Utah MotoTrials Association (UMTA)
By-laws and Rules
2022 edition gat
1. Overview
In Observed Trials, motorcycle competitors ride through a number of marked sections over difficult terrain while being “observed” by a scorer and are penalized points for any loss of balance which requires support. Riders ride slowly, one at a time, over terrain that is matched to their skill level, and the rider with the fewest total points wins. Compared to other motorcycle competitions, trials is much less damaging to the environment and safer, but trials competition takes years to master; and does involve a potential risk of injury.
2. The Club
Utah MotoTrials (UMTA) is a non-profit organization of approximately 100 member motorcyclists and families. The UMTA usually holds 8 to 14 club events per year.
UMTA is composed of amateur recreational motorcyclists, and has a simple guiding principle in all its operations; Have Fun. Although most UMTA events focus on fun competition, many social activities also let riders and their families and friends relax together afterwards. Riders are expected to recognize the dangers of motorcycle riding and ride and act safely and responsibly. Entrants in UMTA events agree to abide by UMTA by-laws and rules when they sign-up to enter the event. Entrants and their guests and spectators are liable and responsible for their own behavior. Entrants accept that they understand and are personally responsible for the risks of trials competition riding and other activities at UMTA events.
3. UMTA President and Steering Committee
UMTA will have a club President and three other UMTA members who will make up the Steering Committee. Candidates for UMTA President must be nominated by an active club member. The Steering committee, composed of active UMTA members, shall be appointed by the President. The President will be voted on by all active members in attendance at the yearly awards banquet:
4A. President
Responsible for overall club activities and events, representation of the UMTA at official functions, and delegation of club responsibilities as needed. The president shall be responsible for ensuring that event equipment such as the sign-up table, score card box, clock, medals, etc are brought to each meet. The president shall insure club liability insurance is maintained.
4B. The Steering Committee will be made up of at least the President and 3 Steering Committee members.
Responsible for recording of UMTA event results, and yearly points totals, minutes of UMTA meetings, and creation and transmission of UMTA flyers and information, as well as responsibility for management of the UMTA account and all financial transactions of the club, including collection of fees for membership dues and event participation. Funding sources will include advertising revenues, dues, gate fees, rider entry fees, and other sources. Cost outlays will include all necessary costs for hosting trials events (such as awards) and the banquet, with special outlays at the discretion of the UMTA Steering Committee. End of year balance after the banquet should be adequate to host the first trials of the next year and ensure there is money to cover the next year’s insurance. The president and treasurer will have access to the UMTA account.
The UMTA will reimburse monthly fees for the club web site, Facebook page and to the Toilet master to the person or persons paying these fees and/or upkeep costs. Reimbursements can be made on an annual, monthly or receipts basis received by the UMTA Treasurer. If the web and Facebook sites are being used for personal or private business uses, fee reimbursements may be waved. Fee or upkeep reimbursements should be made in the form of a UMTA check.
4C. Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee members shall be appointed by the president and approved by the club.
5. Memberships and Dues
UMTA annual membership fees are $20/single and $25/family (immediate family limited to spouse and children living at home under the age of 18 years). Dues should be paid prior to the first event of the year since club points will not be awarded for participation in events prior to paying membership dues for the year. Dues are subject to change by vote of the Steering Committee.
6. Meetings
Steering Committee meetings may be called at the consensus of the Steering Committee no more than once a month and no less than twice a year. Location and agenda are to be announced to all Steering Committee members in advance. The President and each Steering Committee member shall have one vote on issues. Majority rule is required to approve an issue.
7. Banquet/Annual club meeting
An annual awards banquet will be held at the end of each trials year at a convenient location to award year end placings and elect the next year’s President, Steering Committee and to set the next year’s schedule. Location, date, awards, cost and any UMTA subsidy for the banquet will be determined by the Steering Committee.
8. Trials Events
Events will normally be on a Saturday unless specified by the Steering Committee (i.e. two day events). Specific yearly schedules will be determined by the Steering Committee. Event dates should be scheduled around known dates for National or World Rounds, sister club (such as WMTA) meets, holidays, deer hunt and such as approved by the Steering Committee.
Ordinarily, event dates or locations will take place as scheduled; however it is impossible to plan for every contingency, so an event may be canceled, or location and date may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Every effort should be made to get event change information to the membership as soon as possible, using the utahmototrials.com web page, Facebook, and e-mails.
