13.1.1 PREMIER HEAVYWEIGHT: Certain pre-1965 era and like design, non-unit construction (separate, removable gearbox), four-stroke machine, 350cc and larger. Examples: BSA B32, Ariel H.T., Triumph Trophy, Royal Enfield Bullet, etc., or accurate replicas of such machines. Modifications and major components are limited to the era and must be typical of the heavyweight machines of the 1960s. The following requirements apply to Triumph unit twin works replicas: Any unit Triumph twin engine may be used; the standard pre-1966 twin frame and rear hub must be employed; only the rear frame section may be modified to period specifications; must use any year all-steel Triumph forks, standard length; must use any year all-steel Triumph oil tank; must use any Triumph steel or iron front hub; and may use any period gas tank, seat, rims, etc.

13.1.2 PREMIER LIGHTWEIGHT: Certain pre-1965 era and like design, unit- or non-unit construction, two- or four-stroke machine, 250cc and smaller. Also, unit-construction, four-stroke machines over 300cc. Examples: Greeves, Dot, Cotton (Villiers-powered), unit-construction BSA singles or twins, Royal Enfield Crusader, Triumph Cub, Triumph 500 unit twin or Triumph-powered Greeves. Hondas are limited to CB160, CL72 and CL77. Modifications and major components are limited to those of the era, typical of machines in the 1960s.

13.1.3 RIGID: Any non-swingarm machine, including those equipped with plunger or sprung-hub rear suspension, typical of those used in the pre-swingarm era. Note: At the promoter’s option, this class may be further broken down into Rigid Heavyweight and Rigid Lightweight. These may compete with the other Premier classes. Modifications and major components are limited to those of the era, typical of machines of the 1950s. Ceriani-type forks are not allowed.

13.1.4 GIRDER FORK: Any rigid-frame, girder-fork machine. Modifications and major components are limited to those of the era, typical of pre-war machines. Plunger frames and sprung hubs are not permitted.

13.1.5 MODERN CLASSIC: Any unit-construction machine up to and including model year 1979. Examples: Bultaco 5-speed 125-350, Suzuki RL250 & TS models, Beamish Suzuki, Montesa Cota 123-348, Ossa 250-350 MAR & BLT, Yamaha TY175-250 & AT/CT/DT models, Kawasaki KT250 & enduro models, Honda TL125-250 & SL/XL models, GRM Maverick rigid frames with four-stroke engines. TMI framed Hondas and Frazier frames are eligible Modifications and major components limited to those of the era, typical of machines of the mid-’70s.

13.1.6 CLASSIC: Any kit-framed two-stroke machine 175cc or less. Examples: Wassell, Penton, Gaunt, Minarelli-powered Cotton, Puch-powered Greeves, Dalesman and Hodaka specials. Also any Spanish 4-speed up to 250cc in original OEM frame. Examples: Ossa 4-speed, Montesa 4-speed, Bultaco 4-speed, also GRM Maverick rigid frames with Classic-legal engines and GRM 4-speed. Eligible four-strokes include those legal for Premier Lightweight and Honda S90 and SL90.

13.1.6 BEGINNER: A non-championship class for beginning trials riders on any motorcycle eligible for AHRMA trials.

NOTE: It is the rider’s responsibility to consult with the Trials Rules &Eligibility Committee to determine class eligibility. This is especially important when building a special which is not traditionally used as a trials machine.

13.2.1 TIRES AND WHEELS: Trials tires are required in all classes. Motocross knobby-type tires may be used in the Beginner class at the discretion of the promoter. Any pre-1975 hubs and any type of rim from the proper era for that machine are acceptable. Only the Modern Classic class may use pre-1980 components.

13.2.2 SUSPENSION: No single-shock machines may compete, except Vincent. Suspension travel is limited to 4 inches in the rear and 7 inches in the front. Rear dampers may be replaced with any units using technology available to December 31, 1974. Ossa Bolger Long Travel (BLT) machines may compete in Modern Classic, with rear wheel travel limited to 4 inches.

13.2.3 NOISE: Silencers are required; no machine may compete with an open exhaust system.

13.2.4 No major components may be later than 1974 (specifically, engine, frame, gearbox, forks and hubs). Only Modern Classic may use components later than 1974 (but limited to pre-1980). Hydraulically assisted brakes and clutches are prohibited.

