Rules of Competition « National Bicycle League

Rules of Competition

January 4, 2010 at 3:21 PM

Revised 03/01/2010

2010 Rule Changes
Preface
Purpose
Chapter 1 – Officials
Chapter 2 – Track Personnel
Chapter 3 – General Forms of Competition
Chapter 4 – Levels of Competition
Chapter 5 – Classes (General)
Chapter 6 – Classes (Local)
Chapter 7 – Transfers, Awards & Points (Local)
Chapter 8 – National & Regional Class Structure
Chapter 9 – Transfers, Awards & Points (National/Regional)
Chapter 10 – Scoring
Chapter 11 – Proficiency Upgrades/Move-Up Awards
Chapter 12 – National Series
Chapter 13 – Special Events
Chapter 14 – Sanctions & Licenses
Chapter 15 – Equipment
Chapter 16 – Conduct
Chapter 17 – General Rules
Chapter 18 – Protests, Penalties & Appeals
Chapter 19 – Regional Championship Series
Chapter 20 – National Series
Chapter 21 – Rainouts
Chapter 22 – Medical Control
Chapter 23 – State Structure

2010 RULE CHANGES

Chapter 1: Officials

F. Stager – The staging officials must maintain order in the staging lanes and assist the race participants in their progress to the starting gate. A visual check for proper safety equipment shall be done in staging. The Head Stager must announce the moto numbers, the age group, call the rider’s name and his gate assignment. The stager will then check the rider on the sheet if present and a ‘DNS’ if not present.

G. Gate Verifier – The Gate Verifier must be positioned in front of the gate with a set of moto sheets to verify that all riders are present and in their assigned gate. It is the verifier’s responsibility to correct the rider if in wrong gate prior to the start of the cadence.

Chapter 6: Classes (Local)

- Local Class Structure: 16-29 Women Open Wheels and 30 & Over Women Open Wheels.

B – paragraph 1. Classes are combined in the following order and according to the following specific rules: 5 Novices are combined with 6 Novice. If the combined class has less than three riders, they move into the 6-year-old Expert class.

Chapter 8: National & Regional Class Structure

- National & Regional Class Structure: 16-29 Women Open Wheels and 30 & Over Women Open Wheels

C – All National events with 160 plus motos and more than 100 motos on Sunday will run two-moto transfers, including Elite Open and Elite Cruiser

Chapter 14: Sanctions & Licenses

F – 4 Masters: a rider must be 30 years of age or older and a current rider in the Expert, Super-Ex, or Elite Men class. The Expert is a move up to Masters and a Super-Ex and Elite rider to Masters is considered a move back.

G – When an amateur rider (Expert or Girl) is moved to a Professional Class they will lose all points and their ranking amateur number. When a rider is reclassified to a higher proficiency level in another sanction, then he/she must immediately upgrade in the NBL, as well, per the NBL’s age and proficiency criteria.

Chapter 15: Equipment

B – 4 Long pants are recommended. Loose pant legs must be, wrapped, tied or clipped and cannot be rolled up. BMX manufactured race shorts made of tear-resistant material which extend over the rider’s knee are permitted. Race shorts must overlap the knee and shin guard. The knee and shin guard must be of one piece and attached around the entire leg extending to the ankle.

F – 6 Helmet cams are not permitted to be used during any activity on track

Chapter 16: Conduct

B – General Conduct:

1. All participants must be in good health and may be asked to provide medical certification of their well-being if there is reason to doubt it.

2. All participants are expected to observe the various deadlines associated with the sport including without limitation: those for registration, pulling out of race with a refund, staging and filing of protests.

Chapter 18: Protests, Penalties, & Appeals

B –Penalty for racing out of class: All new NBL members who hold a license in another sanctioning organization must sign up in the same proficiency level in which they race in that organization. Exception: Criteria must fall within the NBL age and proficiency level guidelines.

Chapter 19: Regional Championship Series

1st paragraph – A rider’s best points and the championship race will determine the plate. Scores for local/state races will count from September 1 through July 18, and scores from National/Regional races will count from September 1 through July 25.

Chapter 21: Rainouts

National Rainout:

A. When two national events are scheduled during a single weekend. The first day’s event is rained out: Riders registered for both events will receive credit for two races and points for the second day’s events. No refunds! Riders registered for the first day’s event only will automatically be placed in the second day’s event unless they withdraw. By payment of an additional registration fee riders in this category may receive credit for two races and points.

B. The second day’s event is rained out: Riders registered for both events will receive credit and points for two races. The first day race results will be used for points, and trophies will be given out according to the first day’s finishes. Riders registered for the second day’s event only may request a refund or take credit for the event without earning any points.

C. Move up points will not be given for date rained out.

D. All refund requests must be filed during the Rain/Out Registration times.

Local Rainout:

A. Two rounds of motos completely ran will constitute a local race. Riders will be pointed for the two rounds completed. Trophy riders accordingly. Move-up points will be awarded to riders if the two-moto system is used. If two motos are not completed the race will not be pointed and should be rescheduled. State qualifiers that are held on two consecutive days should follow the national rainout policy

Chapter 23: State Series & Organization

E – 4 – c. Riders are required to compete at two or more local races within the state which they are qualified. (It is up to the state whether or not they want to designate the points towards the State Series).

PREFACE

The rules which follow attempt to prescribe the activity of BMX racing in as coherent and concise a manner as possible. For this reason, the words “he” and “his” are often used where the words “he or she” and “his or her” would be more correct. This convention has been consciously adopted for the sake of clarity only and should not be interpreted as an indication of gender bias on the part of the National Bicycle League.

Insofar as possible, these rules have been arranged in an orderly progression with later sections building on material already presented. Rules specific to the current year’s national and special events appear at the end of the rule book. Unusual terms (e.g. moto) or words with special meaning (e.g. race) appear in bold print where they are first used and defined. These rules do not attempt to regulate every activity associated with BMX racing under the National Bicycle League’s banner. They do not, for example, provide fee schedules, standards for awards, practice times, instructions for filling out license applications or moto sheets, and numerous other matters which will almost inevitably confound every BMX racer at some point in his career. There are numerous other sources for this information, the two most important being BMX Today, the official magazine of the National Bicycle League, and the NBL Track Manual. Although not intended, these rules may also be found to be silent, ambiguous, contradictory, or merely unpalatable, either when taken as a whole or in small parts. Questions of interpretation are the proper business first of the referee at any particular event and ultimately of the National Bicycle League’s director of competition. Complaints and suggestions for change or improvement should be voiced by writing to the director of competition and/or the Board of Directors of the NBL.

PURPOSE

The purpose of these rules is to govern the conduct of all bicycle motocross racing, practices, clinics, contests and demonstrations sanctioned by the National Bicycle League in order to provide to individuals of all ages, both sexes and varying degrees of experience, the opportunity to compete against others of similar ability. These rules provide for two separate levels of competition, local and national, and establish a context for State and Team racing that may be prescribed by such additional rules as are necessary and not inconsistent with the rules set forth herein.

CHAPTER 1: Officials

All events sanctioned by the National Bicycle League should be staffed with an adequate number of qualified licensed officials to assume all the responsibilities and perform all the duties of the positions as described below.

A. Director of Competition – The highest ranked Official within the National Bicycle League whose actions may be appealed only to the Board of Directors. The director of competition is responsible for promulgating all rules that govern the sport at the national level and for the general rules that govern the sport at the local level. He shall have the authority to rescind or amend any special rules that may be adopted by the individual tracks or state associations for their own purposes. The director of competition is the only official who can grant professional licenses (such as amateur upgrades to Elite), issue license suspensions, revocations or reinstatements, assess fines, withdraw sanctions and authorize proficiency downgrades.

B. Referee – The highest ranked official at any local or regional/national event whose actions may be appealed only to the director of competition. The referee is responsible for controlling the orderly progress of the event, for interpreting the rules governing the event, and for acting on all protests that may arise during the event. The referee’s decision is final during a race.

