North Dakota Motorcycle Association Member Handbook 2022

Forward

The North Dakota Motorcycle Association, (hereinafter, "NDMA"), takes pride in its record of achievement as a governing body for the sport of Motocross in North Dakota. In recognition of the need for controls over the sport, the NDMA has prepared this Member Handbook. The objectives of the NDMA have always been to foster a strong and fair competition program with impartiality and to increase the safety of competition.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Membership

Chapter 2 – Promoter and Responsibilities

Chapter 3 – Fees

Chapter 4 – Points

Chapter 5 – Payback and Awards

Chapter 6 – Rider Classification

Chapter 7 – Classes

Chapter 8 – Equipment

Chapter 9 – Race Rules

Chapter 10 – Officials

Chapter 11 – Timed Motos

Chapter 1

Membership

A. All riders participating in an NDMA sanctioned event must have a current membership, January 1 through December 31. A license/release form must be completed prior to issuing an NDMA membership.

B. The cost of a membership shall be as follows:

· A $25.00 fee per year for riders and non-riders if purchased by the Spring Meeting. After that, the fee will be $100.00 per year for previous NDMA members. New members to NDMA will be $25.00 after the Spring Meeting. A membership allows participation in all NDMA sanctioned events and gives the member one vote at each of the general meetings.

C. Licenses will be shown to the registration staff at the time of sign-up on the day of the race. If you do not have your license with you, you will need to have an NDMA Board Member verify you are a licensed member before you can participate.

Chapter 2

Promoter and Responsibilities

A. Times: Registration shall begin no later than 7:30 a.m. and end at 8:30 a.m. Rider practice will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a riders' meeting. All races are to start approximately at 10:00 a.m. (All times are local time). Saturday night sign-up is allowed and encouraged.

B. All promoters and promoting clubs are required to hold an organized practice session of approximately 6 minutes per group. The riding classes are to be divided into the following practice groups:

· A & B (250 & 450)

· C’s (250 & 450)

· Vet A/B & Open A/B

· Vet C & Open C

· 85’s & Super Mini

· 65’s

· 50’s

· Women’s Open

· 2 Stroke

· There shall be one practice session per group unless there are adverse track conditions such as extreme mud. Any additional practice time shall be approved by the NDMA Board and the promoter. This practice session shall give each rider at least one opportunity to be on the track unless a rider is late for practice. A late rider will forfeit any missed practice time. All riders will practice only in the class in which they are registered.

· The practice and race order will be determined by the NDMA Board each week. The race order will be setup and rotated to allow the most amount of rest between motos for the largest number of riders. This order may have to be revised at the start of each race day to accommodate track conditions, number of riders, and safety of riders.

· No bikes shall be allowed on the track until medical personal are present.

C. A starting gate or bungee cord able to hold 20 bikes at approximately 39 inches per spot is required. All tracks that have held three (3) or more NDMA sanctioned races will be required to have a starting gate.

D. Track width must be a minimum of 30 feet. Jump landings should be wider than takeoff. Under unavoidable circumstances the track may be less than the minimum of 30 feet, but must still be as wide as possible.

E. If cancellation of a points race is necessary, a 2-week notice must be provided to the NDMA Board to allow adequate time to reschedule the race and notify members.

F. Additional promoter's responsibilities are provided in the Promoter's Handbook.

Chapter 3

Fees

A. Daily entry fees shall be as follows:

· $30.00: 250cc, 450cc, and Open "A" classes.

· $20.00: 85cc, Super Mini, Vet A/B & C, Open B & C, Women's Open, Women's Vet, and 2 Stroke classes.

· $20.00: 50cc and 65cc classes.

· No refunds will be given after participant class practice is completed, even if a rider did not practice.

· No refunds will be given if a rider is disqualified for any reason.

· Gate Fees will be at the discretion of the promoter with the following restrictions: A maximum gate fee of $7.00 may be charged for any rider, pit-crew member, and spectator to gain entry into an NDMA sanctioned race. Children ages 6 and under are free.

Chapter 4

Points

A. The following point system will be used to figure daily results:

· In case of a points tie at the end of a daily race, the winner shall be determined by the better finish in the second moto.

· DNF. If a rider completes 50 percent of the laps of the winner, (if odd number of laps, add 1 lap and then take 50 percent) that rider earns last place points. Last place is the total number of riders signed up in that class. If the rider does not complete 50 percent of the laps of the winner (same as above) then the rider only earns 1 point.

B. State points accumulation for year-end championship.

· State points shall be recorded by the NDMA.

** 50, 65 and 85 Beginner Classes - Does not accumulate year end points **

· Any rider may at any time during the season change to a higher class with approval of the NDMA Board. That rider will not forfeit any points accumulated in the lower class but will not be allowed to race in or accumulate points in the lower class from the time they moved to the higher class.

· If a new rider erroneously signs up and races in an incorrect class at the beginning of the year and later, before the start of the fourth (4) race of the season, requests that they be reclassified into the appropriate class based on their ability, that rider will receive last place points for the class they move into, plus a decreasing percentage of points based on motos raced as determined by the Board. This rule does not apply if a rider raced in the NDMA the previous year.

· If a rider in the B or C class (or equivalent) reaches 75% of the maximum possible points for the season, that rider may have to move up to the next class the following year. The Board will review any rider not making the 75% level but with 5 podium (1st - 3rd) finishes during the year. (Exception to this policy for 50cc, 65cc, and 85cc, which are age-appropriate classes.) A rider that is moved up due to reaching 75% of maximum points may ask the Board for a review. The Board will then review the rider's past and potential performance and determine the class that rider will be placed in. (The review Board's decision will be final.)

· The State points awarded, on a per-moto basis, for participation in each moto shall be as follows:

1st place – 25 11th place – 10

2nd place – 22 12th place – 9

3rd place – 20 13th place – 8

4th place – 18 14th place – 7

5th place – 16 15th place – 6

6th place – 15 16th place – 5

7th place – 14 17th place – 4

8th place – 13 18th place – 3

9th place – 12 19th place – 2

10th place – 11 20th place – 1

o Twentieth (20th) place and below receives one (1) point.

· Year-end points are awarded on the same basis as daily points. In case of a year-end tie, the winner shall be determined by the most first place moto finishes for the year. (If there are no first place moto finishes, then the determination will be made based on second place moto finishes, and so on.)

· Year-end trophies/awards will be awarded 1st thru 5th place. (Riders must complete 50% of the races in order to receive a year end trophy)

** No year-end trophies/awards for 50 Beginner, 65 Beginner, 85 Beginner Classes, and Girls 65/85 **

Chapter 5

Daily Payback and Awards

Promoters are responsible for awarding trophies/awards and prize money at the end of the race day. The following Payback schedule will be used to pay the cash classes on a per-moto basis. All cash payouts will be in US Dollars.

250 / 450 / Open "A" Class

Payback (per moto)

# of

Riders 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

3 $31 $22 $10

4 $42 $30 $10 $10

5 $44 $31 $15 $10 $10

6 $53 $35 $19 $10 $10

7 $56 $37 $19 $13 $10 $10

8 $64 $43 $22 $14 $10 $10

9 $65 $44 $23 $15 $14 $10 $10

10 $71 $48 $26 $18 $16 $10 $10

11 $76 $52 $30 $21 $18 $10 $10

12 $78 $53 $31 $22 $19 $13 $10 $10

13 $80 $55 $31 $25 $23 $19 $10 $10

14 $84 $58 $34 $28 $24 $22 $10 $10

15 $86 $59 $35 $28 $25 $22 $14 $10 $10

16 $87 $60 $38 $30 $28 $25 $18 $10 $10

17 $90 $62 $41 $33 $30 $26 $22 $10 $10

18 $93 $64 $44 $35 $33 $29 $24 $10 $10

19 $96 $67 $47 $38 $34 $32 $26 $10 $10

20 $96 $67 $48 $39 $35 $33 $27 $14 $10 $10

21 $100 $72 $50 $42 $36 $35 $28 $15 $10 $10

22 $105 $73 $52 $44 $38 $37 $30 $17 $10 $10

23 $108 $75 $54 $46 $40 $39 $33 $19 $10 $10

24 $112 $79 $57 $49 $41 $40 $34 $20 $10 $10

25 $115 $82 $59 $50 $42 $41 $35 $20 $15 $10 $10

Vet A Class

Payback (per moto)

# of

Riders 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

3 $14 $10

4 $19 $13

5 $20 $14 $7

6 $24 $16 $9

7 $25 $17 $9

8 $29 $19 $10 $6

9 $30 $20 $10 $7 $6

10 $32 $21 $12 $8 $7

11 $34 $23 $13 $9 $8

12 $35 $24 $14 $10 $8 $6

13 $36 $25 $14 $11 $10 $8

14 $38 $26 $15 $12 $11 $10

15 $38 $26 $16 $12 $11 $10 $6

16 $39 $27 $17 $13 $13 $11 $8

17 $40 $28 $18 $15 $13 $12 $10

18 $42 $29 $20 $16 $15 $13 $11

19 $43 $30 $21 $17 $15 $14 $12

20 $43 $30 $21 $17 $16 $15 $12 $6

- Place trophies/awards for 1st thru 5th for all other classes.

Chapter 6

Rider Classification

A. NDMA Motocross riders will be classified as "A", "B", "C".

· "A" rider: any rider who has transferred from the "B" class.

· "B" rider: any rider who has transferred from the "C" class.

· "C" rider: any beginning rider or any rider who is not an "A" or "B" rider.

** Beginner class riders may not compete in any other class. They are only allowed to ride in Beginner classes.

B. A rider's age will be determined by the age of the rider on January 1st of that year. And that age will be used to determine appropriate classes for the year. A rider may move into the next higher age class at any time during the year. However, once a rider moves up they may not move back to the lower age class. (Riders wanting to move into the Vet Class must meet the Vet Class age requirements.)

C. A rider must compete in the same qualification class in all displacement classes in which the rider competes. (i.e. any rider that rides in 250 B would have to ride in 450 B or open B.) An exception is allowed if a rider competes in Vet A/B; that rider may still compete in a B class if their skill level is appropriate. A 50 A/B (not 50 Beginner) or 65 A/B may compete in a higher 65 or 85 A or B class based on their skill level. Example, a 65A rider may ride in the 85 B class.

D. The NDMA Board will move riders up into the appropriate classification at any time the Board deems necessary to provide fair and even competition for all riders. (If the Board has to move a rider to the appropriate class, that rider will do so with no year-end points.) See Chapter 4(B) (3).

Chapter 7

Classes

A. General:

50cc, 65cc, and 85cc riders may be required to prove age. Vet riders may be required to provide proof of age by submitting a copy of their driver's license or photo identification.
In certain cases age requirements may be waived at the discretion of the NDMA Board.
If there are fewer than five (5) riders signed up in a class, the NDMA officials will determine at that time if the class will be combined with another class.
All combined classes will be double dropped unless approved by the NDMA Board.

B. Class Guidelines:

50 Class

· Maximum age of 8

· Maximum engine displacement of 51cc with overbore allowed only to the overbore size piston available from original manufacturer of the particular bike and engine

· Maximum wheel size is 10 inches (rear) and 12 inches (front)

65 Class

· Maximum age of 12

· Maximum engine displacement of 65cc 2 stroke/ 117cc 4 stroke with overbore allowed only to the overbore size piston available from the original manufacturer of the particular bike and engine

· Maximum wheel size is 12 inches (rear) and 14 inches (front)

85 Class

· Maximum age of 15

· Maximum engine displacement of 85cc 2 stroke/150cc 4 stroke

· Minimum engine displacement of 64cc 2 stroke

· Maximum wheel size is 19 inches

· Minimum wheel size is 12 inches (rear) and 14 inches (front).

250 Class

· Minimum wheel size is 18 inches (rear) and 21 inches (front)

· Engine displacement:

· (2 stroke) must not be less than 124cc or more than 251cc

· (4 stroke) must not be less than 125cc or more than 251cc

450 Class

· Minimum wheel size is 18 inches (rear) and 21 inches (front)

· Engine displacement:

· (2 stroke) must not be less than 200cc and no upper limit

· (4 stroke) must not be less than 252cc or larger than 525cc

Vet Class

· Minimum age 30 years or older

Engine displacement must meet minimum 250 class requirements or greater

Open Class

· The motorcycle must comply with a minimum 250 class specification.

· Minimum wheel size is 18 inches (rear) and 21 inches (front)

· Engine displacement:

· (2 stroke) must not be less than 124cc

· (4 stroke) must not be less than 124cc

Women's Open Class

· Limited to Women

· 85cc bike or larger

· Minimum engine displacement of 85cc 2 stroke/150cc 4 stroke

·· Minimum wheel size is 14 inches (rear) and 17 inches (front).

Super Mini Class

· Limited to riders 10-16 years of age

· Minimum engine displacement of 85cc and maximum engine displacement of 115cc 2 stroke, 150cc 4 stroke

· Maximum wheel size is 19 inches

2 Stroke Class

· Minimum engine displacement of 100cc and maximum engine displacement of 160cc 2 stroke

· Minimum wheel size is 16 inches (rear) and 19 inches (front)

65/85 Beginner Class

· A rider signing up in or competing in the 65/85 Beginner class may only compete in said class, and is not allowed to signup/compete in any other class.

Girls 65/85 Class

· A rider signing up in or competing in this class are not allowed to sign up/compete in the Women's Open class and vice versa.

Chapter 8

Equipment

A. The basic design of the bike must be suitable for high performance racing with safety equipment in place and if asked, must pass an overall technical inspection. The opinion of the Tech Inspector shall be final.

B. If an allegedly unsafe motorcycle is brought to the attention of the track Officials, and after tech inspection it is deemed unsafe, the motorcycle will not be allowed on the track until it is repaired to the satisfaction of the Tech Inspector.

C. Exhaust silencers are required. Exhaust systems or frames cannot extend beyond the length of the bike's rear tire.

D. Both front and rear brakes must be in good condition and properly adjusted. Brakes that operate by friction on the tire or wheel rim are prohibited.

E. Front and rear suspension must be of a suitable design in proper working order and properly adjusted for maximum safety. No components will be allowed to be wired (except grips may be wired to prevent twisting) or taped to the bike.

F. Kickstands, lights, license plates, brackets, mirrors, glass, or equipment that poses a hazard must be removed.

G. Numbers:

· Numbers will be assigned to riders when they receive their competition license cards.

· All riders must display their assigned numbers on all three (3) number plates on their motorcycle. In addition, riders are encouraged to display their numbers on their helmets, racing jerseys, and/or the back of their chest protectors.

· All numbers must be in contrasting colors with their background, such as solid white on black or solid black on white. The NDMA officials must approve any variation before competing.

· No illegible numbers allowed. Any number plates determined by the NDMA Officials to be non-readable must be corrected before that machine is allowed to race.

H. All NDMA riders must wear a helmet and are responsible for adequate ratings.

I. All NDMA riders must wear approved Motocross racing boots. The NDMA board may approve other types of boots for day or first-time riders; however every attempt must be made to find motocross boots for the rider to wear. (Minimum requirement will be leather, hard-sole boots that cover the ankles.)

J. All riders must wear clothing that covers their legs, torso, and arms to at least half-way between the wrist and the elbow.

K. All riders must start the race with eye protection. (Eye protection may be discarded during the race if it impairs the rider's vision.)

L. Failure to conform to these regulations will preclude riding in the Moto, and possible disqualification from the race.

Chapter 9

Race Rules

A. The rules in this book apply only to sanctioned events.

B. Every club, association, promoter, rider, and any other individuals participating in, or are in any way connected with, an NDMA event shall abide by and be bound by these rules.

C. It is the duty of the individual rider to determine the class in which they are legal to ride. Entry in a class does not necessarily make a rider legal for that class. A rider can be protested by another entrant or their representative in writing. Responsibility of meeting proper rider classification and bike specifications rests with the individual entrant. Failure to meet these requirements will result in disqualification and possible suspension.

D. Rules Stipulated:

Any race and track grievance or alleged infraction must be logged in writing with the Track Referee within 15 minutes. These grievances may only be logged by an NDMA licensed rider or a paid associate member in good standing. The decision made at that time by the NDMA Board Official will be considered complete and final.
Any protests involving teardown of a race machine will require the protesting party to pay a fee of $200. If it is determined that the rider being protested is illegal, the protesting party will be refunded their $200. If the rider being protested was running legally, they will retain the $200. If a rider is found to be running illegally, they will, at a minimum, forfeit all points and be bared from competing in that class for the rest of the year. In addition a more severe punishment may be assessed at the discretion of the Board.
No one except riders officially entered may ride or practice on any racecourse on the day of a race until 1 hour after the day's racing is finished.
The NDMA Officials may combine classes based on the number of entries.
During the starting sequence all riders at the gate must be within 15 inches of the gate. On bungee cord starts all bikes will have their front tire on the board or chalk line. (Even riders required to start backwards because of an infraction.)
A rider whose machine is disabled before reaching the finish line may, under their own unaided muscular energy, push or carry their machine to complete the race, and under such conditions will be considered to have completed the race.
A rider cannot switch bikes during a moto.
Under no circumstances will a rider be allowed to improve his position by leaving the course. A rider leaving the course must re-enter at the same point or at the first point where they can safely do so without interfering with other riders and without gaining an advantage. The penalty for breach of this rule will be docking the rider a maximum of one lap per incident for that moto.
A rider entering or leaving the pits must ride in the designated entrance and exit lanes in a safe manner (Idling1st gear) and follow all signs (Kill engine here). Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the rest of that day's events.
No rider shall at any time ride or act in such a manner as to endanger life or limb of other riders, officials, spectators, or the public. Any violation of this rule shall be subject to immediate disqualification and suspension from the rest of that day's events by an NDMA Official.
Any foul riding or unsportsmanship like conduct on-or-off the track at the race event is grounds for disqualification or penalty as determined by the track Official.
A lapped rider must not purposely block the lead rider(s) or they may be black-flagged.
The use of intoxicants or drugs of any nature, that would affect the mental or physical abilities of a rider beyond his abilities when in good mental and physical health, shall be prohibited. Any such use may not only affect the safety of the competition but is deemed inconsistent; and therefore, an unethical practice detrimental to the sport of motorcycling.
Every rider is responsible for their own conduct as well as that of their family, pit crew, or anyone else associated with the rider. Any misconduct by the rider's family, pit crew, or those associated with the rider makes that rider subject to disqualification.

· In a case where a rider cannot start a moto because their motorcycle is broken and not rideable, they may borrow another bike of the same engine displacement, and must have Okayed it with the score keepers.

· If during the starting sequence a rider has trouble with their bike, that rider shall hold up their hand to stop the count. That rider will then have two (2) minutes to repair their machine. At the end of the two (2) minute count, the starter will resume the start with or without the rider.

· If a race is stopped for any reason, the following restart policy will apply:

· 0 to 2 minutes completed – complete restart at the gate.

· Over 2 minutes to 1/2 of the minutes completed – single file restart. Riders shall line up in single-file order according to the last, full lap completed. The starter will drop the green flag; all riders will take off in single file and will not be allowed to pass until they have passed the orange cone. Do not restart on minute count – continue where left off.

· Over 1/2 of the minutes completed – race is finished.

· The winner will be determined by the last fully completed lap.

· A rider will be turned around at the starting gate if they:

· Practice in the wrong class without permission.

· Cause a restart for any reason.

· Ride through the pits in a reckless manner as determined by the NDMA Officials.

· Racers will not line up in the second back row of the starting gate until the front row gate is full.

E. Official Flags:

· Green Flag: Will be used at the start of the race and will be displayed during the race. (A green flag may not be used to start a race if there are mechanical means for starting.)

· White Flag: One lap remaining.

· Yellow Flag: Caution, Slow Down, Danger Ahead, Keep Position until past the point of danger. (This means no jumping, no passing, or anything that would give a rider an advantage. Any rider caught jumping, passing, or gaining an advantage because of the flag will be penalized at the discretion of the Board)

· Black Flag: Disqualification. Pull-off the track, confer with an NDMA Official.

· Black & White Checkered Flag: Race finished.

· Red Flag: Stop race immediately. Wait for officials to direct riders to starting gate. Do not leave the track until directed!

· White/Green Flags Crossed: Half point of race.

Chapter 10

Officials

A. There will be at least two (2) NDMA Board Members at all NDMA sanctioned events. In the event that not all board members can attend a race, alternates will be appointed to assist the Board Members for that day.

B. A technical inspection may be held by a member of the NDMA Board of Directors, or someone appointed by the Board, prior to the beginning of a race.

C. An NDMA Official member shall collect the final results at each event and record the points toward year-end State Championships.

D. The head flagman will be provided by the promoter and approved by the NDMA Board prior to each day's racing.

E. Any problems or situations regardless of whether covered in the rulebook will be dealt with by the NDMA Board of Directors as they arise.

F. The NDMA Officials have the absolute and final authority in all decisions at each point's race and may disqualify any rider who violates any of the event rules.

Chapter 11

Timed Motos

All motos will be timed as follows:

50's 5 minutes

65's 6 minutes plus 1 lap

85's and Super Mini 7 minutes plus 1 lap

250 & 450 C 8 minutes plus 1 lap

250 & 450 B 10 minutes plus 1 lap

250 & 450 A 12 minutes plus 1 lap

Open A, B, & C 8 minutes plus 1 lap

Vet 8 minutes plus 1 lap

Women's Open 6 minutes plus 1 lap

2 Stroke 8 minutes plus 1 lap