Rule submissions for the 2017 competition standards

Submitted Name Rule Proposal
12/13/2016 – 11:04 Cole Williams
Rule Book Page 32 Championship Recognition
6.3.1 Needs to be updated. This is older way of doing plaques. Now we issue a really nice plaque for anyone who qualifies for year end awards. We don’t do the 3 race plaques with tabs anymore. I also feel this limits OCCRA from doing something different. Having this written down holds OCCRA to a certain way to do plaques.
6.3.2 Place tabs needs to be removed.Proposal for 6.3.1 – Membership Awards – A season award is made available to member to commemorate that years racing season. A racer must be a member in good standing and have met the year end awards, season awards criteria to qualify.Explain: This will allow officers to give any type of award to anyone who qualifies for awards. Sometimes we might do awards at each race, or maybe we will give different awards at year end. I don’t think it needs to be held to a specific type of plaque that is no longer used.
Enacted by officers.  Wording will be revised to be more generic to allow for flexibility in providing quality championship recognition.
12/09/2016 – 13:26 Cole Williams
Page 12 Rulebook 6.1.3 – 21
Add a Trail Rider Class to the A RaceCurrent Rule – The Trail Riders class is designed for those who want the thrill of participation without the stress of competition. No points or year end awards are given.
Proposed Rule – The Trail Riders class is designed for those who want the thrill of participation without the stress of competition. No points or year end awards are given.
A Riders must enter the A Trail Rider class and B Riders must enter the B Trail Rider class.This will reduce passing issues, reduce a few overall top 10 placing issues, reduce overall points issue in the B race, and also reduce the rider count in a large race and increase it in a smaller race.I submitted this because I agree with it and think it is a good idea, if JD and Emily are absent I want it to still get voted on.
Passed – An A Trail Rider class will be added to the A Division race.  A class riders can only ride in A Trail Rider.  Members can petition the officers for an exception in the event that an A rider parent is using the B Trail Rider class to assist or train a child.  However, if the rider is causing a disruption in a B division contenders race, then the privilege will be revoked.  Riders that are not known to OCCRA should attempt to trail ride in the division that fits their speed.  Riders that enter B Trail and do not fit the speed profile of the B Division can be bumped to A Trail for future races.  Finally, all trail riders will be required to display pink on their number plates.
12/09/2016 – 13:18 Cole Williams Please delete previous proposal, this is the updated version.

Page 30 Rule Book 6.2.1 – 5
Work Bonus: Work the day your race is on.

If your race is on a Saturday then to qualify for that race you must work a Saturday. Same thing if you race on a Sunday, you work on a Sunday. With the exception of having two races on the same day. If this happens one work day will need to be on the day you race with the other being able to be on either day of your choice.

Example: Rider1 races Vintage and Quad long course. They would need to work one day on a Saturday and the other work day could be on the day of their choice.
Rider2 Races Quad long course and A Bike. They would need to work a Saturday and a Sunday.

Explain – To boost rules meeting attendance, haha. But really this would prevent everyone working on Saturday when racer numbers are lower than on Sunday when racer numbers are higher. I would have to get some stats but I remember at least a couple times when we had too many workers on Saturdays with a rider count of 60-70, and then the following day have a rider count of 150-200 with minimal amount of workers. Another option could be first come first serve on working and when the limit is reached there will be no more workers that day? Touchy subject. Let your voice be heard at the meeting.

Enacted by Officers and affirmed by members – The Officers/BOD fully recognize the issue that there are not enough workers on Sunday to provide assistance to our riders.  At the same time, though, we understand that there are circumstances (work, family, out-of-series, competition, etc) that may require a rider to need to work on their non-race day.  Therefore, for 2017 riders will be encouraged to work on their race day (e.g. quads and saturday short course on Saturday and bikes on Sunday).  But, a rider can elect to work on the opposite day by paying a fee.  There is no fee to work on your race day and points are awarded equally.  Finally, work hours will be evened out, so that Saturday and Sunday workers pitch in to help the club equally.  Remember, that the point of work is not to punish or to just get free points, but rather to provide a service to your fellow members by helping them as they race and by giving a day’s work to help with the operation of the club.

