AMA Pro and this "License Point Penalty" Dealio

White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
Edited Date/Time 8/16/2026 8:51pm

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

3
5
|
sandman768
Posts
8231
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
8/16/2026 5:43pm

Double secret probation……have you seen the movie “animal house” …..

10
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/16/2026 5:45pm
sandman768 wrote:

Double secret probation……have you seen the movie “animal house” …..

Oh yes, I know it well. You could tell me, but then you would have to kill me, correct? LOL

2
4
8/16/2026 5:52pm Edited Date/Time 8/16/2026 5:52pm

Control mechanism for the gambling fix. Harder to do in racing where you don't have a guy in a striped shirt flashing cards. 

2
1
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/16/2026 8:49pm

Control mechanism for the gambling fix. Harder to do in racing where you don't have a guy in a striped shirt flashing cards. 

Do you know this as fact?

1
4

The Shop

DonM
Posts
9023
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Fantasy
8/17/2026 10:18am Edited Date/Time 8/17/2026 10:19am
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

2
8
Not hillbilly
Posts
1347
Joined
6/8/2024
Location
Gaithersburg, MD, USA
8/17/2026 11:01am
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an advantage if the smoother line they took gives their body a brief rest from the rutted and bumpy straight they circumvented?

2
1
8/17/2026 11:46am

it was brought in as a lesser penalty than taking off points, to keep those that keep doing small infractions on notice, 

i think the amount of licence points to a penalty needs to be looked as, as i dont think anyone has actually got enough to lose a gate pick yet, 

does anyone know if they carry over to next season?

1
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/17/2026 11:53am
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage or not.

I'm just trying to figure out what a license point deduction or addition. Is it like a "demerit" or something like that? One of the riders got 10 points; what exactly does that do for him, nothing or DQ from the next race?

I'm not an AMA member, so I do not know the AMA's thinking in all this.

4
DonM
Posts
9023
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Fantasy
8/17/2026 11:54am Edited Date/Time 8/17/2026 11:55am
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an...

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an advantage if the smoother line they took gives their body a brief rest from the rutted and bumpy straight they circumvented?

Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise them every year but yet there are many people on here that think that the rule is that have to re-enter where they went off and that hasn't been part of the rules since the 90s for safety reasons. 

2
7
Tumic
Posts
2906
Joined
11/27/2012
Location
Sundsvall, SE
8/17/2026 11:56am Edited Date/Time 8/17/2026 11:57am
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an...

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an advantage if the smoother line they took gives their body a brief rest from the rutted and bumpy straight they circumvented?

Going on the outside of the track around a berm, taking a longer route than the track equals one position down if you accelerate while doing it.

Going on the inside of the track, taking a shorter route and accelerating equals one point on the licens.


That’s what I have learned from the past two races.

13
1
GrapeApe
Posts
9030
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX, USA
8/17/2026 12:23pm Edited Date/Time 8/17/2026 12:25pm
What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?At Unadilla, there was a total of  52...

What are AMA Pro guys trying to accomplish with this license deal? And can someone explain what it entails?

At Unadilla, there was a total of  52 license points assessed.

Can you help a brother out?

DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage...

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage or not.

I'm just trying to figure out what a license point deduction or addition. Is it like a "demerit" or something like that? One of the riders got 10 points; what exactly does that do for him, nothing or DQ from the next race?

I'm not an AMA member, so I do not know the AMA's thinking in all this.

3.1.8(f), Page 63

Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find it.

 

1
1
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/17/2026 12:38pm
DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage...

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage or not.

I'm just trying to figure out what a license point deduction or addition. Is it like a "demerit" or something like that? One of the riders got 10 points; what exactly does that do for him, nothing or DQ from the next race?

I'm not an AMA member, so I do not know the AMA's thinking in all this.

GrapeApe wrote:
3.1.8(f), Page 63Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find...

3.1.8(f), Page 63

Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find it.

 

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do to you?

If he gets 10 more, is he suspended or docked or gate pick or? That was my initial question.

