The AHRMA Board of Trustees met Oct. 30 in San Francisco to give final form to the 2005 rules. This report summarizes the rules decisions made at this meeting. Due to time constraints on getting the rulebook published on schedule, there will not be a tremendous amount of depth here with regard to discussion surrounding the various proposals and, in some cases, the proposals themselves. If possible, an update will be posted with greater detail.

The action taken in San Francisco was a continuation of what took place at an Aug. 27 meeting in Portland, Mich. (see below). At that time, trustees made tentative yes or no votes on proposals that had been considered by AHRMA’s various rules and eligibility committees. The final votes in San Francisco came after member comment on the proposals and, in some cases, a bit of tweaking of the suggested changes. All 12 trustees attended the meeting. Unless otherwise noted, the votes were unanimous. (Note: In accordance with a board decision at San Francisco, when there is a split vote, the names of dissenting trustees will no longer be listed except in the official minutes, which are available on request from the AHRMA national office.)

The 2005 AHRMA Handbook will be mailed with the December Vintage Views and no later than early December will be posted here on AHRMA OnLine.

Vintage roadracing
Create guidelines for exhibition and display rides. Final vote: Yes. The actual guidelines will not be in the rulebook but will be available from the AHRMA office. Any exhibition rides and track rides will be timed so they do not affect the actual race program.

Allow Hondas in Formula 500 to displace up to 650cc. Final vote: No.

Allow Keihin CR Special carburetors in all Formula classes and in 500 Premier. Final vote: No, with four opposing. Discussion: While AHRMA recognizes that carburetors do wear out over time and allows replacements, the board’s philosophy is that the replacements cannot offer a performance advantage over the originals. Unless riders in the Formula classes can show that there are no viable alternatives, this philosophy will be adhered to.

Ease restrictions on Classic Sixties carburetors. Final vote: No. Discussion: To clarify the earlier report, there is one Amal Concentric allowed, the Mk1 series.

Ease exhaust restrictions on Classic Sixties machines. Final vote: No, with one opposing. Discussion: The 2004 safety-related change allowing a higher exhaust for Velocettes remains in effect.

Prohibit hydraulic damping for girder and springer forks. Final vote: Yes, with one abstaining. Class C and Pre-1940s rules will be clarified to say that hydraulic damping may be used as a safety measure, but it is strongly encouraged that any dampers be "camouflaged" to give a more period appearance.

Prohibit hydraulic rear dampers in Class C and Pre-1940 unless original equipment on that particular model of motorcycle. Final vote: Yes, with one opposing.

Clarify whether Historic Production competitors also may ride in other classes. At the Portland meeting, the board tentatively approved a rule saying that a rider who competes in any other class disqualifies himself from continuing to compete in Historic Production, and that the race director has the discretion to move someone out of Historic Production if it is apparent the person belongs in AHRMA’s regular classes. That proposal was modified in two ways based on input from AHRMA competitors: First, the board approved (with one dissenting vote) a change in the class name to Novice Historic Production, to emphasize that this is a class for riders of that skill level. Second, the board unanimously passed a motion not restricting a rider’s participation in other classes other than Historic Production; however, Novice Historic Production will become a non-point-paying class, similar to the observed trials Beginning class.

Increase allowable overbore on two-strokes to extend cylinder life. Final vote: No.

Allow Honda 450s to be up to 600cc in 500 Premier. Final vote: No.

Allow period Yamaha 350cc two-strokes in Formula 750. Final vote: No.

Require period exhaust systems on all machines. Final vote: No.

Eligibility addition: Kawasaki W1 in Classic Sixties 650. The Kawasaki will be added to the motorcycles listed in the rulebook. It must meet all class requirements, including carburetion.

SOS/BOT roadracing
Remove Supersport restrictions from Suzuki SV650 in BOT F-3. Final vote: No.

