EXCERPTS FROM www.RPV4TX.COM

What is Texas Advancement Points System (T.A.P.S.) 

From the summer to the fall of 2003 the promoters / tracks of the TX/OK Pro Circuit Series and the TX Winter Series were diligently working together, compiling ideas to come up with a structured move up program that would be the start of placing riders on an equal playing field.  Tony Miller, Terry Cordray, Richard White and Lisa Pecsok decided to take the first step.  The recommendation sent to us by the AMA in 2000 is what we used to structure our program.  With the input we received from other tracks and riders, we came up with a scale we felt would benefit all tracks in TX and not penalize the participants.  Lisa volunteered the task of keeping the points.  

TODAY:   T.A.P.S. is now AMA approved / recognized and includes supplemental rules pertaining to TX only.  Each year the program is reviewed and changes, if any, that are requested are presented to the AMA for approval.    

You as the rider should beware if any track or organization wants to segregate different advancement systems, especially if localized.  Your RPV would most likely be higher as most riders have a much better performance on their home tracks.  T.A.P.S. is statewide!  T.A.P.S. will consider your performance no matter where you choose to race in TEXAS.

For 2008 as was 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... When the protests come in to MX Sports and the AMA regarding TX riders attempting to qualify out of class for the Annual Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn's, this system is AMA approved / recognized and will determine if a rider is legal or not.   

If we do NOT have a RPV on a rider, then the rules pertaining to "time", and other rules stated in the AMA Rule Book will apply.  ... See below. 

Regardless of district, sanction body or none, advancement points are being kept by one central administrator called the Points Keeper.  Tracks throughout North, South, East and West TX submit race results to the Points Keeper.  The Points Keeper accepts results submitted by individuals as well.  Results must be complete, listing all riders and finish positions in the select class AND verifiable either by track website displayed on printout or original results from publications.

All tracks can participate.  Tracks must be using the Trackside software so results can be exported directly to the Points Keeper.  Tracks / promoters will benefit as well as the riders since the data is kept in a shared database.  With all tracks having access to this .mdb file, they will be able to better promote their events to the ACTIVE motocross enthusiast and riders who might not otherwise even know their facility exists.   

As a rider, you should demand this of your favorite track for your own protection and continued enjoyment of this sport.  If your favorite track is not participating, feel free to fax or email results...they will be used.  Use ALL rulebooks available to you to protect yourself. 

If you are advanced by another track promoter, club or organization, etc., outside of T.A.P.S., please contact Linda Teale or Lisa Pescok to find out what your options are PRIOR to riding the advanced class.  If you are advanced AT an event, choose to ride an "open" skill class if available.  If there is not an Open class available, be a spectator for a day.  Do NOT ride the advanced class.  Doing so may jeopardize your chances of staying in the lower class.     

If you are advanced by T.A.P.S. and you feel this is in error, do NOT ride the higher classification until you have followed the same guidelines set forth above in the preceding paragraph.

Again, The Rules of Competition and guidelines set by clubs and organizations are intended to provide for "uniform", "fair" and "safe" competition at all meets.  

How it works:  (AMA Approved/Recognized)

• T.A.P.S. is the grading of riders based on "performance" ... NOT "time".... Time is no longer considered when placing riders according to performance.  A rider should not be advanced based on how long he / she has been riding / racing, especially if their ability is not that of the next higher class.  We want riders placed where they are most competitive.  This applies to all riders participating in Texas meets.  Even if you don't live here, if you are normally participating in Texas meets, APs are being kept on you.  Many riders race outside of their home regions to avoid certain advancement systems ... pointing out.

• APs are earned at ANY event in TX, regardless of district, sanction body or none.  The only two events in TX that do not figure into the equation are the Annual Lake Whitney MX Spring Classic and the GNC Final at Oakhill MX.  These are national events.  A fair assessment cannot be made with hundreds, even thousands of out of state and international participants.

• By keeping Advancement Points (APs) separate from series Championship Points (CPs) tracks / promoters will be able to generate more interest and activity.  A rider who attends every race, and through his / her participation supports the organizers / tracks of a series is rewarded by accumulating CPs toward the Series / Championship final.

• That same rider (separately) in the same event, generates an advancement evaluation called a RPV (Rider Performance Value) that reflects to his / her successful participation (performance), rather than how many events he / she has ridden.  A rider should not and will not be promoted just because he / she rode a lot of events and by default accumulated more SERIES points.  Again, Championship Points and Advancement Points are NOT the same.  The more events used to calculate the RPV, the "truer" the score. ... a "truer" record ... Rider Performance Value. ... using Advancement Points only, not Championship Points from a series.

• A Rider Performance Value (RPV) is calculated by the total number of advancement points accumulated in a season, and then divided by the total number of class entries in which APs were earned.

• However, in the event there is any discrimination based on poor results the rider wants to be considered ... the rider's entire history for the season will be evaluated by the Points Keeper and if needed, this information will be presented to other promoters for their evaluation and input.  This doesn't not change the RPV, but may lead to a rider being reverted to the lower class.  This process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks depending on circumstances.

• The displacement of the machine is not taken into consideration.  APs are earned per rider / per skill level.  To be considered for advancement, a rider must have a minimum of six (6) points paying finishes within his / her skill level.  "Open" skill classes are not considered for evaluation purposes at this time.

• However, the AMA is keeping advancement points in the youth motorcycle classes.  At this time, we do not consider the youth motorcycle classes in T.A.P.S. as they are mixed skills.  If this rule is changed, it will post under STUFF... the area used on this site for various updates.