C. Clerk of Course – The official who is responsible for the licensing, registration and classification of all participants in an event, for scheduling the day’s races on the appropriate forms, and for submission of all race reports within 48 hours of each event to the home office of the National Bicycle League.

D. Scorer – The Scorers shall be responsible for recording in writing the finish position of every rider as he crosses the finish line in each race. The official finish positions of each race shall be determined by a simple majority of the finish line scorers.

E. Inspectors – Inspectors shall be responsible for inspecting every rider’s bicycle and safety equipment prior to events to assure compliance with the rules within.

H. Corner Marshal (Race Officials) – The race officials shall be responsible for monitoring the conduct of the riders on the track and signal to the referee and other officials by means of radio and or flags of any conditions, which warrant their attention. The referee shall determine the number of officials necessary for an event. Officials must be stationed along the track at the corners and near obstacles and jumps. The officials shall make written notes of any rule infringements or incidents that they witness. These notes shall be made available upon request by the referee.

I. Flags – A yellow flag displayed by a race official indicates the approximate location of a dangerous condition on the track, which riders should avoid during the progress of their race. A red flag displayed by a race official indicates that the race has been stopped. Riders should continue racing under a yellow flag and return to the starting gate when a red flag is displayed.

CHAPTER 2: Track Personnel (Non-Official Capacity During Events)

A. Track Director – It is the track director’s responsibility to have the track ‘race’ ready and safe for the riders. He shall arrange for the equipment necessary to conduct a race. Arrange for personnel to display sponsor banners, schedules, moto sheets, etc. He is required to help establish and maintain the timetable of events. He will enlist and organize an official and volunteer staff in numbers, which are commensurate with the size of the event.

B. Track Announcer – The track announcer shall be responsible for making announcements concerning the event and informing riders, spectators and officials of any changes to the race schedule or any other pertinent information.

C. Race Announcer – The race announcer shall provide a commentary of all races for the benefit of the spectators. He shall not comment on any matter which is opposed to the interests of the NBL or to the sport of BMX in general. Neither shall he pre-judge the results of the race or comment on possible rule infractions which he may observe.

CHAPTER 3: General Forms of Competition

A. A race is an officially recognized contest between not less than two nor more than eight riders who are all given the opportunity:

1) to leave the starting line at a common signal,

2) to traverse the entire track from start to finish, and

3) to have the order of their finishes recorded by official scorers.

B. An event is the complete collection of races necessary to determine overall winners for every class or combined class of competition in which there are registered participants.

C. Unless an exception is made by the referee on the day of the event, every participant in an event shall be given the opportunity to compete against the same riders in three separate races (three moto transfer) or two separate races (two moto transfer) termed motos, each of which shall be uniquely identified by a single moto number and a round number, either 1, 2 or 3. The finish position of each participant at the end of the two or three motos will be based on his overall performance during these two or three races using a scoring method described under the heading, SCORING. Award positions will be determined using these finish positions unless:

There are more riders registered in the class or combined class than are allowed to compete on the track at the same time, or,

The rules governing the particular event call for a main following the conclusion of the two or three motos.

D. If the number of participants in any class or combined class in an event exceeds the maximum number permitted on the track during a race, then they shall be divided into separate heats of approximately equal size each of which shall be treated as a separate moto. Upon completion of the motos those riders meeting the transfer criteria set forth below will graduate either to a main, or if necessary because of the number of riders in the class or combined class to further elimination rounds called qualifiers, which will determine those riders who will compete in the main. In every class or combined class in which there is a main, award positions will be based solely on the finish positions in the main.

CHAPTER 4: Levels of Competition

A. These rules embrace two levels of competition, local and national, and shall apply equally to both unless separate rules are provided herein for each. Only events specifically designated as “National” events shall be governed by “National” rules. All other events shall be considered “local events” and shall be governed by “local” rules.

B. All riders in “point” classes (defined below) shall receive a specific number of local, national, or both local and national points according to their finish positions in the motos and mains at every NBL-sanctioned event in which they participate. Each rider’s points will accumulate during the local and national “point years” and may be used to determine his ranking at the local, state or national level. National number plates will be awarded annually to all riders who are qualified and who also race the NBL Grand National. Each State may award State number plates using accumulated local points or such other equitable method of ranking their riders as each state’s association may determine to be appropriate using NBL’s minimum criteria.

C. All local track/regional and national point standings can be viewed on the NBL website, www.nbl.org.

CHAPTER 5: Classes (General)

In order to provide a graduated path of development in the sport of BMX racing, participants shall be categorized into different classes defined by a number of criteria including: the rider’s age, gender, general skill level, status as an amateur or professional athlete and the wheel size of the bike he is riding. Standard BMX-style bicycles having 20” or smaller nominal diameter wheels may be used in any class that is not specifically designated for “Cruisers”, the name given to BMX bicycles with 24” or greater nominal diameter wheels. There are six generally recognized proficiency levels in the boys 20 inch classes: Rookie, Novice, Expert, Elite Men, Masters, and Super-Ex.

Girls may race 20 inch bicycles at one of three proficiency levels: Rookie, Girls, and Elite Women class. Local or National points are awarded for all Rookie, Novice, Expert, Cruiser, Girls, and Elite Women, which together comprise the “point classes”. A rider may not compete in a point class outside of their own gender group, age group and proficiency level, or in an open class outside his own age group at national events or below his own age group at local events. For the purpose of age classification, a rider shall be considered to have advanced in age by one year at the beginning of the day that marks the anniversary of his birth.

CHAPTER 6: Classes (Local)

A. At any local event riders holding the appropriate license and meeting the other criteria of the class may register in one or more of the following classes:

LOCAL CLASS STRUCTURE
Rookie (both)	Novice (boys only)	Expert (boys only)	Girls
5 & Under Rookie	5 Novice	6 Expert	5-7 Girls
6 Rookie	6 Novice	7 Expert	8 Girls
7 Rookie	7 Novice	8 Expert	9 Girls
8 Rookie	8 Novice	9 Expert	10 Girls
9 Rookie	9 Novice	10 Expert	11 Girls
10 Rookie	10 Novice	11 Expert	12 Girls
11 Rookie	11 Novice	12 Expert	13 Girls
12 Rookie	12 Novice	13 Expert	14 Girls
13 Rookie	13 Novice	14 Expert	15 Girls
14 Rookie	14 Novice	15 Expert	16 Girls
15 Rookie	15 Novice	16 Expert	17 & Over Girls
16 Rookie	16 Novice	17-18 Expert
17 & Over Rookie	17-18 Novice	19-25 Expert
4 & Under (Prez Cup)	19-25 Novice	26-34 Expert
	26-34 Novice	35-40 Expert
	35-40 Novice	41 & Over Expert
	41 & Over Novice

Girls Cruiser	Cruiser	Open	Elite
12 & Under Girls Cruiser	8 & Under Cruiser	7 & Under Open	Elite/Amateur Open
13-14 Girls Cruiser	9-10 Cruiser	8-9 Open	Elite Open
15-16 Girls Cruiser	11-12 Cruiser	10-11 Open	Elite Women
17-24 Ladies Cruiser	13-14 Cruiser	12-13 Open
25-29 Ladies Cruiser	15-16 Cruiser	14-15 Open
30-34 Ladies Cruiser	17-24 Cruiser	16-29 Open
35-39 Ladies Cruiser	25-29 Cruiser	30 & Over Open
40-44 Ladies Cruiser	30-34 Cruiser	16-29 Women Open Wheels
45 & Over Ladies Cruiser	35-39 Cruiser	30+ Women Open Wheels
	40-44 Cruiser
	45-49 Cruiser
	50 & Over Cruiser
	55 & Over (Prez Cup)

B. After the close of registration a complete schedule of the event’s motos shall be made using the following guidelines: The minimum number of riders for a local race shall be two for girls, cruiser, Rookie and open classes and three for all remaining classes. Where fewer than the minimum number of riders are registered for a class, they shall be combined with riders of another class or classes, generally of greater age or proficiency, until the minimum number necessary for a race has been met or exceeded. Classes are combined in the following order and according to the following specific rules: 5 Novices are combined with 6 Novice. If the combined class has less than three riders, they move into the 6-year-old Expert class.