12/09/2016 – 08:50 Cole Williams
Page 33 Rule Book 6.3.4 – Iron-Man Award
To rewrite the rule in a way that I think better defines an Ironman.Current Rule – To the rider at season end who has accumulated the most points. Trail rider and Short course races do not count toward Ironman. Throwaways and Work bonuses are not included and the riders class must have averaged 4 MEMBER riders per race that season. In case of a tie, the tie will be broken by the most 1st places, then 2nd places, etc, until the tie is broken. If still tied, it will go to he or she who has raced the most OCCRA races in any division or combination thereof with one point per race regardless of finish position.
Proposed Rule – To the rider at seasons end who has raced the most OCCRA races in A/B/X long course divisions, excluding “Trail Rider”. The rider must qualify for yearend awards in all classes considered. In the case of a tie the racer with the most laps completed in qualifying classes, for the year will win. If another tiebreaker is needed then the racer with the most combined points in the classes considered will win. If another tiebreaker is needed it will go by who has the most 1sts, then 2nds, ect.This proposal ensures the racer to basically attend every weekend, race both days, and go for as many laps as possible. In the event of a tie the first tie breaker will favor a faster rider. The second tie breaker will favor the more consistent rider, the 3rd tiebreaker will then favor the most wins in the season. This will only include the A/B/X races because they are the only races that have a class for everyone in each race. I took out the minimum number or racers because everyone is a member and size of class is not as much of a factor with the lap tiebreaker. This will allow all classes in A/B/X to be considered for the award.
Adjusted by Officers – The Iron Man award has had controversy over the last couple of years, but when you boil it down, the award recognizes the achievement of riders that can compete on both a quad and a bike.  Therefore, the officers decided to simplify the award by issuing Iron Man awards to any rider that achieves 100% in the bike A or B division and quad X division and satisfies the requirements for year end awards.  All riders that meet the criteria will receive this special recognition.
12/08/2016 – 08:30 John Moore
Just a suggestion but I race OCCRA as well as OHSCS and OHSCS has a team bike class. OCCRA has a team quad but no team bike and I just think that it would be a great addition to the organization.
Not enacted – Team Bike was attempted a few years ago at the same time that the Team Quad was enacted.  We never had a team register.
12/08/2016 – 08:14 Cole Williams

Not necessarily a rule. But I maybe it can go in the handbook section. Or maybe just make it a rule.

I think when it is a great possibility that the track will get worse as the bike race goes on that the decision be available to the officers to change the order of the bike race to let the B race go first.

Example – 2015 Skiatook and 2016 Morris. We knew before the weekend even started that the race would be muddy. With these two races being in soft soil we could make the assumption that it could get rutted. Then the officers would have the option to change the order of the bike race to let the B’s go first. This would let lower skill level racers have a few less ruts to deal with. More skilled riders would have as much problems with the course and ruts.

I would suggest the decision be made before gates open on the Friday of race weekend.

Not enacted – This is not feasible due to race marketing.

12/08/2016 – 08:03 Cole Williams
Page 17 Rule Book 6.1.7 -1
Change the A bike race from 1.5 hours to 2 hours.Current Rule – Adult races will be one and half hours in duration. Youth races will be 30 minutes in duration.
Proposed Rule – B Bike and X Quad race will be 1.5 hours, the A bike race will be 2 hours, and the Youth races will be 30 minutes in duration.Explain – This would put the elite Bike races on par with other organizations. GNCC even races for 3 hours. This could also tempt B riders to move up a class to get more “bang for their buck.’
Enacted with amendment – A, B and X races will now be 1 hour and 45 minutes in length.  This race length will help ensure that riders on the last row will have a chance to race a full 1.5 hours.  This way, some riders can enjoy a longer race and all riders should come closer to achieving a 1.5 hour race.
12/07/2016 – 08:38 Emily Cohlmia
I propose that we add a trail rider class to the A race. Only A riders will be able to ride in the A trail rider class and only B riders will be able to ride in the B trail rider class. This year, we had a big issue with A riders who didn’t want to come early for practice and used the B race (in a B/A weekend) as their practice lap. This overloaded the trail rider class starts for people who are using the trail rider for what it is supposed to be used for (Ada had 37 trail riders at the start)….those who are not ready, or do not want to race in a competitive setting, or youth who are trying out the long course who aren’t ready to move into a competitive long course yet. Not only that, but some of the A racers are much faster than the B racers, and there was an issue with A racers passing B racers aggressively, and also created problems within the B race overall scoring. Even though the trail riders are kicked out of the overall at the end of the year, throughout the year, there were numerous trail riders in the top 20 of the B overall, which made it difficult to determine your standings.
I personally think this is just bad sportsmanship as well.If B trail riders’ times are within the top 10 overall B riders, they should be bumped to A trail riders.I have talked to numerous B riders who have been concerned about this. B riders, especially those fighting for the top spots of their class, should not have to interrupt their race to pull over for an A rider who wants to pass, who is only using the class to practice. Also, as a parent of a 14 year old, whose last year that he can race minis, we are trying to transition him into long course by having him ride in trail rider. It has been extremely intimidating to him to start with A riders on the same line.
See earlier proposal.
12/06/2016 – 20:02 JD Walker
I propose that there is an A and B trail riding class. If your review the last two OCCRA results in the B class, at ADA out the top 10 finishers, five were trail riders 35 trail riders total out of 105 total riders. At Fry Lake out the top 10 finishers, five were trail riders 25 trail riders total out of 87 total riders. With this many riders being passed there is an increased opportunity for collision. To help limit this amount of interaction of different riding ability if an A trail rider class was introduced would reduce this greatly. The assignment of class would be what ever class you are currently riding A or B you would have to enter into matching Trail Rider class. If you have not ridden OCCRA at all within the season you would have to review your riding skill with registration an be assigned to appropriate class.
See earlier proposal.
12/06/2016 – 15:28 Cole Williams

