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I. Forward ABA RULES The American Bicycle Association was formed to provide organized
racing and give national prominence to the sport of BMX. Under ABA rules of sanction and
to give all members an equal and fair opportunity, riders may accumulate district points
at any ABA sanctioned track in the U.S.. Additionally, a national level points program
will be offered for an increased interest of competition. With these ideals in mind, the only requirements needed to excel are skill and determination. 1. Every rider practicing or competing on any ABA sanctioned track must attain prior ABA membership. Memberships can be purchased at the track. There are two types of memberships available, which are as follows: A. Temporary-This membership is intended ONLY for new riders to the sport and is valid for 30 days ONLY at the track where it is purchased. A rider may hold a temporary membership only one time in their BMX career. This membership allows riders to compete at single point races ONLY yet no ABA points will be awarded. If within the 30 day period the rider wishes to become a full (annual) member, the initial $15 fee will be applied to the full membership fee with presentation of the temporary membership receipt. B. Full (annual)-This membership is valid for 1 full year at any ABA sanctioned event in the U.S.. Points will be awarded to all riders competing in any ABA sanctioned race with those points returning to each rider's home district. Full membership riders will receive the monthly publication of the BMXer magazine and all pertinent information mailings. Also, each rider will receive a current rulebook and official membership card. New full members will additionally receive an ABA number plate and numbers. All ABA members also have a secondary medical insurance benefit with
a cash deductible. 1. The points racing season will be from January 1 through December 15 of each year. 2. Points will be tabulated using the total points method; the rider with the most points will be the #1 rider. 3. Every new full ABA member will receive points immediately as he/she competes. These riders shall run a temporary number assigned to them by the track until an official number is received from the ABA by mail. 4. Members can compete for three types of points: District, State and National. (See section IV for Points Tables and XIII for State Championship Series.) 5. District points are received during the normal racing season at all ABA sanctioned events. 6. A rider may race in any other district with those points returning to his/her home district. 7. A rider's district is determined by the location of predominant residence and/or where that rider attends school. 8. Any rider that changes residence must notify ABA in writing within 30 days. Any rider misrepresenting his/her residence may be suspended. 9. No rider may transfer into a district and assume the #1 position in points. The transferring rider will be positioned in the #2 placement forfeiting as many points as necessary to show 1 point less than the current #1 rider. 10. The deadline for district transfers is October 15th of each season. After this date, riders will remain in their respective district even though a geographic move has been made. 11. Each track's motosheets and membership applications MUST be postmarked within 2 working days after each event or risk the possibility of sanctions being levied by the ABA. 12. Only one set of points per day will be counted from any one track. ABA sanctioned tracks are restricted to one race per day. Exception: A postponed race, as per Section XII, rule 3, may be made up on a regular race day prior to the day's actual event. 13. There will be an overall district standing published in the January-February issue of the BMXer magazine. The number that precedes each rider's name will be that rider's earned district number for the year. 14. The ABA will also determine the top 10 of each age in the national points standings. A rider will be listed in the points tabulations in their respective age group as of the Grandnationals. National Age Group and National Overall standings are earned numbers. 15. In the event of a tie between two or more members in
final district or national points, the following will be used to break the ties. 16. Riders may use any ABA earned number at any ABA sanctioned event, however, the number being used must appear on the moto sheet or that rider will not be scored and no points will be awarded. 17. National points are awarded only at national events. All national events will be set up and run by the ABA. 18. Any rider not having his/her eight-digit serial number on the moto sheets will not receive points for that race. There will be absolutely no exceptions to this rule. Tip: Check the moto sheets when posted and make sure the correct serial number is there. 19. ABA finish points are awarded to all riders in any main event or total points race. 20. For any qualifier or main, a rider will be scored and receive a finish placement respective to how he/she crosses the finish line provided that rules 27 & 28 of Section XII are be satisfied. 21. Any rider that has qualified to a main event will receive main event finish points. A rider not racing his/her main event will receive no more than last place points. Ex: 4 riders to the main and one of the qualified riders sits the main out for any reason. That rider would receive no better than 4th place (last place available) points. 22. Total point races shall be scored in the following manner: Finish positions shall be tallied for each of three motos awarding one point for first, two points for second and three points for third. (A rider missing a moto or receiving a flagrant disqualification [foul] from a moto will receive one point more than the total number of riders in the class.) The total of these three motos will determine order of finish with lowest points getting first place and so on. If a tie exists after the total of three motos, the best finish in the third moto between tied participants will determine the winner. 23. Riders may verify their main event finishes during that day's race with the scorekeeper at the finish line. This must be taken care of within 10 mains. 24. Each track is allowed specific multi-point events and has the ability to earn additional events to be run each year. These races must be approved by a track's regional director in writing within 90 days prior to the event. They are as follows: A. Race For Life
(RFL)-This is a charity double district points race to benefit the
Leukemia Society of America. This race to be run
from May through July 4th weekend. IV. Video Tape Scoring Assistance 1. Throughout the national series, including the Gold Cup finals and Race of Champions, the ABA may set up and utilize a video tape system to aid in the accuracy of scoring. This system is considered a backup for the official scoring crew of the day. 2. If any technical problem occurs with the video system during any give race(s) resulting in the loss of review capabilities, decisions on finishes will be made using the scoring sheets and these decisions will be final. 3. Riders have 5 motos to protest a finish for video review. 4. The head scorer must approve any race finish protest for review eligibility. 5. The video review must show conclusive evidence to overturn any finish.