9. Entry Fees:
- $10 for first time riding a Trials Event
- $25 for UMTA Club Member
- $35 for Non UMTA Club Member
- $10 for 12 to 18 yrs old UMTA Club Member
- $20 for 12 to 18 yrs old Non-Club Member
- $5 for under 12 yrs old
Utah Summer Games fees are collected by the USG organization and are made to the USG on line.
Rider’s entry fees and spectator fees for National events will be determined by the National requirements.
10. Event Announcements
Flyers announcing the event will be available online at http://www.utahmototrials.com and/or Facebook/utahtrials, noting the location (with map), starting time, special requirements (i.e. DOT helmets, spark arrestors, etc), and other essential information. Results of the last event can also be found online.
11. The Riding Area(s)
UMTA is fortunate to have several excellent riding areas with a variety of terrain. A trials meet is usually held once a month (exception to the monthly schedule made in December, January and February due to winter weather) at various locations throughout the state. Locations include but are not restricted to Pachoon Gulch (St George), Elberta, Desert Mountain (Delta), Three Peaks (Cedar City), Red Creek (Fruitland), Loa, and Emery, Richfield.
12. Riding Area Access
UMTA has access to several areas, including private and public properties where approval by the relevant parties is required prior to events.
13. Environmental Impact
Minimum environmental impact “leave no trace” practices for off road vehicles will apply to all areas that UMTA uses. Trials motorcycles by their nature cause minimal damage to the land. Riders should still attempt to minimize any unnecessary damage and disturbance caused by their riding. After an event, all riders are responsible for cleanup and repair of the area. Clean up information can usually be found at the sign-up desk. Riders should always attempt to minimize disturbance of other land users and inhabitants, and should yield the trail to hikers, horseback riders, ATV’s or other individuals they may encounter on the trail. Riders should always consider themselves as representatives of the club and use all necessary etiquette in their encounters with others.
14. Meet Management
The UMTA Steering Committee is responsible for running meet operations, including sign-up, riders meeting, awards ceremony etc, and will decide the outcome of all unforeseen occurrences not covered by the UMTA By-laws or Rules.
All changes to the bylaws need to be submitted to the steering committee least 30 days prior to the annual UMTA banquet to be placed on the agenda. Changes to the by-laws and rules can only be made at the annual UMTA banquet, and must pass by vote of the majority of the members present.
1. The Trials
UMTA Events shall make every effort to consist of 24 sections (i.e. a loop of eight sections ridden 3 times), and no more than 30 sections (i.e. a loop of ten sections ridden 3 times).
Each class will ride lines in the sections as posted on the start gates and on section split markers. Normally all classes will ride 3 loops except Beginner which may only ride, 1, 2 or 3 loops, of 4 sections, depending on the length of the loop and consensus of the riding group.
1A. CLASSES
Riders will DECLARE the class they are competing in at the beginning of each year and/or the first event attended. Annual Club points will be awarded to the rider in their “Declared” class.
Beginner – Beginner lines may be set apart from the regular sections and may be run in the morning prior to the regular Trials competition.
Novice
Sportsman
Intermediate
A/I (Advanced/Intermediate) – Generally a mix of 4 Intermediate and 4 Advanced lines, as determined by the course marshal.
Advanced
Expert
Champ – Lines specific to Champ will not be set, Champ riders will ride Expert lines or a modified Expert line agreed on by all Champ riders during the 1st loop section walk through.
(The exception to this is at the Utah Summer Games (USG) event)
First time or new rider to the sport of Trials – refer to section 4E.
Open – refer to guidelines in section 12C
1B. Event Scoring
The UMTA can use one of two scoring/riding formats at club events, “Group” or “Observed”.
1B-1. For safety considerations and to ensure consistent scoring, when “Group Scoring”, riders cannot ride alone and are required to ride with their scoring group. If a rider chooses to not ride with his/her class group they may join another scoring group if the new group agrees.
1C. Normally, scoring groups will consist of riders mixed classes, but the scoring group format will be determined by club officials the morning of the event. When riding Group, there should be a minimum of three riders in each scoring group to facilitate scoring.
1C-1. In Group scoring the rider doing the scoring is considered to have the “final word” in determining the score of a rider (excepting protests), but all riders in the group should ensure that all riders are scored fairly and accurately. The rider who is observing does not have to tolerate abuse from other riders, and may penalize a rider 25 points if necessary for unsportsmanlike conduct if the other riders in the group agree that the penalty is warranted.
