Trials Competition Rules
TRIALS RULES
A cross-country event in which endurance, skill and consistency of the riders form the basis of the results.
Non-stop sections in selected parts of the course, where the skill of the rider negotiating them is observed, and penalties can be given, are included in the route. In addition, a time limit may be set for covering the whole course.
Classes
Q-135
(a)
Youth – (Minimum Age 5 / Maximum Age 10) – No Championships awarded
Novice – (Minimum Age 9)
Junior
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Veteran
Super Veteran
Women
Vintage
Modern Classic
Championship Class (National Championship events only)
(b)
Definitions
Novice, Junior, Intermediate Advanced and Expert classes are based on the skill level of the rider.
Veteran class, any skill level, minimum age 45
Super Veteran class, any skill level, minimum age 55
Women’s class, any skill level, minimum age 13
Vintage Class, any skill level – Restricted to machines 1986 or older; twin shock rear suspension; air cooled engine.
Modern Classic – monoshock 1980 up to and including 1998.
Championship Class is open to Expert class riders who wish to compete for the #1 Plate.
Recommendation:
When entries at an event are not sufficient to form a class or classes, they may be combined into a Sports class. No Regional or National points will be awarded. Intermediate and Expert class riders are not eligible.
(c)
Promotion from the Advanced to the Expert class shall be optional even when the rider has qualified for reclassification.
(d)
The course must be “swept” completely on the day of the event.
(d)
The #1 Plate will be awarded to the Championship Class winner. Numbers 2 through 5 will be awarded to the riders who finish in those positions in that class.
Licensing
Q-136
Riders must present a current CMA licence valid for trials when signing in.
Numbers
Q-137
Front number plates are required for all National Championship Rounds. They may conform in size and shape to the outline provided by the fork tubes and yokes. Numbers must be a minimum of 3″ high with a 3/4″ stroke with colours as follows:
– Expert – black numbers on white plate.
– Advanced and Veteran – green numbers on a white plate
– Intermediate and Super Veteran – black numbers on yellow plate.
– Junior, Grand Veteran and Modern Classic – red numbers on white plate.
– Novice and Vintage – white numbers on black plate
Requirement of number plates for other events shall be at the discretion of each Region Sport Panel.
Equipment
Q-138
(a)
Competitors must wear a helmet of a type designed for motorcycle use.
(ii) Back Protectors are required and Chest Protectors are highly recommended. Commencing January 1, 2022.
(b)
Both tires must be of a trials tread, maximum number 400 rear, 275 front. No alterations to either tire, and may only be those commercially available at the retail level.
(c)
Rear wheel must have an efficient cover, extending from the top of the rear frame members under the saddle to a point at least even with a vertical line drawn through the rear axle.
(d)
94 DBA maximum.
(e)
The use of handlebars made from carbon, kevlar or any other composite materials is forbidden
(f)
Motorcycles must be equipped with an operational cut-off switch, connected through a lanyard to the rider (max. 1 meter in length).
Organization
Layout
Q-139
(a)
No speed Sections shall be used.
(b)
There must be two signs or stakes marking the Start and two marking the Finish of each Observed Section.
(c)
No part of any section shall be less than 1.2 metres wide.
(d)
Where long sections are to be divided into sections with subsections, each subsection will be clearly marked on each side of the track with cards marked “Sub A”, “Sub B”, etc. with a maximum of five subsections.
(e)
Where tape is used to mark sections, it must not be higher than twelve inches off the ground, and be securely fastened to stakes or the natural terrain.
(f)
Riding Lines
Novice and Vintage / E
Junior, Super Veteran, Modern Classic / D
Intermediate, Veteran / C
Advanced / B
Expert / A
Championship Class (National Championship events only) difficulty level one step above Expert.
(g)
Youth Class
(i) Sections number between 3 and 5, set up near the pits and close together.
(ii) Sections to be ridden forward twice, then in reverse twice.
(iii) Youth Class start will be 60 – 90 minutes prior to the start of the regular trial.
(iv) Awards will be presented during the Riders’ meeting prior to the start of the regular trial.
Equipment
Q-138
(a)
Marking System
1 fault – 1 point
2 faults – 2 points
More than 2 faults – 3 points
Failure – 5 points
Missing a section – 10 points
Not attempting sections in numerical order – 10 points
(b)
Fault Definitions
Footing – any contact with the ground or an obstacle (tree, rock, etc) providing support between any part of the rider’s body or machine. (exception: tires, foot pegs, skid plate) constitutes 1 fault. Note: providing the machine is within the section boundaries, footing may occur inside or outside the boundaries.
Foot Rotation – 1 fault
Sliding a Foot – 3 faults
Both feet placed on the ground simultaneously- 2 faults
(c)
Failure Definitions
The machine is moving backwards, with or without rider footing.
The machine touches the ground or obstacle outside a boundary with either wheel.
Any displacement of markers by the rider or machine, which requires a reset (i.e. breaking or knocking down).
The rider dismounts from the machine and has both feet on the ground on the same side of, or behind the machine.
The rider does not have both hands on the handlebar when footing while stationary.
The rider does not complete the section within the time allowed.
The rider receives outside assistance.
The rider, or mechanic, changes the condition of a section.
The rider begins a section attempt without being signaled in by the observer.
The engine stops while footing, or while any other part of the machine, except for the tires, is used for support.
The handlebar touches the ground.
The machine does a complete loop, crossing its own track with both wheels.
Not riding the line designated by split gates for the rider’s class.
When a marker is passed by either tire on the out of bounds side, with the tire on the ground. In the case of crossing over a taped boundary, there must be ground visible between the tape and the wheel, and the wheel must be on the ground on the out of bounds side of the tape. It is permitted to “float” one wheel over a marker (jumping the bike over a boundary is a failure).