Novice
Plus one point for each rider in the your class. Intermediate
Plus one point for each rider in your class. Expert
Plus one point for each rider in your class. At all races, riders earn points for their finish in the main, plus one point for each rider in their class. For multi-point tabulating, take your overall points total and multiply it by the amount corresponding to the event (i.e. double, triple or quadruple). Riders not qualifying to the main event will still receive one point for each rider in his/her class for the day's point tally. Bonus District Points (Effective 1998-Cruisers will have a bonus
points file) Example: An expert rider has 12 groups or 90 riders in his class at
a national. Upon transferring to his quarter mains of 36 total riders, he earns 36 bonus
points. If he does not advance further he earns 36x3=108 bonus points. If he transfers to
the semi mains of 15 riders, he earns an additional 15x3=45 bonus points to add to the 108
equaling 153 total bonus points. If the rider goes on to transfer to the main event and
place 3rd, his points would be as follows: 153 bonus points + 270 rider points (90x3) +
180 finish points (60x3) = 603 total district points earned. However, only the initial
class rider points will be automatically added to any rider's district standing. All bonus
points and main event finish points shall go automatically into a Bonus Points file for
each rider and will be distributed when certain criteria have been met by that rider. As
each rider competes at any single point race, 10% of that year's bonus points will be
added into the respective rider's district standing file. When a rider has competed in 10
single point races, 100% of the year's bonus points, already earned or to be earned, will
be added automatically. National Points Novice
Plus one point for each rider in your class.
Plus one point for each rider in your class.
Plus one point for each rider in your class.
National Pro Points A Pro & A Pro Cruiser
Plus ALL RIDERS receive 1 point for each rider in the class.
AA Pro, AA Pro Cruiser & Girl Pro
Plus ALL RIDERS receive 1 point
for each rider in the class. National Points Tabulation 1. A rider may attend any ABA national, at any time of the year or location, but only his/her six best finishes plus the Grandnationals will count towards a national points standing. In the event the ABA runs mini Nationals, a rider may count two mini National finishes towards the required 6 finishes. 2. Ties in the National points will be broken at the
Grandnationals as follows: 3. If a rider feels that his/her points are incorrect, he/she may submit to the ABA a detailed list of races, tracks raced at and finishes earned. That list will be checked and returned the rider. A rider must submit any list within 30 days after the points standings are published in the BMXer magazine, and then only the points for the past month will be checked. Thirty days after the points are published, they are final. VI. Amateur Classifications and Move Up Procedures These are the current classes offered for amateurs by the ABA for
competition purposes: A. Classification Advancement 1. When a Novice Girl has received six (6) wins, she will be required to move up to the Girls class. If a girl classified as novice voluntarily competes in a Girls class before reaching six novice wins, she will automatically be moved up to the Girls classification and can no longer compete as a novice. 2. A boy Novice rider will move to intermediate upon a total of 6 class wins or 5 national, Gold Cup final or Race of Champions wins during his novice career. 3. An Intermediate rider will move to expert upon a total of 20 regular intermediate class wins or 5 national, Gold Cup or Race of Champions wins during his intermediate career. 4.Open and cruiser wins do not count for advancement. 5. It is the rider's responsibility to move him/herself up when he/she reaches the allotted number of wins. Riding out of class will result in the forfeiture of points and possible suspension. Do not wait until you receive your new card, it will follow in a few weeks. 6. Sandbagging is prohibited. Any novice or intermediate rider leading a main event and intentionally allowing another rider to pass so as not to attain a win towards advancement, will be issued the points and award for the actual position of finish along with a win credited towards advancement. 7. A rider may advance to the next higher-skill level voluntarily. This advancement is permanent. The right to reclassify is also forfeit for one (1) full year. 8. Any rider belonging to another association or organization must compete in the similar classification at any ABA sanctioned event. If a rider's classification status changes in another association or organization, that rider's ABA status must immediately be changed to be comparable. 9. Any rider having exited the sport for any period of time and reapplying for membership must reenter the sport at the same classification as when he/she left. ( See exception: Section VIII, Rule 2). 10. Any current ABA Cruiser rider holding a NAG (#1-10), Gold Cup or ROC plate, upon entering into 20" competition with a new full 20" membership, will be classified as NO LESS than an Intermediate rider. This will not affect the classifications of current 20" license holders. B. Girls 1. Bicycles for competition must have no more than 20" wheel diameters. 2. All new girl members have the option to be classified as Novice Girls and will ride with all other boy and girl novice riders in their appropriate age classes and should sign up as novice at ABA events. Novice Girls will follow the move-up procedures as outlined in Section VI, A. 3. All girl racers, whether Girl or Novice Girl, will compete in the Girl classes at nationals. Any Novice Girl competing at a national in the Girls class will still have the ability to compete in the novice class at local events until her sixth win is attained. 4. Girl classes will be formed according to this format:
5. The legally formed class should be labeled by the title of the group in which it was formed. (Ex. When the 16 Girl moved down to the 14 Girls, the class should be labeled as 14 Girls as that is where the class formed.) 6. Girls points will be tabulated separately and Girl racers will receive points corresponding with the expert points table. If a Girl moves into an intermediate boys class, only that Girl rider will receive expert points. 7. Novice Girls will receive points corresponding to the novice points table and these points will show in the Girls points of that rider's respective district. 8. All Girls and Novice Girls may race open classes at any local or national race. 9. All Girls and Novice Girls must race in their correct age class. Riding out of class will result in a forfeiture of points and possible suspension. B. Boys (Novice, Intermediate, Expert) 1. Bicycles for competition must have no more than 20"
wheel diameters.