1C-2. When Group scoring, the “Cleanup assignments” will be posted at the scorers desk. Riders are responsible to ensure that the section(s) they are assigned to clean is cleaned. A rider may receive 25 points unsportsmanlike conduct points for failing to clean the section that was assigned to that rider.
1D. In the Observed scoring format afternoon riders will score the morning riders and vice versa. Observed scoring should only be used if there are enough participants to ensure there will be an adequate number of observers “Checkers” at each section.
1D-1. Observers should be selected from riders and/or spectators who have a good understanding of trials rules and scoring and who will be able to score sections without unnecessary hardship or risk. Observers should be instructed on the location and number of their section, procedures for notifying a member of the UMTA Presidency of problems (i.e. injury, protests, or change in a section), “tear-down” time for the sections, and any other needed information. Observers should be matched to the skill level required to get to the section and judge the section if possible. The presidency will decide the morning of the meet who rides in the morning and who rides in the afternoon.
1D-2. Observers are to be considered the “last word” in determining the score of a rider (excepting protests), and are to make all technical decisions concerning their sections after the event starts. Selecting lines is part of Trials competition so observers should not coach riders on which lines are best to ensure fairness. Observers do not have to tolerate abuse from riders, and may penalize a rider up to 25 points at their section if necessary for unsportsman-like conduct. Observers should clean up their section after the event.
1D-3. When riding Observed, morning and afternoon classes should have reasonable time limits of 2 to 4 hours for each group. Riders may start on any section after the announced start time, but must ride the sections in sequence and start with section #1 on the third loop. Riders riding sections out of sequence will be penalized 10 points per section. A section may only be ridden once per loop unless announced differently by the presidency at the riders meeting. A member of the Steering Committee should sweep the loop to give instructions to observers near the end of the event. Unless instructed differently by the Steering Committee, observers are to take down “clean up” their sections at a given time, and not allow further riders through after that time.
1E. Whether Observed scoring or Group scoring, it is vitally important to ensure that all riders are scored accurately and fairly.
1F. Riders assign themselves to a class based on their own estimation of their skill level. Other classes may be created to meet demand as approved by the Steering Committee. (i.e. a Vintage class etc). No promotion or demotion system for class assignments based on past performance will be used. New riders unsure of the appropriate class for them may ride up to 3 sections in their chosen class and then “begin over” in another class but will be scored “5’s” for each of the sections already ridden.
1G. Sign-up for the event will begin no less than one hour prior to the published start time. A riders meeting shall be held no less than 15 minutes before the event start time, at which the Presidency will announce the format of the meet, either Group scoring or Observed scoring, observers for each section, the number of sections, the course layout, danger areas, time limits, and other pertinent information. All riders are required to attend the Riders Meeting. Since observing is also a part of the sport, riders unwilling to serve as judges will not compete except under special circumstances as approved by the Presidency.
1H. Meet Time formats
1H-1. Time format for Group ride events:
8:30 am to 10:30 am – Sign-up and section set
9:00 am to 10:00 am – Beginner Class riders compete
10:15 am – A single warning horn will indicate 15 minutes to finish the section setting
10:30 am to 11:00 am – Pre-competition rider prep and rider meeting
11:00 am to 4:00 pm (approx.) – All riders compete
Lunch and breaks will be at the discretion of each class
4:00 to 4:30 pm Cleanup and results prep
4:30 pm Awards
1H-2. Time format for Observed events: Pre set events
Riders meeting: 8:45 AM
Riders out: 9:00 AM
Competition end 12:30 PM
Riders meeting: 1:15 PM
Riders out: 1:30 PM
Competition end 5:00 PM
Awards meeting: 5:30 PM
Beginner Class rides in the AM group along with a parent that will ride in the afternoon group regardless of their class.
1H-3. Time format for Observed events: Set and Ride events
8:30 am to 10:30 am – sign-up and section set
10:15 am a single warning horn will indicate 15 minutes to finish the section setting
10:30 am to 11:00 am – Pre-competition rider prep and rider meeting
11:00 am to 1:30 pm – Morning riders compete
1:30 pm to 2:00 pm – Lunch and scorer placement
2:30 pm to 5 pm – Afternoon riders compete
Beginner Class rides in the AM group along with a parent that will ride in the afternoon group regardless of their class.