The riders in each girls class having less than the minimum number necessary to make a race must be given the option of being combined either with the Novice class of their own age or with the first available girls class of an older age. If the oldest girl registered does not have a class, then she must be given the option of being combined with the Novice class of her own age or with the girls class one age group younger if that combination will meet the minimum rider requirement. In implementing this rule the option to move to the Novice class takes precedence over the option to change age brackets and a younger girl will automatically be combined with the Novices of her own age if the next older girl with whom she would otherwise be combined elects to move to the Novice class. It takes two girls to make a class at the local and state level. It takes three Novice boys to make a class at the local and state level. At the time of registration a girl must make the choice which class of competition she wishes to compete in. A girl has the option to race with girls her age or older or Novice boys her own age. If there are no Novice boys her age present, then she will be combined with the next available boys class according to the current rules of the NBL. If the girl chooses to race with the boys, even though she had a girls class, they will receive points as they finish.

It will take two Elite Women to make a class. If only one Elite Woman shows up, she can choose to race the amateur 16 or 17 & Over Girls, or the Novice or Expert boys her age. She cannot move down to a class under the age of 16.

After all the Girls class riders have made their final elections the combined Novice/Girl classes and Expert classes are further combined where necessary to meet the minimum participation requirement of three riders per race as follows: Utilizing a class hierarchy that advances from the youngest age division to the oldest, and within each age division from Novice to Expert and Expert to Novice, each incomplete class shall be combined with the next higher class until the minimum rider count has been met. If necessary, the oldest riders shall be moved down the hierarchy until they reach a combined class of three or more riders.

After the Novice and Expert classes are combined the Rookie classes are combined where necessary to meet the minimum participation of two riders per race as follows: starting with the youngest age class, if there is only one Rookie rider registered within an age group, the rider is first combined with the next higher Rookie age group. If still no class, the second move is to the Novice class of his or her age (if an Expert rider has been moved into the Novice class the Rookie is to be added). If still no class, the third move is to the next higher Rookie age group. If still no class, the fourth move is to the next higher Novice class. If still no class, the fifth move is to the Expert class of the riders age. If there is still no class, continue ascending in the same order. If and when the oldest rider of the day has no class, the first move is to the next lower Rookie age group. If no class, the second move is to the same age Novice class. If still no class, the third move is to the next lowest Rookie riders age group. If still no class, the fourth move is to the next lowest Novice age group. If still no class, the fifth move is to the Expert class of the riders age. If still no class, continue descending in the same order.

Cruiser classes are combined where necessary to meet the minimum participation of two riders per race by means of two class hierarchies as follows: Utilizing a class hierarchy that advances from the youngest age division to the 17-24 year old class. Each incomplete class shall be combined with the next higher age class until the minimum rider count has been met. If the oldest rider in this group is without a class and less than 17, he shall move back downward in the hierarchy until he finds a class, utilizing a second hierarchy that advances from the oldest age division to the 17-24 year old class. Each incomplete class shall be combined with the next youngest class until the minimum rider count has been met. If the youngest rider in this group is without a class and older than 24, then he shall move back downward on the hierarchy until he finds a class. If a single rider remains in the 17-24 year old class after performing these combinations he shall move alternately down each hierarchy a class at a time, starting with the younger side, until he finds a class.

Open classes are combined where necessary to meet the minimum participation requirement of two riders (at a local, and three riders at a National) per race utilizing a single hierarchy that advances from the youngest amateur class (7 & Under) to the oldest amateur class (14-15) in a manner similar to that described above. If necessary, the oldest open class rider shall move downward on the hierarchy until he finds a class. Open classes are a combination of age and proficiency levels that have no point value except in designated series. Open classes are offered at all events. Riders must be registered and participate in a point class before being eligible to compete in an open class. Open Wheels classes, sometimes named Money classes (16-29 and 30 & Over), are a combination of age, proficiency levels, 20 inch and Cruiser bicycles (either 20 inch, 24 inch or 26 inch bicycles may be ridden in Open Wheels classes).

C. The maximum number of riders permitted in any moto shall be six. Where more than six riders are registered in any class they shall be divided into the fewest possible number of separate motos of approximately equal rider count not exceeding six per moto nor varying among each other in number by more than one.

D. An open class called Elite Open may be offered at the local level to Super-Ex, Masters and Elite Men. Cash awards may be presented in this class. Elite/Amateur Open class shall be offered only if there are less than three elites registered and enough amateur riders, all of whom must be at least 16 years of age, registered for the class in order to meet the minimum rider count.

E. Local Rainout Policy: Two rounds of motos completely ran will constitute a local race. Riders will be pointed for the two rounds completed. Trophy riders accordingly. Move-up points will be awarded to riders if the two-moto system is used. If two motos are not completed the race will not be pointed and should be rescheduled. State qualifiers that are held on two consecutive days should follow the rainout policy, see Ch. 20: Rainouts.

CHAPTER 7: Transfers, Awards & Points (Local)

A. The overall winners in any class or combined class in which there are more than six riders scheduled to compete shall be determined by a final race of not more than eight riders called a main. Following the last round of motos, all those riders in motos with four or fewer participants, or those riders ranked fourth or better in motos with more than four participants using the Olympic scoring system described under the heading SCORING, shall transfer to the main or, if this group numbers more than eight, to a series of qualifying rounds which will reduce their number to no more than eight. Local tracks and state associations may elect to run a main event for all classes regardless of whether there are more than six riders in a class or combined class. If a main event is ran, riders will be pointed for the main. Mains will also be scheduled for all classes having six or fewer registered riders with all riders transferring to the main event provided the rider has started no less than two motos in the three-moto transfer or one moto in a two-moto transfer.

B. Qualifying events: Each generation of qualifier shall have only one round with a maximum of eight riders per race. Unlike the motos that feature three rounds of racing with a maximum of six riders per race, each generation of qualifier shall have only one round with a maximum of eight riders per race. Riders in the same class or combined class who have transferred to a qualifying round shall be divided into the fewest possible number of separate races of approximately equal rider count not exceeding eight per race nor varying among each other in number by more than one and assigned to the round which is appropriate to the number of riders remaining in the class or combined class. The top four finishers in each race of a qualifying round will transfer to the next round until no more than eight riders remain who shall transfer to the main. Each generation of qualifier is identified by its degree of removal from the main with that round closest to the main being termed a semi; that one step further away, a quarter; followed by an eighth, a sixteenth and so forth. Those qualifying rounds that are furthest from the main are run in their entirety before the next round commences.

C. Trophies or other awards are presented to riders in accordance with their finish positions as described under SCORING. Each track may adopt its own policy with regard to trophying the riders in combined classes.

D. All riders in combined classes will receive local points based on their finish positions in each moto and the main using the point chart appropriate to the highest proficiency level represented in the combined class.

