Motocross News

Officials Seminars - Plus new South Venue

: Date: 28 January 2019

A reminder to all Officials that the upcoming seminars will be held at the following

VNUK - Update

: Date: 28 January 2019

We are delighted to announce that persistent lobbying by the MCIA and other members of the motorcycle and motor sport business community, to exclude motorcycle and motor sport from the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive (MID - sometimes referred to as Vnuk), has achieved success with the European Parliament.

IMCO, the European Parliament committee responsible for MID, has voted by an overwhelming majority of 32 to 2, with one abstention, to exempt various vehicles from the scope of the Motor Insurance Directive.

The proposed judgment threatened motorcycle and motor sport by making road traffic insurance compulsory during off-road use (e.g. on a race circuit or MX track). This would require a form of insurance not commercially available and according to the insurance industry, probably unachievable.

The MCIA brought together a coalition of UK groups including the ACU and AMCA and also worked with the MIA (Motorsport Industry Association), DfT (Department for Transport) and others, as well as enjoying support from MEPs Vicky Ford, now a UK MP, and Daniel Dalton.

This coalition, working with the FIA, FIM and ACEM, successfully lobbied the European Parliament to exempt motorsport from the Motor Insurance Directive.

There are further hurdles to overcome, including gaining the agreement of the EU Council and the inevitable delays caused by the forthcoming EU elections, so, although the final verdict will not be known until later this year, the signs are positive.

Tony Campbell, MCIA CEO, commented: “This is great news and a big relief for motorsport of all types. The potential impact of the proposal would have been catastrophic and likely to result in the end of motorsport as we know it. The MCIA Public Affairs team was the first to recognise the threat and as such was instrumental in achieving this great result. Whilst Brexit may have created an opt-out for UK motorsport, 80% of the UK motorsport economy is derived from export to the EU and therefore there would be no escape for the motorsport business world. The MCIA will continue to follow this through to the final outcome and we would like to thank the ACU and AMCA who have partnered our efforts throughout”.

Cheltenham Motocross Club

: Date: 16 January 2019

The Cheltenham Spa club (Motocross) are accepting members now

Devizes MX - First club night

: Date: 16 January 2019

The Devizes club holding their first club night of the season on Monday 21st January.

Staunton and Corse - First club night

: Date: 16 January 2019

The Staunton & Corse Motocross club will be holding their first club night of 2019 on Tuesday 29th January.

MOTOCROSS COMMITTEE MEETING - Saturday 2nd March 2019 11.30 a.m. AMCA OFFICE, CANNOCK

: Date: 14 January 2019

The date for the next Motocross Committee Meeting is Saturday 2nd March with the start time set for 11.30a.m. (the start time is approximate as the meeting will follow on from the AGM).

2019 Licences Available now

: Date: 21 December 2018

Get your 2019 Licences online now

TERRY KING, President – Funeral Details

: Date: 04 December 2018

We have been informed that Terry passed away last week and his funeral will be held on Wednesday 12^th December at 11.30am.

TERRY KING - AMCA President

: Date: 27 November 2018

It is with great sadness that the AMCA announces the death of it’s President Terry King.

Register for the 2019 Championship

: Date: 22 November 2018

The AMCA's 2019 Championship (MX1 / MX2 / Vets / 125(2-Stroke) / 85) is open for Registration

AMCA Championship 2019 dates announced

: Date: 02 November 2018

The AMCA's 2019 Championship (MX1 / MX2 / Vets / 125(2-Stroke) / 85) dates have been announced at the International Dirt Bike Show.

Championship Presentation

: Date: 26 October 2018

The Championship presentation will take place at the Dirt Bike Show on Saturday 3rd Novemeber at 12noon.

2019 South Group & Wessex Group Fixture List

: Date: 19 October 2018

The South Group and the Wessex Group met to agree a fixture list for 2019, an excellent fixture list has been made giving the riders a superb choice of events, this can be downloaded below.

2019 FIXTURE LIST

Motocross Committee - Agenda Items DEADLINE

: Date: 05 September 2018

A reminder to all Motocross clubs that the deadling for agenda items for the next Motocross Committee meeting is tomorrow (6th September).