5:30 pm Awards
These are the times that will normally be used but may change at the discretion of the Steering Committee as per the needs of a particular event.
1I. Supplementary rules or special events for a trials that may affect final days or series standings may be placed by the Steering Committee only.
Riders or spectators exhibiting unacceptable behavior of any sort may be disqualified or directed to leave by any Steering Committee member.
1J. Written voluntary critiques for each trials are encouraged. These will be used to allow Trials Marshals to receive feedback on how they can improve their sections setting techniques. Riders may also be asked to participate in trials promotions, including letter writing campaigns.
1K. After an event, an “Awards Ceremony” will be held.
1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be given in each class, independent of the number of riders over 3 in each class.
Awards will vary according to the event. Awards will ONLY be given out at the awards ceremony and will not be given out prior to or after a specific events award ceremony.
2. For special events such as the Utah Summer Games, the event may be preset, as determined by the Steering Committee.
Spectators – Spectators are free of charge at all but National events and are welcome to UMTA events, but do so at their own risk. Spectators should not interfere with the observers judging a rider’s ride, and should not attempt to influence the judges score. Spectators are expected to stand outside section boundaries and not interfere in any way with riders, the section, or the loop during an event. They may lend assistance if requested by a rider or observer. Spectators are always encouraged to ask questions and show their appreciation for a rider’s talents!
4. The Rider
4A. At each event ridden, all riders must sign all required Event rider liability waivers. All riders under the age of 18 must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian prior to riding the Event.
4B. Federal and State OHV laws require that riders must be at least age 8 and should have a current Utah State OHV license (age 8 to 16) to ride at any UMTA event held on federal or state lands.(Utah state OHV license’s are easy to receive through the following link: http://www.offroad-ed.com/ut/index.htm
4C. Riders under age 18 will be allowed to ride UMTA events, under the immediate supervision of a parent or guardian. All riders under age 18 will be the sole responsibility of their parent or guardian.
4D. Riders are expected to be in adequate physical condition and prepared for strenuous activity. Riders MUST wear a helmet at all times while riding a motorcycle at an event. Sturdy footwear, motorcycle pants, gloves, jersey and eye protection are highly recommended. Riders must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the event.
4E. Any First time or new rider to Trials that has not ridden in a competitive event prior to his/her first time riding with the UMTA will be allowed to ride the Beginner Class competition as part of their first ride. In addition to, the rider may also ride at any skill line above beginner as part of that first event as part of the original registration and entry fee.
The first time rider will be given one (1) event to ride the competition, using the Open Class guidelines, giving the rider a better understanding of the sport and different skill lines.
At the second event for the new rider, the rider will be asked to declare a class for the remainder of the season. The new rider will be allowed to ride within the declared skill line or ride Open for the remainder of his/her first season accruing annual points in the declared class. The new rider will be scored as Open unless stated at the time of signup.
5. The Trials Motorcycle
5A. Any size trials motorcycle may be entered in any class as long as it is in safe working order. Spark arrestors may be required. Trail bikes, although not designed for Trials, may be entered in the Sportsman classes and below. All motorcycles ridden in an event are required to have all parts normally fitted to the bike when built, in place and in good operating order.
5B. The UMTA requires each rider to sign a motorcycle liability waiver at each event, similar to the rider liability waiver, that states that the rider’s machine is in compliance with State OHV registration and spark arrestor laws. The form should also inform Utah non-residents about the competition/event registration waiver.
5C. Motorcycles may be shared by contestants with the approval of the presidency. When scoring “Observed Scoring”, riders sharing a bike must allow faster riders to go ahead of them.
5D. When riding observed, a broken bike may be repaired if the repair and completion of the rest of the sections can be done within the allotted time frame.
5E. When riding “Group”, if a motorcycle breaks down, it will be up to the rest of the class to decide whether or not they want to wait for the rider to repair the bike or go on ahead while the rider attempts to repair the bike. If the rider is able to repair the bike within the allotted time frame and wants to “make up” the sections the rider has missed during the repair, and the rest of the group agrees to allow it, the rider must ride each section missed first and last, until the rider is caught up with the rest of the class.
6. The Loop
6A. The loop must be set so that the least skilled rider expected to ride that course will be able to travel without excess risk or delay due to bottlenecks or length of the loop. The loop should not be the major obstacle of the trials! If possible, several sections of the loop should be close to the pit area to allow spectators to follow the riders. As a rule, loop markers should be set so that when stopped at a marker the previous and next marker can be easily and clearly seen.
