So you want to race your ATV?

Types of Racing

Motocross
Motocross races are run over closed courses utilizing natural terrain and some man-made obstacles to test riders' skill and speed. With stepped classes, including 50cc for 4 to 8-year-olds on up to unlimited for riders 16 to over 50, it's a sport for the whole family. See rulebook Chapter 11 for the exact youth and amateur classes.

Most motocross events consist of two or more heats, called motos, that are run for a prescribed period of time or a set number of laps. Points are earned in each moto based on finishing position and the rider with the best total score is the overall winner.

TT (Tourist Trophy)
Tourist Trophy scrambles are held on prepared dirt tracks that include right and left hand turns and jumps. Most TT events consist of qualifying heats to determine who will qualify for the main event and starting position for the main. Finishing position in the main event decides the winner.

Short Track
It's dirt track racing for ATVs. Short track races are run on dirt ovals of approximately 3/8 of a mile in length.

Cross Country & Hare Scrambles
Cross country and hare scrambles are conducted on marked courses over rugged natural terrain. Events are run for a designated number of laps or for a prescribed race time, typically one or two hours. Competitive riders not only need to be fast, but also physically fit enough to maintain a race pace for hours at a time.

Ice Racing
For those die-hard racing enthusiasts who live in regions of the country with harsh winters and can't get enough of ATVing, there's ice racing. Ice races are held primarily on short ovals, but some promoters run ice TT races that include left and right turns.

Going Racing

As a rider, you must rely on your own judgment, and you assume all risks when participating in any type of ATV competition. Although all ATVA/AMA-sanctioned meets are conducted under the guidelines established in the ATVA/AMA rule book and district supplemental rules, each club or promoter may operate a bit differently. There are several things you can expect regardless of where you race:

• You must be an ATVA Competition member or full AMA member in good standing to compete in any type of ATVA or AMA amateur competition. If you are not already a current Competition Member or full AMA member, you may join at the track on the day of an event. Keep your yellow receipt and take it with you to future events, as it will serve as your proof of membership until you receive your permanent ATVA card.
• You will be required to agree that you will not sue the ATVA/AMA or the organizer, and at each event you will be required to sign statements releasing the ATVA/AMA and the organizer from any indemnity.
• In AMA districts with official recognition, district membership may also be required. In such cases, you will be able to join the district organization on the spot. (Read on for more information about the AMA district in which you reside.)
• All participants and spectators attending a race may be required to pay an admission fee upon entering the facility. Race participants normally must also pay a registration or entry fee in addition to the admission fee.
• All participants must wear a protective helmet, eye protection, gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, protective pants and boots that are at least eight inches high.
• It is your responsibility to know the rules. The rulebook is available online in Adobe PDF format. Copies of the rule book may be purchased for $3 by contacting the ATVA Product Sales Department at 1-866- ATVA-JOIN.

ATVA Districts

The shaded areas of the map represent recognized ATVA/AMA districts. The task of issuing racing numbers, points keeping and rider advancement is handled at the district level.

If you live in a recognized ATVA/AMA district and plan to start racing, you may have to become a member of the district in addition to being an ATVA member. As a member of your local ATVA/AMA district you may be issued a racing number, be eligible to earn points at events in which you participate, and have those points recorded for the purpose of advancement to higher classifications of competition and year-end awards.

The unshaded areas of the map above represent non-recognized ATVA/AMA districts, where there is no local body governing the racing activity on behalf of the ATVA/AMA. If you live in any of these areas and need competition information, contact the ATVA Member Activities Department directly at 1-866- ATVA-JOIN or  ATVA@ATVAonline.com.

For a schedule of events in your area, refer to ATVA News or search the database of local events (right). Each month, the Racing Schedule section of the newsletter lists most sanctioned competition events for the upcoming months by date, event type and location, and also contains contact information for the promoting organizations.

As an ATVA/AMA member, you are provided with elected representatives at the district level (in both recognized and non-recognized districts) who are directly involved in the rules-making process. Each of the district's AMA clubs and promoters elect the AMA Congress representatives who serve as your link to the ATVA/AMA Congress, the ATVA/AMA's rules-making body. Your ATVA/AMA Congress representatives are available to answer any questions you may have concerning the ATVA/AMA or local competition matters.

You can also contact your recognized district organization for information on schedules, racing numbers, names of ATVA/AMA Congress representatives, etc. For names of ATVA/AMA Congress representatives in non-recognized districts, contact the ATVA’s Amateur Activities Department at ATVA@ATVAonline.com.