2009 GNCC Racing Amateur Rules

The Grand National Cross Country Supplemental Rulebook was posted final on January 12, 2009. Changes from the 2008 GNCC rule book are posted in red. Revised 01/06/09

The following rules and regulations supplement the AMA Amateur Competition Rules, and are solely applicable to Grand National Cross Country events. Please direct all questions and inquiries to Racer Productions, Inc. All decisions by Racer Productions are final.

GENERAL RULES:

1. NO Spectator or Pit riding permitted.

2. Riders are responsible for the actions of their entire pit crew.

3. Riders will be disqualified for riding a GNCC course during the 7 days prior to

the first day of the event.

RIDER ELIGIBILITY AND CLASSIFICATION:

1. "A" Classes

a. All riders in the top 10 overall ranking in any regional or state hare scrambles series.

b. All "B" Class Champions and "B" riders ranked second or third in the previous year's GNCC who won at least four races.

c. All riders that have ever qualified for the American ISDE Trophy or Junior teams, excluding the Masters/Golden Masters class.

d. All riders that have an "A" ranking in any other off-road series. This applies to both AMA and non-AMA sanctioned events.

e. Age Divisions - "B" riders who won four or more races the previous year.

2. "B" Classes

a. All "C" class championships in the previous year's GNCC.

b. All "C" riders ranked in the top five of their class earning at least 50% of the points earned by the class champion in the previous year's GNCC. Ranking is based on year-end series points and not the banquet awards.

c. All riders that have a "B" ranking in any other off-road series. This applies to both AMA and non-AMA sanctioned events.

d. "B" riders placing in the top 20 overall at any given event will be moved to the "A" class the following event.

e. Age Divisions: "C" riders ranked in the top five of their class earning at least 50 percent of the points earned by the class champion in the previous year's GNCC are eligible to advance to the next younger "C" division, in lieu of advancing to "B", if applicable. Ranking is based on year-end series points and not the banquet awards. Once this option is exercised, the rider must remain in the younger age division for at least 5 years.

3. "C" Classes: Novice skill level riders and riders that do not otherwise qualify as an "A" or "B" level rider.

4. First Year Racer: Limited to riders competing in their first year of organized competition racing or the non-competitive casual rider. Class is not eligible for national points, series awards or contingency.

5. Sportsman: Restricted to "A" and "B" skill level riders not eligible for any other morning class. Class is not eligible for national points, series awards or contingency.

6. Women Novice (ATV): Limited to Beginner and Novice level riders. Only the previous year's class champion will be required to advance to the Women's class.

7. Age Divisions: For all classes, age is determined by the rider's age on January 1. For amateur competition only, a rider may voluntarily advance to a higher age group if he meets the minimum age requirements on the date of the event. Once a rider advances to the higher age group, he may not return to the younger age division.

8. Rider Age: Bike amateur riders must be at least 12 years old to race, with the exception of the youth classes. ATV amateur riders must be at least 16 years old to race, with the exception of the Sport, Schoolboy and youth classes.

9. Changing Classes: A rider may petition to move to a lower classification based on class finishes and time differences. However, in order to do so, the rider must first petition his/her AMA district or the AMA Off-Road Manager for reclassification, and provide Racer Productions with a copy of the granted petition, prior to racing a GNCC event in the lower classification.

10. Rider Advancement: Riders advanced in their local series prior to completion of the GNCC series may continue to race in the GNCC class in which they started, so long as they do not voluntarily race in the higher classification prior to the start of the next season of the local series, i.e., SETRA, SERA, WORCS, etc..

MACHINE ELIGIBILITY AND CLASSIFICATION:

A. BIKES

1. Open: 251cc and over single cylinder bike engine, so long as the cylinder is stamped with the correct engine displacement.

2. Super Mini: (80-112cc 2-strk; 75-150cc 4-strk) Max. Wheels: Front 19"; Rear 16". Big wheel and small wheel models permitted.

