SECTION 3 - EVENTS AND RACE PROCEDURES
3.1 ORGANIZATION OF AHRMA EVENTS
An AHRMA event may be organized by AHRMA or other clubs, organizations, or promoters approved in writing in advance by AHRMA.
3.1.1 The name or emblem of AHRMA or use of AHRMA rules shall be associated only with events approved by AHRMA. Organizers shall not distribute or use AHRMA entry forms prior to obtaining AHRMA approval.
3.1.2 AHRMA reserves the right to postpone, reschedule or cancel any scheduled event.
3.1.3 Every attempt will be made to run all events, rain or shine. No refund of entry fees will be made in the event of any form of inclement weather.
In the event of a forced cancellation AHRMA has the discretion to determine refund policy for that event.
3.1.4 No entrants, pit crew, photographers or media shall have consumed or be under the influence of any intoxicant or drugs of any nature which could affect their normal mental or physical ability.
3.1.5 Valid passes must be in the possession of all entrants, photographers or media during the entire time of their participation. Fraudulent use of any pass will be penalized as deemed appropriate.
3.2 MACHINE ELIGIBILITY
3.2.1 All motorcycles competing in an AHRMA event must meet these rules of eligibility. For any motorcycle that requires eligibility approval, the entrant must use the Eligibility Request Form. The completed form must be accompanied by three photos (one of each side and one of the engine) and returned to the AHRMA Executive Director before the race date.
3.2.2 Eligibility will be determined by the AHRMA Rules and Eligibility Committee, subject to the right of appeal. See Section 17 for contact information for committee members.
3.2.3 Questions of eligibility at the racetrack will be determined by the AHRMA Race Director. (See Section 5 regarding AHRMA race officials and their powers and duties.)
3.2.4 With the realization that vintage motorcycle racing takes place throughout the world, and that these events are governed by different rule making organizations with differing sets of rules, AHRMA, the primary sanctioning body of vintage motorcycle racing in the United States, will give consideration to non-North American entries that do not conform to AHRMA rules. In certain cases, foreign entrants may be permitted to compete in a separate Exhibition Class only, provided there is sufficient proof of eligibility with their own vintage racing organization. Such entrants must apply at least 60 days before any AHRMA event in which they wish to participate.
3.2.5 There will be a compliance period of 90 days from the date of issue for rule changes affecting mechanical requirements. Safety-related or class changes are effective immediately upon publication unless otherwise specified.
3.2.6 Two AHRMA decals must be conspicuously displayed on each motorcycle.
3.3 TECHNICAL INSPECTION
3.3.1 All motorcycles must be scrutinized and approved by the Technical Inspector before participating in any practice sessions or race meets and must bear an official AHRMA sticker affirming the inspection. All prior stickers must be removed before the Technical Inspector will issue a new seal. Final approval rests with the Technical Inspector, and such approval may be revoked at any time. Motorcycles may be subjected to additional inspection at any time. A recommendation to the Race Director or Chief Technical Inspector that a machine be inspected may be made by any race meet official or by any participant in the meet. The decision to inspect shall be by the Chief Technical Inspector. After a crash, the machine must be submitted to the chief Technical Inspector prior to returning to the track. Failure to do so can result in the levying of penalties described under rule 6.2.
3.3.2 All rider’s protective clothing and equipment must be scrutinized and passed by tech before a rider’s motorcycle is approved. The selection of the clothing is the rider’s prerogative. AHRMA only inspects the clothing for obvious damage and unsuitability. If this determination is made, then the user will be refused entrance to the track. It is the responsibility of the rider to select a helmet and apparel which will provide appropriate protection. Although AHRMA and AMA approve materials, the associations do not endorse or guarantee specific products or manufacturers. Riders must rely on their own judgment in the selection of helmets and apparel for safety and durability. Snell 2005 helmets WILL BE REQUIRED for roadracing and dirt track beginning in 2009.
3.3.3 If a Technical inspector suspects a motorcycle of being ineligible for the class in which it is entered, the inspector may recommend to the Race Director that the machine be inspected for conformation with class rules.
3.3.4 All machines must meet certain minimum safety requirements. The primary emphasis of this inspection is race-worthiness of the equipment used. The burden of complying with the rules regarding eligibility of a motorcycle for specific category of competition rests with the entrant. The Inspector retains the right to reject or ask for problem correction on any machine that does not meet the established standards, either during the formal inspection process, or at any time thereafter upon re-inspection of the machine.
3.3.5 Modifications to the motorcycle must be consistent with the spirit of the class (i.e. “period modification”) and must be approved by the Race Director or Eligibility Inspector. Appearance and workmanship of reasonable standards shall be enforced.