Supersport standards specify that machines must be EPA and DOT approved models, but not all supermoto motorcycles in Production Singles carry such approval. Proposal: Lift EPA/DOT requirement for supermoto machines competing in this class. Final vote: Yes.

Conflict in tire requirements for Production Singles. Reword rule 10.10.1a(3) so that it no longer conflicts with Supersport rule 10.11.1f and allows DOT tires, rain tires or slicks to be used. Final vote: Yes.

Vintage Superbike
Move the Honda CB400F from Middleweight to Lightweight. Final vote: No.

Create an "F1" class as a bump-up for Heavyweight machines. Final vote: No.

General roadracing
Require use of transponders. Final vote: No.

Extensively revamp AHRMA’s roadrace class structure and race program. No action taken; proposal was forwarded to the roadrace task force.

Remove "full coverage" from rule 3.4.2d so it is clear that only full-face helmets are permitted. Final vote: Yes.

Cross country
Create a separate Historic post-vintage class. Final vote: Yes. It will be divided into 88-200cc and 201cc-plus classes. Gran Prix and Ultima machines will remain grouped together.

Add a Post-Vintage +60 class. Final vote: Yes.

Require participants to come to a complete stop at the scoring area until signaled to proceed. Final vote: Yes.

All cross country events will be scored as a single event even if taking place over more than one day. Final vote: Yes.

Prohibit Bark Buster type handguards. Final vote: No.

Allow class champions to run #1 number plates. Final vote: No.

Dirt track
Allow the Yamaha DT1 into Classic 250. Final vote: No. Discussion: The DT is properly classified even though it might not be the fastest machine in the Sportsman class.

Move the Kawasaki Greenstreak from Sportsman 250 to Classic 250. Final vote: No.

Allow period flat-slide carburetors in Seventies Singles and Seventies Two-Stroke. Final vote: Yes. Acceptable period carbs will include Lake, Lectron, Posa and Gardner only.

Move the Bultaco Astro model 195 (final model) to Seventies Two-Stroke. Final vote: No. Discussion: The machine should remain in Sportsman 250.

Move the Harley-Davidson MX250 to Seventies Two-Stroke. Final vote: Yes. Discussion: The machine never appeared until 1978, well after the Sportsman era.

Add the 1982 Kawasaki KX250 to Seventies Two-Stroke. Final vote: Yes.

Create a Seventies Twins support class. Final vote: Yes.

Eliminate mention of Veteran as a support class from the rulebook, but allow it to be offered at the promoter’s option. Final vote: Yes, with four opposing.

Create two new classes for 20-year-old machines, under and over 500cc. Final vote: No.

Allow hydraulic clutches to help prevent creeping at the starting line. Final vote: No, with one opposing.

Raise the displacement limit in Seventies Singles to 600cc. Final vote: Yes, with three opposing.

Clarify what types of shocks are legal in the "Seventies" classes. No vote needed. Remote-reservoir shocks are not permitted, but piggyback shocks are.

Specify that only full-face helmets are permitted. Final vote: Yes. Discussion: Rule 14.1e also is corrected to require the Snell M2000 standard.

Post-vintage motocross
Move the 1977 Montesa 250/360 VB from Gran Prix to Historic. Final vote: Yes. A set of restrictions will be listed to ensure the machine is not updated. Discussion: The machine is borderline for the Historic class, but there was a great deal of member support for placing it in this class.

Allow dual skill-level ability ratings as in done in vintage MX. Final vote: No. Discussion: In vintage (rule 11.3e), the lower ability level is allowed only in Sportsman, which is the most competitive class. However, in post-vintage no such "most competitive" class has yet emerged.

Vintage motocross
Ease the Premier Lightweight expansion chamber rule for Jawas. Final vote: No.

Move the BSA B50 from Sportsman to Classic 500. Final vote: No, with three opposing. Discussion: There was feedback, both pro and con, from members. There will always be machines in any given class that are not as competitive as other motorcycles.

Create a "European Prime" class to fit between the Classic and Sportsman eras. Final vote: No.