3. Trail: (70-150cc 4-strk) Air cooled models only. Class is not eligible for national points, series awards or contingency.

B. ATV

1. Production Rule: OEM motor and matching frame combination model. Frame geometry must remain as designed by the OEM, including all suspension pivot points. Engine modifications, frame reinforcements, and aftermarket A-arms, swing-arms and suspension are permitted. AMA homologation required, i.e., 100 identical machines available.

2. Sport (15+): (201-400cc) 2-wheel drive production models. Modifications are permitted. No engine displacement reduction permitted.

3. 4x4 Open: (501-850cc) 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive shaft or chain driven automatic transmission/clutch production models that come with rack or rack availability as standard equipment.

4. 4x4 Lites: (201-500cc) 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive shaft or chain driven automatic transmission/clutch production models that come with rack or rack availability as standard equipment.

5. 4x4 Limited: (201-850cc) 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive shaft or chain-driven automatic transmission/clutch production models that come with rack or rack availability as standard equipment.

The following limited items cannot be changed or added:

Internal or external motor components; exhaust system; clutch; steering stem; steering stabilizer; reservoirs; fuel tank; quick fuel system; tire balls. Motor and power output must remain as the factory intended. Front shocks and front/rear springs can be changed; reservoirs cannot be added; rear shocks cannot be changed. No other suspension or steering components may be changed.

6. U2: (201-840cc) 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive shaft or chain-driven automatic transmission/clutch production models that do not have rack or rack availability as standard equipment, i.e., Wolverine, Renegade, Scrambler, V-Force.

7. Schoolboy (13-15): (91-200cc 2-strk; 91-300cc 4-strk) production models. No engine displacement reduction permitted.

8. Super Mini (12-15): (70-105cc 2-strk; 75-150cc 4-strk) production models. Manual and automatic clutch models eligible. Cobra models are restricted to this class. Riders on 126cc--150cc 4-stroke machines must be at least 13 years old.

9. 90 Limited: (71-90cc 2-strk; 75-125cc 4-strk) production models. The following may be changed: tires (but no tire balls), wheels (cannot change stock width), pipe, sprockets, gearing, clutch, twist throttle, handlebars, grips, handle bar pads, front bumper, rear grab bar, air filter and jetting. Fenders may be trimmed. No other modifications allowed INCLUDING carburetors, oil injection, air box and lid, gas tank, wheelbase, width, rear axle, A-arm, shocks and suspension. Manual clutch models are not eligible and cannot be converted to auto clutch.

10. 70 CVT: (51-70cc) CVT production models.

C. UTV

Coming Soon

EQUIPMENT:

The AMA Equipment Standards List in Chapter 3 of the Amateur Competition Rule Book applies. In addition, the following apply:

1. All machines must have silencers. Machines may be tested by officials any time prior to, during or after the event.

2. The machine a rider leaves the starting line on is the official machine of the rider for that event, and may not be switched during the event.

3. No rider is allowed to carry gasoline except inside his machine's fuel tank.

4. All machines must have a working kill switch (bikes) or tether cord (ATV).

5. No horns, bells or other sound devices are permitted on machines.

6. Machine sound level cannot exceed 99 dBs.

7. All riders contesting the series are required to comply with the number plate color code. (see Class Chart)

REGISTRATION:

1. Riders may only enter one race per day.

2. Riders under the age of 18 must provide a photo I.D with proof of age upon request by an official, and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at registration.

3. Riders must register for the race before riding their machine anywhere, may not exceed 1st gear idle when traveling to/from their pit area, and must always wear a helmet. Warm-up riding is limited to the start area and only after an official has given permission and the rider has registered for the event.

4. Riders must first obtain a transponder. The cost to purchase a transponder is $60. The unit has a 2-year warranty. Units can be rented per event for a $10 rental fee (with a $50 refundable deposit). Units can be purchased and rented at each event. For best results, mount the unit on the front fender.