2
GrapeApe
Posts
9030
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX, USA
8/17/2026 1:00pm
Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage...

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage or not.

I'm just trying to figure out what a license point deduction or addition. Is it like a "demerit" or something like that? One of the riders got 10 points; what exactly does that do for him, nothing or DQ from the next race?

I'm not an AMA member, so I do not know the AMA's thinking in all this.

GrapeApe wrote:
3.1.8(f), Page 63Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find...

3.1.8(f), Page 63

Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find it.

 

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do...

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do to you?

If he gets 10 more, is he suspended or docked or gate pick or? That was my initial question.

Holy shit man, read. When you reach 10 points you start the next moto with last gate pick.

3
DonM
Posts
9023
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Fantasy
8/17/2026 1:14pm
Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage...

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but the dang thing is 88 pages. I did not ask anything about the course or whether it's an advantage or not.

I'm just trying to figure out what a license point deduction or addition. Is it like a "demerit" or something like that? One of the riders got 10 points; what exactly does that do for him, nothing or DQ from the next race?

I'm not an AMA member, so I do not know the AMA's thinking in all this.

GrapeApe wrote:
3.1.8(f), Page 63Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find...

3.1.8(f), Page 63

Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find it.

 

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do...

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do to you?

If he gets 10 more, is he suspended or docked or gate pick or? That was my initial question.

read the rules or ask the opinion of those that haven't....I'm sure you'll figure it out...it's literally in black and white...

5
Not hillbilly
Posts
1347
Joined
6/8/2024
Location
Gaithersburg, MD, USA
8/17/2026 2:10pm
DonM wrote:
It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have...

It's right in here you should read it so you can actually understand the rules they follow....99% of the people that complain about the rulings have never read the rules...

From the rulebook.....In situations where a rider does not gain an advantage, the rider may receive License Penalty Points for not staying on the marked course.

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an...

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an advantage if the smoother line they took gives their body a brief rest from the rutted and bumpy straight they circumvented?

DonM wrote:
Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise...

Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise them every year but yet there are many people on here that think that the rule is that have to re-enter where they went off and that hasn't been part of the rules since the 90s for safety reasons. 

I read, and responded to, the excerpt you posted. Did you miss that my issue is with the subjective definition of “advantage?” 

1
Mavetism
Posts
6606
Joined
4/15/2019
Location
Hannover, DE
8/17/2026 2:17pm

Ask Friese, he has like 350 licensed points by now. 

I don't think the idea behind is "bad", it's more like the amount of points needed to actually get a "written fine/warning" or significant penalty is horrible and unrealistic. And then the AMA is randomly throwing out championship point penalties one weekend and then only a one licensed point penalty the other weekend for the same things. Like everything they do is completely inconsistent. Another penalty point system doesn't work if they randomly throw out numbers like they're rolling a dice.

Giving Jett a penalty at Washougal for example was correct. He accelerated off track (tho he had a good reason for it), but he broke the rules. But why was he awarded with a position penalty and not with a licensed point? Now 15 riders got a licensed point instead of a position penalty at Unadilla, why? Just completely nonsense.

 

6
8/17/2026 2:19pm

they are listed in here, 

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

7. Automatic Point Threshold Penalties: 

Active Points Total Mandatory Sanction 

5 Points Official Written Warning and Meeting with AMA Race Direction 

10 Points Start next Moto with last gate selection 

15 Points Automatic loss of 10 Championship Points + fine

2
8/17/2026 2:21pm
Mavetism wrote:
Ask Friese, he has like 350 licensed points by now. I don't think the idea behind is "bad", it's more like the amount of points needed to...

Ask Friese, he has like 350 licensed points by now. 

I don't think the idea behind is "bad", it's more like the amount of points needed to actually get a "written fine/warning" or significant penalty is horrible and unrealistic. And then the AMA is randomly throwing out championship point penalties one weekend and then only a one licensed point penalty the other weekend for the same things. Like everything they do is completely inconsistent. Another penalty point system doesn't work if they randomly throw out numbers like they're rolling a dice.