3.3.6 Motorcycles must be neat and clean. Specifically, motorcycles that are dirty, or show bodywork damage, or that are partially or totally in primer, or that do not bear the prescribed identification marks shall not be approved for competition.
3.3.7 Tires must be in good condition (as determined by the Technical Inspector) and may not be recaps or retreads. Tires will be inspected and must be modern racing compound only. No slicks or hand-cut slicks are allowed, except in Sound of Singles, Battle of Twins and Sound of Thunder.
3.3.8 All motorcycles, except for certain dirt-track machines, must be equipped with front and rear brakes that operate and are in good working order.
3.3.9 All motorcycles must have a self-closing throttle.
3.3.10 Headlight and taillight must be taped if glass or plastic lenses are left in place.
3.3.11 All hoses or lines that carry fluid must be secured at all connecting points by means of screw- or clamp-type hose clamps and safety wire or a spring-type hose clamp
and safety wire.
3.3.12 No fluid leaks are permitted.
3.3.13 Excessively oily motorcycles shall be prohibited from practice and racing.
3.3.14 Helmets must be used in all AHRMA competition. Helmets worn in roadracing and dirt track must be full-face type and certified by the manufacturer by having a sticker affixed to the helmet stating the helmet meets or exceeds the Snell 2000, FIM BSI 6658 Type A (“Blue Label”), FIM ECE1222-05 or FIM JIST 8133:2000 standard. Helmets used for all other forms of competition must meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, Snell 95 or higher, or current FIM standard. Half-helmets are permitted only in trials. All helmets will be scrutinized at tech inspection for compliance. Riders are prohibited from using damaged helmets. Only OEM chin strap fasteners may be used (no aftermarket quick-release fasteners). Tech inspection by AHRMA does not warrant the condition of a participant’s helmet. It is the responsibility of participants to ensure that their helmet is in good and safe condition. Participants are encouraged to have their helmets examined by the appropriate experts if they have questions regarding their condition. Snell 2005 helmets WILL BE REQUIRED for roadracing and dirt track beginning in 2009.
3.4 RIDER ELIGIBILITY
3.4.1 GENERAL
a) All riders in AHRMA events, including roadrace, motocross, dirt tracks, cross country and trials, must be full members of AHRMA and hold an AHRMA Competition License. Participation in AHRMA national-championship events also requires AMA membership.
b) Riders must present proof of medical insurance coverage before being permitted to compete in an AHRMA national-championship event.
c) AHRMA non-racing members and AMA associate members are not eligible to compete in AHRMA events.
d) No rider under the age of majority may compete without the notarized, written consent of parents or guardians. Minimum rider age is 18 for roadrace, flat track and TT, and 16 years for motocross and cross country. If under 21, proof of age is required.
e) Each rider is responsible for the behavior and actions of any personnel, either family or crew, attached to him/her. Any punitive action required as a result of actions by family or crew will be levied against the rider.
f) It is the responsibility of every rider to inform race officials of any rider’s medical condition which may be worsened by participation at that particular event.
g) Roadracers and dirt trackers are required to carry a card while on the track that provides an emergency contact and information about whether the rider has any allergies or other condition that medical personnel should be aware of. The card is to be placed in an AHRMA-supplied break-away lanyard worn around the neck. For other AHRMA disciplines carrying this information while competing is strongly encouraged.
h) All entries must be signed by the individual rider who plans to compete, and no rider may practice or compete without properly registering.
i) There is no limit to the number of classes a rider may compete in on a given day. However, the referee may remove a rider from the track who appears to be fatigued and no longer riding safely.
j) Children are allowed in the paddock area, but must be controlled at all times by a responsible adult. Proper compliance is the sole judgment of the race officials. Pets may be kept in the paddock area only if they are constrained by leash or locked in a vehicle. Pets and children are banned from pit road (exception would be if the individual was a properly licensed mechanic who meets the age requirement).
k) All riders must have a fire extinguisher with a minimum recharge rating of 5BC available at all times in their pit area. All extinguishers must carry current recharge tags.
l) Each rider shall be responsible for leaving his or her pit area in a clean and acceptable condition at the end of the race meet.
m) Each rider shall be responsible for arranging the removal of his or her motorcycles, motor vehicles and trailers at the end of the race meet.
n) All riders in an AHRMA event must attend the riders meeting. Roll call may be held and absentees may be penalized.
