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What is GAMRA? Gulf Area Mini Roadracing Association is a family oriented motorcycle racing club started by a group of enthusiasts who race small to mid-size displacement motorcycles (Mini Motards, Mini Road Racers and Super Motards) on paved road courses around the Gulf Coast States. The vast majority of these motorcycles are converted dirt bikes. With minimal modifications, almost anyone can change out the knobby tires to street tires, and with meeting some safety requirements, go racing on a small budget. GAMRA's goal is to provide the opportunity for family, friends and riders of all ages to enjoy this sport; to become better riders; to pass along the skills from the "back in the day racers and riders; " and to encourage and pass on this great hobby of ours to the next generation. Riding in a controlled track environment allows for the development of those riding skills necessary to have a successful, long term hobby that the whole family can participate in, as well as provide the opportunity for beginning riders to experience this thrilling sport. We like to say it combines "The Grace of Road Racing with the Excitement of Motocross." "Our dirt bikes have slicks" ...is a common phrase said about supermotard bikes. |
| Where do we race? We hold organized races at paved Go-Kart tracks and small GP type road courses in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama. Some of the tracks allow camping and many racers will camp out for the weekend for fellowship and fun. For 2010, we have a race schedule consisting of 6 events starting in March and running through October this year. Between race weekends, we hold "track" practice days. See the Schedule for more information. We maintain a GAMRA Forum to pass information and updated racing schedules and track days. The GAMRA Forum will always have the most up-to-date info, especially about trackdays. |
| What do we race? There are a variety of motorcycles used for this kind of racing but most are motocross (dirt) bikes converted to road course use by, at a minimum, changing tires to street or slicks. Some bikes run on 17 inch or stock wheel sizes, and some run on the popular 14 inch wheels. There are also purpose-built "spec" bikes on the market for this type of racing. Most riders convert or build their bikes to suit their needs and budget. The larger Super Motards are generally purpose built bikes based on a dirt bike chassis with street tires and wheels. The type of motorcycles classes are divided into two main groups; the Supermotards and Minis. These two groups are further subdivided into other classes. True Super Motards are dirt bike based machines with engine displacement from over 250cc to a maximum of 550cc. The mini road racers and mini motards can be either street or dirt bikes limited to 156cc four strokes, and 85cc for two strokes. See the Classes link for more information. We also allow the small road racers such as the Honda NSRs and the Yamaha YSRs. We do no allow full size street bikes, other than the production supermotards. |
| The current Race Director is Nigel Smith and is assisted by several other members in ensuring the details get taken care of. |
| We also have an online GAMRA Forum, so the members can keep in touch with each other, share tips and technical info, tell stories, and use the Classifieds section for individuals to buy and sell mini racing gear, equipment and bikes. Check out the GAMRA Forum for more information. There is no charge for registering for the Forum, but remember, there are kids that use it too. |
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Provisional 2011 Schedule: All races will be at Gulf Oaks Speedway except for the September Race in Pensacola.
Please check the GAMRA Forum for the most current information.
All races are on Sundays and most cases we have race practice on Saturdays.
Round 1: May 29, Gulf Oaks Raceway Saucier, MS.
Round 2: June 26, Gulf Oaks Raceway Saucier, MS.
Round 3: July 10, Gulf Oaks Raceway, Saucier, MS.
Round 4: August 14, Gulf Oaks Raceway Saucier, MS.
Round 5: September TBD, 5 Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL (Bikefest night race
with FLA Supermoto).
Round 6: October 16, Gulf Oaks Raceway, Saucier, MS.
Round 7: November TBD, Gulf Oaks Raceway Saucier, MS (Season close out and Championship Party).
