Types of Races with AMRA
Points Races - Hosting clubs may choose any of the following race formats for their AMRA Arizona State Championship Points event. Race format must be communicated at the riders' meeting and/or within the rider instructions.
Standard Races:
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Enduro:
An off-road event consisting of multiple timed “test” sections connected by untimed “transfer” sections. Overall results are determined by the rider’s accumulated test times only. Transfers must be completed per the race instructions, but transfer times do not count toward scoring, and there are no speed or time requirements for transfers. Enduros generally include three (3) to seven (7) tests, with the length and type of terrain for each test and transfer determined by the sponsoring club and land availability. Starts are typically one (1) rider at a time into a test section and one (1) to five (5) riders at a time into a transfer. Starts may be conducted at set “key times” or as “restarts” where riders begin at their discretion. Events may also use a combination of both starting methods. All start formats and event details must be clearly announced at the riders' meeting and within the race instructions. A rider completing more test sections than another rider will be scored higher. To be considered a finisher, riders must complete at least one-half (1⁄2) of the total number of set test sections. Cut-off times, gas stops, and emergency bailouts are at the discretion of the promoting club and must be announced at the riders' meeting. AMRA highly recommends that the race affords enough time to finish for all riders not suffering mechanical difficulties.
Grand Prix:
A closed course of roughly five (5) to twenty-five (25) miles with variable types of terrain including paved roads, open desert, sand washes, and a motocross course. Additional unusual obstacles (water, buildings, wood, bridges, killer hills, etc.) are recommended. The race must be at least 30 minutes minimum or up to 2 hours running time for all finishers. To be considered a finisher, riders must complete a minimum of one (1) lap for every two (2) laps completed by the leader of their class and take the checkered flag. The Grand Prix may be run as a heat race at the discretion of the host club. The race will be cut off after the leader finishes. Practice and/or a parade lap are allowed in a Grand Prix.
Hare Scrambles:
A closed course using trails and paths over natural terrain. The course should be between two and a half (2.5) and forty (40) miles long. Unless otherwise instructed at the riders' meeting, riders must not ride more than twenty (20) feet from the course marking arrows. If two arrows are positioned on each side of the route, riders must remain between the arrows. To be considered a finisher, riders must have completed a minimum of one (1) lap for every two (2) laps completed by the leader of their class. It's not necessary to take the checkered flag to finish. The sponsoring club may, at its discretion, require contestants to complete more laps than required by AMRA. Cut-off times are left to the sponsoring club and must be announced at the rider's meeting. AMRA highly recommends that all riders not suffering mechanical difficulties be allowed sufficient time to finish the race.
Sprint Enduro:
A Sprint Enduro is conducted on a closed course with at least two timed sections using various terrain, including, but not limited to, woods, motocross, manmade obstacles, grass tracks, and other off-road terrain. Test sections will be run multiple times. Each section will range from 2.5 miles to 15 miles in length. For the Peewee and Youth classes, the length of sections can be at the discretion of the organizer. Arrows may be used to direct competitors on the proper route when the terrain doesn’t clearly dictate direction. The meet will run a designated number of sections predetermined by the start of the event. The total number of timed tests for the event is six to 12 tests, weather permitting. The organizer, however, must specify the format in all advance advertising and at the riders' meeting. A rider must finish the event to be eligible for awards and points. To finish, a rider needs to complete at least 50 percent of the timed sections as the winner of their class.
Other:
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Non-Time Keeping Qualifier:
An open course consisting of transfer sections and test sections. A transfer section is defined as a portion of the course where a specific average speed must be maintained. maintained, with points assessed for completing the section both too early and too late. In order to ensure that no time keeping is necessary, speed averages through transfer sections should be set so that the slowest riders can stay on time riding at a continuous trail riding pace. It is permissible to vary the speed average for the different skill levels. Test sections are defined as portions of the course where riders' abilities are assessed by either timing the section or establishing a speed average that most, if not all, riders cannot achieve. When timed separately, test sections can be located within transfer sections. If the event is run as a ‘start control’ enduro, test sections are established by increased speed averages and are separate from transfer sections. Test sections can be preceded and followed by either a transfer section or another test section. There is no maximum or minimum length for test sections, but there must be at least two test sections that assess points or time to every ‘C’ rider, with at least one scored to the second (emergency check). For the A and B riders, there must be at least four test sections that assess time or points to every rider, and at least two must be scored to the second. To be considered a finisher, AMRA-sanctioned Non-Time Keeping Qualifiers will be scored in accordance with the respective AMA rules and regulations in effect the same year as said race. Riders not completing the entire course will be scored behind the last rider to complete the next test section.
Hare and Hound:
An open course of a minimum of sixty (60) miles with either individual loops (clover-leaf) or open-ended (point-to-point) course, and it should not be run over any area more than once. All Classes need not be required to go the same distance. Riders must complete their advertised class distance to be considered a finisher. Cut-off times are left to the sponsoring club and must be announced at the rider's meeting. AMRA highly recommends that all riders not suffering mechanical difficulties be allowed sufficient time to finish the race.
Desert Scrambles (a type of Hare and Hound):
An open course of not less than one (1) hour and not more than three (3) hours in total running time. Desert Scrambles require that a portion of the course be ridden at least twice and a minimum of 50% single track and or 50” trail be used in the layout of the course. The sponsoring club is to lay out the course in such a manner that the top 5% of the total entries do not exceed an average of 30 mph. If the 30 mph average is exceeded by more than 5% then the sponsoring club will be subject to a $100 fine by the Competition Committee. To be considered a finisher, riders must have completed a minimum of one lap for every two (2) laps completed by the leader of their class. The sponsoring club may at its discretion, require contestants to complete more laps than required by AMRA. Cut-off times are left to the sponsoring club and must be announced at the rider's meeting. AMRA highly recommends that all riders not suffering mechanical difficulties be allowed sufficient time to finish the race.
Non-Points races:
Other events, such as Motocross, Hill Climbs, Night Races, and other Field Events, may be sanctioned by AMRA. The suitability of an event for inclusion (paying points) in the AMRA Arizona State Championship will be determined by the Competition Committee on a case-by-case basis.