Establish a three-year moratorium on changes to the vintage MX class structure. Final vote: Tied six to six; did not pass. Discussion: The same proposals are made year after year, trying to get motorcycles into classes where they don’t belong. On the other hand, the AHRMA board should have a commitment to rules stability, but it is wrong to shut the door to member input.

Prohibit Barkbuster-type handguards. Final vote: No.

Eligibility additions. Honda SL175 added to Classic 250 eligibility list. Honda CL360 added to Sportsman Open Twins list.

General motocross
Change the refund policy to allow a full refund up to seven days after the event. Final vote: No.

Allow riders under age 16 to compete. Final vote: No.

Change rule 11.4c so that a rider cannot score points by completing just one lap. Final action: The following sentence will be added to the end of the rule: "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." The "last place plus two positions" portion of this same rule regarding non-finishers is unchanged. Final vote: Yes, with two opposing.

Clarify that the checkered flag signals the end of a race, whether shown in error or not. Final vote: Yes. The following will be added under section 11.4: "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/she deems it appropriate."

Penalty for not displaying a skill-level stripe on helmet. A rider will be penalized one position in a moto if that person does not display a red, yellow or black skill-level stripe on the back of his helmet.

Rider grading system. Final approval was given to a new structure to standardize rider grading across the nation and to better involve the regions in the process. Most of the changes are administrative. There are two important points to note:

• Each region’s grading committee has overall authority and responsibility for rider ability levels in its region, regardless of whether a specific rider competes in the regional series.
• Riders new to AHRMA motocross must sign up as at least an Intermediate until status is confirmed by the grading committee, which optimally will occur at the rider’s first event. This is done by interview or observation at the request of the new rider. A request-for-observation form will be available at race sign-up.

Observed trials
Add a twin-shock class. Final vote: No.

The AHRMA Board of Trustees met Aug. 27 in Portland, Mich., to take preliminary action on rules proposals for the 2005 season. After getting member input over the next few weeks, the board will gather again the weekend of Oct. 30 in San Francisco to put the ‘05 rules into final form.

Following is a discipline-by-discipline look at the various proposals considered by the various rules and eligibility committees, then passed along to the board for action. All of the votes listed here are tentative, pending member comment and then final action next month. To share your opinion with the board on any of these issues, please see the end of this article.

Vintage roadrace
Create an exhibition class that would serve as a "rolling display." This would cater to those who want to show off historic motorcycles without racing them. Committee recommendation: Develop a set of guidelines for an exhibition class. Board vote: Yes.

Allow Hondas in Formula 500 to displace up to 650cc. This is intended to put two- and four-strokes on a more even footing and attract more four-strokes to the grids. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Allow Keihin CR Special carburetors in all Formula classes and 500 Premier. Committee recommendation: No. The issue has been debated thoroughly in years past. Board vote: No.

Ease exhaust restrictions on Classic Sixties machines. More leeway in exhaust pipe routing could attract more entries. Committee recommendation: Undecided. Discussion: The class is intended for those who want to run nearly standard machines without the modifications necessary to be competitive in 500 Premier. This and the carburetor proposal below could allow the class to evolve into another 500 Premier. Board vote: No, with Jeff Smith voting yes.

Ease restrictions on Classic Sixties carburetors. The required Amal GP carbs are costly but efficient units, but allowing Concentrics and other round-slide carbs could encourage more participation in the class. Committee recommendation: Undecided. Board vote: No, with Craig Breckon and Dick Mann voting yes.

Prohibit hydraulic dampening for girder and springer forks. In 1999 the board decided that hydraulic dampening could be used on girder and springer forks for Class C and Pre-1940 machines for safety reasons. This season, however, a competitor filed a protest on the basis that these items are not of the period. The protest was denied. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No. Discussion: Competitors should be encouraged to camouflage these hydraulic dampers to give a more period look. The same motion banned the use of rear hydraulic dampers in Class C and Pre-‘40 unless they were original equipment on that machine.