This is not a rule proposal I just want to let it be known I am in favor of a Handbook and a separate Rulebook. I would be willing to help split the two up. I just don’t want it to be a surprise if it ends up happening.

Handbook – Tells about OCCRA, class definitions, schedules, awards, payout, safety gear, Ect
Rulebook – Tells about infractions, penalties, protests, track markings, etiquette, ect

This may or may not be possible. IF it is possible I would think the handbook could just be a tab on the website and the rulebook could be printed and handed out to racers. it would hopefully be smaller and possibly more detailed.

Currently be thankful. AMA rulebook is 295 or so pages.

Not a rule.

12/06/2016 – 15:20 Cole Williams

***WITHDRAWN – See newer submitted proposal on same subject***

Page 30 Rule Book 6.2.1 – 5
Work Bonus: Work the day your race is on.

If your race is on a Saturday then to qualify for that race you must work a Saturday. Same thing if you race on a Sunday, you work on a Sunday.

Explain – To boost rules meeting attendance, haha. But really this would prevent everyone working on Saturday when racer numbers are lower than on Sunday when racer numbers are higher. I would have to get some stats but I remember at least a couple times when we had too many workers on Saturdays with a rider count of 60-70, and then the following day have a rider count of 150-200 with minimal amount of workers. Another option could be first come first serve on working and when the limit is reached there will be no more workers that day? Touchy subject. Let your voice be heard at the meeting.

12/06/2016 – 15:13 Cole Williams
Page 38 Rule Book Sunday Chart
Change words of “Safety Lap” to “Practice”Just a wording Issue.
Not a rule.  Simple semantic change.
12/06/2016 – 15:10 Cole Williams
Page 28 Rule Book 6.2.1 – 1
Take out the last two sentences.
Current rule – In the event of a tie, it will be broken by who has the most event first places. If a tie still exists, it will go to the second, third, ect places, until the tie is broken. Throwaways will not be used to break a tie. Transfer point will not be used to break a tie.
Proposed rule – In the event of a tie, it will be broken by who has the most event first places. If a tie still exists, it will go to the second, third, ect places, until the tie is broken. If still tied. after all rounds, final tie breaker is determined by placing in the last round of that season.Explain – This is the second year in a row that this rule has almost came into question. The last sentence is just wrong to me and the second to last sentence needs to go too. I added the final tie breaker for a sure fire way of not having a tie.
12/06/2016 – 15:02 Cole Williams
Page 21 Rule Book 6.1.10
Change the length of the protest time period from 20 minutes. Proposal A or B to be considered, only one approved, not both.Current Rule – Riders may protest the score results for a period of twenty minutes after posting.
Proposed Rule A – Riders may protest the score results for a period until the next scheduled round of that race.
Proposed Rule B – Riders may protest the score results for a period of twenty minutes after posting and can be held pending until the next round for proof to be provided.Explain – Once again just a wording issue. I think this is already a possibility. I jus don’t want people thinking that because the 20 minutes is up that they are home free. This would give riders a chance to get their evidence together for protest. There have been times when I saw someone break a rule but couldn’t remember their number until I reviewed my gopro, which was after the weekend was over. I think with hard evidence a limit on the protest period should extended, but should be settled before the next round. Once the next round of that race is started then the protest is no longer valid.
No vote.  This is an operational guideline and extension would prohibit timely distribution of awards, payout, etc.  Riders must submit their official protest within the 20 minute time period.  Evaluation of the protest can extend past that protest period if necessary.  Officers always reserve the right to make scoring adjustments due to malfunctions in scoring equipment, etc., and these adjustments do not require a protest.
12/06/2016 – 14:50 Cole Williams
Page 19 Rule Book 6.1.7 -8
Add – “and will result in a DQ” to the last sentence.Current Rule – Swapping machines during the course of the race is not allowed.
Proposed Rule – Swapping machines during the course of the race is not allowed and will result in a DQ.Explain – Even though mostly jumping on a second machine is mostly harmless it can change the outcome of a race inadvertently in multiple ways.
Not passed by officers – DQ is the harshest penalty that can be issued to a series racer and should be reserved for extreme circumstances.  If a racer swaps machines during a race, the racer’s scoring will end at the point that the swap occurs.  For example, if a rider breaks down after starting their 4th lap, then the first 3 laps will count.
12/06/2016 – 14:42 Cole Williams
Page 13 Rule Book 6.1.4 -5
Add – “or from +40 Ama to Ama” to the example.The rule states that no rider can be forced out of an age based class to a LOWER age based class. After reading this it could be argued that you can not be bumped from an age based class to a NON age based class. Adding this would clarify the current rule, it would not change the rule in my opinion. It would also give the scoring director more ability to bump a racer.
12/06/2016 – 14:26 Cole Williams

