How Races Work
WHO WILL I RACE?
You will be racing other riders your age, gender and skill level. Usually a rider will race within his/her own class, age, and skill level at every race, but there will be times when it won't happen.
In the event there are not enough riders to make your class (3 riders to make a class), you will have to move up to the next age group at your skill level. If that still doesn't make a class you will go back to your own age group and then move up to the next higher skill level. If that still doesn't make a class you will be moved to the class that is closest to your age and skill level.
This is true for all ages and skill levels, so it may be that younger riders get moved up to your age and skill level. If you do happen to get moved up in age or skill level don't get discouraged, it won't happen all the time and it gives you the opportunity to see how you stack up against older or more experienced riders.
HOW ARE CLASSES MADE UP?
Why did I end up in this class? This is probably the most confusing part of BMX racing the new riders and their parents have to face. Hopefully with an understanding of some of the rules regarding the make up of classes and the following examples this confusion can be held to a minimum. Classes are always made up from the youngest to the oldest.
It takes 3 riders to make a class in any single age class whether Novice, Intermediate, Expert or Cruiser. (Example: 8 Novice, 10 Intermediate, 14 Expert, 15 Cruiser, etc.)
It takes 3 riders to make a class in all multiple age group class. (Example: 5 & under,19 & over, 21 -25 Cruiser, etc.)
Once a class is made either a single age class or a multiple age group class the only changes that can be made to that class is younger riders may be moved into this class.
If there are fewer than 3 riders in a single age class they must move to the next age group in the same skill level. (Example: 8 Novice to 9 Novice, 11 Intermediate to 12 Intermediate, 9 Expert to 10 Expert.)
If after moving to the next age group the class still does not make then these riders will move to the next available class above their home class, except that no Intermediate or Expert will ever move down to a Novice class. But a Novice may move to the Intermediate or Expert class. (Example: 8 Intermediate to 8 Expert, 9 Expert to 10 Intermediate, 11 Novice to 11 Intermediate.) 3 riders will make a legal class if two or more age groups combine. (Example: Two 6 Intermediates move up to join one 7 Intermediate this equals three riders and a legal 7 Intermediate class. One 9 Novice moves up to join two 10 Novices, this equals three riders and a legal 10 Novice class. One 14 Novice moves up to join one 15 Intermediate and one 14 Expert, this equals three riders and a legal 15 Intermediate class.)
No rider may at any time be moved down in age except if the oldest class is too small, and then they follow a move down rule exactly like the move up rule above. (Example: if the 19 Expert class does not make, they move first to the 18 Expert class and start down one class at a time until the class makes, skipping Novice classes. Intermediates also skip the Novice classes.)
If a rider is combined with a higher class he will receive the points from the higher class. (Example: if a 12 Novice moves to a 12 Intermediate class all riders in the class will receive Intermediate points. If a 14 Intermediate combines with a 14 Expert all riders in the class will receive Expert points. If a 14 Expert moves to a 15 Intermediate class all riders in the class will receive Expert points.)
In order to determine if a rider is in the correct class, they must not only look at the class their are in but the classes above and below their class. Check the riders age and skill levels as shown on the Moto sheets (6N), (6I), (7X), etc.
Example: A parent wonders why their 6 Novice rider ended up in a 7 Intermediate class when there was a 5 & under Novice class with only three riders in it. First you must look at the make up of the 5 & under class. This is a multiple age group class and only needs three riders to make a legal class. Now look at the make up of the 7 Intermediate class. There are two 6 Novices which does not make a single age class, their first move would be to the 7 Novice class but there are no 7 Novice riders. These riders now move to the next class above their own class. There is one 6 Intermediate on the Moto sheet but two 6 Novice riders and one 6 Intermediate rider still do not make a legal single age class. Finely there is one 7 Intermediate rider now the class is made. The class consists of two 6 Novice riders, one 6 Intermediate rider and one 7 Intermediate rider. All the riders in this class will receive Intermediate points.
HOW WILL THE RACES RUN?
As soon as possible after registration closes the Registration sheets will be posted in the area designated for that purpose. At this time you or your parents should make sure that all the information is correct. Make sure your age, ability category, and plate number are correct. If something is not right, please inform the moto shed. Moto sheets will be posted shortly after Registration sheets come down. Moto sheets will be in numerical order starting with Moto #1 and continuing through whatever the last Moto number is. In addition to being in numerical order the Moto sheets are grouped by age and class.
Remember it is extremely important for you or your parents to check the Moto sheets before the races start. Make sure that you check everything on the Moto sheet, not just what Moto you are in. If you find any mistakes go back to registration and they can make any necessary corrections. It's advisable that you have masking/painters tape and a marker on hand to record your motos. Then stick the tape on the top tube of your bike. Never miss a moto again.
Now you have registered for today's race, you have done your practicing, got your bike totally tuned in for the track and most important of all you have checked your MOTO sheets to make sure everything is correct. Its now time to start the racing.
The races are run in numerical order by Moto numbers. Each rider will have to race at least 3 times.
General rules of advancement in organized BMX racing
To advance a racer must win 10 races as a Novice to advance to Intermediate. Upon winning 20 races (or 10 as a girl) in the Intermediate class the rider will move to Expert, the highest non-Pro class. Boys and girls are combined and race together in Novice and Intermediate classes; at the Expert level boys and girls are separated into Expert and Girls Expert.
Cruiser and Girls Cruiser have no advancement and are only separated by age.
STAGING: Staging takes place behind the starting gate and you should be there at least 5 Moto's ahead of the one you are racing in. There will be a person called the Stager who will call out each Moto number, each riders name that is in that Moto and their starting lane assignments. The Stager will then direct you what to do next.
STARTING GATE: Now you are on the starting gate. You know the starting lane you are supposed to be in, but where is it? When you are standing on the gate looking out at the track lane 1 is on the same side of the gate that the first turn turns to. If the first turn is to the left then lane 1 is on the left side of the gate. There are 8 different starting lanes on the gate, with lane 8 being on the opposite end from lane 1.
The starting gate is run by a computer and has a set number of commands it must go through before it can be reset, the last of which is to drop the gate. If you are on the gate and the commands have started there is no way to stop the gate from dropping.
TRACK OFFICIALS: There are Track Official's positioned at different places on the track. These official's can and will alter the outcome of a race because of fouls, riders missing obstacles, riders using inappropriate language on the track and any other unsportsman-like conduct. If a rider feels they were fouled they must go back to the finish line within 5 Moto's and register their complaint or protest.
FINISH LINE: The finish line generally consists of 4 Finish Line Official's and 1 Chief Scorer. They are responsible for scoring each rider as they cross the finish line in each of their Moto's. If a rider fails to start a Moto or does not finish a Moto they will not be scored for that Moto. In all cases the decision of the Chief Scorer is final.
FIRST AID: We have well qualified track officials with First Aid training. Parents if your child should fall please do not come running on to the track. Our qualified track officials will evaluate the extent of your childs injures if any. At that time if they feel your assistance is needed they will call you onto the track.