3. If the oldest group of the day does not form a legal class, it may then move down through the classes to form a legal class. This is the only time riders may move down-when they are in the oldest class of the day. 4. Any expert rider moving into an intermediate class will make that an intermediate class receiving expert points. 5. All riders must ride in their correct classes, no arbitrary class changing is allowed. Example: no intermediate may move up to a class above his own to avoid getting a first or turning expert. No expert may move up to the next intermediate class for easier competition. Riding out of class will result in a forfeiture of points and possible suspension. 6. Any rider combined with rider(s) of a higher skill level will receive the corresponding points from the higher skill level. Example: If a 12 intermediate rider is moved up to the 12 expert class, that 12 inter rider will receive expert points. If a 13 expert is moved into a 14 inter class, all riders will receive expert points. 7. Any Girl rider that combines into a boy Inter class will not affect the Inter points structure. (i.e.: The Girl rider will compete for regular Girl points while the intermediates will continue to compete for Intermediate points.) C. Girls Cruiser 1. Bicycles for competition must have no less than a 24" wheel diameter. 2. All cruiser riders must have an ABA cruiser membership to compete. 3. Girl Cruiser classes will be formed according to this format:
4. Always label the legally formed class by the title of the group in which it was formed. 5. Girl Cruisers will receive points corresponding to the expert points table. 6. Girl Cruiser points will be separate from all other points. 7. All Girl Cruiser riders must compete in their correct age class. Racing out of class will result in forfeiture of points and possible suspension. D. Cruiser 1. Bicycles for competition must have no less than a 24" wheel diameter. 2. All cruiser riders must have an ABA cruiser membership to compete. 3. Boys cruiser classes will be formed according to this format.
4.Always label the legally formed class by the title of the group in which it was formed. 5.Cruiser riders will receive points corresponding to the expert points table. 6.Cruiser points will be separate from all other points. 7.All Cruiser riders must compete in their correct age class. Riding out of class will result in forfeiture of points and possible suspension. 8.Pro Cruisers will never be moved into an amateur class. E. Opens 1. Open categories (opens) offer riders an additional opportunity to compete at any ABA sanctioned event. Opens are generally of mixed age groupings and open to any rider of any age and skill level. 2. Opens may be run at the track operator's discretion. 3.There will be no points awarded for opens. 4. To sign up for and race a 20" bike in an open, a rider must first be registered to compete in his/her regular 20" points class. 5. The ABA recommends the following age groupings for opens: 6 & under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17& over. 6. If a pro class does not form, a pro-am open may be created. This includes both amateur and pro riders. Any amateur must be expert rated and be at least 15 years of age to compete. Under no conditions may cash awards be offered to amateurs. The ABA recognizes pro classes and pro riders, and was the originator of large pro purses. Pro racing is exciting and can be profitable, however, it is not for everyone. Be sure that this is what you want to do, as it is a very large step requiring dedication to succeed. Also, upon becoming a pro BMX rider, you could be disqualifying yourself from some or all amateur sports, according to state and/or federal laws. A. A and AA Pro 1. Any rider must be a member of ABA Pro to compete in any Pro class at any ABA sanctioned race. No ABA sanctioned track will at any time or under any circumstances run a Pro class unless all riders are current Pro members. 2. All riders must provide a current ABA Pro membership card before entering that class. 3. All ABA Pro members must be at least 15 years of age. Proof of age is required with any Pro membership application. 4. To apply for an ABA Pro membership, a rider must have held the status of expert. 5. No ABA Pro may ever again race in an amateur class with the exception of a pro-am open. Any Pro doing so will have his Pro membership immediately revoked. 6. Any Pro membership application can be turned down or revoked by the ABA Competition Committee. ABA Pro membership is a privilege and a responsibility. Pro riders, you are the example for all future BMXers. You are in the spotlight and they are watching you. Good sportsmanship, fair play, clean riding, and good conduct are very important. You must act accordingly. 7. Pros will be graded into A and AA proficiencies. 8. ABA Pros compete for cash prizes at all ABA district and national events. 9. All bicycles in A and AA Pro will have no more than 20" diameter wheels. 10. The Pro season begins January 1 of each year and concludes after the Grandnationals. 11. A new Pro member will be classified as A Pro. Any A Pro earning $3000 (including class and open) at national races in one season will be automatically moved to the AA Pro class. 12. There must be at least 4 riders in the Pro class to compete for prize money. 13. Entry fees for the Pro class may be set by the track operator but may never be more than double the amateur class entry fee. 14. No less than 100% of the pro entry fee must be paid back as prize money. If 100% of the entry fees equals more than any guaranteed pro purse, the 100% must still be paid out. Example: A track operator guarantees a $500 purse and collects $600 in Pro entry fees. He must pay out the entire $600, as that is 100% of the fees. 15. Pro members may request for reclassification as per Section VIII rule 7. 16. Pro competition is run under the three moto total points system-the following rules apply: a. Each rider races three motos and is given the number of points that corresponds with his finish: 1st place=1 point, 2nd place=2 points, etc. The rider with the lowest total of points is the winner. b. Ties in points are broken by determining which rider finished best in the third moto. c. Each rider must cross the finish line to be scored. Riders not finishing for any reason, including bike malfunctions or rider injuries, will receive a last place score. d. Any rider not starting in a moto will be scored with 1 point more than the total number of riders in the moto. e. Any rider being DQed in a race will be scored in the last place position. f. In a class of two groups, four riders from each will be qualified to make an eight man main. g. In a class of three or more groups, the three motos are run and, at that time, the ABA qualifying system rules will apply for any quarter and semi mains to transfer riders to the main event. 