is being run without specific approval of a race official.

Aggressive riding tactics such as hard block-passing, intentional bumping, or the intent to run another competitor off the track will result in disqualification and a possible loss of racing privileges at subsequent events.

In the event that a rider leaves the marked racetrack, every effort should be made to reenter the track at the same place he/she exited. If this is not possible, the rider must reenter in a safe manner, before the next track marker, without improving his/her position in relation to other competitors. If time or position is gained, the penalty will be left to the discretion of the referee.

A red flag means the race has been suspended. Competition must cease immediately, with all riders slowing to a safe speed and proceeding in a safe manner to the starting area, where an official will give further instructions. If a race is called complete by a red flag, scoring will revert to the last lap completed by all competitors.

A yellow flag indicates a dangerous situation on the track ahead. Competitors are cautioned to ride accordingly. The intent of this rule is that riders may not use this situation to an advantage.

All events where a rubber band start is used, riders must have their front wheel in the ditch at the time the band is released. Failure to do so can result in a loss of three finishing positions, at the discretion of the referee.

If a rider gated in the second wave or gate leaves with the first wave or gate, there will be an automatic one-lap penalty for that rider.