Motocross Rider Grading System Equipment Required of all

All AHRMA motocross classes are further divided into Novice, Intermediate and Expert categories. This is an “ability” system, as opposed to an “award” system. The ability system is designed with the idea that most vintage riders do not intend to advance to the professional ranks, and that many of the riders may not improve and their ability will remain the same. Novice classes are as follows:

Premier, Classic, Sportsman, Open Age, 40-60, 60+ and Women. There are no displacement classifications in any Novice class. Novice classes shall not be combined with any Intermediate or Expert class. All Novice classes shall run in

Novice-only motos. a) It is AHRMA’s intent that rider ability levels are standardized within each region and across the nation. b) Riders are graded by a committee of their peers and will be advanced only if their ability is deemed to be well above the other competitors in their class. A rider can also be moved to a lower class, in special instances, by the same method. If a rider’s placement in a class is obviously wrong, that rider can be moved at any time. The executive director will make the final determination in any dispute over rider grading. c) Each region will appoint a Regional Rider Grading Chairman and a minimum committee of one Novice, one Intermediate and one Expert. The committee will perform an annual review of ability levels but may make an immediate ability level change with a three-member quorum. The committee has overall authority and responsibility for rider ability levels in its region, whether or not a specific rider competes in its regional series. d) Any three regional grading committee members present at a national event can make a grading decision on the spot. If the rider’s home regional committee disagrees with the decision, it can be appealed to the executive director. e) Riders who are new to AHRMA motocross must sign up as at least an

Intermediate until status is confirmed by the grading committee, optimally at that rider’s first event. This is done by interview or observation at the request of the new competitor. Final determination of points scored in national or regional events will not be made until status is confirmed. f) A rider may move up a skill level at his discretion. However, no rider may move back a skill level without permission from the AHRMA grading committee. g) So that rider skill levels are recognizable, a vertical stripe approximately 2x6 inches must be placed in the center of the rear of the helmet, with the lower end of the stripe even with the base of the helmet. Such stripes are available at tech inspection. Ability level stripes are: Novice......................Red Intermediate..............Yellow Expert.......................Black h) Riders with dual ability levels must clearly display both helmet stripe colors.

If a rider is observed competing without a helmet stripe, a penalty of one position may be imposed in that moto. i) If the rider grading committee deems it appropriate, riders in the 50+ and 60+ classes may have a dual ability level. Riders in the 70+ class may apply to the rider grading committee for a lower ability rating in any class but 60+. Women may apply to the rider grading committee for any lower ability rating in any class but Women. (An Expert woman, for example, could be classified as a Sportsman

Novice.) Dual ability levels are granted only by the rider grading committee

and must be listed on the rider’s competition card.

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