Harmonisation of the Motocross Technical Rules
Harmonisation of the Motocross Technical Rules
Meeting between the FIM, AMA, Promoters & Manufacturers
The different stakeholders in Motocross and Supercross gathered at the Hilton Hotel in San Bernardino on 13 May 2011 for the first time ever to discuss a harmonisation of the Motocross Technical Rules. This worldwide harmonisation is one of the goals of the FIM Strategic Plan also requested by the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association (MSMA).
The meeting was chaired by FIM Deputy Vice-President Jorge Viegas and attended by: Wolfgang Srb, Ignacio Verneda & Dirk De Neve (FIM); Kevin Crowther (AMA); Giuseppe Luongo, Ursula Luongo & Eric Peronnard (YouthStream, Promoter of the FIM Motocross World Championships); Todd Jendro (Feld Motorsports , Promoter of the AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship); Davey Coombs (MX Sports, Promoter of AMA Pro Motocross): Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA); Takashi Mishima, Roger Harvey & Ray Conway (Honda); Martino Bianchi & Derek Sorenson (Husqvarna); Shinichiro Yokoyama, Steve Guttridge & Mike Fisher (Kawasaki); Winfried Kerschhaggl & Roger De Coster (KTM); Shoji Tanaka, Eric Geboers, Roy Matheson & Ray Tetherton (Suzuki); Patriek Heydens (TM) ; Mike Guerra & Jim Perry (Yamaha).
The discussion focused on the following topics:
- Prototypes versus Production Racing
All parties confirmed that ‘prototype’ style motorcycles will continue to be used the FIM Motocross World Championships and ‘production’ based motorcycles will continue to be used in the AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and in AMA Pro Motocross.
‘2 metre Max’ sound test method (effective as of 1st January 2012)
All parties agreed to apply the current ‘2 metre max’ sound test method and the maximum sound levels - valid for the FIM Motocross World Championships - also in the AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and in AMA Pro Motocross.
Maximum sound level before the race:
115dB/A
116 dB/A (measured with a class 1 meter: 115 dB/A + 1 dB/A)
117 dB/A (measured with a class 2 meter: 115 dB/A + 2 dB/A)
Maximum sound level after the race:
116 dB/A (115 dB/A + 1dB/A)
117 dB/A (with a class 1 meter: 116 dB/A + 1 dB/A)
118 dB/A (with a class 2 meter: 116 dB/A + 2 dB/A)
-Fuel (effective as of 1st January 2012)
All parties agreed that broader worldwide FIM fuel specifications will be developed by the CTI and a group of experts. Furthermore, to make this transition smoother, all parties agreed that both the 2011 FIM and 2011 AMA fuel specifications will be valid for the 2011 FIM Motocross of Nations.
-Minimum Weight Values (effective as of 1st January 2012)
All parties agreed to apply the following weight limits:
FIM Motocross World Championships (Prototypes)
250cc - 4-stroke motorcycles: 95 kg (for comparison = 209.43 lbs)
450cc - 4-stroke motorcycles: 99 kg (for comparison = 218.25 lbs)
AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship (Production motorcycles) AMA Pro Motocross (Production motorcycles)
250cc - 4-stroke motorcycles: 212 lbs (for comparison = 96,16 kg)
450cc - 4-stroke motorcycles: 220 lbs (for comparison = 99,79 kg)
FIM President Vito Ippolito said: ‘This is great news! The harmonisation of the motocross technical rules worldwide is one of the main priorities of the FIM Strategic Plan, approved by all FIM affiliated federations. The motorcycle industry has been a strong supporter towards harmonisation. In the present market situation, this step will aid and enable manufacturers to concentrate on one version per model produced in their line-up. This will also give many riders the chance to compete with the same model in all major Championships. I would like to thank all stakeholders for their cooperation.’
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman added: ‘We are pleased that the stakeholders in the Supercross and Motocross community have agreed to these changes in the technical rules. In AMA Supercross competition, racers and fans will continue to enjoy watching this very popular, family friendly racing series, play out on production-based machinery. The economies afforded by these measures will help ensure the ongoing, strong support of the manufacturers and their distributors.’
