AFM Introduces full Novice classes for 2012 season The American Federation of Motorcyclists, AFM, will institute a completely new Novice class structure for 2012. The new class structure will mimic the Expert class structure and have top 3 trophies for each Novice class. The top 3 of each class will be honored at the annual AFM Banquet at the end of the racing year. “We really wanted to create a home for Novice level riders and a race to call their own series, instead of continuing intermixing them with the Expert ranked riders,” commented AFM President Berto Wooldridge. “Our goal was to allow a rider to decide when they were ready to advance to the Expert ranks, and let them make the decision and not the club, unless they win their class championship. In that case, each Novice class champion will be honored at our year-end banquet and then summarily promoted to Expert ranks. I think the board struck upon a great format, giving the rider the ability to decide their racing progression,” explained Wooldridge. Gone is the old format where completing six complete race weekends automatically moved a rider from Novice into Expert ranks. Now, a rider is able to compete for a championship year after year, if they so desire, before moving onto the expert classes. Novice and Expert classes will accrue points separately and trophies will be awarded for top 3 in each class. Clubman class will remain the same with the existing Clubman championship as well. Novices are allowed to enter Clubman championships, the same as last season. The AFM also included a provision for Experts who wish to be reclassified back to Novice status to do so merely at their request. If you are currently an Expert rider, but want to be reclassified as a Novice rider for ANY REASON, you must contact AFM ENTRY by February 15, 2012 to make your request. We are giving riders this ONE chance to be reclassified, so if that holds any appeal, please contact Paddy at [email protected] .