AMCA first out of the gate with 2019 Championship Announcement

: Date: 02 September 2018

The AMCA’s Championship classes will be redefined for the 2019 series with a move away from the established MX1, MX2, Vets, 2 Stroke and Youth 85 classes. Keen to capitalise on the growth and improvements already made to the Championships in recent years, the AMCA have announced that the MX2 class will now include 250cc 2 strokes and a dedicated 125 2 stroke only (inc 150 2 strokes) class will replace the existing 2 stroke class.

This will result in a Championship event day consisting of five classes - MX1, MX2 (including 250cc 2 strokes), Vets, 125 and Youth 85 which AMCA believes better caters for the ever-changing demands of their membership.

Additionally the Championship will become a ten round series as the hunger for Championship quality events increases. In previous years the number of rounds has fluctuated from 7 to 9 but increasing the number to ten is sure to keep attention focussed until the end of the season. Dates and venues will follow in due course but in demonstrating an early focus on the 2019 season this looks set to be the next step in the ever improving AMCA Championship powered by Datatag and supported by Dunlop.

Vnuk – the threat to motorsport looms large!

: Date: 25 July 2018

In recent years, we have reported on the threat posed by the so-called ‘Vnuk’ judgement by the European Court of Justice (CJEU). We had hoped that moves in Brussels to amend the Motor Insurance Directive (MID) would see exemptions granted to motor and motorcycle sport. But recent proposals to amend the MID have seen the European Commission do a 180 degree U-turn and Vnuk is now in danger of become a serious reality.

The background to all this is that in 2007, a Mr Vnuk in Slovenia was knocked off a ladder at work by a reversing tractor and trailer. He was injured and claimed compensation from the tractor’s motor insurance. As the incident happened away from the public road, the claim was outside the policy and the insurer refused to pay. The CJEU became involved and ruled that the Slovenian government had failed to transpose the Directive into national law correctly and the Motor Insurance Directive required that all vehicles must have insurance cover for all uses everywhere covering all risks and liabilities. This ruling was challenged by the British, Irish and German governments, but in 2014 the CJEU rejected the appeal.

The UK government, along with sports bodies and industry, lobbied the European Commission to change the legislation so that motorsport would be exempt. We were helped by insurance bodies such as BIBA and the ABI, who stated that insuring motorsport in the same way as normal road use would be extremely expensive (particularly for vehicle to vehicle collisions on the track), that such a policy would not be commercially viable, and no underwriter would want to enter this market. The UK Government also supports our position on the matter.

In April 2016, the argument that motorsport was a case apart was accepted by the then Commissioner in charge of this portfolio, Lord Hill, who directed that an amendment be tabled shortly to be completed by the end of the year. However, rather than publish immediately, he held a consultation and then, after the Brexit vote, Lord Hill resigned. The new Commissioner in charge decided to roll the amendment into a longer process known as “Refit” which included the issue with several other changes to the Motor Insurance Directive.

The European Commission held two more consultations on the issue during 2017. The responses to both were overwhelmingly in favour of the EU exempting motorsport from mandatory insurance requirements.

But in May 2018, two years after the Commission promised to exempt motorsport, they published a formal proposal for an amendment and an impact assessment that explicitly included motorsport in the scope for compulsory motor insurance.

The detail of this proposal was to include a definition of the ‘use of a vehicle’ which included all use of a vehicle on all terrains, whether moving or stationary.

If adopted, this proposal will mean that all vehicles, whether family cars, museum pieces, off road bikes, or MotoGP bikes, will need a minimum 3rd party motor insurance covering all damages and liabilities at all times and for all uses - including use on a closed circuit.

We now have a short window of opportunity to stop the threat of Vnuk becoming reality. The AMCA along with the ACU and the MCIA are already working hard to ensure that our European counterparts lobby their governments and members of the European Parliament (EP). The objective is to get the European Parliament to amend the European Commission proposals, so that motor and motorcycle sports are removed from the scope of the Directive. But it’s vital that other EU governments are also brought on side, given that the EP vote will only be advisory and not binding on the Commission.

