I will start,  I love the new rule about the girls choosing there class. So many times at my local track a 10 year old has to race 6 year old girls and she would rather race the boys.  The clips I think every rider should be able to choose if you were going to put that rule in you should have set a age limit to kids 9 and under.  I rode clips as a novice, and I did it because they keep my feet on the pedals as I race, any other time I ride flats and I love them.   The 20 win rule was in state 12 years ago dont know why they changed it but ok.

The nag rules good changes,  State plates to the experts seprate from inter and novice is dope for them huge race areas.

I think the clip pedal rule is dumb. The rule should stay how it was. You can use clips regardless if your a novice or pro. How are novices going to ever get good or better if they can't practice with clips. 95 percent plus racers use clip pedals.....

Capt. Nemo wrote:

I can't tell you how many kids in the novice class I've seen fall all over the place in clips. Guess who put them in them? Let the kids learn fundementals before strapping them to their bikes.

As an older rider, if you can ride clips, you are no novice. Plain and simple.

The no clips for novice rule is to keep everyone off them until they are ready.

I saw a dude practically wipe out the whole gate trying to balance on clips and completely lose it during his motos. TWICE.

No rule about not being able to practice on them, just can't race 'em.

Best rule ever!

At my track I don't notice that, but I guess your right.

I like the rules.  My son who has one win in intermediate, still struggles with clips.  I agree novice shouldnt be wearing clips because most of them fall over on the gate.  They get seriously hurt when they fall racing.  I totally agree with the rest of the rules.  It sounds like its kinda relaxing the rules a bit except for clips.

There is more changes to the rules to.   OPENS will be " open wheeled"  meaning cruisers will race 20s   I am trying to find a full list of rule changes.       As for the clip rule, I told my kids they couldnt race clips till they turned inter.  But that was my choice!!!! NOT A RULE

I think the new rules reflect an overall focus on letting the rider develop slowly.  Spending a year or two in the novice ranks is a good deal for young kids.  It allows them to feel some success, and also develop riding skills without trying to ride above their heads.  Even now, once a rider moves up to INT there is generally quite a learning curve still.  Let the kids just get on their bikes, without pressure or things like clip pedals, and ride.

For adults it should be a choice IMHO.  And perhaps the choice is given in that you can always jump up to INT if you want to clip in.

I personally don't like the new Redline Cup qualifying rule of two qualifying scores plus the weekend final scores.  Just means more traveling to even be in contention for a plate.  I guess you just have to pick a series (National, State or Redline) and go for it.

jeff359 wrote:

So me at 40, riding clips my hole life on road and MTB, has to race platforms because your kid should not be in them? 

I know why they did the new rule on them, but Im not to happy.  Riding normal peddles feels ackward to me.  Ive riden mtb and road clips for over twenty years recreationally, not racing.  I've gotten into BMX racing with my younger kids last year.  I'm certainly a novice, and likely will never be an expert. 

Taking away my clips just made me a crappier racer.  It took away some of my bike control.  It increased my chance of injury.

Simple, just race intermediate, they will let you.

I'm a 40+ novice, run clips on my mountain bike and flats on my BMX, it is not dangerous at all.

Love the rule, it just made me more competitive with the novice riders, and I'll still get beat by the inters.

I still dont understand the state.  Before I know my son had to race 3 races in State to be eligible for state plate.   Now 6?  am i reading it right?

JAMMJ wrote:

I still dont understand the state.  Before I know my son had to race 3 races in State to be eligible for state plate.   Now 6?  am i reading it right?

you have to race 6-10 single point regular races then the 3 qualifiers then the SCF race to get a state plate.

Its to keep people from just going to the 3 qualifiers and finals out of state.  If I wanted to i could hit up 5-6 different state plates within a 3-4 hr drive.  I think its their attempt to keep the plates in state rather than a mini-national type thing.

Therealpoorboy wrote:

JAMMJ wrote:

I still dont understand the state.  Before I know my son had to race 3 races in State to be eligible for state plate.   Now 6?  am i reading it right?

you have to race 6-10 single point regular races then the 3 qualifiers then the SCF race to get a state plate.

Its to keep people from just going to the 3 qualifiers and finals out of state.  If I wanted to i could hit up 5-6 different state plates within a 3-4 hr drive.  I think its their attempt to keep the plates in state rather than a mini-national type thing.

i see, thank you for the explanation.
what i meant was state qualifiers, not 3 races.

Last edited by JAMMJ (2012-11-09 9:13am)