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Thread: 2024 Rule Change Proposal Suggestions

  1. #1
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    2024 Rule Change Proposal Suggestions

    2024 MRA Rulebook rule change proposals


    Proposals/suggestions for the 2024 Rulebook are now open and will be accepted until 11:59PM Monday October
    9th 16th (rule change proposals will not be accepted after 23:59hrs on October 9th 16th). *The deadline has been extended until 11:59PM on October 16th

    Written rule change proposals can be submitted to Dennis Stowers, or any rider representative. The preferred method would be for racers to submit rule change proposals via the 2024 rule change thread under the Rules and Tech category on the MRA forums (here).

    The rule change meeting will most likely
    take place on October 28th, from 10AM until 2PM, at Modern Vintage GTU class sponsor The Nite Owl Sports Bar & Grill. *The date, time, and location have been confirmed

    The rule change meeting is open to all members and will be held to discuss the proposed 2024 rule changes. The members attending this meeting will be encouraged to give input on the changes that will be presented to the MRA board for approval. Finalized rule changes for the 2024 season should be firmed up by the end of the year.

    When making your suggestion, be sure to cite the existing rule and what changes you are suggesting. If it is a new rule, please use the exact wording you would like to appear at the rule change meeting and possibly the rulebook.

    If you want to further discuss your rule change proposal, please start a separate thread in the Rules and Tech category on the forum.

    If you have any questions please contact Dennis Stowers rulebook.mra@gmail.com
    Last edited by Spiderman; October 4th, 2023 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Updates and Confirmation
    Dennis Stowers MRA #151
    2021-2023 MRA BoD Rider Representative - Rulebook
    Absolute Moto-Michelin
    Speedin' Motorsports

  2. #2
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    Rule change proposals and suggestions:
    E.G.,
    Current Rule: 8.5.F If you are not awarded approval, and you race, you may be disqualified, and points will be forfeited for that given race on that day.

    Proposed Rule: 8.5.F If you are not awarded approval, and you race, you may be disqualified, and points "may" be forfeited for that given race on that day.



    Current Rule: 8.4.X A brake lever guard is required to prevent accidental contact of the front brake lever

    Proposed Rule: 8.4.X A brake lever guard is highly recommended to prevent accidental contact of the front brake lever. It is not required, as an effort to accommodate riders safe use of their controls.
    Last edited by Fastt Racing; October 16th, 2023 at 04:39 PM.
    Dennis Stowers MRA #151
    2021-2023 MRA BoD Rider Representative - Rulebook
    Absolute Moto-Michelin
    Speedin' Motorsports

  3. #3
    Section 9.4 (Warning Flags) C (Ambulance Flag)

    Current:
    b. A waving Ambulance Flag indicates an ambulance and/or some other safety
    vehicles are working directly downstream. Exercise extreme caution! Do
    not pass other competitors until after the incident area. You may pass the
    ambulance if it is safe to do so.

    Proposed:
    b. A waving Ambulance Flag indicates an ambulance and/or some other safety
    vehicles are working directly downstream. Exercise extreme caution! Do
    not pass other competitors until after the incident area. You may not pass the
    ambulance if it is moving on the track surface.

    Reason:
    Align rulebook with practices requested by Western Ambulance

    Section 9.5 (General Race Operating Procedures)

    Current:
    H. A countdown staging signal may be displayed at the start/finish line, at which
    time any riders who have not taken their assigned grid positions may be
    required by the MRA Officials to start the race from behind the last row of
    gridded riders.

    Proposed:
    H. A countdown staging signal may be displayed at pre-grid, at which
    time any riders who have not taken their assigned grid positions may be
    required by the MRA Officials to start the race from behind the last row of
    gridded riders. Riders who arrive at pre-grid after the countdown has ended will start the race from pit road.

    Reason:
    We have a (30 second?) countdown clock at pre-grid that starts once bikes are released, and if a rider doesn't arrive at pre-grid in time, they start the race from hot-pit.

    Section 10.6 (Novice Status Definition)
    Current:
    F. Novices may not practice in Expert sessions except when a practice is specified
    as “combined “.

    Proposed:
    Remove this section, as practice sessions are no longer split between Novices and Experts

    Reason:
    Align rulebook with current practices.


    Section 10.7 (Expert Status Definition)
    Current:
    D. Experts may not practice in Novice sessions except when a practice is specified
    as “combined “.

    Proposed:
    Remove this section, as practice sessions are no longer split between Novices and Experts

    Reason:
    Align rulebook with current practices.


    Section 13.1 (Paddock/Pit Regulations and Requirements)
    Current:
    B. Paddock area speed limit: 10 MPH MAXIMUM! This includes race bikes and pit
    vehicles (pit motorbikes, bicycles, cars, skateboards, etc.). Fines and/or
    penalties may be assessed, and/or MRA Officials may impound equipment.