CHAPTER 8: National & Regional Class Structure

A. At any National event riders holding the appropriate license and meeting the other criteria of the class may register in one or more of the following classes:

NATIONAL & REGIONAL CLASS STRUCTURE
Rookie (both)	Novice	Expert	Girls
5 & Under Rookie	5 Novice	6 Expert	5-7 Girls
6 Rookie	6 Novice	7 Expert	8 Girls
7 Rookie	7 Novice	8 Expert	9 Girls
8 Rookie	8 Novice	9 Expert	10 Girls
9 Rookie	9 Novice	10 Expert	11 Girls
10 Rookie	10 Novice	11 Expert	12 Girls
11 Rookie	11 Novice	12 Expert	13 Girls
12 Rookie	12 Novice	13 Expert	14 Girls
13 Rookie	13 Novice	14 Expert	15 Girls
14 Rookie	14 Novice	15 Expert	16 Girls
15 Rookie	15 Novice	16 Expert	17 & Over Girls
16 Rookie	16 Novice	17-18 Expert
17 & Over Rookie	17-18 Novice	19-25 Expert
4 & Under (Grands Only)	19-25 Novice	26-34 Expert
	26-34 Novice	35-40 Expert
	35-40 Novice	41 & Over Expert
	41 & Over Novice

Girls Cruiser	Cruiser	Open	Elite
12 & Under Girls Cruiser	8 & Under Cruiser	7 & Under Open	Elite Men (17+)
13-14 Girls Cruiser	9-10 Cruiser	8-9 Open	Super-Ex (16+)
15-16 Girls Cruiser	11-12 Cruiser	10-11 Open	Masters (30+)
17-24 Ladies Cruiser	13-14 Cruiser	12-13 Open	Elite Women (16+)
25-29 Ladies Cruiser	15-16 Cruiser	14-15 Open
30-34 Ladies Cruiser	17-24 Cruiser	16-29 Open
35-39 Ladies Cruiser	25-29 Cruiser	30 & Over Open
40-44 Ladies Cruiser	30-34 Cruiser	16-29 Women Open Wheels
45 & Over Ladies Cruiser	35-39 Cruiser	30+ Women Open Wheels
	40-44 Cruiser	Elite Men Open
	45-49 Cruiser
	50 & Over Cruiser
	55 & Over (Grands Only)

B. After the close of registration a complete schedule of the event’s motos shall be made using the following guidelines:

The minimum number of riders for amateur classes is three in all classes, including the Open classes. Elite Men, Elite Women, Masters, Super-Ex, Elite Men Cruiser, Elite Open and amateur money opens shall have a minimum of three riders. Where fewer than the minimum number of amateur riders are registered for a class they shall be combined with the next older age group in the class until the minimum count is met without migration across class or proficiency except in the following circumstances:

Cruisers shall be combined according to local race combination rules. If there are fewer than three Girl Cruisers at a National event, they will be combined with the Boys Cruiser class corresponding with the girl’s age.

Where there are less than a total of three riders registered in all the Girls classes at an event, each rider shall be combined with the boys Novice class corresponding with her age.

The Elite classes for Men 17+ and Women ages 16 & Over will be offered at all Elite Nationals. These classes will be for Elite Series points for year-end awards and NBL rankings. The minimum age for the Super-Ex class is 16 years old with this class being offered at all NBL Elite Nationals. The Masters Class is for riders 30 years and older, also offered at all NBL Elite Nationals. The Elite Women class will be offered at all Big A Series races for a numberplate ranking and year-end money. The Masters and Super-Ex class will be offered at three (3) Big A Plus races for Elite points.

C. The maximum number of amateur riders permitted in any moto is six. Where more than six riders are registered in any class or combined class they shall be divided into the fewest possible number of separate motos of approximately equal rider count not exceeding six per moto nor varying among each other in count by more than one. All National events with 160 plus motos and more than 100 motos on Sunday will run two-moto transfers, including Elite Open and Elite Cruiser. Regional events will run three-moto transfer unless there are 160 motos or more. EXCEPTIONS: At NBL Elite Series events, Elite Men, Masters, Super-Ex, and Elite Women will always run three motos.

D. Open classes are a combination of age and proficiency levels that have no point value except in designated series. Open classes (three (3) to make a class) are offered at all events. Riders must be registered and participate in a point class before being eligible to compete in an open class except at Regional Championships, the U.S. Open, and the President’s Cup. Open Wheels classes (ages 16-29 and 30 & Over) are a combination of age, proficiency levels, 20 inch, and Cruiser bicycles (either 20 inch, 24 inch or 26 inch bicycles may be ridden in Open Wheels classes).

CHAPTER 9: Transfers, Awards & Points (National/Regional)

A. The overall winners in every class or combined class shall be determined by a final race of not more than eight riders called a main. Following the last round of motos, groups with nine (9) or more riders and motos with five (5) or more who are ranked fourth or better using the Olympic scoring system described below in Chapter 10 (Scoring) shall transfer to the main, or if this group numbers more than twelve (12), to a series of qualifying rounds which will reduce their number to no more than eight (8). Mains shall also be scheduled for all classes having six (6) or fewer registered riders with all riders transferring to the main event provided the rider has started no less then two motos in a three-moto transfer or one moto in a two-moto transfer. All Elite classes will run one main event.

B. Qualifying rounds shall be conducted according to the aforementioned local race rules set forth.

C. Trophies or other awards are presented to riders in accordance with their finish positions described under SCORING below. All amateur riders in a National event will receive local, Regional Championship, and National points based on their performance in the motos and main.

D. Only at a National event, riders in combined classes will be pointed separately with reference only to those other riders of the same class in their motos but according to their overall finish positions in the main. Elite Men, Elite Women, Super-Ex, Masters, Elite Men & Women Cruiser will be awarded National points only at events designated as “Elite Series” races, with the exception of Elite Women at the Big A races and the Masters and Super-Ex class at all Big A Plus races.

CHAPTER 10: Scoring

A. The finish position of each rider relative to the other riders in his race is used as the basis for all scoring determinations including: trophying, transferring, upgrading to a higher proficiency level, and calculating of local and national points. A rider will be considered to have finished a race and will be scored at the moment when he has completed the entire race course and any part of his person or bicycle breaks through the vertical plane established by the finish line, providing that he and his bicycle are in contact with each other at that moment. If a rider or riders fall and are no longer in competition for a scoring position, the rider will receive a DNF which equals last place points.

B. For the purpose of transferring riders to a main event, the riders are scored using the “Olympic system” wherein each rider is assigned a point score equal to the sum of his finish positions in the three motos and is assigned an overall finish position which corresponds with the rank his point score bears to the point scores of the other riders in the race. Any rider who starts but fails to finish a race will be scored as a DNF and will receive last-place points equal to the number of riders in the race. Any rider who fails to start a race will be scored as a DNS (no points). For the purpose of determining transfer eligibility only, a rider will be awarded 2 more than last place points (equal to the number of riders in the race) for his first DNS, but will be ineligible to transfer if he fails to start in more than one round of motos. Ties that result from this scoring method are resolved in favor of the rider earning the lower number of points in the third moto. Points used in the Olympic system are referred to as “transfer points” when used to determine transfer status, and “award points” when used to determine award status.

C. The transfer or award position in a qualifying race or main is equivalent to the finish position except in those cases where these rules or local track policy provides that classes combined in a single race are to be pointed or trophied separately.

D. Local points that accumulate to a rider’s credit throughout the local point year are awarded at every event whether designated as a local or national event in accordance with the following schedule with all DNFs awarded last place points (equal to the number of riders in the race) and all DNS’s awarded no points. A rider must be at the race and on the gate no less than one moto for the race to count as a qualifying race.

E. Definitions:

1. DNF (Did Not Finish) – Any rider who starts but fails to finish in a scoring position will receive a DNF, which equals to the number of riders in the moto. Last place moto points will be awarded.

2. DNS (Did Not Start) – Any rider who fails to start a race will be scored as a DNS. No moto points.

3. CR (Credit) – For transfer purposes only, a rider will be awarded two points plus the number of riders in the moto for his first DNS. No moto points awarded.

4. Two Moto Scoring System – Riders will race two times. Scores will be placed in the first column on the moto sheet for the first race and in the third column for the second race (tie breaker). The riders best finish of the two races will be placed in the second column, therefore creating three scores and points for three races. The third column score (second moto) is used as a tiebreaker.