17. ABA Pros will be ranked by national points earned. a. National points will be awarded for both Saturday and Sunday nationals plus the Gold Cup East, Central and West finals weekends. Points will be scored according to Section V Points Tables. b. When an A Pro advances to the AA Pro class, no points will be carried forward. c. Each Pro's best 15 finishes plus the Grandnationals will be counted. The Grandnationals will be double points, and the mains at the Grandnationals will run three times. d. To be eligible to earn yearend Pro number plates #1 thru #10, a Pro rider must race a minimum of 15 ABA nationals plus the Grandnationals. e. Year-end national numbers 1-100 will be reserved for AA Pro riders. f. A Pro year-end national numbers will begin at 101. 18. Any AA Pro may apply to be reclassified to A Pro upon meeting criteria outlined in Section VIII rule 8. 19. If no Pro class is available for any Pro rider, the track director may, at his/her discretion, form a Pro-am open according to guidelines in Section VI, E, rule 6. 20. All other ABA rules governing riders, apparel, bicycles, and equipment also apply to the ABA Pro rider. 21. All Pro riders must use a number plate with a black background and white numbers. B. A & AA Pro Cruiser 1.All bicycles in the Pro Cruiser classes must have wheels with no less than a 24" diameter. 2. Any rider competing must maintain a Pro Cruiser membership. 3. All rules governing ABA Pro riders will pertain to Pro Cruiser as well. 4. Pro Cruiser will be graded into A and AA proficiencies. 5. New Pro Cruiser members will be classified as an A Pro Cruiser rider however, a AA Pro rider may voluntarily move to AA Pro Cruiser. This move will be permanent. Any A Pro Cruiser rider earning $1500 at national races in one season will be automatically moved to the AA Pro class. 6. Pro Cruiser will accumulate points according to the ABA Pro points tables towards a national ranking. 7. The AA Pro Cruiser class will be competing for an overall yearend title. 8. All ABA Pro points rules will apply to ABA Pro Cruiser. 9. Only the best 6 national finishes plus the Grandnationals will be tabulated. C. Girls Pro 1. Any rider competing must be a member of ABA Girl Pro. 2. All bicycles in the Girl Pro class will have no more than 20" wheel diameters. 3. A rider's six (6) best national finishes plus the Grandnationals will count towards a year-end ranking. 4. All other ABA Pro rules will apply. 1. If a rider feels he has advanced in classification too rapidly, he may apply for reclassification at his local track. A reclassification form must be obtained from the track operator, filled out completely and submitted to the ABA Competition Committee for review. That rider will be notified by mail if his request is approved or not. 2. Any Expert rider being removed from competitive BMX racing for a period of more than 2 years may return to the ABA as an Intermediate with 15 wins already credited towards advancement. 3. A rider may apply for reclassification only one time during his birthday year. 4. A fee of $3 is required for an amateur request for reclassification. 5. There will be no reclassification back to the novice skill level. (Novice class is reserved for brand new riders to the sport.) 6. The track director will have the responsibility of crediting 1 win towards advancement to any rider charged with sandbagging (Section VI, B, rule 8). The track operator will notify the ABA of this decision in writing. 7. An A Pro rider may be reclassified back to amateur by meeting the following criteria: a. Must have earned no money in the past 10 months. b. Must get three signatures of riders holding a current top 25 national ranking in the class he will be moving into (ex. 19-27 expert or 21-25 cruiser). Forms for this procedure must be requested from the ABA and a $10 fee will apply. 8. Any AA Pro may be eligible to request reclassification to amateur by meeting the following criteria: a. Must be removed from competitive BMX racing for more than 3 years. b. Must get three signatures of riders holding a current top 25 national ranking in the class he will be moving into (ex. 19-27 expert or 21-25 cruiser). Forms for this procedure must be requested from the ABA and a $10 fee will apply. 9. Any Pro rider earning reclassification approval to amateur will be ineligible for team competition for a period of 1 year (365 days from date of reclass approval). 10. AA Pro riders may be eligible to request reclassification to A Pro after 8 national weekends of participation with no Pro payout (including non-qualifying dollars) or one full year's absence from competition. This shall be done on a standard reclassification form available at any ABA track. 11. The ABA will make all final determinations on reclassification approvals. 1. All riders must present a current and valid ABA membership card or membership receipt at all ABA tracks to participate in any sanctioned race, practice or other activity. 2. All riders will be issued an eight-digit serial number. That number must be shown at registration and must appear on the day's moto sheets or no points will be issued for that race. 3. In the case of new members, a track operator should write the word "new" or "NFM" (new full member) in the place of the serial number on the moto sheet. This may be used until the rider receives his/her official serial number from the ABA. For any rider holding temporary membership status, the word "Temp" should replace the serial number. 4. A rider's current earned or ABA issued number must be appear on that rider's number plate during all competitions*. This identification can appear in the following forms only: a. District number-solid black number (minimum 4" high) on a white background. b. Overall national number-solid white number on a black background. c. National age group number-solid black number on a gray background. d. Gold Cup championship number-solid black #1 on a yellow background. e. Race of Champions number-solid white #1 on a red background. *Any rider not using his/her earned number will not be scored for that race. 5. All number plates shall have legible numbers at least 4" in height. The number shall be unobstructed by other decals so as to be read clearly. 