    Proposed:
    B. Paddock area speed limit: 10 MPH MAXIMUM! This includes race bikes and pit
    vehicles (pit motorbikes, bicycles, cars, skateboards, Onewheel, etc.). Fines and/or
    penalties may be assessed, and/or MRA Officials may impound equipment.

    Reason:
    Onewheels have become increasingly popular, and are too easy to go fast on


    Section 14.5 (Appeals to a Protest Decision)
    Current:
    A. Appeals may be made as to the official’s decision(s) in a protest as well as the
    penalties imposed.

    B. Within a period of 60 minutes following the decision on a protest, either the
    protesting rider or protested rider must give notice if he/she is exercising
    his/her right to an appeal.

    Proposed:
    A. Appeals may be made as to the official’s decision(s) in a protest as well as the
    penalties imposed.

    B. In the event of a protest that does not require any mechanical disassembly
    (e.g. class eligibility), the MRA will do its best to inform the protested rider that
    they are being protested; including paging them over the PA/Loudspeaker, and
    calling the phone number they have provided to the MRA (in their racer profile).

    C. Within a period of 60 minutes following the decision on a protest, either the
    protesting rider or protested rider must give notice if he/she is exercising
    his/her right to an appeal.

    Reason:
    Non-mechanical protests do not currently inform a rider they are being protested.
    Last edited by Spiderman; October 10th, 2023 at 09:15 AM.
    Bob - #46
    MRA President (2024) - Vice President (2022-2023)
    "Racing makes heroin addiction seem like a vague wish for something salty." - Peter Egan
    Colorado Sportbike Club | 4 Horsemen Racing | R.I.P. 502
    Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it isn't the end!

  4. #4
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    9.5.C. Grid positions for all other classes will be determined as follows:
    9.5.C.a. For the first race of the season grids will be based on the previous season’s
    championship points in that class, then by order in which entries are
    received by the MRA.
    9.5.C.b. For the second race and subsequent races, grid positions will be based on
    season to date points in that class.
    9.5.C.c. Late entries will be gridded behind all early entries regardless of season to
    date points, and will be in the order in which they are received by the MRA.
    Late entries will be assessed a $40 late fee (see Section 11.2).

    Grids for the sprint races will be set by 2 timed qualifying/practice sessions on Saturday. Riders must post one qualifying time per motorcycle from either session. The fastest time will be used to grid the rider in each class for that motorcycle. The rider is not allowed to qualify the same motorcycle in both sessions and use their best time from the two sessions. However, if a rider has circumstances that he/she was not able to make their designated qualifying session, they may request special circumstances from race direction to qualify in an alternate session. If a rider has two (2) or more motorcycles entered into different classes, he/she must qualify each motorcycle in the appropriate class.


    Qualifying groups are as follows:
    • Open Expert
    • Open Amateur/Novice
    • Middleweight Expert
    • Middleweight Amateur/Novice
    • Lightweight Expert/Amateur/Novice

    This is reflective of most other originations including but not limited to CVMA, WERA and MotoAmerica. With the MRA being a MotoAmerica sanctioned club and a starting point to MotoAmerica it is imperative that our practices align with other clubs.
    Last edited by DanSpur19; October 16th, 2023 at 05:33 PM.

  5. #5
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    Current:
    14.5. APPEALS TO A PROTEST DECISION

    14.5.D. Appeals must be delivered in person at the raceday office, or mailed to the MRA
    with a USPS postal mark no later than 48 hours from the time of decision on
    the protest. All appeals must be accompanied with cash or certified funds in the
    amount of $300. Within 10 days of the appeal, the appellant and the MRA
    Officials involved in the protest decision must file statements and documents
    pertaining to their position on the matter. All filings are to be made to the MRA
    offices PO box listed in the Foreword of this rulebook.

    14.5.E. Within two weeks of the appeal, the MRA Board of Directors shall appoint a
    three-member Appeals Board. The appellant will be given written notice of the
    location and time of the Appeals Board hearing, and may appear on their own
    behalf. MRA Officials will determine the time and place of the hearing.


    Proposed:
    14.5. APPEALS TO A PROTEST DECISION OR PENALTY

    14.5.D Within 48 hours of being informed about the decision on the protest/penalty,
    the racer may appeal the decision.
    Appeals must be delivered in person at the raceday
    office, emailed to the board of directors, or mailed to the MRA
    with a USPS postal mark no later than 48 hours from the time of decision on
    the protest/penalty. All appeals must be accompanied with cash or certified funds in the
    amount of $300; appeals made via email must make arrangements with the MRA
    Treasurer to pay the $300 before the appeal process can continue
    .
    Within 10 days of the appeal, the appellant and the MRA
    Officials involved in the protest decision must file statements and documents
    pertaining to their position on the matter. All filings are to be made to the MRA
    offices PO box listed in the Foreword of this rulebook.

