FAQs:

1. Who races in GAMRA events?
2. How do I Find GAMRA?
3. What if I'm not ready to race yet?
4. What type of motorcycle can I race?
5. What protective equipment should I wear?
6. What other gear and equipment should I bring to the track?
7. What type of motorcycle preparation is required?
8. What should I expect when I arrive at the track?
9. What should I do when I arrive at the track?
10. What is the schedule for a typical track day?
11. What is the schedule for a typical race day?
12. How do I know when it's my turn to race?
13. How many races will there be?
14. What do the different flags mean?
15. Is there an awards ceremony after the race?
16. What types of prizes are awarded?
17. How do I earn points?
18. How much does it cost?

Who races in GAMRA?

At a typical GAMRA event you can expect to find racers ranging in age from 6 to 80 years of age.  Just because the motorcycles that we race are small doesn't mean that kids are the only racers!  The typical GAMRA racer is in their 30-40's, but we encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun. We have everything from full blown Supermoto bikes such as the  KTM 590s, Honda 45Os, on down to the littlest Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas, etc.

Back to Top

How do I Find GAMRA?

The easiest way is to go to the next event and sign up!  If you are new to Mini Roadracing and Mini-SuperMotard racing then we suggest that you attend an event or two as a spectator to get an idea of the bike type you would like to race before spending money on a race bike.

Back to Top

What if I'm not ready to race yet?

GAMRA encourages everyone to participate and advance at their own pace.  If you don't own a bike that qualifies for one of the many classes then you can be a spectator, or help out around the track (corner working, scoring, etc).  If you do own a bike, but are uncomfortable competing in a race, then you can participate in the practice and fun days.  During these events the track will be open for any and all participants at any given time.  You may ride as little or as much as you like, but you'll probably be exhausted at the end of the day.

Back to Top

What type of motorcycle can I race?

Any motorcycle which fits within the GAMRA class structure will do.  Most of the participants at GAMRA events are riding small 2 or 4-stroke dirt bikes such as the Honda CRF-150 and Yamaha TTR-125.  The young (and young at heart) participants seem to prefer small 2-stroke dirt bikes such as the Honda CR-85 & Suzuki RM85.  There are even some participants using small street bikes such as the Yamaha YSR-50 and Honda NSF100. We do not allow full size street bikes, except for the 450-550cc Supermoto bikes.

Back to Top

What protective equipment should I wear?

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 quality helmets, in good shape, and liners and padding intact.  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.  

As for body protection, there are 2 different approaches to protective wear.

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.

2)  Moto-Cross gear.  Moto-Cross armor or padding in conjunction with 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 can allow the pavement to get through to the skin. 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.

Back to Top

What other gear and equipment should I bring to the track?

Bring some comfortable clothes to wear between races, and don't forget the sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat... it gets awfully warm at the tracks during the summer!  It would also be a good idea to bring chairs to relax in, and a cooler full of drinks and snacks.

Be sure to bring some basic tools to work on your race bike with.  If you find that you don't have a tool that you need you can probably locate someone willing to loan one to you.  Be sure to bring extra engine oil, 2-stroke oil (if needed), and BRING EXTRA GAS!

Back to Top

What type of motorcycle preparation is required?

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. 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 or Water Wetter and Engine Ice only can be used in liquid cooled bikes. No Glycol based coolants can be used.

Back to Top

What should I expect when I arrive at the track?

Expect everyone to be friendly and cordial.  There is a real family atmosphere at the rack.  Remember, GAMRA's aim is keeping racing FUN and affordable!  Sometimes during the course of the day the participants will be "busy" working on motorcycles, or talking about the days events.  Don't hesitate to walk up and introduce yourself, everyone should be more than happy to chat for a few moments, no matter how "busy" they are! Remember that the racers have their mind on the event so it will be up to you to speak up and introduce yourself. They will not mind at all.

Back to Top

What should I do when I arrive at the track?

The first thing you'll need to do on arrival is to check-in, pay the gate/participation fee, sign the insurance sheet, and receive your armband.  If there isn't someone at the gate with the sign-in sheet look for the registration tent.  Once the legalities are taken care of feel free to mingle with the other participants, unload your equipment, scope out the track and get ready for a fun day of racing.