We reduced the number of classes this year due participation. If we need to expand classes to accommodate large entry classes, we will use the 2009 class schedule, as needed. We do not allow knobby (dirt) tires to be run in any class except Kids, after evaluation by the Race Director. 2011 classes are: |
| SuperMoto: 125cc-up two strokes. 250cc-550cc four strokes. Dirt chassis only. Any size wheels. |
| Super Mini: Two strokes up to 85cc (maybe 100cc). Liquid cooled four strokes up to 154cc. Air cooled four strokes up to 199cc. Any size wheels. Air cooled four strokes from 200cc-230cc with stock wheels (any tires). |
| Mini-moto: Two strokes up to 65cc. Air cooled four strokes up to 150cc. Any size wheels. |
| Novice/ Kids: Beginning adults and children on any GAMRA legal mini. Adults will be moved up to regular classes as soon as their track skills are demonstrated. |
2011 Rules
for racing with GAMRA.
Following are rules that must be followed if a person wishes to race at events sanctioned by GAMRA. These rules may be added to or amended without notice during the season as needed by the Race Director.
Every rider is required to understand the rules and regulations and abide by them at all times as stated herein. Violation of any rule or regulation will be grounds for immediate disqualification or ejection from the race track by race officials
For participants who are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign all required race entry and release forms and be present at the track at all times.
All participant riders must be a member of GAMRA. We will accept SEMRA licenses in reciprocity with SEMRA.
Riders are responsible for their own medical costs due to injury. GARMA does not provide medical coverage. It is recommended each rider is have with them a medical information in the event they cannot provide information to Emergency Responders. The form listing all known important medical information that would be helpful in the event of an injury should be available.
Riders must pay all required registration fees and sign all waivers prior to practicing or racing.
A rider who engages in dangerous behavior at the race track facility will be subject to disciplinary action. Any intentional bumping, crowding, blocking or un-sportsmanlike conduct will be grounds for disqualification by race officials. Riders are responsible for the conduct of persons associated with him/her at the race track. The rider will be held accountable and penalized for their associate's behavior.
Motorcycle and rider must pass all required technical inspections to practice or race. Bikes found in violation due to illegal class modifications will forfeit all points and be ineligible to race until the bike is checked and found to be within compliance. Riders may substitute a different bike at any time as long as it is legal to run in that class.
Number Plates
All racers must have numbers that are registered with GAMRA and the numbers must be displayed on the front of the motorcycle. They must be visible and at least 5" (five inches) high. If the number you have registered with GAMRA is not displayed on the front of your motorcycle you will not be scored and you will not receive any refund of race fees.
Pre-Registration
Pre-registration is no longer in effect for the 2011 season. We will call for
a head count on the Forum to check attendance levels, but there is no longer
a pre-registration process or discount for race fees.
For any of the races run jointly with a GAMRA event (SEMRA and Pensacola races), registration will be through the sponsoring race organization. GAMRA will NOT conduct registration for that sponsoring organization. You must register with them.
Track Registration
Registration at the track will open when the gates open on Saturday and will close at 11:30am on Sunday. No classes can be added after this time. If you are not registered at the close of registration you will not be allowed on the track for the races.
Membership Fees
The annual GAMRA membership fee to help cover administrative costs will be $25.00. All Riders must pay the annual membership fee their first race of the season.
GRID
A drawing will be held at the registration table on race day when a rider registers. When you register, you will draw a chip, playing card or other numbered item from a container. This number will determine the grid for the first race of the day for that class. The HIGHEST NUMBER DRAWN, will determine grid placement for the first heat.
The finishing order of the first heat race is the order of the grid for the second heat.
Racers will only be called to the track 3 times and at the race directors discretion, 2 or more warm up laps will be given before gridding. If a rider is not on the track, ready to race when the racers are gridded, they will be dropped and no refund of race fees will be given.
SCORING
Scoring has been revised for the 2010 season. There will be two (2) heat races for each class. Each heat will be 10 laps. Finishing positions will be scored according to actual finish on the below point system. The highest finisher in each heat gets the lowest points. The overall winner is the rider with the lowest points from the two heats.
1st place = 1 point
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 3 points
4th place = 4 points
5th place = 5 points
and so on, to the final rider.
Competitors who do not finish a heat will be awarded last place points plus 5 points. In the event of multiple non-finishers, the rider with the most laps completed is awarded the lower points. Points Issues beyond this will be determined by the Race Director.
