Race Report #3
Date: July 14, 2009
To: All AMA Pro Motocross Competitors
From: Jeff Canfield, Race Director
Subject: Proposed Rule Changes
Sound Testing
Unadilla Retro Race
Paddock FM Radio
Rider Services Hours
Pro Motocross Championship Celebration:
Proposed Rule Changes:
The following proposed rule changes will be submitted to AMA Pro Racing for issuance of a Technical Bulletin:
3.13 Staging - NEW RULE
a.) Thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each moto, a horn will be sounded signaling "first call" and that the staging area is open. Motorcycles must be taken to the staging area to await being loaded onto the gate.
b.) Twenty (20) minutes prior to the start, the entrance to the staging area will be closed and the starting gate will be loaded. Gate selection may be made by the rider or his designee. Motorcycles not in the staging area by the time of closure will not be loaded on the gate until all other riders/designees have selected their starting positions. Motorcycles arriving late will be loaded in the order of their late arrival to staging.
c.) Ten (10) minutes prior to the start, riders will be released for the sighting lap. The sighting lap is optional. Riders may receive repairs in the Signal Area during the sighting lap.
d.) Four (4) minutes prior to the start, all riders must have completed their sighting lap and re-entered their position on the starting gate.
e.) Once a motorcycle enters the staging area and is called to the starting gate, the motorcycle will not be permitted to return to the paddock. If the motorcycle is removed from the staging area after this point, the rider will not be permitted to start the race.
3.14 Start Procedure - NEW RULE
a.) Jumping or fouling the gate may result in a penalty or disqualification.
b.) Each rider may have only one crew member accompany them to the starting gate.
c.) Riders must quickly make their gate selection.
d.) Exchanging gate positions with other riders is prohibited.
e.) Grooming behind the starting gate is permitted, provided no shovels, tools or other implements (foreign or natural) are used. Grooming in front of the starting gate is prohibited.
f.) Starting blocks and other foreign elevating devices are prohibited. However, natural material found at or near the starting gate may be used for the rider to rest their feet on. Any natural material used for elevation may not be used as a grooming tool.
g.) Starting lanes may not be watered.
h.) Ramps of any kind may not be formed in the starting lane. (The front and rear tires must be level).
i.) Motorcycles must be positioned straight and in the center of the starting gate. Riders may not start at an angle.
j.) The rear tire may not extend past or rest upon the rear restraint.
k.) Once the last rider is in the gate and the track is cleared for the start, the Race Director or his designee will direct the Starter to hold up a 30-second card. The 30-second card will be held upright for 30 seconds, and then turned sideways for at least five seconds, but not more than ten seconds. During the five- to ten-second interval, the gate will fall.
l.) In the event a rider needs to make repairs once loaded in the gate, the machine must be pushed back from the start gate to behind the rear restraint before any repairs can be made, so as not to interfere with other competitors.
m.) All machines should be running prior to the display of the 30-second card. In the event a machine stalls or becomes inoperable after the display of the 30-second card, the machine must be pulled back from the start gate to behind the rear restraint, and any efforts to restart the machine must not interfere with the starting ability of the other competitors.
Sound Testing:
Over the past several events we have focused on immediate issues such as improving staging, technical control, will call, the new Safety Marshall program, and the challenges that come with live TV. We were able to start the live NBC moto within 2 seconds of the scheduled time.
Having resolved those issues, it is time to return our attention to Technical Inspection, specifically, sound testing and motor inspection. Accordingly, commencing with the Millville event, sound testing will be mandatory during Technical Inspection, and post-practice random testing will continue. In addition, motors will be randomly inspected post-race.
Please be prepared for these procedures.
Unadilla Retro Race:
This year's Unadilla Race will have a retro theme. MX Sports Pro Racing, in conjunction with the Robinson family and our series sponsors, are working on some exciting and fun fan activities, including a vintage bike show, legends autograph signings, vintage photograph display, and a few other elements which we expect to announce over the coming weeks.
The event is similar to the "retro" Anaheim Supercross a few years ago. We are hoping everyone - riders, teams, fans, sponsors - will celebrate in the spirit of the event with retro graphics, gear, hairstyles, music, etc.. The event presents a unique opportunity to market yourself and your sponsors in a special way.
We anticipate the race will receive enhanced media attention. If you have any questions or special needs centered around the retro theme, please feel free to contact Nick McCabe via email at nick@mxsports.com and we will try to assist you.
Paddock FM Radio
In order to communicate directly with our riders and teams on race day, we have installed an FM radio station at the MX Sports semi. The frequency will change from event to event depending on frequency availability, but generally will remain in the 88.1 - 90.1 range. The exact frequency will be announced at Riders Meeting.
Please keep your rig radio tuned-in to the Paddock station for important announcements, such as schedule changes, staging times, rider notification, track conditions and weather information.
Rider Services:
Just a reminder of the new Rider Services hours:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday
Media Will Call will open at 8:00 am
7:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday
Pass sales will cease at 10:00 am
Please plan accordingly and notify your guests.
2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Celebration:
This year we will celebrate our champions the Sunday after the final round at Steel City. We chose this weekend to help save costs and to eliminate an additional weekend of travel in the fall. The top 10 riders in all four motocross disciplines will be honored: 450 Class, 250 Class, WMX and ATV.
The celebration will be held in the historic Grand Concourse Restaurant at Station Square in downtown Pittsburgh. The host hotel, the Sheraton, is a mere 100 yards away. There is plenty of parking for large rigs and semis in the lot adjacent to the Sheraton.
Date: Sunday, September 6
Time: 6 PM
Location: Grand Concourse
100 West Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.261.1717
Tickets: $40 per person
Top 10 riders per discipline plus one guest each will be complimentary.
A registration form will be posted on the MX Sports Pro website soon.
Host Hotel: Sheraton Station Square Hotel
300 W Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
800.325.3535
412.261.2000
Room Price: $99/night
Code: Lucas Oil Motocross
Directions From Steel City:
Exit track, turn left onto Story Road. Story Road ends at RT 66. Turn left onto RT 66 W to RT 22. Take RT 22 W to Monroeville. At Monroeville, take I-376 West (Parkway) to Pittsburgh. Follows signs to I-279 Airport across the Fort Pitt Bridge. Take Exit 5C off the bridge (DO NOT ENTER THE TUNNEL). At the first light (approx. half mile) turn right onto W. Station Square Drive. Semi parking in the amphitheatre lot.
Total Time: Approx. 36 minutes
Total Distance: 26 miles
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Share