New for 2003

BMXers have asked for more from the State (US) / Provincial (Canada) Championship series and that request has been heard. In an effort to increase State / Provincial Championship participation, the ABA will provide a new State / Provincial number plate ranking for top finishers. These custom number plates will be awarded to riders based on eligibility and a predetermined allotment ratio up to 10 positions within each age group. These State / Provincial number plates can be run at any non-national event in the respective state of issue.

All class champions will still receive the custom award plus a State / Provincial Championship #1 plate and be included in the group State / Provincial Champion photo for the BMXer.

Another dramatic change in response to rider request is the new 36 & Over age division at NATIONALS ONLY. This will include classes for Novice, Intermediate and Expert status and will meet the demand for the continually growing older classes. The local class will still remain 28 & Over and all other rules will still apply.

Keeping riders involved with BMX racing is Paramount within the ABA structure. After analyzing rider trends and local track participation demographics, the number of wins for any Intermediate to become an Expert will increase to 25 from the previous 20. Adding 5 additional win opportunities should keep a rider involved longer while giving them more preparation time for the move to the Expert class.

The ABA has always promoted the philosophy that Novice racers will race other Novice riders. Although valid in theory, that has not always proven the case within the move-up system of moto building. In the ongoing endeavor to satisfy the need for the new rider to have a fun and fair experience, a change to the Novice move-up rule has been created. During the moto building structure, Novice riders will now have the ability to check up 2 ages of the Novice category looking to form a class. This will occur before any move into the Intermediate and Expert classes will take place. (Ex. A 5 Novice, 6 Novice and 7 Novice will form a legal class rather than moving the 5 Novice rider up into the 5 Inter class or higher.)

Changes for 2003

The Race for Life will become a single point event. It is the intention to refocus the emphasis on the fight for a cure against Leukemia and Lymphoma while using the race as a fundamental promotional tool to acquire new members with the NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED measure. This change is two fold: 1). It will help reduce the number of double point events, which deplete local tracks of their regular rider base and 2). Tracks will have more availability to schedule this event during their regular race schedule and during times that school is still in sessioneven during weeknights.

To limit the confusion regarding the many different cutoff dates, there will be a unification for all structure-related deadlines to August 1 of each year. This will include team trading, district transfers, State Championship moves and Redline Cup region changes. One date will be easier to remember for all occurrences.

The ABA strongly believes in the separation of Pro and amateur racing, therefore, the ABA will adopt a NO TOLERANCE stance on amateur riders competing for cash awards. Any amateur rider that competes in ANY class of any type, which offers a cash award, will be forced to move into the PRO ranks. If an implicated rider does not meet the Pro requirements of age and skill level, then that rider will face a mandatory 6-month suspension. If youre not ready to make the move to the Pro class, do not put yourself in a position to race for cash