The overall winner will be the competitor with the lowest points. In the case of a ties in points, the lowest place in the 2nd heat will determine the winner. For example; rider one finishes 3rd and 4th. Rider two finished 4th and 3rd. Rider two wins over rider one due to the better finish in the second heat.
This system puts equal emphasis on riding well in both heats, and provides a better opportunity for riders in both heats to score well and place overall.
The Race Director has overall control of the final outcome and scoring of the race results.
Protective Equipment
We require that all participants wear a minimum amount of body protection, helmet, boots, and gloves. The boots don't have to be anything fancy, and heavy duty work boots will do just fine in most cases for new riders. Soft or tennis shoes are inadequate because they pop off quite easily during a crash. Helmets must be either full-face, or motocross style helmets. We do not recommend open face helmets. Helmets must be of good quality, in good shape, and liners and padding intact. No novelty helmets will be allowed. Race gloves are recommended, however padded street gloves can suffice in many cases. Be aware that you want the best protection you can get for your hands. The safety guy and Race Director reserve the right to declare a helmet, or any riding gear as unacceptable. Race gear will be checked, especially for new riders.
As for body protection, there are 2 different approaches to protective wear for racing on asphalt tracks.
1) Road racing leathers. Leathers offer the greatest level of protection in the event of a crash on pavement, but they are also the most expensive and least comfortable of the options. We highly suggest that if you are racing in anything other than Novice, you wear leathers. We encourage the wearing of back protectors also. Knee Sliders and toe sliders can not contain metal or any substance that will cause sparks or grove the track.
2) Moto-Cross gear. Moto-Cross armor or padding in conjunction with motocross pants and a jersey are more comfortable and far less expensive than road racing leathers, but they won't hold up as well either. In a crash, they often are abraided enough to allow the pavement to get through to the skin. Multiple layers are encouraged, as are elbow protectors, shin guards, etc. We encourage the wearing of back protectors also.
We do not allow jeans, light weight street gear, or street clothes to be worn at any time on the track.
Motorcycle Preparation
All bikes must have the oil and water drain plugs safety wired. All fill plugs must also be safety wired. Water cooled bikes must have a catch can to prevent fluids from leaking on the race surface. Carburetors must have overflow lines running into a catch can. All vent tubes for fuel tanks must have check valves to prevent fuel from spilling on the track in accidents. All brakes must be in good working order and the throttle must return freely. No bike will be allowed on the track if it does not go through Tech Inspection. Water, Water Wetter or Engine Ice only can be used in liquid cooled bikes. No Glycol based coolants can be used.
What The Different Flags Mean
green flag |
The green flag is waved to begin the race. The starter will , make sure that everyone on the grid is ready, and indicate that the race is about to begin (usually by pointing to the participants on the grid). The race will begin as soon as the green flag is |
yellow flag |
The yellow flag will be displayed in the event of an accident on the track. As soon as the accident is cleared the yellow flag will be removed. Passing is not allowed while the yellow flag is being displayed. Please take extra care while passing the accident scene. |
red flag |
The red flag will be shown if the race is being stopped for any reason. Reduce your speed and stop.as soon as safe to do so. |
crossed green & white flag |
The green flag and white flag will be folded and crossed to indicate the halfway point of the race. They will be displayed in this fashion for one entire lap. |
white flag |
The white flag will be waved when the leader begins the final lap of the race. Everyone who crosses the start/finish line will be shown the white flag, until the leader completes the final lap. |
 Checkered Flag |
The checkered flag will be waved as the race leader crosses the finish line for the last time. The checkered flag will be displayed to all other participants as they cross the finish line. Racers may take one cool down lap and exit the track when they reach pit-in on the cool down lap. Only one cool down lap is allowed. The Race Director will determine if a racer gets a victory lap with the checked flag. |
The Black Flag |
The black flag will be waved at a rider by Course Marshall, flagman, or the Race Director who have seen a problem with the rider's motorcycle, or for unacceptable on-track behavior. The black flag does not mean you are disqualified, but means that the rider who is shown a black flag must safely and immediately pull off the track and out of the way of other riders. Flagman, marshalls and/or the Race DIrector will discuss the issues with any black flagged rider. Any rider ignoring a black flag will be automatically disqualified. IN most cases, a black flagged rider will not be able to get back on the track for his/her races because of the low number of laps remaining. Most black flag issues are for mechanical problems(such as leaking fluids, loose parts hanging off the motorcycle, very low tire or flats, etc/) noted by Course Marshals. |
Code of Conduct
GAMRA is a family friendly organization and all persons are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times, whether children are present or not.