6B. Danger areas on the loop must be marked clearly with red ribbon, and all major turns should be well marked with arrows signs. Pink or other high visibility ribbon should be placed at adequate spacing and location to allow riders to ride at rapid pace without losing the trail. Closer spacing of ribbon for difficult trails is required.
6C. Wrong way signs should be placed as needed at confusing intersections. If a loop crosses itself, markers must show the direction to the next section by number. Riders may not “cut” the course under penalty of disqualification at the discretion of the Trials Marshals. Pit areas are to be considered slow speed areas. Pit racing will not be allowed. Cleanup of the loop is the responsibility of the Trials Marshals, supported by observers.
7. The Sections
7A. Sections must not contain impossible or too difficult or dangerous turns, ascents, descents, or obstacles for the class. Sections should be set based on the skills of the lower half of that class at UMTA events. If a rider deems the sections are too easy he/she should “move up” to the next more difficult class. A good target for difficulty is to have the winner have approximately 15 to 25 points. A good target is achieve this is to try to set three good obstacles for each class in a section. Sections should be set to have a mix of, a few easier sections, several of moderate difficulty, and a few difficult sections for the class, and should take into account the possibility of bad weather. Sections should be made of challenging but non-dangerous durable terrain, with natural boundaries if possible. Ribbons should not be used as an obstacle. Section boundaries that are easily moved or rolled should not be used.
7B. The following is a guideline to help section setters in deciding class difficulty:
Beginner – the line should be very easy, giving new riders a feel for the sport of Trials, experiencing start and stop gates and ribbons. Ride sections sitting down, 1st gear, no clutch, very little cornering and up or down obstacles.
Novice – ride sections sitting down, 1st gear, no clutch.
Sportsman – ride sections standing up, 1st gear, no clutch.
Intermediate – no hopping or trick riding.
Advanced – minimal hopping and trick riding.
Expert – hopping or trick riding encouraged in at least 50% of sections.
Champ – discretion with respect to safety of bike and rider should be used on large obstacles.
7C. Sections should not be changed during an event. It is up to each individual rider to determine if they will ride a section. If the rider chooses not to ride a section, the rider can “take a 5”.
7D. Disturbances to a section that occur as it is ridden should only be made by the observer if the section becomes impassable or dangerous, or when the change was caused by a spectator. Observers can make section repairs, such as replacing necessary “kickers” that are required for safety which have been accidentally moved or replacing markers that have been moved. Only those minimum modifications to the terrain necessary for safe use should be made. Adequate space for riders to “stage” prior to entering a section and for parking in front of and after a section must be provided. Sections should be set with multiple lines and minimal danger in mind, and should not be less than three feet in width if possible. “Keyhole” sections (where a rider reverses direction halfway or returns over his path to a common entry/exit) must be very clearly marked.
7E. Ideally sections should be marked with all classes in the section.
7F. Sections must be marked with an easily visible sign indicating the start gate, section number, and classes at the beginning of a section, with red ribbon on the right hand side and blue ribbon on the left hand side as a rider rides through. Yellow ribbon/tape should be used to designate split lines within a section. White ribbon should be used to designate the “end gate” of the section. Surveyors ribbon or colored duct tape are the preferred marking materials. Flags, cups, or other marking material should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Ribbon should be placed on the ground to help eliminate snagging problems. Section widths should be at least 3 feet wide. Ribbon markers should be at least three feet long. Riders are very clever at finding easier “cheater” lines, so it is hard to over mark a section. If possible natural terrain should be used as a border. Easily moved objects such as small ribboned rocks or sticks should be avoided if possible because they move if they are touched. There is no “line of intent” between two un-ribboned points. Riders may “ride-out” anywhere between two non-connected side boundary ribbons as long as they do not violate the other boundary markers, remain in sight of the observer and do not cross their tracks. For this reason, completely and clearly marked continuous ribbon and natural boundaries in a section are encouraged. “Splits” for the separate classes in a section shall be clearly marked with a split sign clearly indicating the directions for the individual classes.