    14.5.E
    Within two weeks of the appeal, the MRA Board of Directors shall appoint a
    three-member Appeals Board; in the case of a Penalty, to avoid conflict of interest, the
    Appeals Board should not include the Board Member who initiated the Penalty
    .
    The appellant will be given written notice of the
    location and time of the Appeals Board hearing, and may appear on their own
    behalf. MRA Officials will determine the time and place of the hearing.


    Written on behalf of Robert McCoy
    Last edited by Spiderman; October 10th, 2023 at 09:21 AM. Reason: Clarification

  6. #6
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    Rule change submission:

    Current Rule:
    3.7.B. Modern Vintage motorcycles must use a frame and engine case 15 years old or
    older, as determined by manufacturer’s model year. Example: for 2023, the
    manufacturer’s model year must be 2008 or older.

    Suggested change
    3.7.B. Modern Vintage motorcycles must use a frame and engine case 15 years old or
    older, as determined by manufacturer’s model year. Example: for 2023, the
    manufacturer’s model year must be 2008 or older.
    3.7.B.1 Modern vintage will be split into two categories which will qualify, grid and race together, and be defined as "Modern Vintage Pre 2006" and Modern Vintage Post 2006" with each category awarding points to riders in that category.

    Reason:
    It is widely acknowledged that the 2006 onward R6 has a significant competitive advantage over other motorcycles of similar vintage due to significant technological advances. As we enter 2024, there will be 4 models years of the R6 eligible (2006, 7, 8 and 9) for modern vintage which provides a significant disadvantage for those competing in the class on machines of a 2005 and older model year.
    With so many model years of a bike that was produced in such large numbers, it is inevitable that this class will essentially have two separate races occurring concurrently, whether we recognize them as separate or not, due to the volume 2006 onwards R6 bikes in existence.
    This change enables riders on older machines to remain involved in a class in which their machines can be competitive, without adding additional races to the weekend schedule, and without placing an arbitrary ban on specific models, or model years, of motorcycles.

    Written on behalf of Tim Ellis.
    Codey Chewning
    #291

  7. #7
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    Submission from Ray Thornton -

    Section 9.10.B Race of the Rockies point award for Qualifying in 1st position. Rider will receive 1 point for qualifying in 1st position overall.
    AMA Pro Racing did this several years ago. It would add a little more drama to qualifying and an incentive/reward to putting in the fastest time. which is not an easy feat I know this proposal has been submitted in the past and been voted down. I don't understand the reasoning for not doing this.


    9.10.C Class Championship points total - drop the one worst finish of the season.
    Obviously, this needs to be more extensively explained and better worded. This allows one "throw away" race and doesn't destroy a racer's chance for a championship if they can't make a race for whatever reason: crash, have a mechanical, etc. I think overall this may help race entries over the course of the season. Right now, if a racer misses a race weekend due to family commitments, illness, work, or whatever, they are pretty much screwed as far as the championships go. If you miss one early round, it's much easier to skip more races because you're out of the points chase anyway. I think this concession is needed even more because of the 8 racing events planned for next season. It's already difficult to make 7 races.

    I know these proposals may seem selfish, but they really aren't. I think they would add excitement and long-term benefits to the MRA.
    Dennis Stowers MRA #151
    2021-2023 MRA BoD Rider Representative - Rulebook
    Absolute Moto-Michelin
    Speedin' Motorsports

  8. #8
    15.8 General Team Guidelines
    (A) - please clarify the definition of a team to specify how many people total; max number of crew; max number of signalers, and; if "Family" (non-crew & non-signaler) passes should be made available.

    15.9 Special Endurance Procedures (F)

    Current:
    Pony Express riders will only have their transponder transferred by or under the direction of an MRA Official.

    Proposed:
    Pony Express riders who have crashed will only have their transponder transferred by or under the direction of an MRA Official.

    Reason:
    Clarification.
    Bob - #46
    MRA President (2024) - Vice President (2022-2023)
    "Racing makes heroin addiction seem like a vague wish for something salty." - Peter Egan
    Colorado Sportbike Club | 4 Horsemen Racing | R.I.P. 502
    Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it isn't the end!

  9. #9
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    •Ducati 749s legal for light weight classes due to competitive parody.
    •749r to be legal in super twins GTU die to competitive parody
    •Any 800cc twin that qualifies for modern vintage to be legal for light weight classes.

  10. #10
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    The proposal period is now closed. Thank you for your suggestions. See everyone at the Nite Owl on Oct 28th at 10am for the meeting. Thank you for your participation!
    Dennis Stowers MRA #151
    2021-2023 MRA BoD Rider Representative - Rulebook
    Absolute Moto-Michelin
    Speedin' Motorsports

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