To all Motorcycle Land Speed Racers,
Someone recently asked me about rule change procedures. I thought it would be helpful to provide everyone with a written explanation of the process. The following explanation should to ensure everyone?s understanding of the rule change process and the role of the Motorcycle Rules Conference at Bonneville, the Motorcycle Racer Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee), the Motorcycle Rules Committee (Rules Committee), and the SCTA Board.
The process begins when someone sends me a Rule Change Request Form (forms available at Tech trailer or from SCTA office). The form asks for the proposed change and the reason for the change. After reviewing the submitted form, I may ask the sender to provide additional information or documentation that supports the rationale for the change. No rule changes will take place without submission of a Rule Change Request Form.
The Motorcycle Racer Advisory Committee is comprised of 13 racers from all viewpoints, including East & West Coasters and Midwesterners, old guys and new guys, fastest and slowest, and a couple of streamliner guys. After conducting some initial research and processing, I will route most rule change proposals to the Advisory Committee for opinions. Rule changes that will not be routed include general safety rules and SCTA/BNI procedural rules. Based on the committee?s feedback, the proposed rule may be revised or completely rewritten, then reviewed again. The proposed rule will then be submitted to the Rules Committee along with all of the comments received from the Advisory Committee.
The Rules Committee consists of Tom Evans, myself and three or five other SCTA inspectors/officials. This committee may take issues back to the Advisory Committee or seek additional comments. Every proposed rule will be balloted by the Rules Committee. Rules receiving a majority affirmative ballot will be recommended to the SCTA Board for approval. In the SCTA organization, the Board has the final say on all rules.
Rule change requests will also be on the Motorcycle Rules Conference agenda at Bonneville to allow input from the BNI racers. New rule change proposals introduced at the conference can be discussed, but the discussions will not replace the rule change process outlined above. New rule change proposals must be submitted in writing no later than 45 days prior to the conference to allow time for processing and research. This conference does not have the final say on rules. Understandings reached or nods of agreement to points made by racers does not mean the rule change is approved, all rules must go through the approval process.
Normally, all rule changes for the next year?s rulebook will be finalized by November. The final date to submit a Rule Change Request form is October 1st. NOTE: Because time is short, any rule change requests received by Aug.1st will be considered this year if time permits? a more complex and involved rule change may not be considered due to lack of time to conduct the necessary review. I currently have 5 outstanding rule change requests.
In summary, here is how the rule change process is going to work:
Motorcycle Rules Conference -- Comments and advises on proposed rule changes
M/C Racer Advisory Committee -- Reviews, suggests, and advises on proposed rule changes
M/C Rule Committee -- Ensures proposed rules meet SCTA safety requirements, standards, goals and objectives and are necessary and fair. Ballots every proposal and make recommendations to the SCTA Board
SCTA Board -- Approves and enacts rule changes