Votes in Europe will take place later this year. If we are unsuccessful in getting the proposed Directive amended, the theatre of action then moves to the UK, where we will be calling on the UK Government to not implement under any circumstances. At that point we may request the direct help of clubs in contacting MPs – though there is nothing wrong with writing to your MP about the matter now.

Given the current state of the Brexit negotiations, we cannot look to Brexit to solve this problem for us, as European directives may still apply to motor insurance after the UK leaves the EU. In any case, this is a European problem, not just a UK matter. Irrespective of the UK’s place in the future, we will do what we can to support our European colleagues and friends in their endeavours to save motor and motorcycle sport.

Jon Bond Memorial Trophy Winner - Charlie Palmer

: Date: 24 July 2018

Cheltenham Spa Scramble Club held their meeting on Sunday 1 July which included the Jon Bond memorial Trophy, this trophy is awarded to the highest club scoring on the day in memory of Jon Bond who sadly passed away at our club presentation evening in January 2017.

This year’s winner with 3 race wins in the inter class, was Charlie Palmer who is also currently in second place in the AMCA championship.

The club did well to run a three block meeting with the adverse weather conditions.

Yamaha PRO Tour

: Date: 17 July 2018

Yamaha and the AMCA have great pleasure in announcing the dates for the 2018 MX Pro Tour and the first chance for you to experience the new 2019 range of YZ machines!

: Date: 22 June 2018

Yamaha and the AMCA have great pleasure in announcing the dates for the 2018 MX Pro Tour and the first chance for you to experience the new 2019 range of YZ machines!

The MX Pro Tour will give customers the opportunity to test ride the latest Yamaha motocross models including the all-new YZ250F, YZ450F and YZ125, YZ85 and the newly launched and much anticipated YZ65.

Friday 3rd August & Saturday 4th August – Apex Motocross, Worcester

This year Friday 3rd August will be run as an Exclusive Yamaha Test Day for dealer customers plus AMCA licence holders, whereas Saturday 4th August is an APEX open practice day where any rider will be able to take a MX Pro Tour test ride.

Friday 3rd August (AMCA & Yamaha Dealer Exclusive day)

Yamaha has an exclusive track hire on Friday 3rd for the MX Pro Tour so riders will have plenty of time and space on the circuit to evaluate the new bikes. We would encourage you to attend on the 3rd and make the most of this exciting opportunity.

As in previous years the exclusive demo event will be divided into a morning and an afternoon session, AMCA licence holders should riders should book into either the AM or PM group online, if you are booking through the dealer as them to call the Office and we can book the riders in via telephone.

We will guarantee at least 2x15 minute rides. Places will be limited and subject to availability, therefore please reserve a place as early as possible. BOOK IN ONLINE - https://amca.sport80.com

Places will be charged at £15 per rider for the AM or PM group (per two (2) rides).

Saturday 4th August

Saturday’s event will run alongside a normal Apex public practice day and MX Pro Tour test rides will be available to any signed-on riders.

To test ride on the day, riders will need to be attending the normal public practice day at Apex Motocross (www.apexmotocross.com) and book their test ride with the Pro Tour team on arrival. There is no pre-booking and test rides will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

MX2 IMBA - BELGIUM - CANCELLED

: Date: 01 June 2018

We have just received a call off the organisers of the Belgian MX2 IMBA round, they have had to cancel the event due to the heavy rain in the region.

Online Services

Follow this link to log into your secure online account to update your details, renew your licence, and enter events.

How can I start?

This all depends on what discipline you want to start with – some require you to take a licence whilst others are more flexible and allow you to turn up and ride. Once you have opted for a discipline, see the FAQ for more tailored questions.

What is the difference between motocross, enduro, and trials?

These are all different disciplines the AMCA caters for, along with much more. Motocross is fast paced, short races over both natural and man-made terrain with 36 riders going into a first corner. Enduro is more long distance, long duration events, usually through woodland. Trials is slow paced, technical, balance based over challenging short course with the object to go through without putting your foot on the floor.