This is an extremely simplified description of the
rules of racing BMX and how the riders are scored. For a complete in-depth
explanation you can download the complete 28+ page rules book (see
below).
But, basically riders race in groups of between 2 and 8 riders and
are divided into groups called "Classes" based on gender, age
and riding ability and bike wheel size (20" or 24").
Riders race the same group of riders in 3 separate races called
"Motos" and the overall winner of these 3 motos is the race
winner (unless there are more than 6 riders in one class). To
arrive at the winner for the day (or to determine who advances
to the next round, see below) the "Olympic Scoring
System" is used where the winner of the moto shall receive
1 point, the 2nd place rider will receive 2 points, the 3rd
place rider will receive 3 points, etc. These points are
combined for all 3 motos and the rider with the least number of
points is the winner.
If there are more than 6 riders in one class they will be split
into separate moto's. The motos will be scored separately and
the top 4 rider's of each motos will advance to the elimination
rounds (called quarters, and semi's) to reduce the number of
riders to 8. Then the final group
of 8 riders will race in the "Main" event to determine the
overall winner. Again this is an extremely simplified description of the
rules of BMX, an there are numerous exceptions to the above explanation.
The riders finishes in both the moto's and "Main" also
accumulate "Points" toward local, state, regional and
national awards. See the Points section below for a more detailed explanation.
For the complete description you can download
the complete rules of competition in Adobe Acrobat 4.0 format |
| |
|
Classes
|
|
20" Classes
- Local (there are slightly different National
Classes)
|
| Rookie |
Novice |
Expert |
Girls |
| Boys & Girls |
Boys Only |
Boys Only |
Girls Only |
| 5 & Under |
5 & Under (Boys
& Girls) |
5 & Under (Boys
& Girls) |
|
| 6 Years Old |
6 Years Old |
6 Years Old |
6-7 |
| 7 Years Old |
7 Years Old |
7 Years Old |
8-9 |
| 8 Years Old |
8 Years Old |
8 Years Old |
10-11 |
| 9 Years Old |
9 Years Old |
9 Years Old |
12-13 |
| 10 Years Old |
10 Years Old |
10 Years Old |
14-15 |
| 11 Years Old |
11 Years Old |
11 Years Old |
16 & Over (Pro) |
| 12 Years Old |
12 Years Old |
12 Years Old |
|
| 13 Years Old |
13 Years Old |
13 Years Old |
|
| 14 Years Old |
14 Years Old |
14 Years Old |
|
| 15 Years Old |
15 Years Old |
15 Years Old |
|
| 16 Years Old |
16 Years Old |
16 Years Old |
|
| 17 & Over |
17 Years Old |
17 Years Old |
|
|
18-20 Years Old |
18-20 Years Old |
|
|
21-24 Years Old |
21-24 Years Old |
|
|
25-29 Years Old |
25-29 Years Old |
|
|
30-34 Years Old |
30-34 Years Old |
|
|
35 & Over |
35 & Over |
|
|
Auto Advance if 15 Move-ups* no
time limit
|
Auto Advance if 20 Move-ups*
no time
limit
|
No possible advancement
|
| No possible advancement |
|
24" Cruiser Classes - Local
(there are slightly different National
Classes) |
| Girl Cruiser |
Cruiser |
Open |
Elite
Men |
| Girls Only |
Boys Only |
Boys & Girls |
Boys Only |
|
9 & Under |
|
|
| 10 & Under |
10-11 |
7 & Under |
Elite 20 " |
| 11-13 |
12-13 |
8-9 |
Pro/Am |
| 14-17 |
14-15 |
10-11 |
Trophy |
| 18-29 |
16-17 |
12-13 |
|
| 30-39 |
18-20 |
14-15 |
|
| 40 & Over |
21-24 |
16 & Over |
|
|
25-29 |
Elite Open |
|
|
30-34 |
|
|
|
35-39 |
|
|
|
40-44 |
|
|
|
45-49 |
|
|
|
50-54 |
|
|
|
55 & Over |
|
|
|
At all races you will earn points which are
accumulated and published in the monthly BMX Today magazine and
are also available on-line. These points may lead to local,
regional and national awards.
There are 3 basic amateur levels of competition in BMX for
20" bikes: Rookie, Novice and
Expert. There is also 1 class for 24" bikes: Cruiser.
All riders on 20" bikes begin as rookies.
They will race other rookie riders
of the same age and gender to accumulate points. Novice and
expert riders will race other novice and expert riders of their
same age and gender. The points are awarded using the tables
below. |
For rookies
and novice riders each race provides an opportunity to earn a
"Move-Up" point. This is a way of tracking your progress
and skill as a rider and provides a method of providing automatic
advancement of a rider with the necessary skills.
If a rider beats 2 other riders of his own age (or older) and
of their own proficiency level (or higher) he is awarded a
"Move-Up". There can be only 1 "Move-Up"
awarded in each class and there must be at least 3 riders in the
class.
When rookies received 8 "Move-Ups" in a calendar year
they will be moved-up to the Novice class. These
"Move-Ups" start over every January.
When a Novice receives 20 "Move-Ups" during their career
they will be moved up to the Expert class. These "Move-Ups'
do not start over each year, they are cumulative.
You can also download
the Complete Rules of Competition in Adobe Acorbart4.0 format. |
|
Rookie
Point Chart |
| Finish
Position |
Moto
Points (each moto) |
Main
Points (if any) |
| 1st |
40 |
10 |
| 2nd |
35 |
9 |
| 3rd |
30 |
8 |
| 4th |
25 |
7 |
| 5th |
20 |
6 |
| 6th |
15 |
5 |
| 7th |
-- |
4 |
| 8th |
-- |
3 |
| Novice
/ Girls / Cruiser Point Chart |
| Finish
Position |
Moto
Points (each moto) |
Main
Points (if any) |
| 1st |
50 |
20 |
| 2nd |
45 |
18 |
| 3rd |
40 |
16 |
| 4th |
35 |
14 |
| 5th |
30 |
12 |
| 6th |
25 |
10 |
| 7th |
-- |
8 |
| 8th |
-- |
6 |
| Expert
Point Chart |
| Finish
Position |
Moto
Points (each moto) |
Main
Points (if any) |
| 1st |
60 |
20 |
| 2nd |
55 |
18 |
| 3rd |
50 |
16 |
| 4th |
45 |
14 |
| 5th |
40 |
12 |
| 6th |
35 |
10 |
| 7th |
-- |
8 |
| 8th |
-- |
6 |
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All Rights Reserved |