Giving Jett a penalty at Washougal for example was correct. He accelerated off track (tho he had a good reason for it), but he broke the rules. But why was he awarded with a position penalty and not with a licensed point? Now 15 riders got a licensed point instead of a position penalty at Unadilla, why? Just completely nonsense.

 

Jett was way off the track and on a water truck road, and very close to a flagger, he needed to come off the Gas, as was Hayden on the downhill at thunder valley, and the track cut is a different thing, 

it is different to being just outside the flexy pegs as many riders were at Unadilla, 

1
7
DonM
Posts
9023
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Fantasy
8/17/2026 2:35pm
Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an...

Yeah, the problem with this is the subjective definition of “advantage.” Is it only an advantage if they actually pass a rider? Or is it an advantage if the smoother line they took gives their body a brief rest from the rutted and bumpy straight they circumvented?

DonM wrote:
Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise...

Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise them every year but yet there are many people on here that think that the rule is that have to re-enter where they went off and that hasn't been part of the rules since the 90s for safety reasons. 

I read, and responded to, the excerpt you posted. Did you miss that my issue is with the subjective definition of “advantage?” 

Yes and You’re answer is in there…

1
4
8/17/2026 6:29pm
scott_nz wrote:
it was brought in as a lesser penalty than taking off points, to keep those that keep doing small infractions on notice, i think the amount of...

it was brought in as a lesser penalty than taking off points, to keep those that keep doing small infractions on notice, 

i think the amount of licence points to a penalty needs to be looked as, as i dont think anyone has actually got enough to lose a gate pick yet, 

does anyone know if they carry over to next season?

Points expire after 12 months...

image 3587
2
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/17/2026 7:06pm
GrapeApe wrote:
3.1.8(f), Page 63Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find...

3.1.8(f), Page 63

Rule books typically have tables of contents that make it pretty easy to find what you're looking for, if you actually want to find it.

 

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do...

Well thanks, but it just shows X points for this and X points for that. My question again is what does getting 10 license points do to you?

If he gets 10 more, is he suspended or docked or gate pick or? That was my initial question.

GrapeApe wrote:

Holy shit man, read. When you reach 10 points you start the next moto with last gate pick.

No need to be smarmy.

This would have sufficed,

7. Automatic Point Threshold Penalties:

Active Points Total Mandatory Sanction

5 Points Official Written Warning and Meeting with AMA Race Direction

10 Points Start next Moto with last gate selection

15 Points Automatic loss of 10 Championship Points + fine

3
White Feather
Posts
301
Joined
2/5/2026
Location
1600 Pennsylvania, DC, USA
8/17/2026 7:06pm
scott_nz wrote:
they are listed in here, https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebook-FINAL-V1.pdf7. Automatic Point Threshold Penalties: Active Points Total Mandatory Sanction 5 Points Official Written Warning and Meeting with AMA Race Direction 10 Points Start next...

they are listed in here, 

https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28864/2026-AMAP-MX-Rulebo…

7. Automatic Point Threshold Penalties: 

Active Points Total Mandatory Sanction 

5 Points Official Written Warning and Meeting with AMA Race Direction 

10 Points Start next Moto with last gate selection 

15 Points Automatic loss of 10 Championship Points + fine

Thanks!

1
Not hillbilly
Posts
1347
Joined
6/8/2024
Location
Gaithersburg, MD, USA
8/17/2026 9:36pm
DonM wrote:
Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise...

Have you read the rulebook or just the example I posted? I swear most complaining don't know the rules, don't know that they update and revise them every year but yet there are many people on here that think that the rule is that have to re-enter where they went off and that hasn't been part of the rules since the 90s for safety reasons. 

I read, and responded to, the excerpt you posted. Did you miss that my issue is with the subjective definition of “advantage?” 

DonM wrote:

Yes and You’re answer is in there…

Okay thanks, I read it. It says the Race Director decides if an advantage was gained. It also says the racer must slow down when off the track. In any case, at least the recognized the infraction.

Post a reply to: AMA Pro and this "License Point Penalty" Dealio

The Latest