AMA Enduro Rules?

[SpeedyManiac]

Since I think I'm going to race a national enduro this year, I figured I better read up on the rules. So I did, and now I'm thoroughly confused. I thought they went to a similar style format to WEC/ISDE, but the website is very confusing.

Enduro format I'm used to:
We're given a time schedule with checkpoints and times, plus told the mileage inbetween. We're also told where there are special tests. So, a typical timesheet goes like this:

Get bike from impound - 9:00am
Start - 9:15am
T/C 1 - 9:47am/40km
T/C 2 - 10:30am/28km
T/C 3 - 11:50am/55km
etc
etc
Pre-finish - 3:40pm
Impound - 3:55pm

Throughout the course there would be usually 6 special tests. So during the day, you'd ride the trails at a quick but manageable pace to arrive at checkpoints hopefully 5-10 minutes early. You arrive early to grab gas, food, check the bike over, etc. Then roll through the time control on your minute and if the course organizers do things right, immediately go into a special test. The special test is where you actually race. Try to go as fast as possible. Your final score is all of the special test times plus any trail points from arriving early or late at a checkpoint. For time keeping, all that you need is a wrist watch. My route sheet is usually a piece of duct tape across the bar pad.

Is this in fact what the AMA National Enduro series is now? I see all this stuff about restarts, pauses and am a little confused.

 

[GMP]

Steve,

I beleive the classic AMA timekeeping rules should not apply to the nationals this year. Basically its the same but with all Start and Known Controls, so no hot points. You just ride the transit section to the next Start Control and wait for your minute. You ride the section which is usually a points taker, clock out at the end, and on to the next Start Control. Like a series of short hare scrambles. You really don't need any timekeeping equipment. For the local races its up to the club as to how they want to run the enduro. Personally I like the timekeepers, but the new format is eaiser for clubs to deal with and makes it possible for guys to try enduros without timekeping. This is especially true if the event is on a closed course (no license/insurance/plate required).

 

[SpeedyManiac]

So where's the actual race part take place then? Is the points taker section like a special test?

 

[fury1]

they take points in every section,letting you take it easy in the transfer stations,some guys race in the transfer sections,but its not needed,you will have plenty of time waiting around between sections,when we raced the PA national,I dropped about 10 mintutes a section and had about a 15 minute wait till my number came up again,they also use transponders,which score you when you pass through the readers,its a little different to get used to,like glenn has said its a short series of harescrambles and I prefer a timekeeper myself as well

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Ugh, sounds like dumb rules. When you say you dropped 10 minutes a section, is that comparing your time to the top guy's time?

 

[Brian VT]

When you say you dropped 10 minutes a section, is that comparing your time to the top guy's time?

10 minutes off the time (avg. speed(s)) set by the club for that section.

 

[Brian VT]

You really don't need any timekeeping equipment.

It's still nice to have to know where you're at sometimes. Maybe the bike needs a repair after a check out. You'd know how much time you have to get to the known. Or, in my case, I'd know when I've houred out and can switch from race pace to fun pace.

 

[GMP]

Agreed, and I still run everything at those events. Its just a way to try and grow the sport, and make do with less land. Unfortunately some of the classic aspects of it are lost in the process.

Some of the closed course runs are very tough though, as usually there are no roads to rest on and the transit sections are just eaiser trail.

Steve,

Now if you really want to get confused we can throw NETRA Brand-X rules into the discusssion.

 

[fury1]

Ugh, sounds like dumb rules. When you say you dropped 10 minutes a section, is that comparing your time to the top guy's time?

yes unless you are a top pro,you will be late to every checkout,if you arrive early,you simply wait till they flip your number and then ride through,yes I run all my stuff as well,just to see how easy I can ride between sections,some guys just go flat out and then have a long wait till they go out again,I would rather pace myself and save it for the sections that count

 

[SpeedyManiac]

So they just make the speed average so fast that even the pros drop time and that's how they determine finishing position?

I think I like FIM rules better...and at least I understand BrandX rules. This new AMA format seems kinda dumb.

 

[Boomhauer]

This new AMA format seems kinda dumb.