3.4.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED OF ALL ROADRACE RIDERS
The following must be worn at all times when riding on the active course, hot lanes or warmup areas.
a) A riding suit of leather, leather and Kevlar, or Kevlar with appropriate padding, at the discretion of tech inspection. It must be one-piece or, if two-piece suit is worn, the upper and lower pieces must be securely fastened together.
b) Leather gloves with no holes or other openings, except breathing holes.
c) Leather or plastic boots of sufficient height to overlap the bottom of the trouser leg at all times, and in no case less than 8 inches (except sidecar passengers).
d) Roadracing helmets must be full-facial units.
e) Faceshield or goggles must be shatter resistant. Faceshield tear-offs are prohibited.
f) The use of back protection is mandatory.
g) Sparking knee pucks and toe pucks are prohibited.
h) The use for competition of any of the above items shall be subject to the reasonable judgment of the Tech Committee. All of the above gear must be presented and approved by the Technical Inspector.
i) NEW ROADRACE RIDERS: A person with no previous roadracing experience, first-time AHRMA competitors, riders designated by a race official (or any rider wishing to do so), must wear an orange vest (supplied by AHRMA) until he competes in six events, or until he is released by AHRMA officials. New, novice AHRMA roadracers may not be permitted to ride at certain venues.
3.5 RULE INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION
a) Principle Rule of Interpretation and Application: AHRMA rules are intended to ensure AHRMA events are conducted in a manner which is as fair as possible for all competitors consistent with the interests of safety, the sport and prompt and final competition results. On occasion, circumstances will arise that are either unforeseen or otherwise extraordinary, in which strict application of AHRMA rules may not achieve this goal. In such unusual circumstances, AHRMA officials, as a practical matter, may make a determination regarding the conduct of the race, the eligibility of a competitor, or similar matters that is not contemplated by or is inconsistent with AHRMA rules, in order to achieve this goal. Such determinations are reviewable by the AHRMA Board of Trustees.
b) Finality of Interpretation and Application. The interpretation and application of AHRMA rules by AHRMA officials at the track is subject to the Protest and Appeal process. However, no event will be re-run.
3.6 ROADRACE PROCEDURES
a) In pre-entry events, a minimum deadline will be established before the event, normally 14 days. Grid positions will be based on points earned by a rider in that class. The class champion will be awarded the pole position for the entire season he or she carries the No. 1 plate. (This gridding and number privilege does not carry over into other classes.) Riders who are post-entered will be gridded at the rear of the grid, or at the Race Director’s discretion.
If heat races are run, heat race results will determine grid positions for the final or main event. Where the total number of entrants exceeds safe track density, riders will be required to run heat races prior to the main. Riders will be gridded for the main event, starting with the winner of each heat, and then alternating succeeding riders from each heat until the field is complete. Riders who fail to qualify for the final may, at the Race Director’s discretion, be allowed to practice with qualifiers at all subsequent practice sessions for that event.
b) A first, second, and third call will be made prior to each race. Motorcycles will gather at the entrance to the track (or designated pre-grid area) at this time.
c) A five-minute sign will be displayed at the start/finish line. Motorcycles will then be allowed to take one hot lap. Those competitors who do not wish to take a warm-up lap will report to the pit steward for instructions. The procedure for placing them on the grid will be outlined at the rider’s meeting.
d) At a time designated by the Referee, the track will be closed to competitors. Those riders who have not begun their hot lap nor reported for direct gridding will be barred from competition in that particular event.
e) When the two-minute board is displayed, motorcycles should be in their respective grid positions and all persons other than grid marshals and the starter must be clear of the track. Riders entering the track after the two-minute board is displayed must start from the hot pit after the main grid is clear.
f) When the one-minute board is displayed, all riders on the starting grid must be in their respective positions. Riders arriving late to the grid must start at the rear of the grid. Riders with stalled motorcycles must raise their arm to get the attention of the starter and grid marshals. At that time, the starter and grid marshals will address the problem.
g) When the one-minute board is displayed in the horizontal position, no motorcycles will be permitted to enter the racetrack/hot pit. At this time, all competing motorcycles should be in gear. All competing riders should have their leathers zipped and faceshields down. The green flag will be shown within 10 seconds of the display of the horizontal one-minute board. Riders may start at the first sign of the green flag waving.
h) If a machine’s rear wheel is beyond its correct row marker when the green flag waves, the rider may be penalized one lap (see rule 3.7h).
i) In races of six laps or fewer, if the red flag is displayed before two laps have been completed, the race will be restarted from the original grid. If the red flag is displayed after two laps but fewer than four, the restart will be from the riders’ positions on the track. If more than four laps have been completed, the race will be considered complete. In races of more than six laps, if fewer than half the laps have been completed with the red flag is thrown, the race will be restarted from the original grid. If more than half the laps have been completed, the race will be considered complete. The official number of laps completed will be determined by the laps run by the lead rider in the race. Scoring will be based upon the last complete lap. Any rider not completing the red flag lap will be scored in a position relative to the reason and place he stopped.
j) Any rider leaving the course shall re-enter the course safely without attempt to shorten the course from the point where he/she left. Exiting the track via the designated track exit is the only approved location. Exiting the track by any other route is grounds for disqualification.
k) The responsibility for the decision to pass another motorcycle rests with the overtaking rider. Any rider appearing to be deliberately blocking another motorcycle seeking to pass may be black-flagged.
l) Hand/Leg Signals:
1) Before entering the pits from the course, the rider should signal by raising an arm or extending a leg.