6. All numbers must be placed on the plate so that they do not overlap. 7. The number plate must be attached securely to the front of the bicycle's handlebars. 8. In classes where riders have the same number, a letter may be required to be displayed on the number plate for identification purposes. This letter will be supplied in staging and must remain on that rider's number plate for the duration of the day's race or until told otherwise. Riders to receive a letter will be determined at the track's discretion. 9. ABA has the right to reject any number plate that it deems illegible and these decisions are final. 1. All riders must wear helmets with a permanent strap attached; snaps are not allowed. Helmets must have sufficient padding and be of good quality. The ABA highly recommends a full-face helmet or a helmet that covers the ears. 2. All riders must wear enclosed shoes, which are sufficient to protect the rider's feet. 3. All riders must wear long pants (waist to ankles): No shorts, with or without shin and/or kneepads, will be allowed. 4. All riders must wear long sleeved shirts. Short sleeved shirts and sufficient elbow padding is allowable. 5. All riders, mechanics and pit crews should have a clean and neat appearance. 6. Handlebars may not exceed 30" in width. 7. Handlebar grips are required and must be sufficient to cover any metal on the ends. 8. All kickstands, chain guards, fenders and reflector brackets must be removed. 9. Padding of 1/4" thickness is required on the frame's top tube, stem and handlebar crossbar and must be securely fastened. 10. The bicycle frame and its parts must be in good condition with no broken welds or jagged exposures. 11. Axle ends may not exceed 1/4" beyond the axle nut or must be cut. 12. No wing nuts are allowed to secure the wheels to the frame or fork. 13. No bicycle with any freestyle type pegs will be allowed on the track at any time. 14. Face protection is recommended but not mandatory. 15. Seats must be fastened so as not to slip during competition. The seat must not have any exposed metal or sharp edges. 16. All bikes must have some form of operating braking system-hand and/or coaster (foot) brake. 17. All equipment must be safe and in good condition in order to compete or practice. 1. The race director shall have complete control of all officials, scorers and riders. The race director's decisions are final, and he/she may rule on a situation not covered by the ABA Rules. Any ruling made by any director that is not covered in this ABA rulebook must be submitted in writing immediately to the ABA. 2. There shall be one head official on the track at all times. The head official's decisions regarding disputes on the track will be final. 3. There shall be enough assistant officials so as to conduct the race in a safe manner. 4. All disputes will be taken to the head official who will discuss the matter with the official in whose area the dispute occurred. 5. The stager shall be the person calling the racers to their motos. He/she has complete charge of the staging area and starting hill. 6. There shall be a starter whose job it will be to start and police that start for each race. The starter's commencement of each race shall be official and can only be changed by the race director. 7. There shall be a head scorer located at the finish line along with enough assistant scorers necessary to accurately call race finishes. All of the head scorer's decisions regarding finishes and scoring will be final. 8. All ABA sanctioned tracks will have a starting gate wide enough to maintain 8 riders. The gate must be run in a safe manner and placed so as to be fairest to all riders. 9. All ABA sanctioned races must have awards of some type available; Trophies, ribbons, plaques or ABA Saver Stamps are recommended but cash is not allowed except for Pros only. 10. Novice, intermediate and expert awards must be of the same kind and size. 11. Any track running an event for points only with no awards available may have its ABA sanction suspended. 12. Any increase in race fees for multi-point events must be accompanied by a comparable increase in trophy size or worth of other awards. 13. All ABA multi-point events must be run using the ABA transfer system. 14. The ABA will issue an authorization card for all multi-point events to be posted in a conspicuous place. Riders: If you do not see this card, ask for it as any earned points at an unapproved multi-point race will not be issued. 15. The ABA strongly recommends that first aid personnel be available at every event. Every track must at least have a first aid kit on the premises at every event. 1. The race director may modify a rule to meet local track conditions but only to make the event safer. Any modifications must be fair for all riders. These modifications must be made known to all participants prior to any event through P.A. announcements or printed materials. 2. The race director may not modify any rules pertaining to the ABA points system or advancement except as referred to in rule 1 above. 3. Once a race has begun, meaning the first gate of the first round of motos has dropped, the track director due to inclement weather or other extreme circumstances may postpone that race. The track director's decision to postpone will be final. 4. Motosheets of a postponed race may not be altered. No sign-ups will be added nor any refunds given. 5. The use of any drugs, stimulants or intoxicants is prohibited unless prescribed by a licensed physician. 6. No betting or soliciting bets is permitted at any ABA sanctioned race. 7. Only riders who are officially registered for the day's competition or practice, having provided proper ABA membership proof, may ride on the track. 8. No rider shall, at any time, ride in an unsafe manner as to endanger other riders, officials or spectators. 9. Only authorized persons are allowed on the track. Any violation of this rule could result in a disqualification of that rider or that person's rider. 10. The use of two-way radio assistance for any rider on the track is strictly prohibited. 