Back to Top

What is the schedule for a typical  track or practice day?

Usually, practice will begin at 10:00 am and end when it gets dark, or when everyone is too tired to continue riding.  The track will be open to all classes during practice days and fun days.  Take to the track whenever you want, and ride for as long as you like.  However, remember that this is an open track.  All different types of machinery could be on the track simultaneously. When the track gets congested we will stop the practice and start running it by class.  It is the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure that slower bikes are passed with care!  We don't want ANY accidents during practice caused by aggressive riding... take your time and wait for an opportunity to make a clean and courteous pass.  When the track becomes congested the practice will be broken into groups.

Track day fees are $20 per day this year. Insurance is $10 per day.

Back to Top

What is the schedule for a typical race day?

Things get started a little earlier on race day than on practice day.  We try to have the track open between 9:00 and 10:00 AM for practice.  Depending on the number of participants, practice may be an "open track" or we may have timed practice sessions based on classes.  Practice usually continues until Noon, followed by a 30 minute lunch break.  After lunch there will be a short rider's meeting followed immediately by race number 1.  Racing should begin before 1:00 PM and usually ends before 5:00 PM. This is subject to change because of weather conditions, size of the classes, or other issues. Always ask if you are not sure, and listen for announcements.

Back to Top

How do I know when it is my turn to race?

Prior to each race there will be 3 race announcements.  The first call is made at the halfway point of the previous race.  The second call will be made with one lap remaining in the previous race.  The third and final call will be made during the cool down lap of the previous race.  At this point all race entrants in the upcoming race should be assembled on pit-out.  As soon as all competitors in the previous race have cleared the track the riders in the next race will be allowed to begin their warm-up laps.  There will generally be 3-4 warm-up laps per race. For competitors riding more than one class, we will ensure you get time to change bikes and get back out.

Back to Top

How many races will there be?

On each day of racing each class will have 2 races.  The grid positions for the 1st heat race will be based on a lottery drawing. The grid positions for the 2nd heat race will be based on the finishing order in the heat race.  Series points will be awarded based on your combined points from both positions. GARMA is running a 6 race season for 2011.

Back to Top

What do the different flags mean?

The green flag is waved to begin the race.  The starter will "hide" the flag behind their leg, 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 moved from behind the starter's leg.

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.

The red flag will be shown if the race is being stopped for any reason.  Reduce your speed and exit the track when you reach pit-in.

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.

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.

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 that cool down lap.

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, marshals 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.

Back to Top

Is there an awards ceremony after the race?

Of course there is!  The awards ceremony will be shortly after racing has finished.  The first 3 finishers in each of the points-paying classes will receive trophies.  Some of our sponsors occasionally will have things that will also be given out at the trophy presentation.

Back to Top

What types of prizes are awarded?

The top 3 finishers in each points-paying class will be awarded trophies, medals or plaques at each race. 

In many cases, our sponsors provide prizes or gift certificates for a sponsored class. They have given out everything from back packs to handle bars and season championship helmets.

Back to Top

Scoring has been revised for the 2011 Season. There will be two (2) heat races for each class. Each heat will be between 8 to10 laps (we reserve the right to change due to heat, weather & track conditions, etc.). 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.  

Back to Top

How much does it cost?  

GAMRA is very inexpensive, as far as motorcycle racing goes. GAMRA recognizes that the economy is impacting our riders and many are feeling the effects of the recession. We are sincerely trying to keep costs to a bare minimum to ensure affordability for everyone. However, there are certain fees GAMRA must pay in order to conduct the business of racing. This includes track rental, web site fees, insurance, trophies, etc.  As such, we must budget for the races and costs incurred. 

Pre-registration is no longer discounted and we do not pre-register, although we doing encourage everyone to post up to the GAMRA forum their attendance under the appropriate "Race Schedule" entry.

Insurance fees (armbands) through the Karting association are up again this year and we will have to charge $10.00 for each rider/per race weekend.   Wwe have to have the coverage for everyone's benefit and to be able to run the races.

All people attending and entering pit areas must purchase armbands.

Race information is announced on the GAMRA Forum.

  

Back to Top

Home