Local Point Chart
	Rookie		Cruiser/Girls/Novice/Elite Women		Expert		Elite Open
Finish	Moto	Main	Moto	Main	Moto	Main	Moto	Main
1st	40	80	50	90	60	100	10	40
2nd	35	70	45	80	55	90	9	35
3rd	30	60	40	70	50	80	8	30
4th	25	50	35	60	45	70	7	25
5th	20	40	30	50	40	60	6	20
6th	15	30	25	40	35	50	5	15
7th		25		35		45		10
8th		20		30		40

F. The points earned at local events designated as “double point”, “triple point” or “quadruple point” will be either two, three or four times those indicated in the above schedule.

G. National points that accumulate to a rider’s credit throughout the national point year are awarded only at events designated as regional or national events in accordance with the following schedule:

National & Regional Point Chart
	Rookie		Cruiser/Girls/Novice/		Expert		All Elite
Finish	Moto	Main	Moto	Main	Moto	Main	Moto	Main
1st	40	80	50	90	60	100	1	22
2nd	35	70	45	80	55	90	1	19
3rd	30	60	40	70	50	80	1	17
4th	25	50	35	60	45	70	1	15
5th	20	40	30	50	40	60	1	13
6th	15	30	25	40	35	50	1	12
7th		25		35		45	1	11
8th		20		30		40	1	10

___________________________________________________

Elite Semi Point Chart
5th	5 points
6th	4 points
7th	3 points
8th	2 points

___________________________________________________

Point Cap Chart maximum points you can earn at any of the following races:
Class	Single	Double	Triple	Quadruple	Season Cap
Expert	180	360	540	720	4860
Cruiser	150	300	450	600	4050
Girls	150	300	450	600	4050
Novice	150	300	450	600	4050
Rookie	120	240	360	480	3240

H. The local point year runs from January 1 to December 31; the national point year runs from the day after the NBL Grand National to the following year’s Grand National; the Regional Championship Series points are calculated September 1 through August 31. Any local and National points earned by a rider during each of the point years remain with the rider throughout the full term of each point year regardless of any age or proficiency level upgrade he may experience during that time. All riders begin each point year with no points.

CHAPTER 11: Proficiency Upgrades / Move-Up Awards

Riders who are classified as Rookies, Novices, Expert, Super-Ex or Masters may voluntarily upgrade their proficiency level at any time, except August 1 through the Grand Nationals. Rookies must upgrade themselves to the Novice or Girls class when they accumulate fifteen move-up awards in the Rookie class. Novices must upgrade themselves to Expert when they accumulate twenty move-up awards in the Novice class. A single move-up award will be granted in each class or combined class in which Rookies or Novices are registered at a local event to the Novice or Rookie rider with the lowest number of award points providing he has beaten at least two riders who are both of his own age or older and proficiency level or higher. For example: Six riders in a 12 Expert/13 Novice combined class. The 2-12 Experts finish first and second. The 4-13 Novices finish third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. The 13 Novice who finished third will be awarded the move-up award. For the purpose of applying this rule the girls class shall be considered to be at the same proficiency level as the Novice class. Riders below the age of 5 will receive move-up awards per their class. Move-up points will be awarded to 3-4 year-old Rookies and 5 Novice. If the rider meets or exceeds fifteen (15) move-ups for Rookie and twenty (20) move-ups for Novice, the rider will not be moved up in proficiency until they reach the next proficiency age requirement. All multiple age classes in Rookie and Novice are considered as one class for the purpose of awarding move-up awards. Two move-up awards will be granted in every Rookie and Novice class or combined class at a national/regional event who meet the move-up criteria. If a class has a main event, only one rider in the main will receive the move-up. For example, two 6 Novice and two 7 Novice riders are combined in the main event. One 7 Novice finshed first and one 7 Novice finished fourth. The two 6 Novice riders finished second and third. The first place rider has not beaten two or more riders his age or older; no move-up points will be awarded to him. The 6 Novice who came in second will receive the two move-up points for beating two other riders his age and older. Only one rider per class will receive the move-up award. The main event must have three (3) or more riders before this rule applies. Move-up points will be awarded at all races where the two-moto system is used. When a rider is reclassified to a higher proficiency level in another sanction, then he/she must immediately upgrade in the NBL, as well.

Note: It is impossible to determine which rider, if any, in a class or combined class in which Rookies or Novices are registered, is entitled to the move up award without knowing the age, proficiency level and finish position of every rider in the class, information which is not always available at local races. Rookies and Novices should attempt to maintain an accounting of their own move-up awards and periodically reconcile the accuracy of their records with the NBL’s main office to avoid racing out of class. Move-up awards must be protested within 60 days from the end of the season in which they were awarded. The Rookie class is for new riders only. There is no move-back to the Rookie class.

CHAPTER 12: National Series

In every national point year the National Bicycle League shall conduct a series of national events concluding with a grand national event to determine the award of national number plates for use during the following point year. The director of competition shall issue such specific rules as are reasonable and necessary to conduct this series. These rules may establish without limitation: participation requirements, freeze periods, cancellation and continuation policy, tie breaking procedures, team racing and such other matters as may be required for the proper execution of a national series.

CHAPTER 13: Special Events

The director of competition shall have the authority to schedule special events and issue such special rules as may be reasonable and necessary for their proper execution. Such events may include without limitation the Regional Championships, U.S. Open Invitational and the President’s Cup Race.

CHAPTER 14: Sanctions & Licenses

A. The National Bicycle League will recognize and record the performance of all riders who hold valid licenses for the classes in which they choose to race at any event which enjoys the NBL’s official sanction. The National Bicycle League will not recognize or record the performance of unlicensed riders or of those riders whose licenses are suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid, nor will it recognize or record the performance of properly licensed riders at unsanctioned events. It’s the rider’s responsibility to hold a valid license at all times. NBL assumes no responsibility for a rider’s failure to comply with this requirement. There is a 30-day grace period in which a member has 30 days to renew his license after the current expiration date without losing any points earned. If renewed during the grace period, upon renewal, the license will expire one year from the previous expiration date. Both licenses and sanctions are granted by the National Bicycle League at their sole discretion and may be revoked, suspended or otherwise rendered invalid at any time either with or without cause by action of the director of competition or the Board of Directors.

B. Separate licenses are required for the 20 inch and Cruiser classes. A rider’s 20 inch license will indicate his birthdate, gender and proficiency level: either Rookie, Novice, Expert, Girl, Masters, Super-Ex, Elite Men, Elite Women. Cruiser licenses indicate birthdate and gender only. Each of these licenses is normally valid for a period of one

year and must be renewed annually. Adequate proof of age must accompany any initial license application, but need not be submitted with a renewal. Membership license will not be issued or points awarded until receipt of a copy of a valid legal document with proof of age. These documents can be one of the following: birth certificate, school I. D. , driver’s license, passport or UCI affiliated International License. In addition to proof of age, the license application must have all required signatures before license is issued or points awarded.

C. A new rider who has never raced before as part of the National Bicycle League may apply for a trial member’s license in any class. This trial membership will entitle him to race in the indicated class at local and national events for a period of 30 days. Rookies and Novices will earn points and move-up awards during the term of their trial membership. At any time up to one year following its application date a trial membership may be converted to a full membership by payment of an additional fee and will expire one year from the original trial date of purchase at 11:59pm.

D. A person wishing to obtain a 20 inch license may apply for full membership at any proficiency level either at or above that at which he has previously raced either as part of the National Bicycle League or under another recognized sanction, except for the Elite class. Anyone not meeting the age requirement for the Elite class will be allowed to race open class only. Proficiency levels are ranked from lowest to highest as follows: For boys: Rookie, Novice, Expert, Masters, Super-Ex and Elite Men. For girls: Rookie, Girls classes, and Elite Women.