Page 13 Rule Book 6.1.4 -2

Add – “at the time of bump” to the first sentence.

Current Rule -Bumped riders will be re-scored based on where their final time would have placed them in the new class .
Proposed Rule – Bumped riders will be re-scored based on where their final time would have placed them in the new class at the time of bump.

Explain – To my knowledge this is how Moto tally currently works. Nothing is changing because of this rule, it is just more clarification. Having this wording will make it clear on how moto tally handles bumps and keeps OCCRA from being responsible when one person gets bumped early and one late. It will also prevent a lot of manual work from the scoring director.

Semantic change

12/06/2016 – 14:20 Cole Williams
Page 11 Rule Book 6.1.3 – 16
Add the following wording to the rule – “One of the original team members must race in each race. One alternate may be used per year. In the event of an additional alternate(s) being needed all current teams contending for points must be made aware, if additional alternate(s) is approved by officers.”This rule was put in for the Team Quads. This was partially talked about during creation of the Team rules. I would just like it in the rule book.  Explain – This rule would not change any outcome that happened in the past two years. It would only put the verbal rule in writing.
Clarification of procedures for team quads.
12/06/2016 – 14:10 Cole Williams
Page 11 of Rule Book 6.1.3 – 15
Change “Automatic transmission and reverse gear” to “Automatic transmission/Clutch production models and reverse gear.”Current Rule – The Quad Utility Class requires automatic transmission and reverse gear. The Polaris Ace may be entered in the Utility class.Proposed Rule – The Quad Utility Class requires automatic transmission/clutch production models and reverse gear. The Polaris Ace may be entered in the Utility class.Explain – This is a wording issue I’ve had for the past few years. This doesn’t exclude any machines that have raced in the past 5 years. It only puts in place a more accurate description.
Semantic change
12/06/2016 – 14:00 Cole Williams
Page 11 of Rule Book 6.1.3 – 7
Change “the day of the race” to “Jan 1st”. Then take out the next two sentences.Current Rule – To be eligible to ride in age-based classes, the rider must be that age on or before the day of the race. A change in the age status does not automatically mean a change of racing class. The Score-Chair’s decision out-weighs a riders age status.Proposed Rule – To be eligible to ride in age-based classes, the rider must be that age on or before Jan 1st.Explain: This will take out the possibility of someone transferring classes mid season because of age, and in doing so create a points transfer conflict. This would bring all age based classes to the same date. (mini’s already have this effective date)
Not passed by officers.  There is not reason to change this.  Mid season class changes would still be governed by points transfer rules.
12/06/2016 – 10:06 Cole Williams I like Tim.

Passed by officers.  We like Tim.

12/02/2016 – 22:57 gaven strength
its not really a rule but can the amature line go before the 40 plus and and the team quad go before the ameture
Not considered – the restructure of the quad classes effectively enacted this change anyway.
11/30/2016 – 12:28 Randal Hallum

***Withdrawn by Randal due to duplication with a similar submission***

I propose in the 2017 season that one race in the A, B and X classes be extended to run for 2 hours. For weekend time restraints, all three of the extended races do not necessarily need to be held at the same venue.

This could be looked at as a study to see if longer races would draw more members.
pitting for fuel would be necessary for a large portion of the faster riders with benefits paying off to those with well-planned strategy and pitting skills.
As most all of the National level races are even longer than this it would give a rider a chance to see if he has what it takes.

11/28/2016 – 13:50 Tim Startz
Make all Saturday bike race starts dead engine starts (for all rows). The short tracks typically have a short starting area, and when you have very skilled riders on big bore bikes, this makes for a very interesting live engine start. A dead engine start would spread out the field a little bit before the first corner. Besides, this is cross country, not motocross. Of course, the race director can evaluate each start and elect for a live engine start if the circumstances warrant this change.
11/28/2016 – 13:49 Tim Startz Add A and B classes to the Decades class.

