From the December issue of Vintage Views:

The easiest way to find new material in the handbook is to look for the underlined text. This indicates where changes have been made since the 2001 edition. Below we summarize the major changes to the ‘02 handbook, finalized by the Board of Trustees at their meeting the weekend of Nov. 3. You should also look at the item following this one, describing rules given preliminary approval when the board met in mid-September.

Not all rulebook changes are mentioned below, especially those described as clarifications in the October VV article.

Roadracing

The following motorcycles were added to vintage class eligibility lists:

• Honda 550cc SOHC fours and 550cc DOHC twins in Formula 500.

• Honda CB400F with original bore and stroke (.5 mm overbore allowed) in Formula 250

• Honda CB350F with original bore and stroke (.5 mm overbore allowed) in 350 Grand Prix. These must be serious GP replicas with race tank and seat, full fairing and four-into-four exhaust.

• Indian-built Royal Enfield Bullet as like-design in Classic Sixties and 500 Premier.

Weslake heads using four valves per cylinder are permitted on a probationary basis on Triumph unit 500 engines in 500 Premier.

The next era of AHRMA roadracing, dubbed Vintage Superbike, was approved largely as described on page 7 of the October VV. The three classes are open to motorcycles produced up through 1980 (and like design) and intended to be street-legal models in the U.S. and/or Canada. Many engine and frame modifications are permitted, but the overall look of the motorcycles must remain as close to “production” as possible. For example, the headlight and taillight shells must be retained, as well as the instrument housings, original fuel tank, seat and fenders. Tail sections, fairings and clip-ons cannot be added unless they are original equipment from that particular model. Treaded racing tires must be used.

While the original proposal stipulated that the engine and frame must be from the same year and model, the final version requires only that the chassis and powerplant be from the same model. The final rules also require that the swingarm be from the same manufacturer as the street model, as well as of the same material and type. Clubman handlebars or clip-ons are allowed only if they were original equipment on that model of motorcycle. Aftermarket forks of the period will be permitted.

The engine displacement limitations for the three classes differ somewhat from the original proposal. They now are:

• Heavyweight—unlimited-displacement twins and triples; six-cylinders to 1047cc; eight-valve fours to 931cc; and 16-valve fours to 825cc.

• Middleweight—pushrod twins to 890cc; pushrod triples and OHC twins to 790cc; and four-cylinders to 685cc.

• Lightweight—two-valve singles to 590cc; four-valve singles to 510cc; and two- or more cylinder machines to 470cc.

The displacement limits are absolute, including overbore. See the class chart in the rulebook for examples of specific motorcycles in each class.

Want to suggest changes for next season? Direct your comments to the new Vintage Rules & Eligibility Committee, made up of John Goodpaster, Mark McGrew and Jerry Berreth.

In other general roadracing changes, Kevlar racing suits with appropriate padding were approved for roadracing, and “Water Wetter” was approved for use in liquid-cooled machines.

Vintage motocross

Riders are reminded now in the rulebook that a yellow flag indicates a dangerous situation on the track head, and they should ride accordingly.

An automatic one-lap penalty will be assessed against riders who are gridded in the second gate but who leave with the first gate.

A competitor is not permitted to enter the next rider-age class until after that birthday. (For example, no one can ride in the +50 class until their 50th birthday.)

Post-Vintage MX

The following were among the eligibility changes made:

• Contrary to what had been tentatively approved by the board, in the final version of the rules, the Ossa GPIII and 1978 Kawasaki KX250A4 both will run in the Historic 250 class rather than Gran Prix. With the Kawasaki, exceptional performance by that model may move it up to GP.

• The 1977 Husqvarna CR and OR models will be allowed in the Historic class, but suspension travel must be limited to 9 inches.

• Suzuki RMs up to 1984 (rather than ‘83) will be permitted in Ultima 125.

• 1983 Honda XR500s will not be allowed in Ultima 500.

Rule 12.1.1c regarding forks on Historic-class motorcycles underwent further adjustment and now reads: “35mm leading axle Husqvarna and Betor forks are allowed, provided they have been limited to a maximum of 9 inches of travel. Early 9-inch-travel Simons forks are allowed. Fox Factory Forks are prohibited.”