7G. Section split markers shall be marked so that a SINGLE DARK line is placed next to the class indicator on the split tape/marker indicating which side of the split tape/marker the class should ride. When using yellow duct tape for split markers, a minimum of two strips should be used, with a minimum length of Six inches (6″) and placed to be easily seen by an approaching rider. The class indicator should be on one strip and the direction required for the class to take on the other. Classes not included in a particular split tape/marker should be left off of the tape/marker or marked by a single dark line on both sides of the class designation. Class indicators should be readable from at least 10′ – 12′ away, written in at least 2′ block type lettering. Arrows, circles, blocks etc. should not be used on split markers.
7H. Riders must ride the lines designated for their class from start to finish of a section. Section exits will be marked with white ribbon at both sides of the exit gate. An adequate stopping/scoring area must be provided at the end of a section. Exit and entry gates should be at least 3 feet wide and perpendicular to the rider’s path. Sections placed close together must have adequate space for riders to park and inspect the next section without interfering with riders from the previous section
7I. Sections may be inspected on foot at any time by a rider, but the rider may not intentionally modify the section at any time. Only riders who have paid entry fees for the event can ride the sections during the meet. After setting a section, the section setters may ride the section they set to ensure rideability. Otherwise riders shall not pre-ride any or practice any portion of any section prior to or during the meet. Riders can only ride each section ONCE during each loop, unless agreed on by the observer or other group members as specified in Bi-laws section 5E. While other classes are riding, Riders are not allowed to “Play or Practice” on the sections during the meet, even if they are finished riding to ensure the sections will not be altered for the riders still riding. Violators will be disqualified. The meet is not over until ribbons have been removed from the sections. The section should be clear of other riders prior to a rider’s entry. Riders will not enter a section until instructed to do so by the observer, who will hold up a closed fist and announce “RIDER”. When riding observed, when the Trials is over, the Observer is responsible for cleanup of the section he/she scored. A minimum of two observers should observe each rider as they ride the section, and they must agree on the score before a rider’s scorecard is punched.
8. Scoring
8A. Scoring is the main item that separates trials from other motorcycle competitions, and should be very simple. Every effort must be made to be consistent and fair to all riders. In the event of a very unclear decision about a score, the rider should get the benefit of the doubt. Scoring of a rider begins when the motorcycle’s front wheel axle passes through the plane between the entry gate markers and ends when the front wheel axle passes through the plane between the exit gate markers. When a rider encounters a “SPLIT” marker in a section, the rider is required to ride so as to ensure that both tires pass on the correct side of the split marker.
Scoring in each section will be based on the following penalty point system:
Points:
- None (clean): 0
- Footing once while moving: 1
- Footing twice while moving: 2
- Footing three times or more while moving: 3
- Sliding a foot on the ground while moving: 3
- Stopped with a foot down: 1
- Stopped with both feet down, but still straddling the bike: 2
- Stopped with both feet down, but not straddling the bike: 5
- Failure to complete a section: 5
- Failure to stay in the section boundary makers, with one or both wheels: 5
- Choosing not to ride a section: 5
- Foot dabs on opposite side of bike: 5
- Backing up or balancing with feet on pegs: 0
- Backing up and using one dab while or after backing motion: 1
- Backing and using a 2nd dab, behind the 1st dab, while or after backing motion: 5
- Balancing on skip plate without footing: 0
- Jumping the bike over a boundary: 5*
- Dabbing with a dead engine: 5**
- Crossing over one’s tracks in the section: 5***
- Missing a section: 10
* It is permitted to float one wheel over a marker, such as an exit gate, as long as the tire does not land on the gate and lands beyond the plane between the exit gate markers.
**If a rider dabs with a dead engine, the rider is penalized 5 points. A rider who is able to ride a dead engine bike, feet up, with no dabs, through the end gate will only be penalized for dabs prior to the dead engine, Any dabbing with a dead engine will constitute a 5. Five points is the maximum score a rider who attempts a section may be scored. Brushing a foot, arm or part of the motorcycle against the side of a rock, tree etc, without using it for support is not considered a penalty.
*** Crossing over one’s tire track(s), at any time in a section, is only permissible if a section is designed intentionally and marked in such a fashion.
8A-1. A Dab is a Dab regardless of what the motorcycle is doing. A “Dab” is defined as any additional support taken by a rider (including hands, feet, head, etc.) while in a section on anything other than the tires or the skid plate. Dabs outside the marked section boundary are permissible and are penalized the same as a dab inside a boundary.
8B. 5 points is the maximum score a rider who attempts a section may be scored. Brushing a foot, arm or part of the motorcycle against the side of a rock, tree etc, without using it for support is not considered a penalty.