Clarify whether Historic Production competitors may also ride in other classes. The rulebook states that Historic Production machines cannot bump up to any other class, but—since this is intended strictly as an entry-level class—it is not clear whether riders themselves also may take part in other classes or if they must move on to another class if they win the series. Board action: Approved motion that a rider who competes in another class disqualifies himself from continuing to compete in Historic Production, and that the race director has the discretion to move someone out of Historic Production if it is apparent that person belongs in AHRMA’s regular classes.

Increase allowable overbore on two-strokes to extend cylinder life. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Allow Honda 450s to be up to 600cc in 500 Premier. This would help the Hondas be more competitive against the top 500cc singles. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Allow period Yamaha 350cc two-strokes in Formula 750. Committee recommendation: No. These machines already made the F-750 type four-strokes obsolete once; there is no reason to do it again. Board vote: No.

Require period exhaust systems on all machines. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Modern roadrace
Remove the Supersport restrictions from Suzuki SV650s. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Vintage Superbike
Move the Honda CB400F from Middleweight to Lightweight. Committee recommendation: No. The machine is currently classified properly. Board vote: No.

Create an "F1" class as a bump-up for Heavyweight machines. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

General roadrace
Extensively revamp AHRMA’s roadrace class structure and race program. This lengthy proposal will be forwarded to the roadrace task team that is making a comprehensive review of the AHRMA program.

Use transponders in AHRMA roadracing. Discussion: Transponders work great but are expensive and still require manual scoring as a backup. Board action: Direct the roadrace task team to look into the cost and logistics of using transponders.

Entry fees. After several years with no increase, the board voted to change the base pre-entry fee to $60 and $75 for higher-cost tracks. Practice days will be $100. In response to complaints about high post-entry fees, the cost for post-entering the first class will remain at the current rate of $100 for most tracks and $120 for pricier venues; post-entering additional classes will be at the $60/$75 rate.

Cross country
Break out Historic as a separate post-vintage class. Committee recommendation: Yes, and further divide it into 88-200cc and 201cc-plus classes. Gran Prix and Ultima machines would remain grouped together. Board vote: Yes.

Add a Post-Vintage +60 class. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes.

Require participants to come to a complete stop at the scoring area until signaled to proceed. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes.

All cross country events will be scored as a single event even if multiple-day events. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes.

Prohibit Bark Buster type handguards. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Allow class champions to run #1 number plates. Committee recommendation: No. It increases the potential for scoring confusion because all classes run together. Board vote: No.

Dirt track
Allow the Yamaha DT1 into Classic 250. Committee recommendation: No. The machine represents a leap forward in two-stroke development compared against other two-strokes in the Classic class and should remain in Sportsman. Board vote: No.

Allow the Kawasaki Greenstreak in Classic 250. Committee recommendation: No. The machine should stay in Sportsman. Board vote: No.

Move the Bultaco Astro model 195 (final model built) to Seventies Two-Stroke. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: No. There is no problem with these machines in Sportsman.

Move the Harley-Davidson MX250 to Seventies Two-Stroke. This was discussed last year when the class was created, and the MX250 is from an era later than that covered by Sportsman. Board vote: Yes.

Add the 1982 Kawasaki KX250 to Seventies Two-Stroke. The machine appears to be the same as the ‘81 model, with the exception of a relocated exhaust port. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes.

Raise the displacement limit in Seventies Singles to 600cc. The 500cc limit is too difficult to police, and the change would bring AHRMA in line with other groups. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes, with Matt Hilgenberg opposing.

Allow period flat-slide carburetors in Seventies Singles and Seventies Two-Stroke. Committee recommendation: Yes. Board vote: Yes. Acceptable period carbs will include Lake, Lectron, Posa and Gardner only.

Create a Seventies Twins support class. This would be open to twins to 750cc, including Harley-Davidson XR750s up to 1980, with rules that mirror ‘70s Singles and ‘70s Two-Stroke. Committee recommendation: Yes, along with elimination of Veteran as a support class. Board vote: Yes, but keep the option to offer the Vet class too.

Create two new classes for 20-year-old machines under and over 500cc. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Allow hydraulic clutches to help prevent creeping at the starting line. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No, with Breckon voting yes.

The board also directed the committee to review the shock rule in the "Seventies" classes to clarify what is allowed.

Vintage motocross
Ease the Premier Lightweight expansion chamber rule for Jawas. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Move the BSA B50 from Sportsman to Classic 500. Committee recommendation: No. Discussion: The machine was actually the end of the Classic era and not part of the Sportsman period. However, allowing the bike into Classic would doom the BSA 441s now competing. Board vote: No, with Jeff Smith, Ron Winget and Beno Rodi voting yes.

Create a "European Prime" class to fit between the Classic and Sportsman eras. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No.

Establish a moratorium on future changes to the vintage MX class structure. The committee raised the question of whether the evolution of the vintage class structure is now complete and should be "set in stone." Following discussion, the board approved a motion placing a three-year moratorium on changes to the vintage motocross class structure and eligibility. It is the sense of the board that vintage motocross has evolved as far as it can go and now it is time to ensure the future stability of the program. Breckon voted against the proposal. The board will consider a similar policy for vintage roadracing when discussing 2006 rules.

Post-vintage motocross
Allow the 1977 Montesa 250/360 VB in the Historic class. Committee recommendation: No. The machine is too advanced for Historic and should remain in Gran Prix. Board vote: No.

Allow dual skill-level ability ratings as in done in vintage MX. Committee recommendation: No. It isn’t apparent there is a need for this yet. Board vote: No.

General motocross rules
Change the refund policy to allow a full refund up to seven days after the event. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No. The national office was directed to include an explanation of the refund policy as part of pre-entry confirmation letters in all disciplines.

Allow riders under age 16 to compete. Committee recommendation: No. Board vote: No. The board affirmed that AHRMA policy is to have no youth classes as part of an AHRMA-approved event.

Change rule 11.4c so that a rider cannot score points by completing just one lap. Committee recommendation: No change. Board vote: A motion was passed adding the following sentence to the end of the rule in question: "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." The board also revisited the "last place plus positions" portion of this same rule regarding non-finishers. The board approved a motion to make no change, with Dave Janiec opposing.

Clarify that the checkered flag signals the end of a race, whether shown in error or not. The committee recommended adding the following under section 11.4: "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/she deems it appropriate." Board vote: Yes.

Penalty for not displaying a skill-level stripe on one’s helmet. Trustees approved a motion that will dock a rider one position in a moto if that person does not have a red, yellow or black skill-level stripe on the back of his helmet.

Rider grading system. Winget presented the final recommendations of his study of the rider grading system, which were approved by the board. This will be described in detail in the October Vintage Views. One change to the rulebook will specify that riders who are new to AHRMA motocross must sign up as an Intermediate or Expert until status is confirmed by the grading committee. Final determination of points scored in national or regional events will not be awarded until status is confirmed.

Observed trials
Rigid Novice entries ride line 4 or some mixture of lines 3 and 4. Committee recommendation: No. However, there should be a discussion of the current level of difficulty at all events. Board vote: No.

Add a twin-shock class. Committee recommendation: No. It would have a negative influence on section difficulty in all events. Board vote: No.

Begin development of a rider grading committee. This would be similar to what is being done in motocross and would help ensure that riders compete at their proper skill level. Board vote: Yes.

National championships
The number of events that will count in motocross toward series awards will remain at seven for 2005. The number of races will not exceed 2004's total of 18. Board vote: Yes.

In roadracing, the number that will count will be half of the events, rounded up to the next whole number. The number of rounds will be capped at 25. Board vote: Yes, with Smith and Rodi opposing.