Sorry you feel that way Speedy. The new format has brought hundreads of new riders to our sport. Sumter was filled a month before the event. The National in Florida scheduled for March is also already full. Those events top out at 600 riders.

Myself I like the new format. I was the Chairman for 2 Texas State Enduros this past year and this format cut's down on the help that is required for a "Real Time Keeper" and it almost eliminates the Bitching that the riders do during the protest period. My 2 events had no protests. Don't get me wrong! I love old school also but our sport has been on a steady decline for the past 5 years that I know of. This new format has helped clubs to boost the participation in their races.

If you have never chaired a race or even help to put one on you have NO IDEA what work is involved in putting an event on. I urge everyone to help out your local club. You will gain a new respect for the events to which you like to ride.

Okay go ahead and "Stone" me now!

Boomer

 

[GMP]

As Robby said enduros are in a general decline, from land issues, manpower, and bike legality issues. A closed course Start Control format brings new life to the sport. Yes, I prefer the timekeepers, primarily because they also use more land, do not reuse trail, and with generally less entries the trail gets less beat up. Plus I like the head game, JMO, but its getting tougher to do it this way. We are fortunate to have both here, as well as open and closed course.

Don't worry Steve you won't be bored. The traditional AMA enduro format takes points the same way, a check in to a tough section, fast speed average through the section, and check out of the section usually followed by a reset to get back on time. With the new format you just know where the checks (controls) are. Fastest guys win, no BS, no problems.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I'm just bummed because I thought they went to the WEC/ISDE format, which is (IMHO) the best enduro format going. It looks close, but I'd rather see it with proper special tests where you know you need to pin it, then transfer sections inbetween. Or is this what they've done? Their example route sheet is really, really confusing to me. For reference I'm not a big fan of timekeeper enduros since there is a chance the fastest guy won't win.

I've been helping put on a local harescramble for the past 3 years so I'm well aware of the difficulties of putting on a race. I'd just like to see the AMA adopt the FIM rules for enduros.

 

[GMP]

It looks close, but I'd rather see it with proper special tests where you know you need to pin it, then transfer sections inbetween.

Thats exactly what you do. Each section is a test. If Lafferty and Bobbit drop say 1 point per section, you don't need to worry about anything but gassing it.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Ok. I think I get it. They have special tests, but instead of calling them that and timing riders (fastest rider wins) they just set an impossible speed average and whoever drops the least number of points wins? Do they round it to the nearest minute or time to the hundredth of a second?

 

[GMP]

Now you get it! Fewest total points dropped wins the event. Most checks are just minutes, some are "emergency tie breakers" clocked in seconds. Actually now with the use of transponders and PCs I'm sure all times are recorded to seconds, but if a manual back up sheet is used I'm not sure. Robby and Girard should know, their club put on the Caney Creek national last Nov. Out local events are only using transponders for harescrambles, all the enduros are still manual.

 

[Boomhauer]

All of our checks were tie breakers. If I remember correctly the Nationals use all tie breakers also. They also did away with the "Flip" this year.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I think I get it finally. Why didn't they just go to FIM rules? Would've made more sense just calling it a special test.

 

[eff]

I think I get it finally. Why didn't they just go to FIM rules? Would've made more sense just calling it a special test.

Americans have to be different...think football. We had to make up our own name for the game and name our game football.

 

[GMP]

Because its an adaptation of traditional AMA timekeeping rules, using the points system rather than time. Like I said earlier many timekeeping events still exist. Many events contain both Start Controls and secret checks, a hybrid of both. Its easy to understand and implement the new format, the FIM rules would be too much of a change and add confusion. Also, most American riders don't give a crap about the ISDE or FIM rules, except the few that have the talent to go and a special interest. You can't cater to the few that do and expect a good turnout. That has always been an issue for our teams at ISDE, even though our guys are fast the format is alien. Only at the qualifiers and WEC events has there been exposure. There are too many important issues threatening the sport here to worry about FIM vs AMA rules. Hey, your comfy with what you know, that does not make the other way bad. In the end its still a ride.