E. Elite Men, Super-Ex, Masters, Elite Cruiser, and Elite Women are recognized only at national events and are open only to men and women meeting the age and requirements for each respective class.

F. For all Elite classes, a written request must be submitted to the NBL office for approval of the Director of Competition a minimum of 14 days prior to the first event in which the rider wishes to compete in the Elite class. No rider will be moved to the Elite classes between the dates of August 1 and the Grands.

Additional criteria are as follows:

1. Elite Men: a rider must be 17 years of age or older and a current rider in the Super-Ex class.

2. Elite Women: a rider must be 16 years of age or older and a current rider in the Girl class.

3. Super-Ex: a rider must be 16 years of age or older and a current rider in the Expert class.

4. Masters: a rider must be 30 years of age or older and a current rider in the Expert, Super-Ex, or Elite Men class. The Expert is a move up to Masters and a Super-Ex and Elite rider to Masters is considered a move back.

G. Any rider who holds a 20” license at a proficiency level above Novice may move to a lower level of proficiency only upon the approval of the director of competition following submission of a written application endorsed by a local track director and the state commissioner of the rider’s state of residence. If a rider is moved back he will loose all points he has earned up to the date of move back. He will not be permitted to be listed on a Team roster per current team rules. A moved back rider may retain a portion of his move back points at the discretion of the director of competition. There will be no reclassification back to the Rookie class for Novices or for Girls. The Rookie class is only for new riders who have never raced before. When an amateur rider (Expert or Girl) is moved to a professional class, they will lose all points and their ranking amateur number. When a rider is reclassified to a higher proficiency level in another sanction, then he/she must immediately upgrade in the NBL, as well, per the NBL’s age and proficiency criteria.

CHAPTER 15: Equipment

A. The referee at any event may disqualify a rider from participation in a race if he determines that the rider’s bicycle or protective gear is unsafe whether or not the condition giving rise to this determination is specifically addressed under this heading.

B. Use of the following safety equipment is mandatory whenever a rider is engaged in riding his bicycle on an NBL-sanctioned track:

1. A helmet in good condition. All helmets must be equipped with chin straps which must be properly secured when the helmet is in use. Helmets are required to cover at least half of the rider’s ears.

2. Mouth guards are required and must be used on all open face helmets. Mouth guards must be properly secured when the helmet is in use.

3. A long-sleeved shirt must be worn and cover the elbow.

4. Long pants are recommended. Loose pant legs must be, wrapped, tied or clipped and cannot be rolled up. BMX manufactured race shorts made of tear-resistant material which extend over the rider’s knee are permitted. Race shorts must overlap the knee and shin guard. The knee and shin guard must be of one piece and attached around the entire leg extending to the ankle.

5. Shoes with soles soft enough to grip a BMX-style pedal, or clipless soled shoes.

C. Use of the following safety equipment is recommended whenever a rider is engaged in riding his bicycle on an NBL-sanctioned track:

1. Knee pads and elbow pads

2. Gloves

3. Socks

4. Pads on the bicycle’s top tube, the handlebar’s crossbar, and the stem by which the bars are connected to the fork.

D. Every bicycle must be equipped with two wheels of matching size. The wheels on a 20” bicycle must have tires with an inflated diameter not exceeding 22.5” in diameter. The wheels of a cruiser must have tires with an inflated diameter greater than 22.5”.

E. All bicycles must be in good condition. Each must be equipped with:

1. A number plate with legible numbers. Stickers may be placed on the number plate along the sides and must not interfere with the number. All numbers and letters must be at least 3 inches high. Elite Men and Women must have a white plate with black numbers. At National events, numbers permitted on plates include:

a. All World numbers, ex. W1

b. All National numbers, ex. 7 (for Expert, Girls, Cruisers and Elite classes)

c. Regional numbers, ex. (number plus the first letter of the rider’s last name)

d. All Novice National numbers must use N, ex.N2 (Novice 2)

e. All Rookie National numbers must use R, ex. R3 (Rookie 3)

f. If none of the above numbers were earned, then a rider must use the last three digits of his NBL license number.

g. No state numbers are permitted at National events.

h. At all local races, numbers permitted on plates are:

1. All of the above,

2. All earned state numbers

2. Motocross-style handlebars not exceeding 29” in width should be equipped with grips that completely cover the bar ends. Sleeves, plugs, or other devices used to extend the bar width are prohibited unless they are securely welded to the handlebars.

3. A device that prevents the seat post from penetrating the bicycle’s seat.

4. An operable brake on the rear wheel.

F. The following equipment is prohibited:

1. Drop-style handlebars.

2. Kick stands, side stands, chain guards and reflectors.

3. Axles that extend more than 1/4” beyond the hub nuts unless they are suitably covered to prevent injury to any rider who may come into contact with them.

4. Two-way radios facilitating communication between a rider and any other person during a race and/or practice.

5. MP3 players and all other portable audio devices are prohibited during the course of any activity, competition, practice, etc. on the track.

6. Helmet cams are not permitted to be used during any activity on track

CHAPTER 16: Conduct

A. Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Whether Verbal or Physical, Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse = ZERO TOLERANCE! All participants in any sanctioned event, as well as those in their company, or other spectators are expected to comply with certain standards of conduct and to behave in a sportsmanlike manner throughout the duration of the event.

1. Riders may be penalized and may be suspended from the track or may have their license suspended for their own failure or for the failure of those in their company to meet these standards or for engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.

2. For the purposes of these rules unsportsmanlike conduct shall include: acts that are disrespectful of or abusive to other riders or officials, acts which serve to compromise the basic fairness of the sport of BMX racing, and acts which, if engaged in collectively, would change the character or public perception of the sport. i.e. ANY PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, SUCH AS FIGHTING WILL BE AUTOMATIC RIDER DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE DAY, AND RIDER WILL BE SUBJECT TO LICENSE SUSPENSION. Further penalties are subject to the discretion of the referee of the day. A record will be kept of rider infractions.

3. No rider shall misrepresent his age or proficiency or substitute himself for another rider in a race. If caught, the rider will automatically be disqualified (DQ’d) for the event with possible full suspension of his or her license.

4. Ghost riders and ghost riding will not be tolerated. If it is determined that an NBL member knowingly signed up a ghost rider or knowingly participated in a class which was illegally formed by a ghost rider, the member will forfeit their points and credit for the race. The referee can recommend to the director of competition for further penalities such as full suspension of his or her NBL license.

5. Sandbagging will not be tolerated. If any Rookie or Novice rider is determined by the officials to have intentionally avoided getting a move up award towards advancement to the higher proficiency, he or she will be moved to last place and awarded two move up awards for that race. The referee can recommend the rider being moved to the higher proficiency.

B. General Conduct:

1. All participants must be in good health and may be asked to provide medical certification of their well-being if there is reason to doubt it.

CHAPTER 17: General Rules

A. Registration:

1. No one except riders officially registered may ride or practice on any portion of the course on the day of the event.

B. Staging:

1. No one except riders, and parents that need to assist boys 6 & under and/or girls 7 & under are allowed in staging.

C. Gate Start:

1. Each rider’s front wheel must be placed against the gate, be grounded and remain stationary during the starter’s call.

2. Only boys age 6 and under and girls age 7 and under may be assisted in balancing their bicycles on the gate by another person, whose hands may not be in contact with either the rider or the bicycle once the starter’s sequence has begun. This rule applies any time the above mentioned riders are on the gate to include a 7-year-old girl in the 7 Rookie class or any combination of classes, except the Open classes.

3. It is the rider’s responsibility to be on the gate when his race number is called and in the pre-assigned gate position.