And finally are a couple changes affecting number plates. One allows Expert-class champions to carry the #1 plate with a letter suffix, as was allowed during 2001 vintage MX. The other specifies that a color equivalent to school bus yellow must be used for number plate backgrounds.

Cross country

In addition to officially adding two classes corresponding to AHRMA’s post-1974 MX category—Post-Vintage (no separate engine-displacement divisions) and Post-Vintage +50—a new vintage class was included for ridersover age 60. The BSA B40 was moved back from the Classic to Premier class.

The board approved the new preamble to the cross country section stating that events can include hare scrambles, GPs, hare and hound races, enduros and ISDT-type competition.

In terms of race procedures, the rules now state that races can be ended early due to track conditions, and starting waves should not be less than 30 seconds apart (rather than one minute). A rider now must complete one full lap in order to be scored.

General

No changes to existing rules were made in trials or dirt track, although the board did affirm the 500cc limit for Seventies Singles.

Dues were restructured so that competition membership is now $40, domestic or foreign. Only U.S. members will have Vintage Views included at this rate; Canadian and Mexican members who want to receive VV must pay an additional $10 per year, and for members elsewhere in the world to receive the newsletter the extra cost is $20. The rate for non-competition membership (available only to U.S. residents) is $30. The category of associate member was eliminated. Rates are unchanged for Sound of Singles/Battle of Twins roadracing endorsement.

Individuals applying for membership under age 21 will be required to provide proof of their age.

If you have questions about any rules contained in the 2002 AHRMA Handbook, please contact the national office or the appropriate Rules & Eligibility Committee listed in Section 17.

Rules proposals from the October issue of Vintage Views:

Roadrace

Dirt track

No change to existing rules.

Post-Vintage MX

All of the following were given tentative approval.

1. Add the Kawasaki KX250A4 to the GP eligibility list.
2. Add the Ossa 250 GPIII to the GP eligibility list.
3. Allow 9-inch travel Simons forks as eligible for the Historic classes.
4. Allow Husqvarna 250 and 390 CR models in the Historic classes, with fork travel limited to 9 inches maximum.
5. The 1978 Penton/KTM is not like design to the ‘77 models. ‘78s are not legal for Historic class and must compete in the GP class.
6. Allow leading-axle 35mm Husqvarna forks to be used on Historic class motorcycles, with 9 inches of travel maximum.
7. Add a note: “All modifications must be consistent with the intended time frame of the class.”

Vintage MX

No changes to existing rules, except for a clarification of 11.3e regarding dual ability level classifications for women riders: Change “a” to “any” and add the example, “An Expert woman could be classified as a Sportsman Novice.”

Vintage trials

No changes to existing rules.

Cross country

1. Include the BSA B40 as eligible in the Premier class. Passed.
2. The following paragraph was drafted as an introduction to the cross country section. It has not yet been considered by the board. “While cross country rules specifically cover short events at the moment, it is envisioned that all types of cross country events can be incorporated into the championship schedule. They must be announced in a timely manner so that the integrity of the schedule is maintained. Hence from time to time it is possible that hare scrambles, GPs, hare and hound, desert events, enduros, ISDT reunion events, etc., will be part of the schedule. Specific rules for types of competition not covered by the accompanying rules will be created by the Cross Country Rules & Eligibility Committee as and when required.” As part of this, the Enduro section will be removed from the rulebook.
3. Alter rule 15.2.2 to read: A race should run not less than 1 hour before the first finisher is flagged off, unless track conditions require an earlier finish (new wording in italics). Not yet considered by board.
4. Change rule 15.2.3 to specify not less than 30 seconds—rather than not less than one minute—between waves at the start, and to encourage dead-engine starts. Not yet considered by board.
5. Add new rule 15.2.6: “A rider will be scored if he finishes half the laps of the leader of his class. If a rider does not complete half the laps of the leader of their class, but does complete at least one lap, he will receive last place plus two positions.” Not yet considered by board.
6. Add a pair of post-1974 classes—Post-Vintage, open to any motorcycle that qualifies for an AHRMA Post-Vintage motocross class; and +50, for riders age 50 and older on a Post-Vintage-eligible machine. Classes will be further divided into Novice, Intermediate and Expert, but not into any separate engine-displacement classes. Not yet considered by board.

General changes and corrections