Units can be purchased and rented at each event. For best results, mount the unit on the front fender.

TransponderMounting

5. At registration, riders will key in their transponder unit number and will receive a bar code and a colored helmet tag. Bar Code Scoring will be the emergency back-up scoring system. Place the bar code on the lower left chin side of the helmet; place the colored helmet tag on the back of the helmet. Helmet tags may not be trimmed less than 3".

BarCodePlacement

6. All machines and rider helmets must be taken through Tech Inspection prior to racing for the purpose of inspecting transponder functioning, barcode placement, number assignment and contingency eligibility. Safety equipment and machine eligibility are the sole responsibility of the rider.

START PROCEDURE:

1. Riders shall line up on their assigned starting row on a first come basis when directed by the race official. No one is permitted on the starting line until authorized.

2. The Riders Meeting will be conducted on the starting line before the start of each race. All riders are responsible for attending.

3. All starts are dead engine (excepting youth ATV). The start procedure will be as follows:

a. The blue flag will signal all riders to shut down their engines.

b. 30 seconds later the Referee will extend his arm to signal "10 Seconds"

before the start of the race. At the "10 Seconds" signal, all crewmembers

must step behind the riders.

c. Between 8 and 10 seconds, the green flag will be thrown, signaling the

start of the race.

4. Riders starting their machines prior to the green flag signal, or taking off with the wrong row will be penalized.

5. Riders missing the start of their class must enter the racecourse at the starting line and complete the start chute.

6. ATV riders are required to start the event with their tether cord properly affixed.

7. ATV Super Mini class will be a dead engine start. All other youth ATV classes will be a live engine start.

SCORING:

1. Transponder scoring is the official scoring procedure for GNCC.

2. There will be three checkpoints throughout the race course: One at the Finish Line and two Outpost checkpoints. Riders must come to a complete stop at the Finish Line checkpoint, but not at the Outpost checkpoints.

3. Checkpoints will be "No Passing" zones. The section from the Finish Line to the scoring area is a "No Passing" zone. In addition, checkpoints will be marked with double arrows.

4. Riders may not be serviced or pitted in the area between the Finish Line and the Finish Line Checkpoint or in the area immediately after the Finish Line Checkpoint.

THE COURSE:

1. A GNCC course may include trails, footpaths, roads, hills, motocross tracks, or any type of terrain which can be negotiated by a bike or ATV.

2. The course will be open to inspection on Friday after 3:00 p.m. Participants are permitted to walk or bicycle the course only.

3. Marking, cutting, tampering with or otherwise changing the course in any manner is strictly prohibited. Course modifications may only be made by an official.

4. No one, except officials and riders officially entered, may ride on the race course at any time during the event.

ON TRACK REGULATIONS:

1. Riders must remain on the marked course. The marked course is within 25 feet of race arrows. However, riders must stay within the confines of the following markers: double arrows posted on both sides of the trail, ribbons, signs, stakes, hay bales, barrels, motocross track, grass track, etc..

2. Riders encountering a traffic jam or bottleneck may not go more than 25 feet off the course to get around the bottleneck only. The rider must re-enter the course as soon as possible, and upon approaching this section the next lap, must ride the original arrowed section if the track is clear. If the original marking devices are knocked down, the rider must stay on the original marked course. A "bottleneck" is a section of the track that becomes impassable for any reason, with the exception of check points.

3. Riders may not cut to the inside of a white pole corner marker.

4. If a rider leaves the course for any reason he must re-enter where he left.

5. Riders may make repairs and otherwise receive mechanical assistance anywhere along the course from anyone. All such repairs and assistance must be made without causing interference with other riders and in a suitable area off the racetrack.

6. Radios are permitted between pit crew members, but not with or between riders.

7. No rider may ride in such a manner as to endanger life or limb of other riders, officials or the public. Riders will be penalized for the reckless operation of their machine or for running into an official.