• 2007: Our season in TX runs from November 16th, 2006 through November 15th, 2007 for consideration the following year of 2008.  Riders will be advanced at the end of each season, effective December 1st.

• Age effective date is January 1st.  If you are 11 on January 1st, turn 12 on January 2nd, you may ride the entire year, through December 31st as an 11 year old unless entering into a series that starts in December or ends the following year.  ***NEW: If you are a "B" rider, age 15 on January 1st, turn 16 on January 2nd, you are considered to be 15 all season.  T.A.P.S. will not promote 12 -15 year olds to "A" regardless of RPV.  You may advance on your own ability / competence.  The new AMA rule using 15 as the age, replaces 14 years.  T.A.P.S. complies with this rule change.

• APs will be cleared at the end of each season (with an exception stated below) ... APs are not carried forward to the next season ...  APs are calculated for the current season only.  "D" riders advancing at anytime will earn APs in the next higher class (either age group or classification) for the current season. 
  Exception:  Points for D riders that have already advanced either by T.A.P.S., or voluntarily will be removed periodically.

• A "C" rider that is not advanced in 2007, is classified as a "C" rider for the entire 2008 season, unless it is determined the rider is not legal for that class ... the same applies to the "B" class.    Depending on a RPV, that same rider, may or may not be advanced in 2008 for the 2009 season.  Again, "TIME" is not a factor for any "B", "C", or "D" classes.  Some riders may never advance if their skills or ability do not improve.

• Minibike riders advancing to bigger bikes:
  TIME will never be a factor when determining the classification of a rider.  Advancement is strictly based on performance.  Although T.A.P.S. does not display advancement points for JR minibike riders, we DO have the records.  Most events do not offer D (beginner) skill level classes for 50-65cc riders, therefore it is by circumstance and not by choice that these riders are riding age groups commonly referred to, practiced and accepted as the next level UP from beginner.  Hence: you cannot be both a D rider and age group rider, unless OPEN skill is clearly defined.  No rider is to be penalized with permanent advancement when the option to ride the lower class is not an option.  Many of these riders have not acquired the skills that are necessary to be competitive in the 85cc age groups.

• Effective Immediately:  50-65cc riders advancing to 80cc machines that normally finish in the lower 30% of the smaller bike class and/or normally have non points paying finishes (using the scale for advancement of other riders) MAY be legal to ride the D class ... this does not define that you ARE legal.  Each rider will be considered on a case by case basis.  This rule MAY be applied on a case by case basis to those 80cc riders advancing to big bikes who have not "pointed out" of the D class.  All rules and guidelines set forth in T.A.P.S. will be taken into consideration by a race committee ... similar to a board for appeals.

• Riders will be placed where they are most competitive based on the scales below.  We are trying to encourage greater participation in motocross ... we do not want to annihilate efforts of the riders to improve, hence, they leave the sport.

• Except 12-15 year olds and VET (25+), ... all "B" riders carrying a RPV of 15 or higher at the end of the season will be advanced to the "A" class.  Most tracks in TX run and score "A" and Pro riders together, and is usually a money paying class.  "A" riders not competing for money may still be eligible for series overall awards.  Individual promoters have the option to award "A" riders not competing for money with trophy or certificate at individual meets.  "A" riders not competing for money are still legal at most events to run the "open amateur" classes. 

• The above paragraph varies between promoters.  Based on AMA rules and various track rules any rider who lines up on the line to compete in a money paying class, is no longer considered an "amateur"... whether money was earned or not.  Again, this will vary by track.  Some tracks may still allow you to run open classes ... some may not permit you to run in an open class as it may be defined by their rules as amateur open or amateurs only.  Please read all rules pertaining to any class you enter at any track.  Riders are responsible to be competing in classes they are legal for.

• All "PLUS" (25 yrs & Up) "C" and "B" riders earning a RPV of 12.5 or higher in the "plus" classes at the end of the season will be advanced to the next higher classification.  APs earned  for participation in the 125 or 250 skill level class will not be combined with your "plus" participation to determine your RPV.  If you are advance in either, it will apply to both.

• ***NEW:  All 125 / 250 class "C" riders carrying an RPV of 11.5 or greater at the end of the 2008 season will be advanced to the "B" class.  This applies to SR mini bike riders as stated below.

• Please take note to avoid being DQ'd:   No rider is to be classifed as a "C" rider if that rider has ever been classified as an "A" or "B" rider. ... OR ... that rider has qualified at the "regional" level for the AMA Amateur Nationals in any previous year in any class. ... OR ... that rider is receiving or has ever received any type of OEM factory support in any class. 

• Rider must compete in the highest level ever classified or ridden with any track, club or organization.  No rider shall voluntarily revert back to a lower classification or ride a lower class than defined by their RPV at any time, even after a leave of absence from the sport.  Example:  If you quit the sport a couple years ago (or even ten years ago) and you were classified or had ridden the "B" or intermediate class ... you cannot come back into the sport in the "C" class or lower.  You must file a petition to be reverted or risk disqualification and penalties.  Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.  

• 2005 Addendum to mini bike riders advancing to big bikes:  The same scale being used for "C" class riders will apply to mini bike riders.  We are not advancing the top 70% of mini bike riders advancing to big bikes to the "C" class, unless any of the preceding paragraphs apply.  All SR mini bike riders will advance to "C" unless any of the preceding paragraphs apply or he / she carries an RPV of 10 or greater.

The following (Rev.2005) Schedule of Points will be used to assign APs: