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TRK
October 7th, 2011, 03:23 PM
The meeting for this years rule change suggestions is at the Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St, Denver Colorado on October 16th at 1200PM. If you have any questions let me know.



Rule change suggestion summary:
1. Amateur definition as it relates to formula 40.
2. Novice Community hours change in relation to general meetings.
3. Front fork modifications in the production 250-production cup class.
4. Amateur eligibility of those holding a pro roadrace license.
5. Addition of the '04+ Aprillia Mille and Tuono to Thunderbike.
6. Allow slicks in 250-production cup.
7. Allow a master cylinder change in the 250-production cup.
8. Allow modified or aftermarket radiators in supersport classes.
9. Propose a racer service commitment to include expert racers.
10. Eliminate badgers from the paddock.


Listed below are the rule change suggestions in their entirety, as drafted by the original author.





#1

4.2 Amateur definition
A. Amateur is used to define combined race classes only and is not a license status.
Novice and Expert racers may race together in classes specified as Amateur.
B. Experts who race Amateur GTO, Amateur GTU or Formula 40 are ineligible for
RoR GTO and RoR GTU races during the same weekend. A racer entering either
Amateur GTO, Amateur GTU or Formula 40 and either RoR GTO or RoR GTU
will be removed from the results and will lose all contingency and earnings from
both Amateur, Formula 40 and RoR classes for that weekend.
C. Any racer who begins the season as an expert class racer and finishes in the
top 5 overall at the end of the year in Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU will be
ineligible for both Amateur GTO and Amateur GTU in subsequent seasons.
Novice racers that finish in the top 5 of Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU are
exempt from this rule, as are racers that begin the season as a novice but advance
to expert during that season.

Proposed Change:

4.2 Amateur definition
A. Amateur is used to define combined race classes only and is not a license status.
Novice and Expert racers may race together in classes specified as Amateur.
B. Experts who race Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU are ineligible for
RoR GTO and RoR GTU races during the same weekend. A racer entering either
Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU and either RoR GTO or RoR GTU
will be removed from the results and will lose all contingency and earnings from
both Amateur and RoR classes for that weekend.
C. Any racer who begins the season as an expert class racer and finishes in the
top 5 overall at the end of the year in Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU will be
ineligible for both Amateur GTO and Amateur GTU in subsequent seasons.
Novice racers that finish in the top 5 of Amateur GTO or Amateur GTU are
exempt from this rule, as are racers that begin the season as a novice but advance
to expert during that season.
D. Experts who race RoR and are top 5 in the standings in RoR GTO or RoR GTU are ineligible for Formula 40 race that same weekend. A racer entering Formula 40 and RoR and is top 5 in RoR GTO or RoR GTU will be removed from the results and will lose all contingency and earnings from both Formula 40 and RoR classes for that weekend. First race weekend of the season's eligibility will be based on previous season standings.

Reasoning:
The current rule was proposed at the introduction of the new Formula 40 to provide a class for over 40 riders that are not necessarily at the level of competition of our over 40 fast riders like Turpin, Orlando, Turner, etc. The negative effect of this has been riders that normally run RoR but are not running with the leaders have forsaken RoR to run Formula 40. This past weekend, 7 of the top 8 finishers in Formula 40 were previous RoR competitors. The RoR grid has shrunk while the Formula 40 grid has increased. By passing this rule change, it will have little or no effect on who is currently running Formula 40, but will allow those riders to run RoR again if they are not in the top 5 in the RoR GTO or GTU points.

#2

Current Rule-

4.6 Novice to Expert advancement process
E. For the purposes of this section ‘community service’ may include but not be confined to scorekeeping, approved event participation, attending 4 general meetings or any other service as defined and approved by the Board. This now also includes the option to “purchase” your service hours for a payment of $100 to the MRA. You can either pay the amount in full, or work the full 4 hours.

Proposed Change-
E. For the purposes of this section ‘community service’ may include but not be confined to cornerworking, scorekeeping, approved event participation, attending general meetings or any other service as defined and approved by the Board. General meeting attendance will equate to 1/2 hour of community service for each meeting attended, and all 4 community service hours cannot be earned by only attending general meetings. This now also includes the option to “purchase” your service hours for a payment of $100 to the MRA. You can either pay the amount in full, or work the full 4 hours.

Reasoning:
In the past 2 seasons the MRA has made a concentrated effort to market the club to potential new riders and spectators by having exhibits at events that we deem beneficial to increasing our exposure, resulting in the club remaining viable and solvent. Unfortunately the number of volunteers for these events has been disappointing. These have usually been staffed by board members or a small percentage of the club's novice and expert racers. In many instances, the same novices will volunteer for events even after they have met their community service requirement. By limiting the number of community hours that a novice can earn by simply attending the club's general meetings, the expectancy is that there will be more volunteers for other events.

#3

Current Rule-

2.10 Production 250 Cup Class

H. Suspension may be modified with different springs, valves and oil. The stock unaltered rear shock body and stock fork tubes must be retained. Preload adjusters may be added to the forks. Rear ride height may be altered or adjusted, including use of aftermarket dog-bones.

Proposed Rule-

H. Suspension may be modified with different springs, valves and oil. The stock unaltered rear shock body and stock fork tubes must be retained. Preload adjusters and valve emulators may be added to the forks. Stock damping rod must be retained but can be modified. Rear ride height may be altered or adjusted, including use of aftermarket dog-bones.

#4

Current:

3.1F Racers holding a current professional roadrace license from another organization cannot compete in amateur only classes.


Proposed:

F. Racers holding a current professional roadrace license from another organization cannot compete in amateur only classes, with the exception of an AMA Supersport License.


Rationale: AMA Supersport rules in recent years have changed that from factory level racing to a support class. The level of rider in the AMA Supersport class is in line with what the MRA typically sees from a first year expert, and is consistent with Amateur Status in the MRA. Those riders competing in AMA Daytona Sportbike and Superbike should not be permitted to run Amateur classes.

Rybo’s ideas: 3.1F Racers holding a current professional roadrace license from another organization cannot compete in amateur only classes.


Proposed:

F. Racers holding a current professional roadrace license from another organization cannot compete in amateur GTU and GTO classes, with the exception of those possessing an AMA Supersport License.


Rationale: AMA Supersport rules in recent years have changed that from factory level racing to a support class. The level of rider in the AMA Supersport class is in line with what the MRA typically sees from a first year expert, and is consistent with Amateur Status in the MRA. Those riders competing in AMA Daytona Sportbike and Superbike should not be permitted to run Amateur classes.

Or

Novice Only Classes

-Novice GTU / GTO

Expert Only Classes

- MW / HW / Open SuperSport
- MW / HW / Open Superbike
- ROR


Mixed Classes:

All others


AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike and American Superbike License Holders may only compete in Expert Only Classes

AMA Pro Supersport License Holders may compete in any non-novice class unless excluded by some other rule (amateur advancement rule comes to mind)

Pro level licenses from other roadracing organizations will be evaluated by MRA staff to determine rider / class eligibility.


#5

Current Rule:
2.8 Thunderbike
This is an Amateur class allowing superbike modifications to the specifications listed below:
• Up to 850cc two cylinder, liquid cooled, four stroke
• Up to 350cc two cylinder, liquid cooled, two stroke
• Up to 700cc three cylinder, four stroke
• Unlimited displacement two cylinder, air cooled, two valve
• Unlimited displacement single cylinder

Additionally, the following bikes are permitted to compete but must remain OEM displacement and are the only bikes allowed to be over the displacement limits: Aprilia Mille – PRE 2004 models / Ducati – 916 and 996 / Honda – RC-51, Superhawk VTR 100 / Triumph – Daytona 955 and Speed Triple 955 / Suzuki – SV1000, TLS and TLR. Homologation specials exceeding the class displacement limits are excluded. This includes but not limited to Ducati models with SPS, R, and RS designations if they displace greater then 850cc.

Proposed Rule

2.8 Thunderbike
This is an Amateur class allowing superbike modifications to the specifications listed below:
• Up to 850cc two cylinder, liquid cooled, four stroke
• Up to 350cc two cylinder, liquid cooled, two stroke
• Up to 700cc three cylinder, four stroke
• Unlimited displacement two cylinder, air cooled, two valve
• Unlimited displacement single cylinder

Additionally, the following bikes are permitted to compete but must remain OEM displacement and are the only bikes allowed to be over the displacement limits: Aprilia Mille, Aprilia Tuono / Ducati – 916 and 996 / Honda – RC-51, Superhawk VTR 100 / Triumph – Daytona 955 and Speed Triple 955 / Suzuki – SV1000, TLS and TLR. Homologation specials exceeding the class displacement limits are excluded. This includes but not limited to Ducati models with SPS, R, and RS designations if they displace greater then 850cc.

#6

Current Rule
2.10 Production 250 Cup Class
M. Tires must be DOT rated tires only.

Proposed Rule
2.10 Production 250 Cup Class
M. Tires may be DOT rated or slicks.

#7

Original:
2.10
K. Hand and foot controls, rearsets, handlebars, and levers may be replaced with parts of unlimited origin. Brake master cylinders and throttle control must remain stock

Change:
2.10
K. Hand and foot controls, rearsets, handlebars, brake master cylinders, and levers may be replaced with parts of unlimited origin. Throttle control must remain stock

#8

Under 2.2.2 B
I would like to add
f radiator.

#9

The intent of this proposal is to create a racer service commitment that doesn't distinguish between Novice and Expert designation. It is implemented as a 'Delete / Add' because the current Novice requirement is contained in the section that defines the Novice to Expert advancement.

The guidelines for the rule change process request the submission of very specific language. If you agree in principle but disagree in the particulars (# of hrs; buyout rate, covered activities), speak up.

***************
Delete 4.6.D,E,F,G:
***************

D. All riders who begin the season as a Novice must complete 4 hours of community service to the club that season. Novice riders must complete 4 hours of service before being upgraded to expert. Failure to complete the service will result in the forfeiture of all points and standings for the season in all classes in which the rider has competed.

E. For the purposes of this section ‘community service’ may include but not be confined to scorekeeping, cornerworking or any other service as defined by the Board.

F. The Board may waive the requirement of community service for a rider for extraordinary circumstances and by a majority vote of the Board.

G. Point calculations for the purposes of advancing to expert (Section 4.3) will be applied prior to application of penalties due to failure to complete 4 hours of service to the club.


***************
Add:
***************

4.4.4.C Community Service

1. All riders who are not members of the MRA Board must either:


a. Complete 4 hours of community service to the club each season, or
b. Pay $25/hr to the club for each partial hour not worked.

Failure to comply with one of the above conditions will result in the forfeiture of all points and standings for the season in all classes in which the rider has competed.

2. The period for Community Service begins the day after the previous season's last race, and continues through the end of the current season's last race weekend.

3. Fullfillment of the Community Service requirement will be tracked on the MRA website for all riders, indicating both 'if' and 'how' the requirement has been completed, (i.e., 'Board Member', 'waived', 'x hours / y dollars').

4. For the purposes of this section ‘community service’ may include but not be confined to scorekeeping, cornerworking, race school instruction, new-racer adoption / coaching, assisting a board member, activities on/for board-designated commitees or groups, or any other service as defined by the Board. First year Novices can fullfill their commitment by attending MRA monthly General Meetings, at a rate of 1/2 hr per meeting.


a. Riders must have prior consent of any responsible Board member in order to fullfill their Community Service in such capacity. (This is geared towards cornerworking and PR events.)

5. The Board may waive the requirement of community service for a rider for extraordinary circumstances and by a majority vote of the Board.

6. For Novices, point calculations for the purposes of advancing to expert (Section 4.3) will be applied prior to application of penalties due to failure to complete 4 hours of service to the club.

***************
Alternate:
***************
One modification to help our financially challenged club would be to increase the license fee for racers by the $100 buy-out amount, and then account for service commitment fullfillment as ongoing credits. This would eliminate the 'Failure to comply' text, as everyone would be in compliance when they paid their license fee.

This would change the Community Service rules (4.4.4.C.1 and 4.4.4.C.2) as follows:

4.4.4.C Community Service

1. All riders who are not members of the MRA Board are able to earn up to $100 credit for community service, at the rate of $25/hr, for activities
enumerated in 4.4.4.C.4, below.

2. The period for Community Service runs from the the date when licensing opens, through that year's awards banquet.

#10

Section 11:

Current Version:

D. Pets are discouraged, but are permitted on a leash no longer than 7 feet. No snakes, reptiles, arachnids, spiny echidnas, or amphibians are allowed. MRA officials reserve the right to remove vicious or uncontrolled pets at the owner’s expense.

Proposed Version:

D. Pets are discouraged, but are permitted on a leash no longer than 7 feet. No snakes, reptiles, arachnids, badgers, or the representation thereof, or amphibians are allowed. MRA officials reserve the right to remove vicious or uncontrolled pets at the owner’s expense.

KFinn
October 7th, 2011, 03:27 PM
Will there be a FB event created for this so it is peoples calendar?

JimWilson29
October 7th, 2011, 03:30 PM
Will there be a FB event created for this so it is peoples calendar?

You can't do it the old fashioned way and write it down?? Yes I was planning on doing a FB event for it.

Here you go Kevin https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=242391782478820 I even used one of your favorite pics for the event. :D

TRK
October 9th, 2011, 12:20 AM
To the top!

chrobis
October 13th, 2011, 09:31 PM
I need a proxy

I am not a flake - but I am going to be traveling for work on Sunday, and will not be able to champion my rule change suggestion - #9: "Propose a racer service commitment to include expert racers".

I will give my reasoning here, as succinctly as possible, for accepting this rule change:

1) It's more fair than the current situation: experts should have at least as great of a commitment to the club as novices.

2) It will provide an enormous amount of free labor to the club. Most if not all of the MRA Board members could use some help with tedious parts of their job; this could even become a way of introducing members to the functions and roles performed by the board, an apprenticeship program if you will.

3) The alternate proposal would bring in $100 per racer at the beginning of the season, which, for those too lazy - er, time challenged - to actually put in some time, would also be money at the end of the season.

4) If it doesn't pass I'll just be back with it next year.
Yes, it will require some management - but that itself can be performed as service hours.

TRK
November 28th, 2011, 12:47 PM
Here are the results of the rule change suggestions for 2012.* I believe everything was pretty much set and there were no major concerns from any of the board members at the meeting.* The rulebook changes have been completed, but will need to be confirmed and reviewed by the board at the December meeting.* I will then tighten everything up and send the rulebook out for publication.* The proposed changes as listed below had either a very strong approval or unanimous approval at the meeting.
*
*
*
Rule change suggestion summary:
*
*
1.***** Amateur definition as it relates to formula 40.
Change:* Prior year’s top 10 plate holders are ineligible.*
*
2.***** Novice hour change in relation to general meetings.
Change:* Half hour for each general meeting and you cannot obtain all work hours from the general meetings.**
*
3.***** Front fork modifications in the production 250-production cup class.
Change:* Stock damping rod must be retained.* (Majority approved).*
*
4.***** Amateur eligibility of those holding a pro roadrace license.
Change:* You lose your eligibility if you hold an AMA pro superbike license prior to the start of the MRA season.* Any other definition of a “pro” racer will/can be determined by the board.*
*
5.***** Addition of the Aprillia Mille and Tuono to Thunderbike.
Change:* Allow the bikes in Thunderbike.*
*
6.***** Allow slicks in 250-production cup.
******** No Change:* The majority opposed this change.
*
7.***** Allow a master cylinder change in the 250-production cup.
Change:* The majority opposed this change.
*
8.***** Allow modified or aftermarket radiators in supersport classes.
Change:* Must retain the stock radiator to include exterior dimensions.* Riders may change and/or modify the internals of the stock radiator.
*
9.***** Propose a racer service commitment to include expert racers.
No Change:* Almost unanimously rejected.
*
10.**** Eliminate badgers from the paddock.
Change:* Still under negotiations with PETA, the badgers teamsters, and team short bus.
*
*

Munch
November 28th, 2011, 08:53 PM
With regard to item 5 - are there any restrictions on engine mods to the Aprillia Mille? Or can you stuff anything into the frame?

Not sure if the OEM requirement is in the rule.

sheispoison
November 28th, 2011, 09:23 PM
I think as long as it retained it's stock displacement it was ok. So no superbike overbore. That was what was discussed last I heard...