What Is Nutmeg BMX?

NUTMEG BMX is the governing body for the four operating tracks in the state. These tracks are located in Bethel, Trumbull, Meriden and Torrington. These tracks all race on different days each week with a season that runs from May through August. The "State Series" incorporates a point system in which, at seasons end, the number one rider in each classification and age group wins the right to wear the coveted #1 number plate on the front of his/her bicycle for the entire next season. Number plates are awarded from #1 through #10 in each class. To qualify for a State Number, you must race a minimum of twelve times at any combination of Connecticut tracks, plus the State Championship race. The State Points Keeper will apply the scores of your best ten races towards your final standings. Three of the best ten can be multiple point races.

What Is the National Bicycle League?

The NBL is the sanctioning body for the entire program. We abide by their rules and regulations. All riders participating in the NUTMEG BMX program, must be members of the National Bicycle League. An NBL membership allows you to race at any NBL sanctioned track in the USA and Canada (over 130 and growing). It also provides you with secondary medical insurance, qualified officiating, National and State point standings, a subscription to "BMX Today" a monthly magazine, a list of tracks and schedules and a membership card.

What Does It Cost To Race?

There are three (3) types of 12-month Membership Contracts. All three types include both 20” and Cruiser bikes under the same membership.

LOCAL
All-you-can-ride local racing (for points only) at any outdoor track in the Nation with no entry fees. Tracks do have the option to charge additional fees for trophies, special fund raising events, i.e. Bob Warnicke Scholarship races and State Series races. There may be indoor fees to cover the added cost of indoor facilities depending on the track. Local membership includes access to pre-races at the Challenge/Regional and National events and entry into the President’s Cup.

CHALLENGER
All the benefits of the Local membership PLUS all-you- can-ride Challenge/Regional Championship series racing with no entry fees. Includes all Challenge/Regional entries, the Challenge/Regional Championship and the All Challenge/Regional Final held at the Grands.

CHAMPION
All the benefits of Local and Challenge membership PLUS all-you-can-ride National Championship series racing. Includes Grands entry.

Note:

1. Riders holding a Local level Membership may elect to pay an ala carte fee
   for a Challenge/Regional or National event if they choose.
2. Riders holding a Challenge/Regional Membership may elect to pay an ala
   carte fee for a National event if they choose.
3. Membership levels may be upgraded at any time.A new contract must be completed and indicate “UPGRADE”.

There are four categories of Membership Plans:

• SINGLE – A single rider membership.
• DUO – Two family members living in the same household – must purchase the same level membership package.
• TRIO – Three family members living in the same household – must purchase the same level membership package.
• QUATRO – Four or more family members living in the same household – must purchase the same level membership package
  (If family members choose different membership levels, i.e. one local and one championship, separate contracts will need to be purchased for each level and the family discounts will not apply.)

DISCOUNTS:

Trial Members

1. Thirty (30) day trial membership at the local level only will amount to a $25 sign-up fee.
2. Should they convert to a full membership, the $25 will be applied to their membership plan.
3. If the rider goes past the 30 days then he must pay another sign up fee of $25 to continue plus the membership plan fee.
4. The rider can only participate in one major event (Challenge/Regional or National) as a Trial member.

Disadvantaged Youth and Veterans

1. A flat discount of $35 off whatever single membership plan they choose.
2. The discount cannot be combined with a family discount.

What Is a Race and How Are They Run?

REGISTRATION: There are forms to fill out the day you first register with the NBL. Bring a copy of your birth certificate. A legal guardian must sign your NBL registration. If you already have an NBL license, present it, along with your entry fee, to the person at the registration window. Be sure to inform them of your age on the day of the race.

MOTO BOARDS: The motos are your races. They will be run three times. The moto boards are where the moto sheets are ‘posted’. The moto sheets are the written forms with all the information about your class. This includes your race number or "moto number" and your gate position.

THE RACE: After the posting of the motos, they are called to the starting hill. Each moto is run one after the other. When one moto is crossing the finish line, another is leaving the starting gate.

FINISHING: To arrive at the finishing positions for each class, the "Olympic Scoring System" is applied to each moto. 1 point for a first place finish, 2 for a second, 3 for a third etc. The rider with the least number of points for the three rounds of motos, will be declared the winner. In case of a tie, the finishing position will be determined on the basis of the finish in the third round of motos.

Tell Me More About Classes

1. In order to provide a graduated path of development in the sport of BMX racing, participants shall be categorized into different classes defined by a number of criteria including: the rider’s age, gender, general skill level, status as an amateur or professional athlete and the wheel size of the bike.Standard BMX-style bicycles having 20" or small nominal diameter wheels may be used in any class that is not specifically designated for “Cruisers”, the name given to BMX bicycles with 24" or greater nominal diameter wheels
2. There are seven (7) proficiency levels in the boys 20 " classes: Rookie, Challenger, Expert, Super X, A Elite Men, AA Elite Men, and Masters.
3. There are five (5) proficiency levels in the girls 20 " point classes: Rookie, Challenger, Expert, Super X and AA Elite Women
4. A rider may not compete in a point class outside of their own gender group, age group and proficiency level, or in an Open class outside their own age group at Challenger/Regional or National or local events, unless specified in the combining rules (see Clerking section).
5. For the purpose of age classification a rider shall be considered to have advanced in age by one year at the beginning of the day that marks the anniversary of his/her birth, except for Super X riders.(Age for Super X riders will be determined by their birth year.) Local, Challenge/Regional and National points are awarded for all Rookie, Challenge, Expert, Cruiser, Elite Women, which together comprise the “point classes”