2) If a rider’s speed slows significantly, for any reason, the rider should signal by raising an arm or extending a leg.
m) In the case of a heat race, the entry is considered a permanent rider/motorcycle combination and any change in the combination will result in that entrant motorcycle being placed at the rear of the grid for the feature event.
n) A motorcycle which has crashed may not continue in the race and must be re-teched before the next race in which entered or before the same race is restarted.
o) Weaving is cause for disqualification. In addition, the rider may be subject to a fine.
p) If, for any reason, a rider is forced to stop the motorcycle on the course during an event, it should be the rider’s first duty to place the motorcycle in such a manner as to cause no danger or obstruction to other competitors.
q) Riders may obtain no assistance during the race other than from their pit crews and in the pits. This does not preclude assistance by race officials for safety reasons.
r) Motorcycles may not be pushed while on the course, except to remove them from a hazardous position to one of greater safety.
s) 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.
t) At no time shall anyone but authorized attendants be on pit road. At no time shall anyone under 16 years of age be on pit road, pre-grid or track area.
u) The Race Director, at his/her discretion, may limit the number of attendants on the pit road for any given event.
v) The only person allowed at the track wall on pit road is the crew member signaling the rider.
w) Should a pit-bound rider overshoot his pit, the motorcycle must either be pushed back by hand, or else continue for another lap. No motorcycle may be ridden back to the pit under conditions which would constitute a hazard.
x) Refueling in the pits must be done with the engine off and the rider off of the bike. A crew member must stand by with a ready fire extinguisher.
y) Speeds in the paddock area are limited to 20 mph or less, or as dictated by the policy of the track where the event is being held. Although the hot pits are considered part of the track surface, riders are limited to “reasonable and proper” speeds in the hot pits due to the presence of staff and race personnel. A rider may be penalized for excessive speed, by either himself or his crew, in the paddock or pits.
z) Once a rider has left the hot grid or racetrack to return to the paddock, he cannot return to the race, including a restart, unless ordered by the race director.
3.7 ROADRACE FLAGS
The following flag signals shall be obeyed WITHOUT QUESTION:
a) GREEN: A race is under way at the instant the green flag is displayed. When displayed, the green flag indicates the course is clear.
b) STATIONARY YELLOW: A stationary yellow flag indicates a POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION NEAR THE TRACK. PASSING IS ALLOWED.
c) WAVING YELLOW: A waving yellow flag indicates a hazard or obstacle on the track. NO PASSING, from the flag station showing the waving yellow flag until past the incident.
d) RED: A red flag means the race has been suspended. Competition must cease immediately, with all riders slowing to a safe speed (approximately 25 mph) and proceeding in a safe manner to the hot pit area, where the grid marshal/starter will give them further instructions. The red flag will be displayed at start/finish as well as other locations where necessary and proper.
e) WHITE: A white flag, displayed only at the start/finish line, indicates one lap to go.
f) WHITE & GREEN CROSSED: White and green flags crossed indicates the race is halfway through.
g) BLACK: A black flag indicates a safety or mechanical problem. The black flag will be displayed, along with the rider’s competition number, at start/finish. The rider must leave the track surface as early as safely possible, preferably in the area of corner workers, where they can inform the rider of the problem. Failure to comply with a black flag may result in disqualification. The rider must not proceed without approval of a race official.
h) BLACK FLAG WITH ORANGE DISC: The “Meatball” indicates a rules violation. The rider must report to the pit steward on the NEXT lap. Failure to comply will result in penalties.
i) YELLOW WITH VERTICAL RED STRIPES: A yellow flag with vertical red stripes indicates oil or a foreign substance has been spilled or a slippery or dangerous condition exists somewhere on the track. TAKE CARE and BE PREPARED! The debris flag may be used at the corners to indicate a mechanical wave-off.
j) WHITE WITH RED CROSS: A white flag with a red cross indicates an ambulance is on the course. This flag is displayed from the corner immediately preceding the location of the ambulance, the corner where the ambulance has stopped and at start/finish.
k) CHECKERED: A checkered flag indicates the end of the race (or practice session). Riders should proceed to the designated track exit. (See rule 9.6.1.)
3.8 Pit Bikes
a) Pit bikes are permitted as transportation in the pit and paddock areas, subject to track policy. All pit bikes must be identified with the rider’s competition number and must meet the number plate requirements of rule 9.5 (front plate only). Improper use or identification of a pit bike may result in impoundment of that pit bike for the remainder of the meet.