Age Cutoff for Mini Classes

[bpoteet4]

We had the issue come up again yesterday at the races regarding whether we use AMA age (age as of Jan 1st of the year) or actual age (birthday) as the age to class someone in - for example, does someone with a July birthday that will be 10 years old run with the 65cc 7-9 class in August or does he have to move up to the 65cc 10-12 class?

The Waco Eagles rule as explained to me when the boys moved up from the 50cc 4-6 class to the 50cc 7-9 class was that if they'd had their birthday, they'd have to move up - we don't run AMA rules.

I looked on the amamotocross site. Here is an excerpt from their rulebook on Youth rules:

*d. A rider’s age on January 1 will determine his/her age for the year.
However, a rider may move to the next higher age class (within the
youth division only) if he/she will be eligible to do so at any time
during the year, but once a rider moves to the higher age class in
AMA or non AMA competition, he/she may not move back to the
lower age class. Riders are encouraged to determine at the beginning
of the points season which age class they will participate in for
the points season /year. Points earned in a lower age class will not
transfer to the higher age class.

Please note that if someone moved up at the Waco Eagles track to a higher class because they had already had their birthday, they would be ineligible to run the lower class in an AMA race, even if they were the lower age on January 1st as in the AMA rules. I agree that if we want to attract riders that race AMA - we need to change this Waco Eagles rule. I think that this needs to be decided - in or out of a board meeting - and whatever the new rule is - it needs to be applied to everyone equally. I couldn't find reference to this "rule" in anything on the web site regarding club rules, so I'm not sure it will take a vote?

Brenda

[DaddyFlea]

Brenda just my .02 cents but this would be up to the race promoter who is running the races that day. With the AMA rule it is kind of a no brainer that they need to have age as of 01/01 though.

If the question is for the 50s our classes run 7-9 instead of 7-8

[nicma100]

Seems I recall this very subject!!!!!!!

[bpoteet4]

daddyflea said:

Brenda just my .02 cents but this would be up to the race promoter who is running the races that day. With the AMA rule it is kind of a no brainer that they need to have age as of 01/01 though.

If the question is for the 50s our classes run 7-9 instead of 7-8

Danny,

I have to disagree -- that's the current problem. If we leave it up to the person running the races that day, then we have the situation we have now where the rules are one thing at one race and another thing at another race. I'm just saying we need to change the age determination date if that's what we're going to do. Let's make it the January 1st AMA age for EVERYONE - if that's what we're going to do.

The question is not for the 50's - it was brought up this weekend by an 85 rider who also rides AMA. He is 12 (in March), but by AMA rules he's 11. At our track, by the current rules - he would ride 12-15 but if he did that then he would disqualify himself from running AMA 7-11 this year. So it affects more than just 50's.

Brenda

[Blazing MX]

My recommendation is that we follow as closely as possible the AMA rules whe it comes to age. The problem as I see it with the AMA in Texas, and the southwest, is that there are fewer AMA santioned events (tracks) and our riders are spread out over such a larger area (geometrically speaking) than in areas of the country. If the tracks in this part of the country were pulling in full gates for every class on a weekly basis then it would be a no brainer to follow the rules. Since we don't have that level of participation it isn't practical or affordable to walk the line. This is also a reason why ot is so difficult for our riders to compete in large AMA santioned events because the rules have been bent for so long. AMA considers the C class, (novice) the beginner class. The D class isn't a recognized class, it's an outlaw class so to speak.

To follow the AMA rules for age brackets is what we should do in my opinion. To black flag a rider because he's fast is certainly within our rights as a track operator. Our bigger bike classes are set up in such a way that they will not interfere with any AMA rules. It is up for the racer to monitor themselves and when entering a race to place themself in the appropriate class. If they do not enter in an approriate class and get bumped up then no harm is done. I have seen true beginners that are very fast and they should be proud of thier accomplishents. To get bumped up is an honor however I believe that they should have the opportunity to shine in that class. In other words not get bumped up without ever having the opportunity to compete in a class.

My #1 gripe! I've never heard this from a kid but I have heard so many adults speak these words and it makes me sick to hear, "It's been more than 2 months since I got to race so I entered the beginner class." Most of these are 20+ aged riders and most are at least strong novice riders. I never wanted to be the cream of the crap (no offense intended to the beginner riders.

[cyclepop]

So.... Since Gage does not turn 10 until April 28, can he still participate in the 7-9 65cc class at Waco for the rest of 2006?? I would rather keep him there for the rest of the year, cause he is not ready for a 85cc, and is not setting the track on fire on the 65. I know he can ride the open 65cc, however he likes to run the 2 classes for more riding time. Also in the series there is a 65cc 10-12 class, but this is not a normal class at Waco??

[bpoteet4]

That's what I'm proposing -- he was 9 on Jan 1st, so he would run as a 9 year old all year. If you move him up here at Waco to 10-12, then went to any AMA race at Village or somewhere -- someone could protest you running in the 7-9 class, which is what you would do there to follow AMA rules. So I think, to avoid messing anyone up that races AMA, the easiest thing for WEMC to do is to change our age determination to the 1/1 date and follow that. I'm not saying we need to run our races under AMA rules (someone asked that in another thread).

Also, as far as the 65 10-12 class -- yes, you are right we usually don't have enough to run that age group -- but at this last race, we actually had 3 riders on 65's in that age group. I think that class is going to grow in the next year or so -- Austin Brem is going to turn 10 in September -- I think he's the right size to stay on his 65 rather than moving up to 85, Reyce Bogardus just raced for the first time this month (did great!) so that's another that will be in there, and if you leave Gage in there starting 1/1 - that would be at least 3 there, if not a few more. The boys will turn 9 this July, so they have another 1 1/2 years in the 7-9 age group and then we'll make our decision on whether they are still the right size to be on a 65 or 85. I am not going to rush them onto an 85 -- Mom's not ready for that! ;D

Brenda

[dadwood1]

Ron, I have the same issue with Ty, he will be 10 in May but he just started riding ( #99 Kawasaki 65) this year. We were at Corsicana for the start of the series with Waco, but out of town last week. However, I'm not going to let him race if he has to move up next month. He is nowhere near ready for that. My other son Austin just started riding this year as well and he turned 7 on Feburary 22 on this year and he was made to ride in the 50 7-9. I started to not let him race, but he pitched a fit about it. He did OK but it is very discouraging to be out there with the 7-9 kids and not have any experience. Ty will be 10 soon so his season may be over for a while.

[cyclepop]

If we run the "AMA" rules, he will be OK for this year. Ty & Gage are really close as far a abilities and seat time. If Waco adopts the 10-12 class, that would be ok as well (Next year). Gage is not ready to step up to a 85 as far as ability, seat time and being a bit vertically challenged.

As far as the series is concerned, I checked and the age at the start of the series is the class they can run. Did this prior to signing up in Corsicana. So Ty is cool!!!

Hopefully, this rest of the year will be cleared up soon??

Missed ya guys last week, Gage asked about Ty, and I had to remind him you were out of town.

See ya all in Corsicana!

[bpoteet4]

Ron,

There is a 65 cc 10-12 class at Waco -- up until about a year ago there were enough kids in it to make a class, then that group moved up to 85's (Garrett Saulter, Kyle & Keaton, and quite a few others). The 65cc 7-9 class was full of mostly 7 year olds at the time, so we are just now getting to the point where a lot of these kids are coming up on moving to the 10-12 class. We have another 1 1/2 years in the 7-9 class, but unless they have a big growth spurt between now and then, I hope that there are enough others to make a 65 cc 10-12 class or I guess we'll just be riding the 65 open ;D

Brenda

[dadwood1]

Ron, tell Gage that Ty was pretty mad about missing the race.. He really had a great time in Corsicana. The entire time we were back home all he did was talk about the race he was missing. I think my whole family knowa who Gage, Lee and Matt are. We are considering going to the Dallas SX, but have no idea where it is at. I am going to try and get directions. We will be at the Eagle tomorrow , early, before it gets too hot. then make our way to Dallas. We may practice some sunday as well. Come down if you get a chance

[cyclepop]

The SX is at Texas stadium. Real easy to get there. Call me if your coming 817-239-8131. Wish we could come down Sunday, however Gage has talked me into racing at Burleson?? Wanted a weekend off, but Gage needs the seat time. We will be at Corsicana next Saturday and then to Waco Sunday for practice.

Take I35 to Fort Worth, then East on 820, 820 to 183 towards DFW airport. Follow 183 and you will see the roofless dome on the left in Irving

[dadwood1]

We will meet you guys in Corsicana if you give me a time.. We will be at the Eagle on Sunday around 10:00....Anthony

[cyclepop]

We are leaving Fort Worth at 12:00 noon (Saturday), so we should be there about 2:00ish. Going to ride for a couple of hours, then head to Waco and camp. Want to be in Waco before dark??

Give me a call 817-239-8131

[cyclepop]

Any word on the original content of this thread. Gage turned 10 TODAY!!! Can he still run the 7-9 at Waco, or is he going to be able to run the open only???