CHAPTER 18: Protests, Penalties & Appeals

A. General: Any rider who believes that his finish position in a race should be altered because of a scoring error or that another rider in his race should be penalized for misconduct may file a protest explaining his complaint. With the exceptions noted below, this protest must be submitted in writing to the referee within a reasonable time following his moto or main. The referee, in consultation with other officials, shall act promptly on every protest and, if the protest is upheld, may revise the finish positions of a race either correcting a scoring error or penalizing an offending rider or riders as he deems, in his sole discretion, to be appropriate under the circumstances. Any rider may also protest the classification of another rider (see Chapter 18, letter C below) or the conformance of another rider’s bicycle to NBL standards set forth in Chapter 15. Where it is impossible or imprudent to rule immediately on a protest, a referee may permit a rider to compete in an event “under protest,” with any award he might earn being withheld until the protested matter is resolved.

B. Penalty for racing out of class: All new NBL members who hold a license in another sanctioning organization must sign up in the same proficiency level in which they race in that organization. Exception: Criteria must fall within the NBL age and proficiency level guidelines. If it is determined that an NBL member has knowingly raced in the wrong proficiency, the rider will be reclassified immediately to the correct proficiency. A race audit will be conducted and the points will be taken away from all races where the rider raced in the wrong proficiency.

C. Protests Involving Transfers: Any protest involving a transfer to a qualifying round or main must be filed before that qualifying round or main is called to the starting gate.

D. Protests Involving Contact: Protests involving contact with another rider on the course must be communicated orally to a race official at the finish line immediately following the conclusion of the race in which the contact is asserted to have taken place. A rider wishing to file such a protest must raise his hand and remain in the designated area at the finish until he is recognized by the appropriate official. Parents and team managers may not become involved.

E. Moving Violations: A rider may not cause any part of his person or bicycle to come into contact with another rider’s person or bicycle during a race with the intention of impeding his progress so as to overtake him or cause him to be overtaken by another rider. Any rider who leaves the track at any point during a race must reenter the track at the first available safe opportunity. A rider may not cut the track to gain advantage over one or more other riders in a race. Cutting the track occurs when a rider finishes a race without making a complete circuit of the race course. Except when expressly directed to do so by an official, no rider may traverse the track in a backward direction either during a race or practice session. A rider wishing to file a moving violation protest must raise his hand and remain in the designated area at the finish until he is recognized by the appropriate official. Parents and team managers may not become involved.

F. Video Equipment: Is offered as a service and will be available if conditions permit and will include the following procedures:

1. If a rider disagrees with the finish posted on the moto sheets, a protest may be submitted to view the finish line video for $5. The fee will be returned if the protest is upheld. Only the rider may file for a video protest. Riders age 8 and under may be assisted by a parent.

2. Should a situation arise where a decision cannot be determined from the screen, both riders will be scored with the lowest ranking position. If a protested race is not available on the videotape, or if it does not show a clearly defined finish, the scorers’ sheets will determine the finish of the race.

3. If a tie occurs in the transferring or award position, the tie breaker will be determined by the scorers’ sheets.

4. Video protests may only be filed within the time span of a round of motos (i.e. if moto No. 42 of the first round is the moto in which you wish to view the video, then the video protest must be filed by moto No. 42 of the second round).

G. Protests Involving National Points: A written request to review the points earned at any national or Grand National event will be considered if received at the National Bicycle League’s home office within 60 days after the first day of the month in which they first appear on the NBL website, www.nbl.org. However, all National points protests must be submitted to the clerk of course prior to the gate dropping for the first moto on the first day of the NBL Grands.

H. Penalties: The referee at any event may penalize any participant in the event for a breach of any of these rules, whether or not this breach is the subject of a protest, by altering his finish position, by withholding the points earned during the event, or by barring him from further participation in a race, a class, or any event scheduled to take place prior to the start of the next business day. The referee may also eject any rider or other person from the site of the event where he deems such action to be necessary either to assure the safety of others or to provide for the orderly progress of the event. In addition to the powers granted to a referee, the director of competition may, for cause, suspend or revoke the license of any rider and assess fines against professional riders.

I. Appeals: Any decision of a referee involving the proper interpretation of these rules, other than those resulting from judgement calls, may be appealed to the director of competition. Application for this review must be made in writing within 72 hours of the time when the decision was rendered and must be accompanied by an application fee of $25. The determination of the director of competition shall be final and cannot be further appealed. Any decision of the director of competition, other than a ruling on an appeal, may be appealed to the Board of Directors for their review. Application for review must be made in writing within 30 days of the time when the decision was made and must be accompanied by an application fee of $25 if the applicant is an amateur or $100 if he is a professional rider.

CHAPTER 19: Regional Championship Series

A rider’s best points and the championship race will determine the plate. Scores for local/state races will count from September 1 through July 18, and scores from National/Regional races will count from September 1 through July 25.

Rules: The championship race will be run under National rules.

Eligibility: Riders must have raced 10 races (local, state, and/or National) per the Regional Championship criteria. Non-qualified riders who hold a valid NBL license may race in the Open class only at the Regional Championship race, as referenced to in Chapter 13 under Special Events.

Awards: Regional trophies or BMX bucks will be awarded. All qualified riders who race their Regional Championship Race will receive a numberplate and number (must use first letter of last name on plate). Numberplates will be awarded to all riders in each age group: Cruiser, Girls, Expert, Novice and Rookie. Riders can only earn a Regional Championship numberplate in the region they live in, and the Regional Championship Race is mandatory (qualified riders only). You must race the Regional Championship held in your Region.

CHAPTER 20: National Series

Rules: The series will be conducted under national rules with mains in all point classes. Riders must display the same plate number at all national events during the point year.

All Day 1 National events with 160 plus motos and more than 80 motos on Day 2 will run two-moto transfer. Regional events will run three-moto transfer unless there are 160 motos or more. The NBL reserves the right to run two motos at a 160-moto or more event, eliminate the third round and go directly to the 1/4s, semis and main events on Day 1, or at special events.

Eligibility: National series events, which are National and Regional races, are open to all riders holding a valid NBL license. Any NBL member may compete in the NBL Grand National.

Awards: National number plates will be awarded to all qualified riders who race the Grand National. All qualified riders who did not race the Grands may run their ranked numbers.

Points: Single National, quadruple L.E.A.P. points, and quadruple Regional Championship plate series points and will be awarded to participants at National and Regional events. National plate numbers will be determined by the combined scores of a rider’s best six (6) national series races (only two of which may be Regional series races), plus the NBL Grand National (single points). For example, riders may qualify by racing six Regional races, but only two of those scores can be counted. National and Regional pre-races will be triple L.E.A.P. points and triple Regional Championship series points. Riders who are classified as Rookies, Novices, Experts, Super-Ex and Masters may voluntarily upgrade their proficiency level at any time except August 1 through the Grand National. No move backs will be granted from August 1st until after the NBL Grands. All Rookie and Novice riders who earn a #1 plate at the end of the National season will automatically be moved up to the next proficiency.

Tie Breakers: The deciding factors in tie scores for the national series will be: 1st tie breaker: most points scored at the Grand National; 2nd tie breaker: highest finish in main; 3rd tie breaker: who went furthest in quarters; 4th tie breaker: highest finish in third moto; 5th tie breaker: highest finish in second moto; 6th tie breaker: highest finish in first moto. If there is still a tie, the aforementioned formation will be applied to each rider’s last national race before the Grand National.

NBL Elite: Elite classes, Elite Men and Women 20 inch, Elite Men and Women Cruiser, will receive Elite Series points only at Elite Series National events, which will make them eligible for a National plate and the award of the Series. The Super-Ex and Masters classes will be pointed at the Elite Series Nationals and Big A Plus races. In Elite Men, Elite Women, Super-Ex, Masters, Elite Men & Women Cruiser, the best eight (8) Elite Series races, plus the Grand National will be used. All pros may race in the NBL Grand National for awards of the day. National number plates will be awarded to all qualified riders in 20 inch and Cruiser. In addition to the Elite National Series, the Elite Women will have a Big A numberplate series and year-end awards. The Elite Women Big A Series qualifications are the six (6) best race plus the Big A Final.