(d)
Other Penalties
Decision not to attempt – provided rider reports to observer – 5 points.
Blanks on scorecard (considered a missed section) – 10 points for each section not punched.
Practising on the course within 10 days prior to the event, and/or on the day of the event – Disqualification.
Abuse (verbal or physical) of officials or other riders – Disqualification.
(e)
Maximum penalty in any section without a failure shall be 3 points, with a failure it shall be 5 points.
(f)
Marking in subsections shall be with the front wheel entry and exit from the subsection denoting the subsections in which points were lost.
(g)
Riders will be considered to be in the Observed Section after the centre of the front wheel has passed the Starting Line and until the centre of the front wheel has passed the Finish Line.
(h)
In any given section, a rider must always be travelling forward in the direction of the section. Thus a rider may not cross his own tracks unless the section is of the horseshoe or rejoining type wherein a common piece of terrain is used for two different “pieces” of a section.
(i)
Where the section is not marked completely by tape or other physical markers, the riders must ride between consecutive gates. (Gates shall be defined as a left hand marker and a right hand marker).
The boundary between consecutive sets of gates is a straight line, left hand marker (blue) to left hand marker (blue), or right hand marker direct and straight line to next right hand marker.
(j)
No section may be changed. If a section becomes unusable the Clerk of the Course may reduce the number of laps required on this section. This number must not be reduced to less than the maximum number of laps already covered by any rider.
(k)
To be classed as a finisher, a rider must attempt every section the required number of times and in the correct order. Crossing any section boundary shall be deemed an attempt.
(l)
In the case of a tie with no points lost, the result will be a tie. In the case of a tie with points lost, the most sections “clean” shall be considered the winner, if still a tie, the rider with the most sections at a loss of one point shall be the winner. If still a tie, the rider with the most sections at a loss of two points shall be the winner, etc. If a tie with points lost cannot be decided in this manner, the rider with the best score the longest shall be the winner.
“Sections” refers to most ride clean, i.e. if, there are 10 sections ridden 5 laps, it is the most of 50 rides or sections, not the most of 5 sections clean.
(m)
A record of points lost by all participants shall be kept at each section and/or on cards carried by each rider on which their score is recorded by the checker.
– It is the rider’s responsibility to see that their score card is properly marked and turned in on time.
– In case of disputes where the dual system is used, the master sheets from the individual sections are considered to be the official score.
– When the official score is the rider card only, sections not “punched” will be considered as missed. If cards are lost or unreadable the rider will be marked dnf.
(n)
When a time limit for the event is established (mandatory for National Championships) checkers must remain at their post until the limit for the last rider has expired, or they have been advised by the Clerk of the Course that the rider has withdrawn.
The Clerk of the Course may only accept a statement from the rider or his crew as official notification of withdrawal.
(o)
Organizers must send all entrants a copy of the results within 14 days of the trial. Organizers may require the rider to supply a stamped, addressed envelope in order to receive the results.
(p)
Team points shall be based on the rider’s position in his class – (i.e. 1st class 1 pt., 6th class 6 pts.) A DNF will score points equal to the number of starters in the class. The points shall be added and the team with the least number of points shall be the winner.
Conduct
Q-141
(a)
No riding on the course within ten (10) days prior to the event.
(b)
Competitors shall ride all sections consecutively in the numerical sequence as laid out. Competitors may start at any section they wish, unless directed otherwise by the organizers.
(c)
Riders must not start into a section until signalled by the checker.
(d)
Abuse of any official (including checkers) will result in disqualification.
Time and Observation Trials
Q-142
(a)
The riders start at approximately one minute intervals, the course is 30-40 miles in length, with riders negotiating approximately 10-15 observed sections per lap, the number of laps to be determined by the organizers.
(b)
There are three main awards:
The overall winner is the rider losing the least number of total points.
The best performance on time is the rider covering the total course in the least amount of time.
The best performance on observation is the rider losing the least amount of points in the observed sections. It is recommended that first and second class awards should be given to the next best 10-15% of the starters.
National Championships
Q-143
(a)
A time limit will apply to all National Championship Rounds. This will he determined by the organizer.
(b)
A National Steward shall he assigned to all National Championship Rounds. Assignment of Stewards to non national events shall be at discretion of head office.
The assigned steward/clerk of the course has the authority to reclassify a rider if they have entered a class inappropriate to their skill level. This would normally only take place for safety or fair play reasons and after discussion with the rider involved. Special care needs to be taken when moving a rider to a lower class, that it does not jeopardize the chances for other riders in the class to win the championship.
(c)
When arrows or gates are used:
– red arrows on the right
– blue arrows on the left
Q-144
National Championship and International events will not be awarded to organizers unless they have demonstrated organizational competence through the operation of region ally sanctioned events. The required number of regional events will be established annually.
Q-145
(a)
The classes to be run at individual championship rounds will be determined by the Board depending on the level of difficulty of the planned sections and the rideability of the loop. Assessment will be based on previous events and available information from the applicant.
(b)
Classes must include Veteran and Super Veteran.
(c)
The lines to be ridden by Veteran, Super Veteran and Grand Veteran classes will be determined by the organizer. This information must be included in the pre-entry form.
(d)
Expert Class is open to any rider of Advanced or Expert skill level. They will ride a combination of approximately 30% Champ sections and 70% Advanced sections. This will be designated by a card at the start of the gate indicating either E-C or E-A.
Q-146
Sections may be pre-inspected, on foot, at a time established by the organizer. The inspection shall be carried out by riders nominated by the CMA (max. 1 per class) in the company of an event official.