13.2.5 All motorcycles must comply with all applicable AHRMA and AMA competition and safety rules, including rule 3.2.6 (AHRMA decals; two required and may be placed on any readily visible part of the motorcycle), 3.3.8 (operating brakes) and 3.3.10 (handlebar-mounted kill switch). Fuel shall be gasoline only; maximum 115 octane [using formula (R+M)/2].

13.2.6 ALL MODIFICATIONS MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE CLASS. Period modifications have been extensively documented and machines with obvious non-period or excessive modifications will be disqualified or required to compete in the next-higher-level class.

13.2.7 When entering a "special" constructed from various pre-1974 components of different classes and eras, the machine must be entered in the latest class that either the chassis or the engine dictates. Example: Triumph Cub engine in a Bultaco frame rides in the Modern Classic class. Otter type chassis are not allowed in Premier and must run in Classic or Modern Classic.

13.2.8 NUMBER PLATES:

a) All machines must have a front number plate with a white background at least 5 inches by 5 inches with a black number at least 3 inches high indicating the line that will be ridden.

b) In an instance where two riders competing on different lines are sharing one machine, it is each rider’s responsibility to notify the Observer which line is being attempted.

13.2.9 The rider, not the motorcycle, is the entry. A rider may switch to another motorcycle at any time during the event, provided the second machine is eligible for the class in which the rider is entered.

a) The number-four line is extremely simple and, except for Girder Fork and Rigid Novice competitors, is intended only for entry-level riders. If only three lines are used, number-four riders will ride the number-three line.

b) The riders in the Beginner class using the number-four line may compete on any AHRMA-legal machine and will be scored together in one class.

c) Changes in a rider's ability level must be done with the approval of the AHRMA national office and the change indicated on the rider's AHRMA membership card.

d) Riders may be asked to advance in ability level by the AHRMA Trials Rules & Eligibility Committee or an AHRMA-recognized grading committee. A rider may advance in ability levels at his/her own discretion, but must receive permission from one of these committees to move down in ability level.

e) A competitor may not enter two classes on the same line at the same event.

13.4.1 The object of observed trials is to ride specified "sections" with "Start" and "End" gates and side boundaries. The right-side outermost boundary is to be marked with a red ribbon, and the left-side with blue ribbon. Any markings within a section may be marked with a color other than red or blue. Scoring will be based on the "points-lost" (marks) system. The numerical score will increase from a starting score of zero. Final placement will be inverse to the numerical score; i.e. the lowest score wins. The sections are laid out in a loop configuration, where the competitor rides each of the sections one at a time before his/her subsequent attempts.

a) Section Scoring shall begin when the machine's front wheel axle passes the "Start" markers and stops when the front axles passes the "End" markers. Section points are allocated as follows:

Error Penalty Points (mark)

A rider is penalized in each section only for the one error that results in the most penalty points. In any given section, penalties are not cumulative, except for the first three "dabs." (Example: If a rider dabs twice before riding out of bounds, the score for the section is 5 points, not 7).

b) Sections are to be separately numbered and should be ridden in numerical sequence. No section may be ridden more than once per lap without consent of the Course Marshal. Riders shall start Loop One at the point designated at the rider's meeting by the Course Marshal. Second and subsequent loops will start at Section One. The loop must be ridden in one direction only.

c) If a rider completes at least one full loop before retiring, the rider will be scored as having finished the event and will be assessed 10 points for each subsequent section required to complete the event.

d) Unsportsmanlike conduct or offensive behavior can result in a penalty of 10 points at the sole discretion of any Observer or authorized event official.

e) A lost loop card will result in a score of 10 points per section for that loop.

f) Practice in any marked section before or during the event will result in disqualification of the rider from the event. Riders may stop and inspect sections on foot prior to riding for a score, providing their machine is parked off the course.

g) While walking the section, a rider that alters a section by moving rocks, making a path, changing the condition of the section, etc. shall be given a score of 5 by the Observer for that section.

h) When a rider leaves his/her machine to inspect the section, the machine does not hold the rider's place in line. When the rider returns to the motorcycle, he/she goes to the back of the line. Failure to do so may result in a 5-point penalty.

i) The rider must obtain permission from the Observer to enter the section for a score. Failure to obtain permission may result in a score of 5 points if the Observer is unable to monitor the competitor's ride though the entire section.

j) Time limits may be imposed in any one of a number of ways. At the riders' meeting, the promoter or Course Marshal shall announce the type of time limitations being implemented, and any details thereof.

k) A punch-type scorecard is normally utilized, and will be carried by the competitor in a way that does not obscure the number plate. At events where separate scorecards are used for each loop, the rider will turn in his/her scorecard to the scorekeeper when the loop is complete, and obtain a new scorecard for the next loop.