8. Unsportsmanlike conduct or the deliberate ramming, blocking, or intentional contact with another rider will result in a penalty.

9. Team Tactics include blocking, allowing another rider to pass in order to affect the outcome of the race, or exchanging machines in order for another rider to continue the race. Riders involved will be penalized.

RACE FINISHES:

1. The race officially ends for all contestants at the completion of the lap in which the checkered flag is displayed to the winner.

2. To be considered as having completed a lap, the rider and his machine must cross the plane of the checkered flag under the rider's own unaided ability. Towing is not allowed. If a machine is towed in from the course, that lap will not count.

3. Riders will be scored in order of finish and laps completed. It is not necessary to complete all laps in order to be scored.

4. Results: Racers have 50 minutes to finish the race after the overall winner takes the checkered flag. It is the rider's responsibility to make sure he has all scans. Missing scans may result in a penalty. A rider may question the results within the 30-minute period following posting of the final results. After 30 minutes, awards will be given out.

5. Awards are given at the rate of 1 per 3 riders, with a minimum of 5 awards per class. To win an award, a rider must complete 50% of the laps of the class winner.

6. Impound: After the race, the top three overall riders, as well as any other rider requested by an official to do so, must leave their machines at a designated impound area until released by the official.

7. Protests must be in writing and comply with the AMA Amateur Competition Rule Book, Protest Procedure.

8. Penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the official based on the severity of the offense, and may include one or more of the following: position(s), lap(s), time adjustment, disqualification, suspension, loss of championship points, fine, probation.

NATIONAL AMATEUR CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Amateur Class Championships will be determined by the rider's best finishes in the minimum number of events required. A rider must enter the minimum number of events required in order to be eligible for series awards and national class ranking. The minimum number of events does not have to be in the same class, but only one race per weekend shall count. Class championships will be determined by the rider's best finishes in the minimum number of events required.

Amateur	9 minimum
Youth	8 minimum
UTV	3 minimum

Points will be earned in each class per event as follows:

FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS
1^st	20	6^th	15	11^th	10	16^th	5
2^nd	19	7^th	14	12^th	9	17^th	4
3^rd	18	8^th	13	13^th	8	18^th	3
4^th	17	9^th	12	14^th	7	19^th	2
5^th	16	10^th	11	15^th	6	20^th	1

Ties: Ties for the class championship will be broken by the most first place finishes, and then by the best finish in the final race of the season if necessary. Ties for other amateur class positions will be broken by the best finish in the final race of the season.

NATIONAL OVERALL NUMBER ASSIGNMENT:

The electronic scoring system provides a complete overall race finish for each event. National numbers will be assigned based on a 500-point structure per event. However, the top 20 National Numbers will be based on the following 30-point structure:

FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS	FINISH	POINTS
1^st	30	6^th	15	11^th	10	16^th	5
2^nd	25	7^th	14	12^th	9	17^th	4
3^rd	21	8^th	13	13^th	8	18^th	3
4^th	18	9^th	12	14^th	7	19^th	2
5^th	16	10^th	11	15^th	6	20^th	1

National Numbers will be awarded to the top 20 overall first, regardless of the number of events entered. Numbers will then be assigned to the remaining 1 PM riders starting at Number 21. Final National Numbers for 10 AM race participants will start at number 201.

Bike Numbers 101, 111 through 119, and 174 are reserved for visiting champions.

Amateur classes: In order to qualify for a national number, a rider must enter the following minimum number of events, which need not be in the same class. A rider may improve his national number ranking by participating in as many as the maximum number of events below:

Amateur	9min.	11max.
Youth	8min.	8max.
UTV	3min.	3max.

Ties: Ties in the top 20 National Numbers will be broken by the most first place finishes, then by the most second place finishes, etc., as necessary. Ties for remaining national numbers will be broken by the higher overall finish in the final race of the season.

A rider with an earned national number may reserve a lower ranking (numerically higher) national number, if available.

2009 GNCC Racing Amateur Rules

Share