Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The MRA Rules Committee will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on January 4 in the Denver area, at a location to be announced (call 303-530-5678 to learn location). According to an MRA mailing to members, the meeting will include discussion of proposed 2002 season rule changes.

Proposed changes listed in the mailing include:

–Allowing a moving start (instead of the current no-movement-allowed start) as long as the rear axle does not cross the grid mark (ironically, the rule proposal cites AMA rules allowing a moving start even though AMA is moving from a moving start to a no-movement-allowed start for 2002).

–Reconciling contradictory rules regarding red-flag scoring.

–Breaking championship points ties by using the number of race wins.

–Listing all riders who do not show up on the grid as a DNS; listing riders who show up on the grid but don’t finish as a DNF; requiring riders to complete 1/2 race distance to be awarded points; determining if Race of the Rockies riders must show up on the grid to be eligible for purse money.

–Allowing air-cooled, two-valve Twins under 905cc and air-cooled, two-valve pushrod Twins of unlimited displacement in Middleweight Supersport.

–Changing SuperTwins GTU rules to require street-based case/frame combinations.

–Restricting Twins classes to four-strokes only.

–Splitting SuperTwins into three classes:

Lightweight SuperTwins allowing liquid-cooled, four-valve 650cc; air-cooled, two-valve 750cc; and Aprilia Challenge bikes. (Editor’s note: No explanation was given as to how adding a RS250 class will work with the “four-strokes only” proposal).

Middleweight SuperTwins allowing liquid-cooled, four-valve 750cc; air-cooled two-valve 950cc; air-cooled pushrod 1200cc.

Open SuperTwins allowing unlimited modifications.

–Removing “exceptions” now listed for SuperTwins GTU.

–Removing the “unlimited origin” clause for Lightweight Superbike for Singles or renaming the class Lightweight GP.

–Establishing endurance classes as Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight and Unlimited Superbike, using Race of the Rockies rules.

–Changing dollar amounts for claiming parts.

–Allowing protesting riders to do so anonymously, thus denying protested riders the right to confront (or even know) who has accused them of cheating or otherwise violating rules.