8C. Crossing over one’s tracks in a section, with either wheel, at any time, is NOT permitted unless the section is intentionally designed and marked approving the cross track.
8D. Riding over one’s own tracks is not a 5 if the rider is hopping, and/or backing up while balancing.
Touching or riding on a boundary ribbon or split plate marker without actually going outside it (i.e. ground not visible between tire and marker) or displacing or moving it so that it must be replaced is not a penalty.
8E. Lofting a wheel over a boundary is not considered a penalty as long as the wheel does not touch any structure outside the boundary before returning “in-bounds”.
8F. The rider is considered to be in the section when the front wheel axle passes through the plane between the entry gate markers and cannot be lifted over entry gate markers. Breaking a boundary or split ribbon with the machine is a 5, breaking a ribbon with a part of the rider’s body is not penalized. Any displacement of a marker requiring it to be reset is scored a 5.
8G. If a rider chooses not to ride a section due to personal safety concerns etc. the rider may “Take a 5” and have the observer scoring that section punch a 5 on the rider’s scorecard
8H. If riders do not complete at least 21/17 sections in a 30/24 section event, they will be considered a Did-Not-Finish (DNF). If unable to complete all sections on time, riders will be penalized 5 points for each section not completed. Riders may be disqualified from the event for unsportsmanlike conduct, reckless use of the motorcycle, abuse of the riding area, or other behavior at the discretion of the Trials Marshal or Steering Committee member.
9. Gate Trials Event Format
The UMTA will attempt to host at least 1 “Gate Trials” per season – following are specific rules and guidelines for a “Gate Trials” competition.
9A. “Gate Trials” rules and guidelines. Riders will declare and register for their skill class, as is done at all traditional Trials events throughout the season.
9B. Scoring for a “Gate Trials”. The “Gate Trials” event is based on a rider’s Accumulated or Earned points in each section, with the rider awarded points based on the number of Gates ridden, per section. The HIGH point scoring rider in each skill class is the class winner with awards being presented for the top 3 placing riders in each class as outlined in ‘Section 1K’ of the UMTA Club rules.
9B. Riding and scoring a “Gate Trials” section. Gates are not Class designated i.e., Nov, Spt, Int, Adv etc. Each rider must determine the Gate(s) they will attempt within each section. The rider, upon entering the section start gate will be awarded 1 point, with 1 additional point being earned per Gate ridden, earning up to a total of 10 points maximum in each section. Riders do not earn points for the exit gate of the section. Each Gate within the section can only be ridden 1 time and may not be entered again from either direction once used. Gates are directional, with marked Gate arrows showing the direction in which to enter said Gate. A gate with arrows pointing inward, may be ridden in either direction, gate arrows pointing up or down must be ridden in the indicated direction to earn 1 Gate point.
9C. Scoring the “Gate Trials”. Each rider will be scored as outlined in ‘Section 8’ of the UMTA Club Rules. If a rider violates any scoring rules, which would accrue point(s) in a traditional Trials event, that rider will earn ZERO/NO POINTS for that section. The rider will walk each section and determine the best course, satisfying as many Gates as possible without accruing any point(s) as outlined in ‘Section 8’ of the UMTA Club rules – if any points are taken in a specific section, the rider will receive “0” points for that section.
In a “Gate Trials” format the HIGH score wins with each section having the possibility of an all or nothing score.
9D. Each rider will have 1 score card per loop, with each loop card being turned in at the scoring table at the completion of each loop and in turn receiving their 2nd or 3rd loop card.
9E. Should an incorrect score be punched the correct fix will be following ‘Section 10’ of the UMTA Club rules, i.e., to block (punch out) the entire mistaken score box and single punch the correct score.
10. Scorecards
Riders will be issued scorecards after the riders meeting which will be marked with the rider’s name and class. A paper-hole punch issued to each section’s lead observer will be used to mark the score of the rider for the section immediately after completing the section. If an incorrect score is entered by the scorer, the block of the incorrect punch will be completely punched out and the correct score will be punched. Other techniques weaken the cards causing the cards to rip more easily and can also cause scorers to inadvertently include the extra punch holes which are not meant to indicate points.
10A. The scorecard is a rider’s responsibility. All scorecards must be tallied by the rider and returned immediately after sections are closed. Final scoring personnel at the sign-up desk will ensure accuracy. Scores for the event as they apply to the year’s total will be verified by the secretary prior to inclusion. Riders may trade-in damaged cards if scores are legible. Riders who lose cards after having ridden more than 20% of the sections will be considered a DNF, otherwise they will be penalized 5 points per “lost” section.
In the event of a tie, the rider with the highest number of cleans will be the winner, followed by highest number of ones, twos, threes, etc. If still unable to break a tie, the rider who rode the most sections before incurring points will be declared the winner. If none of the above requirements can break the tie, a “ride-off” will be used to determine the winner at the discretion of the Steering Committee.
Yearly Points Totals – Riders will “Declare” the class they will be competing in at the beginning of each year. Annual Club points will be awarded to the rider in their declared class.
The objective of using the point system is to rank UMTA riders by points accrued for the year. Event medals will be awarded according to the scores of riders in a specific class group
UMTA riders can use all of the 10 events to accrue an annual score for each season. The riders’ best 8 rides of the season will be used to compile an annual yearly point total. If a rider has ridden 10 or 9 events 2 or 1 of the lowest event score(s) will be dropped, using the highest scoring 8 events of the current season to arrive at the annual yearly point score and ranking.
12A. During the year, UMTA riders are awarded points based on their finishing position for each day’s event. End of year points will be based on the total number of events the rider competed in. The points accrued for each meet is based on the following:
1st place = 20 points, 2nd place = 17 points, 3rd place = 15 points, 4th place = 13 points, 5th place = 11 points, 6th place = 10 points, 7th place = 9 points etc. decreasing by 1 point. DNF = 1 point.
12B. UMTA riders who compete in at least “50% plus 1” events (i.e., 5 + 1 = 6 out of a 10 meet year) for the year are eligible for yearly awards given such as number plates or place plaques.
12C. “Open” denotes a rider who is riding section lines below or above their declared class lines. Instances when a rider may ride “Open” at an event are:
A rider may choose to ride lower class lines due to something that precludes the rider from riding at his/her top potential. For example; an Open Advanced rider choosing to ride some of the Intermediate lines due to a previous injury, riding a vintage or non-Trials bike or bike problems.
A rider may also want to try out class lines in the next harder class, in anticipation of moving up a class. For example; an Open Intermediate rider attempting some of the Advanced lines, in sections of the riders choice, to determine if he/she has acquired the skills necessary to move up.
The event ride scores of the Open riders will be tallied beneath the scores of the regular class riders. Open riders will receive last place event and annual club points in the riders declared class for the Open day’s ride score.
12D. If a rider changes classes “mid event” the rider is NOT eligible to win awards and will be scored as an OPEN Class rider for that event.
12E. A UMTA rider accrues annual points in the class ridden during the current season. If the rider moves up or down a class during the current season, after 3 consecutive rides in the new class, all accrued points will move with the rider to the new class, along with points from all previous events ridden. All previous event points earned prior to the move will count as last place for those events in the new class.
13. Year end point ties
In the event of a tie the points of the meets that the riders competed together in will be compared to determine which rider has the most club points, and that rider will be the winner. Further ties will be broken by totaling dabs for meets ridden together.
14. Protests
Protests must be made by a rider immediately after finishing a section, and if possible should be handled by the observer immediately to avoid hindering other riders. Scoring protests will not be heard if the observer was not made aware of the protest at the time. Riders may not protest another rider’s score. If an observer is unable to make a determination in a protest to a rider’s satisfaction, the rider must state to the observer he is filing a protest and must file the protest with the President or Steering Committee member prior to the awards ceremony. A rider may continue to compete pending results of the protest. A protest jury consisting of the members of the Steering Committee member/President will reach final determination of any protest. A rider interfered with in a significant way for any reason by outside influences may request a re-ride at the discretion of the observer, but will keep the score of the re-ride even if it is worse.
16. For safety concerns, pets should not be taken with riders, observers, or spectators on the loop.
17. Special Events
The club may hold special events such as National Trials, Utah Summer Games, benefits, exhibitions, poker runs, fun rides, work days or special competitions over a year at the discretion of the Board and UMTA members. Special rules (such as Gate Trials) may be used for those events at the discretion of the Steering Committee. National Trials events will follow National rules. Any other promotion or event which is held by UMTA must be approved by the Steering Committee, but UMTA members may act on their own in any endeavor if not representing the UMTA club. Public relations for UMTA should be addressed to the club officers.