GAMRA expects riders to engage in proper conduct, and to resolve any differences in the spirit of good sportsmanship. If riders are unable to resolve their differences, they are to be brought to the attention of the Race Director. Only the parties directly involved in the differences will meet with the Race Director to address concerns. Anyone else stepping into the meeting will be penalized weather the other parties are or not. There will be no tolerance of anger or loud voices in the meeting. The meeting will be conducted in a civil manner and when the meeting is ended the decision of the Race Director will be final.
The use of drugs is banned. Any illegal drugs found will be cause for automatic ejection from the track and notification of authorities.
Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed before or during practice, or during racing. Common sense and a recognition that this is a family sport with children present shall be adhered to at all times. Inebriated persons will be ejected from the track. Spectators, friends and pit crews must also comply or they will be ejected from the track.
GAMRA track rules of conduct will be complied with when visiting other tracks.
Points
Scoring has been revised for the 2010 Season. There will be two (2) heat races for each class. Each heat will be 10 laps. Finishing positions will be scored according to actual finish on the below point system. The highest finisher in each heat gets the lowest points. The overall winner is the rider with the lowest points from the two heats.
1st place = 1 point
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 3 points
4th place = 4 points
5th place = 5 points
and so on, to the final rider.
Competitors who do not finish a heat will be awarded last place points plus 5 points. In the event of multiple non-finishers, the rider with the most laps completed is awarded the lower points. Points Issues beyond this will be determined by the Race Director.
The overall winner will be the competitor with the lowest points. In the case of a ties in points, the lowest place in the 2nd heat will determine the winner. For example; rider one finishes 3rd and 4th. Rider two finished 4th and 3rd. Rider two wins over rider one due to the better finish in the second heat.
This system puts equal emphasis on riding well in both heats, and provides a better opportunity for riders in both heats to score well and place overall.
The race director has overall control of the final outcome and scoring of the race results.
Protest
Any rider who feels that an illegal machine has been entered in their class and wishes to protest, must submit a written statement to that effect to the Chief Technical Inspector within thirty (30) minutes after the results for their class has been posted. The protest must specify the machine protested and the specific area of protest and must be signed and accompanied by the proper protest fee (in cash). The protest fees are as follows:
Visual protest requiring no disassembly - $25
Some disassembly (seat, body work and gas tank removal) - $50
Removal of Cylinder Head - $200
Age Restrictions
All riders under the age of 16 will be limited to minimoto or supermini until they can show enough control to move up. The Race Director will make the decision of whether or not a rider can move up in class, after discussing it with other riders who have observed the rider wishing to bump up in a class. A racer must be able to bring their bike to an upright position when it is laying on it's side. This is a safety issue to keep people off the track while an event is in progress. At no time can a racer be assisted in starting out on the grid.
Novice Riders
A novice or beginning rider may be required to wear a RED T-shirt, or orange vest over their gear to let other riders know that this person is new to the sport. This will help the other riders know that more care is needed around the rider. Novice riders must wear the shirt during practice also.
Novice riders riding in the novice only class will not have to wear the above during their races.
Release From Liability
Riders should understand that motorcycle racing has the potential to be dangerous, with injuries ranging from minor, to serious, and life impacting. All riders must sign a release waiver to participate in races and track days. Parents and/or Guardians must sign releases for the younger riders. GAMRA cannot be held liable for accidents or injuries as a result of race practice, racing or track days.
Please bookmark this site and note the new web address (URL).
Please register on-line to become a member of the Forum.
| Rules |