CHAPTER 21: Rainouts

National Rainout:

C. Move up points will not be given for date rained out.

Local Rainout:

CHAPTER 22: Medical Control

II. Medical Control

Section 1. The National Bicycle League has adopted and participates in the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) protocol for Olympic Movement testing (USADA protocol). The USADA protocol is incorporated herein by reference and shall prevail over any Regulation to the contrary. Their medical control regulations shall apply to NBL members, licensees, participants in races sanctioned by the NBL. For information on or a copy of the USADA protocol can be obtained from USADA at (800) 233-0393 or the USADA website www.usantidoping.org.

Section 2. Prohibited Substances, Boosting, and Penalties

Part 1. Use of prohibited substances or procedures that is detected by USADA using their test procedures or by the UCI using their testing procedures and IOC approved laboratories shall result in the same penalties.

Part 2. Penalties for infractions of any section of these regulations shall be those set forth in the UCI Regulations from time to time and imposed by USA Cycling. Please refer to www.usantidoping.org or www.uci.ch or the current UCI Regulations.

Part 3. Prohibited Practices. No rider may use the substances listed in the current UCI list of prohibited substances. See Table 1 for a list of the more common prohibited substances. This list is not all inclusive and is subject to change at any time. For current substances contact USADA at (800) 233-0393.

Section 3. Testing Procedures

Part 1. Testing: The testing protocol will be that of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). However if the race is a UCI ranked event, the UCI testing regulations would take precedence.

Section 4. Tests Results and Evidence: All testing and results will be the responsibility of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Any investigation, prosecution, and hearings shall be the responsibility of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). USA Cycling shall impose any sanction from the adjudication process when permitted under the USADA protocol and in accordance with the UCI approved sanctions.

Section 5. Examples of Prohibited Substances: Testing is based on detectable amounts in urine except where quantitative concentrations are shown that must be exceeded to be considered positive. For answers to specific questions or for more direct information on prohibited substances call the USADA Drug Hotline at 800-233-0393 or visit its website at http://www.usantidoping.org.

CHAPTER 23: State Series & Organization

A. To further the purposes of the NBL, the Director of Competition, with the advice and consent of the Association’s Board of Directors, is charged with the responsibility of establishing or helping to establish state or geographic organizations, referred to throughout these rules as State Associations. In addition, he may from time to time modify the boundaries between State Associations. The purpose of the State Associations is to serve as a liaison between all NBL-sanctioned local organizations (referred to as clubs in these rules) in that particular state, the NBL and that State Association shall be responsible for promoting of NBL-sanctioned bicycle racing activities in that particular state.

B. Every club may be a member of the State Association and will be entitled to have its organization represented at any meetings of that particular State Association. However, only active clubs that meet the state association criteria shall be considered to be voting members of the State Association. Each active club shall be entitled to two votes at any State Association meeting.

C. For the purposes of these rules, an active club is one that has run at least three local NBL-sanctioned races during the current sanction year. The term three local NBL-sanctioned races means the actual organization, staging and completion of three NBL-sanctioned local organization races during any calendar year, with the intent of establishing a continuing local racing program.

D. The NBL shall only recognize a State Association after it has established the following minimum requirements, unless these requirements are waived by the Director of Competition with the advice, consent and approval of the NBL’s Board of Directors because the State Association is in its organizational stage. The minimum requirements are:

1. Each State Association should form a non-profit corporation within its particular state.

2. Each State Association should obtain a federal tax employer identification number.

3. Each State Association should establish bylaws which must provide, in part, for one of the following alternatives in connection with the handling of the state’s funds:

- bonding of any persons within that organization handling State Association funds or signing State Association checks;

- if bonding of those individuals is not economically feasible, then the bylaws shall provide that two signatures are required on all of that organization’s money accounts and the two signatures cannot be persons in the same family or who are related.

4. Each State Association’s bylaws must provide for a minimum of two corporate officers who cannot be the same person, specifically a minimum of Commissioner (who may also be President) and a Secretary/Treasurer.

E. Upon creation of a State Association, the Director of Competition, with the advice, consent and approval of the Board of Directors of the NBL, may appoint a Commissioner for the operations of that state’s association with the understanding that within a reasonable period of time thereafter, an actual non-profit corporate association will be formed as required by these rules. It shall be the responsibility of each State Association to:

1. Elect a Commissioner and other officers of the non-profit state corporation, such as President, Secretary and Treasurer.

2. Consider proposed plans, policies and other matters referred to the state by the Board of Directors of the NBL.

3. Consider ways of improving the quality of BMX racing in the state and identify the need for services.

4. Assist in planning for the state series and other events state-wide for purposes of establishing a system to determine the state-wide standings and rankings for racers. The minimum guidelines for a state series are listed in a through d below:

a. There must be at least two (2) or more State Qualifiers and a designated State Championship.

b. The top 15 plate winners from each age class and proficiency must be submitted to the NBL office immediately after the State Championship for President’s Cup qualification. Riders who live in a state without a state program will be eligible to participate in the President’s Cup race for the award of the day only.

c. Riders are required to compete at two or more local races within the state which they are qualified. (It is up to the state whether or not they want to designate the points towards the State Series).

d. A rider must compete and qualify in a state series and race in the state championship in which he qualified. The rider must be ranked in the top 15 of his class to be eligible to race in the President’s Cup. This applies to both class and Cruiser. Rider should wear the state jersey of the state that he or she is representing during all competition of the President’s Cup race.

5. Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the Board of Directors of the NBL.

6. No State Associations or officer shall make any rule that interferes upon or conflicts with any contract between the NBL and any club.

7. Regular meetings of the State shall be held at least two times each year, at such time and place as may be determined by that state’s association. Notice of the time and place of regular meetings shall be given to all members. Special meetings shall be called in accordance with the bylaws of that state’s association, and notice of the time and place and purpose of special meetings shall be given to each member of that Association with not less than 24 hours notice before the meeting. No other business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that for which the meeting has been called.

8. A majority of the active clubs within a State Association shall be represented to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

9. There shall be a Commissioner elected at the annual meeting of each State Association. The meeting must be held on a regular annual interval as specified in the state’s bylaws. In the event of a vacancy, the position may be filled for a term of one year or until their successor is elected.

10. The Commissioner shall be responsible for guiding the members of the state in their responsibilities as set forth in these rules, and for the racing program within that particular state. The Commissioner shall participate in meetings of Commissioners and shall be a delegate to Competition Congress. He shall carry out other such duties as delegated by the Director of Competition for the purposes of promoting, fostering and organizing NBL-sanctioned activities.

11. The Commissioner shall further be responsible for discharging the duties and undertaking the responsibilities as set forth in the Commissioner’s job description as promulgated by the NBL’s Board of Directors from time to time. In addition to these responsibilities, the Commissioner shall provide to the NBL office the following:

a. The state’s bylaws.

b. Federal tax identification number.

c. A yearly list of the state’s officers, addresses and phone numbers.

d. A copy of the minutes of the annual meeting.

e. A yearly financial statement of the State Association.

f. A yearly list of the clubs with voting rights in the State Association.

12. Each State Association’s bylaws must provide that the Commissioner may be removed from office only by a vote of two thirds of that State Association’s membership. In addition, the Commissioner may be removed from office by the Director of Competition of the NBL, with the approval of the NBL Association’s Board of Directors.

13. Each State Association shall comply with all of the aforementioned rules and regulations as set forth herein. The NBL will provide Commercial General Liability insurance coverage to each State Association who is in good standing with the NBL, and who has maintained the subscribed minimum criteria as outlined in the “State Association Structure” of the NBL rule book. Notwithstanding the insurance provided, and without nullifying any insurance coverage, each State Association shall indemnify and hold the National Bicycle League harmless from any and all claims arising from that State Association’s act(s) which are in violation of the rules and regulations stated herein.

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