From an AMA Press Release:


AMA Pro Racing creates open forum for two-way communication regarding new racing rules

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing announced today the creation of a new forum for two-way communication with the racing community, an avenue that provides racers with the means to review and comment on proposed changes regarding racing rules. The proposed rules changes, which apply to all AMA professional racing disciplines for the 2002 and 2003 racing seasons, have been posted, and a 30-day comment period for input regarding these changes will open on Friday, September 14.

The proposed rules changes can be viewed at AMA Pro Racing’s new racing community website, www.amaproracing.com/ridersonly. This website is password protected for exclusive use by AMA Pro Racing credentialed riders, team owners and managers, mechanics and other key industry members. First-time users must register with the site, which will also serve as one venue for collecting feedback regarding the proposed rules changes. As another option, credential holders will also receive a mailing that contains the proposed rules changes, and written comments may be returned to AMA Pro Racing via mail and fax.

The comment period serves as the official forum for AMA Pro Racing participants to communicate their thoughts and reactions to the proposed rules changes, and comments are encouraged. This new venue for two-way communication is the first in a series of anticipated changes in the rules-making process designed to engage the racing community in an early and more active role in the process.

The catalyst for this newly formalized means of active communication is an outgrowth of a six-month consulting study by former Indy Racing League executive director Leo Mehl for the expressed purpose of enhancing consensus and participation within the racing community. Mehl gathered input from participants of each AMA Pro Racing discipline and melded that with the best practices from other race sanctioning bodies in his recommendations.

On a regular basis, rules changes are proposed, drafted and recommended to and by AMA Pro Racing Competition Advisory Boards in each racing discipline. These advisory boards consist of riders, mechanics, other team members, manufacturer representatives and promoters. These boards meet quarterly to discuss potential rules changes for proposal to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors. In cases that carry safety implications or may require more urgent action, the 30-day comment period may be bypassed.

“AMA Pro Racing has always had the objective of providing a level playing field, a stable rules environment for our competitors and an entertaining product for our fans. This latest move further enhances our ability to do that,” said Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing director of competition.

“There are many aspects to be considered when adopting new rules. Hopefully, this newly formalized process will allow a greater number of participants to make their thoughts clearly heard on the issues that will affect them,” added Vanderslice.

In another step designed to better serve the racing community, AMA Pro Racing also announced that separate, discipline-specific rulebooks will be utilized in 2002. The move away from one rulebook for all racing disciplines will allow for better organization and more clarity for each venue’s set of specific rules and regulations.