Passed

11/28/2016 – 13:48 Tim Startz
Revise Saturday bike race from 1 minute row starts to 30 seconds between rows. With the faster riders completing laps in the 7 minute range, and as we add rows and classes to the Saturday races, we need to make sure we get all of the rows started before the first row completes their first laps.
11/28/2016 – 13:47 Tim Startz Revise the name of the Saturday bike race from “Vintage” to “Saturday Bike Race”

Passed – Semantic change

11/28/2016 – 13:47 tim startz
Proposed Pit Bike Race
The proposed pit bike classes will:
• Race during the Saturday afternoon bike races on the short course
• Start on the 4th row, behind the vintage class. The +60 and women’s short course lines will be moved to the 5th and 6th rows respectively.
• All four proposed pit bike classes will start on the same line, but will be scored independent of each other. If needed, can use two lines for this start, with the outlaw and mad dog classes starting on row 4a and the 12” and 10” stock classes starting on row 4b. Both rows would start at the same time. In this event, the start will be a live engine start.
• Dead engine starts, unless otherwise allowed by race director
• Open numbering
• Work requirements apply
• All other OCCRA rules apply
• Entry fee will be the same as all Saturday short course fees ($20)
• Individual race plaques will be given for first through third place at each race.
• End of season awards will be given for first through third place, although jackets will not be awarded for the Pit Bike classes, these end of year places can be added to a jacket if earned through another OCCRA class.
• Minimum age requirement of 14 years old.Outlaw
This class is designed for the modified pit bikes. Some organizations call this the Vegas-style or 12” mod class. The intent of this class is to be the premier and fastest pit bike class. These bikes will be modified in almost every fashion from the typical Japanese manufactured 12” bike. Typical manufacturers of these pit bikes are Piranha, Pitster Pro, SSR, etc. Limitations to this class are listed below.
• Maximum of 12” rear wheel and 14” front wheel
• Air cooled, horizontal 4 stroke engine with open cradle frame, limited to 200cc displacement
• Aftermarket frame cradle may be used
• Maximum wheel base is 49”Mad Dog
This class was designed around the KLX/DRZ/CRF/TTR 150/140/125 bikes only (XR/CRF100 models also qualify). Water cooled engines are not allowed. This is intended to be a modified class. Limitations to this class are listed below.
• Maximum of 16” rear wheel and 19” front wheel
• Air cooled, vertical 4 stroke engine, originally displacing no more than 150cc
• Engine modifications are allowed using the original crankcases and cylinder head as long as the engine displacement is no more than 150cc.
• The front forks cannot be mechanically altered or replaced except for springs, valving, and oil
• The air filtration system, handlebars, triple clamps, sprockets, and rear shock, may be changed.
• Altered and aftermarket exhaust systems are allowed
• No frame or swing arm modifications are allowed
• Aftermarket frame cradle may be usedStock 12
This class was designed around the KLX/DRZ/CRF/TTR 110/90 bikes only. This is intended to be a stock bike class, with very few exceptions, as it was sold by the manufacturer. Limitations to this class are listed below.
• Maximum of 12” rear wheel and 14” front wheel
• Air cooled, horizontal 4 stroke engine with open cradle frame
• No engine modifications are allowed
• No clutch modifications are allowed
• Aftermarket frame cradle may be used
• No suspension modifications other than spring/fluid level changes
• No brake modifications allowed
• No carburetor modifications allowed other than jetting
• Airbox must remain in place. The lid may be drilled or removed.
• No frame or swing arm modifications are allowed
• Chassis modifications are limited to tall seat and tall bars.Stock 10
This class was designed around the CRF/Z50, DRZ50, TTR50, and alike bikes. This is intended to be a stock bike class, with very few exceptions, as it was sold by the manufacturer. Limitations to this class are listed below.
• Maximum of 10” rear wheel and 12” front wheel
• Air cooled, 4 stroke engine with open cradle frame
• No engine modifications are allowed
• No clutch modifications are allowed
• Aftermarket frame cradle may be used
• No suspension modifications other than spring/fluid level changes
• No brake modifications allowed
• No carburetor modifications allowed other than jetting
• Airbox must remain in place. The lid may be drilled or removed.
• No frame or swing arm modifications are allowed
• Chassis modifications are limited to tall seat and tall bars.
Passed on 3 race trial basis.  If participation is lacking, the classes can be dropped after 3 races.