11. A rider may be disqualified or suspended for the actions of his/her parent(s), guardian(s), sponsor(s) or pit crew. 12. A rider may be disqualified for team riding-letting another rider of same team affiliation pass so as to affect the overall outcome of any race. 13. A rider may be suspended up to one year for damaging, stealing or destroying public or private property such as hotels, motels or arenas. (Parents, this is your responsibility, also.) 14. Any rider found misrepresenting his/her age will lose their ABA membership for one full year. 15. Any rider competing in place of another rider shall receive a one-year suspension along with the rider he/she has replaced. 16. Any rider knowingly racing out of class shall receive no less than a 3-month suspension. 17. All classes must meet minimum class requirements to be legal. 18. Any rider not responding to the call of his/her name or number in staging has one minute to get to the stager. 19. Any rider in the gate having difficulties, not ready to race or questioning another rider's lane position can only put that race on hold by putting his/her front wheel over the gate. This action must only take place before the starting cadence begins. 20. Riders must take the lane assigned to them in each race. Any rider that is found in the wrong lane upon another rider's protest may be DQed and removed from the gate for that race. 21. The only riders that may be assisted at the starting gate are those 5 years old and under. This assistance shall only include the rear wheel being placed between the assistants legs. No hands may be used to prop the rider up and any push offs will result in the rider's disqualification. 22. All riders must have their wheel against the gate when the starter begins the starting cadence. 23. Once the starter begins the cadence, that race is considered underway and the cadence may not be discontinued. 24. A rider's wheel may not break the plane of the gate until the gate is released. 25. Three riders down before the crest of the first obstacle constitutes a restart. The "crest" shall be defined as the top of the front most part of any jump. 26. During the course of a race, should a rider leave the track as a direct result of contact with another rider, that rider must re-enter the track at the nearest point that is safe to all riders, without improving his/her position. (A rider re-entering the track in a improved position may delay him/her self to the last place position and then continue racing from there.) 27. Any rider deliberately forcing another rider off the track may be disqualified. 28. Should a rider leave the track purely on his/her own accord, that rider must make sure NO obstacles have been missed before returning to the track in a safe manner. (Hay bales, cones, chalk lines or other markers signifying the inside of a turn are also considered obstacles.) 29. The lead rider can take any line available on the track. (This relates to any rider ahead of any other-2nd place ahead of 3rd, 5th ahead of 6th, etc.) Strategy plays a big part in the sport of BMX and taking the line of another rider is a strategic and legal move. However, if the lead rider intentionally moves over so as to directly interfere with another rider, that can be considered a foul and may result in disqualification. 30. Any rider the victim to an officially recognized foul will NOT be given the placement he/she was currently in when the foul occurred. The only exception is if the infraction took place on the final straight between the last obstacle and the finish line. That rider would then be awarded the placement he/she was currently in before the infraction. 31. A rider must finish any moto or main on the same bicycle that he/she started on. 32. A rider may push or pull his/her bicycle across the finish line to be scored. However, that rider must be touching his/her bicycle when crossing the line. 33. Any rider whose bicycle becomes entangled with another bicycle must separate the bicycles before continuing the race. 34. Any rider having a protest about a particular race must present his/her case to the head official within 5 races after the race in question. After this time frame, a protest may not be lodged. 35. Officials will have the authority to call fouls and levee a disqualification without the need for a protest being lodged by any rider. 36. Officials look for the intention of any circumstance on the track. Situations deemed under malicious intent may result in disqualification for the weekend or longer. 37. Any race that is directly interfered with by a race official will be rerun. The validity of any official interference will be determined by the head official who's decision will be final. 38. Important-It is the responsibility of each rider and that rider's pit crew, i.e. parents, guardian or sponsor, to be in the staging area when necessary and be prepared to race. The track and its crew will not be held accountable for any adverse rider situation not directly affected by an official. XIII. The ABA Qualifying System The ABA recommends the use of the qualifying system as outlined, however it is not mandatory. A track operator may use any system which fits the track's locality or which caters to the style that track's riders are accustomed to. When the ABA qualifying system is not to be used, that track operator must submit to the ABA a detailed description of the system to be used. Upon approval by the ABA Competition Committee, that different system may be initiated. (Except for multi-point events) 1. Once a rider qualifies for a semi or the main event, he/she does not race again until that time. Doing so may result in disqualification. 2. When the ABA qualifying system is used, only a class of nine riders shall have its third moto combined. 3. Under extenuating circumstances, any track operator may utilize the 2-moto transfer system. 4. At all national, Gold Cup Final & Race of Champion events, the ABA will limit qualifying to two rounds. 5. The World Cup and the Grandnationals will operate under the 3 moto transfer system for qualifying. The ABA qualifying system is a very unique way of qualifying riders from the motos to the main events at each race. This system is the fairest to the rider and the easiest for the parent or spectator to understand. The system involves each entire set of motos being run a predetermined number of times (2 or 3) to qualify riders to quarter-mains, semi-mains or directly to main events depending on the number of riders competing. The following are examples of how the qualifying works and are all based on an eight rider gate: (When riders are referred to as qualified, it means they have transferred out of their moto and into the next applicable race. These riders will not race the remaining qualifying motos, if any remain.) Under the 3 moto transfer system: Class of three or fewer riders-1 group: Class of four riders-1 group: Class of five riders-1 group: Class of six riders-1 group: Class of seven riders-1 group: Class of eight riders-1 group: Class of nine riders-2 groups: First group will contain 5 riders
while second group will have 4. Class of ten riders-2 groups: Three groups in a class: Four groups in a class: Five groups in a class: The breakdown for qualifying for up to 17 groups in one class is available upon request. Under the 2 moto transfer system: Class of three or fewer riders - 1 group Class of four riders - 1 group Class of five riders - 1 group Class of six riders - 1 group Class of seven riders - 1 group Class of eight riders - 1 group Class of nine riders - 2 groups Class of ten riders or more - two or more groups 1. There will be three team distinctions; trophy, bike shop and factory. 2. A factory team is any team where the sponsor manufactures any component for bicycles or calls itself a factory team. 3. The ABA reserves the right to determine the classification of any team. 4. A factory team may not roster a novice or intermediate rider. 5. Any rider being on a factory team in any other sanctioning body can ride only factory in ABA team competition. 6. All teams must submit and maintain a roster of team members, in writing, with the ABA offices. A new roster must be submitted each year. 7. Any unsponsored rider being added to a roster must be submitted, in writing, at least 7 days prior to an event to be eligible for use on any team sheet. (An unsponsored rider is defined as a rider not on any current national team roster.) 8. Any rider being dropped or removing him/herself from a rostered factory or bike shop team will not be considered an unsponsored rider until 45 days from notification. Notification may be made by a team or rider and must be in writing. (Rider: Don't get caught napping. If you are released from a team, notify us YOURSELF to make sure it gets taken care of.) 9. Any rider moving from one team to another will become eligible for team competition 45 days from the time of entry (postmark date) on the amended roster. 10. Any rider listed on a national roster with the ABA cannot compete on another bike shop team. 11. A factory, bike shop or trophy team may enter up to two teams per race. Only the best of the two scores will be counted. 12. Each national team sheet includes an optional fifth rider slot. This slot may only be used for a girl rider. The team will still only count the best 4 scores towards a final team tally. 13. A rider may not appear twice on the same team entry sheets. 14. You may use the same rider on both team sheets, however, that rider must be in different classes. 15. Your team entry must be turned in before motos are posted. 16. Factory team standings will be determined from the best 12 nationals plus the Grandnationals. 17. Bike shop team standings will be determined from the best 8 nationals plus the Grandnationals. 18. Trophy team standing will be determined from your best 6 nationals plus the Grandnationals. 19. Bike shop and factory teams shall be competing for cash awards plus year-end awards. 20. A trophy team shall not be rostered and shall be competing for trophies of the day plus year-end awards. 21. Entry fees of $10 per trophy team sheet, $25 per bike shop team and $50 per factory team sheet shall be charged. 22. Unofficial results will be announced at the conclusion of each event. Official results will be determined after validating each team sheet's rider eligibility, finishes and point total at the office. 23. Results will be sent to each team that entered on a particular weekend. 24. Payment will be done by check from the office following team sheet verifications. 25. A final trading date has been established, and that date is July 15. After this date, a rider moving from one team roster to another team will not be eligible for team entry competition until after the Grandnationals. 26. After July 15, teams may add for team competition only those riders not on a factory or bike shop team roster, and this rider must be added at least 7 days prior to the event at which he or she is to be used. 27. Team jersey restrictions: a. Only factory teams are allowed to include the word factory on their jerseys. b. Bike shop team jerseys must have the bike shop team name as the predominant logo on the jersey. Any manufacturer name recognition can only be 50% of the size of the bike shop name. 29. Cash awards at each national will be:
30. Team competition rules at the local level will be the responsibility of the local track operator using fairness and promotional value as guidelines. State Champions will be determined as follows: 1. Every track in each state shall hold a State Championship Race (SCR), which will be a double district points event. 2. All SCRs shall be run between January 1 and a date as designated by the ABA. 3. Each state shall have a State Championship Final (SCF), which shall be a triple district point event. An additional double district points event will accompany the SCF event. 4. The SCF in each state shall be awarded by the ABA via a statewide track contest. 5. All SCF events shall be scheduled with the ABA within a specific time frame outlined by the ABA. 6. Riders shall be competing for the class championship title in their respective state. When referring to state class champions, the classes will be as follows: Cruiser-9 & under, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51 & over; Girl Cruiser-10 & under, 11-13, 14-16, 17-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31 & over; Girls-5 & under, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & over; Boys-5 & under, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 27, 28 & Over. 7. In the boys classes, novices, intermediates and experts of like age will compete together towards the championship title. 8. To determine a state champion in each class, the following
point system will be used:
*There will be no rider points added to this points table. 9. Girls and cruisers shall receive expert points, however the novice girls will be scored and remain with the novice class. 10. A rider may race as many SCRs as he/she wishes, however only that rider's best finishes of the required number of races will be counted going into the finals. 11. State Championship Race requirements are as follows:
13. Every rider must compete in the required number of State Championship Races plus the State Championship Final to be eligible to attain the State Championship title. The points earned from these events will determine an overall state champion. 14. As California is split into Northern and Southern regions, California riders may attain state points as required in either region. However, these riders must compete at the State Championship Final event of their corresponding region to be awarded a championship title. 15. The Northern California state series region will include the following districts: 04, 05, 06, 08, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, and 20. 16. The Southern California state series region will include the following districts: 01, 02, 03, 07, 09, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, and 24. 17. In the event of a tie in final points in any class, the tie will be broken as follows: a. best finish at the state final event. b. total number of riders in class. c. order of transfer from the motos. (If a total points race, the finish order shall be used as the transfer order for that rider.) d. If riders are still tied at this point, it will be declared a tie and co-champions will be awarded. 15. Riders from other states may compete at any SCR or SCF for district points, however that out-of-state rider cannot receive that state's championship points and any position that rider earns will be omitted from the state points standings for that race: Example: Arizona State Race 8 expert main results: 16. Each track will be provided with a points standing printout after each affected week of racing on a SCR level. 17. Each class champion in every state will receive a special State Championship award provided by the ABA. 18. Any rider riding out of class at any State Championship Race or State Championship Final will not be eligible to win the State Championship title or to compete in the Race of Champions. 19. Any rider can compete in any State Championship Race and State Championship Final in any state. There is no qualifying necessary to compete, only to be eligible to win the State Championship title. XVI. Race of Champions (R.O.C.)-Grandnationals
Pre-race 1. The R.O.C. will be a triple district points event. 2. The top 10 riders in each classification and skill level from each state's championship series points will be eligible to race the Race of Champions. This means the top 10 novices, intermediates, experts, girls, and cruisers of each age class. 3. Girl novices will be eligible under the novice skill level. 4. If a state has no State Championship Final event, the top 5 riders in each age group from the August district points standings in the BMXer shall become eligible to race the R.O.C. 5. Any rider may compete at the R.O.C. in the class and skill level that they competed as at their respective State Championship Final event. 6. Foreign riders are not required to qualify for the R.O.C. 7. The winner of each class at the Race of Champions will be awarded a special R.O.C. #1 number plate, which may be run for the following year. 8. Any rider riding out of class at any State Championship event will not be eligible to participate in the R.O.C.. 9. Any rider qualifying for the R.O.C. in class or cruiser may race all classes-class, cruiser and open. XVII. U.S. Gold Cup Championship Series 1.There will be final Gold Cup Championships East, West and Central with a specified number of Gold Cup Qualifiers in each region. 2.Riders receive eligibility to race at their respective regional final event by qualifying to their main event at any Gold Cup Qualifier in any region. This includes Canadian riders. 3.Each qualifier shall be a triple district points event. 4.Each final event shall be a quadruple district points event. 5.The Gold Cup Final events will be held in the later part of the year as announced by the ABA. 6.The winner of each class at each regional Gold Cup Final event will be awarded a special #1 number plate, which may be run for the following year. 7.Any rider qualifying in any class is eligible to race all classes at the final-class, cruiser and open. XVIII. ABA Nationals and Grandnationals Any ABA member can participate in any national race nationwide with proper proof of membership. Riders can compete in as many national events as desired though only their 6 best finishes plus the Grandnationals will count towards a national standing. National events offer triple district points as well as national points. Grandnationals Any ABA member may participate in the Grandnationals, the finest ABA event of the year. The Grandnationals is the finale of a years worth of national competition and counts for double national points on top of a rider's 6 best scores towards a national year-end ranking. This race also offers quadruple district points as well as bonus points. 1. Year-end awards will be issued to riders of each district on a 1-10 ratio making the awards equal across the nation and will hold true for boy, girl and cruiser classes. Example: District 1 has 320 riders with points at the end of the season. ABA will issue 10% of these riders (or 32) awards. 2. Up to the top 10 riders in each district (if applicable) will receive a custom award directly from the ABA. (If there are only 90 riders in a district, 10% (or 9) will receive awards but as they are all among the top 10, those 9 will all receive a custom award.) 3. There will be a maximum of 50 awards issued per district. In order to fulfill our ledge to foster competition and fair play in the sport of Bicycle Motocross racing throughout the world, our foreign rider policy shall be as follows: 1. Any foreign rider holding a current membership card other than Superclass or Pro with any foreign BMX organization shall be eligible to compete in amateur competition at any ABA sanctioned event. 2.All eligible foreign riders will be classified as expert for the purpose of competition and may also compete in cruiser and open classes. 3.Any foreign rider holding the classification of Superclass shall be compelled to purchase a Pro license and compete in the A Pro class. 4.Any foreign rider holding the classification of Pro shall be compelled to purchase a Pro license and compete in the AA Pro class. 5.All Canadian riders must qualify at a Gold Cup Qualifier to be eligible to race the Gold Cup Finals East, West and Central. We have established Qualifiers in Canada to meet this need.
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Tulare BMX Questions or comments about this site email Dave harbanfamily@comcast.net or call (559)-627-1795 |