l) It is the sole responsibility of the rider to make sure his/her scorecards are properly marked at each section, are completed with the rider's name and class information, and are turned in to the scorekeeper on time.

m) All competitors, whether completing the entire event or not, must turn in their scorecards to the scoring area before the end of the event. A competitor who does not do so will receive a "DNF" (did not finish) status for the events and will not receive series points.

n) The scorekeeper will post each competitor's individual loop points, time penalty (if applicable) and final score by class and ability level. The rider with the lowest number of points will be declared the winner in his/her classification.

o) In the case of a tie score, the procedure will be to look at the individual section points in the following order: competitor with the most cleans, then ones, twos and finally threes. If the tie is still unbroken, the oldest rider will be the winner.

13.4.2 Protests

a) It is the rider's responsibility to acknowledge his/her score on each section immediately upon completion of the attempt. Disagreement with the Observer must be noted and settled, if possible, without inconveniencing or delaying other riders, while the situation is fresh in everyone's mind. Section scoring protests will not be heard if the Observer was not made aware of the conflict immediately after the section attempt. If the rider elects to protest, he shall file a formal written protest with the Course Marshal not later than 30 minutes after the attempt in question.

b) No person may protest another rider's score in a section. Only the rider can protest a penalty. Any rider may protest any matter relating to the event. All protests must be in writing and filed with the Course Marshal not later than 30 minutes after the scoring results have been posted. The Course Marshal shall render all decisions on protests as soon as possible.

c) Even though awards may be announced on the day of the event, the results shall not be come official until all decisions on protests have been finalized and the results have been checked for incorrect calculations.

a) General Definitions

Axle In - Axle Out: All scoring is to take place as the front wheel axle passes an imaginary straight line between the "Start" markers and all scoring is to cease as the front axle passes an imaginary straight line between the "End" markers. If a split marker is used at either gate, the imaginary line runs between the "Start" or "End" marker and the split marker.

Balk: While riding a section for a score, a rider is severely distracted or his line is blocked by spectators, other riders, an animal, blowing debris, etc. The rider may claim a "balk" and request a re-ride. At the discretion of the Observer, a re-ride of the section may be permitted, with the score of the re-ride the one to be counted.

Course Marshal: The Course Marshal is the person with final authority for all aspects of the event, and has the ability to perform any of the workers' duties on the day.

DNF (Did Not Finish): A competitor who retires before attempting all sections on the first loop is DNF and will not receive series points.

Observer: Any event official who is authorized to score a competitor's ride. Observers report directly to the Course Marshal.

Riders' Meeting: Meeting for all competitors, prior to start time, at which the promoter or Course Marshal gives the final instructions for the day's event. This meeting is intended to be an open format to allow competitors to ask for clarification of any rules or procedures.

"Rider!": Term used by an Observer to notify a competitor that he/she has permission to enter the section AND to simultaneously notify all persons walking the section to immediately vacate. The competitor riding for a score always has the right-of-way within a section. Failure to vacate can be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.

b) Section Scoring Definitions

Clean: No points (zero). The rider completes the section without committing an error.

Dab: Any intentional contact (dab) between a rider's foot, or any other part of the body, and a supporting surface or object either inside or outside the boundary is scored one point.

Examples:

Failure: The following instances during a section attempt will result in a score of five points:

The National Championship Trials Series runs from January 1 to December 31 of each year. The official schedule of events that award series points will be published in Vintage Views. A competitor will earn National Championship points for each series event based on the rider's finish position as follows:

a) Rider receive National Championship points only if they enter the event and ride in the ability class indicated on their AHRMA membership card.

b) A rider will receive points if he or she is the sole competitor in a class.

c) To encourage more riders to volunteer to help at National events, first-place points will be awarded at any one event per year to someone who works as a checker or trialmaster. No more than 20 points may be earned per day. A competitor still must ride in at least the specified minimum number of events to qualify for series awards; working at an event is not considered one of those rides.

d) Even though the Beginner class is included in a National Championship trial, the competitors in this class will receive awards from that day but will not earn National Championship Series points.

e) National Championship Series year-end awards are based on a rider's best finishes in a maximum number of events. A rider must earn points in two events to be eligible for a year-end award. The maximum number of "best finishes" to count toward the championship will be published in Vintage Views at the beginning of each season. Year-end scoring ties will be broken as follows: First, by the number of first-place finishes; second by rider age, with the oldest rider winning.