The MRC Competition Appeals Board:
This Competition Tribunal (CT) was directed by the MRC Board and/or the MRC Competition Committee pursuant to provisions of subsection B of Chapter 9 of the MRC Pro Competition Rulebook to rule on protest appeals submitted as a result of penalties levied against two riders at the Triple Crown Motocross Series event in Kamloops, BC. The acting Chairperson (non-voting) of the CT was David Grummett, Director of Communications, Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC). A meeting convened to address the appeal in question being held via video conference/telephone conference at 4:00 pm (Eastern) on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Appointees to the Competition Tribunal (CT) and attendees at the meeting included:
- Colin Fraser – CSBK
- Toni Sharpless – Canadian Mini-Superbike Series
- Aaron Hesmer – Flat Track Canada
- David Pinkman – MCC & Wild Rose Motocross Club
- Ross de St Croix – CMA
- Rick Bradshaw – Former CMA President and Internationally Certified Race Marshall
Background:
At the second round of the MRC/Jetwerx Triple Crown Series Motocross event held in Kamloops on June 11, 2023, protests were filed against Mitchell Harrison and Quinn Amyotte for their conduct in the second moto of the 250 Pro class. It was alleged that both riders had engaged in “jumping with the intent to clear an obstacle with a defined landing area while under White w/ Red Cross flags being displayed or waved” in contravention of the provisions of sections of Chapters 7 and 8 of the Rulebook. The protests were upheld by the Event Referee (Paul Kingsley) and each rider was subsequently penalized as provided in the Rulebook by the docking of 10 event points from the total number of event points otherwise earned by them on the day.
Of note in the MRC Rulebook Section “K -3” states that jumping is allowed under a stationary or waved
yellow flag.
Harrison and Amyotte both appealed the penalties, stating that the White w/ Red Cross flag was not
clearly displayed at the time they passed the face of the jump. Both riders stated they did not see the
flag.
Evidence:
Paul Kingsley, the Event Referee, attended the Competition Tribunal meeting and submitted a written account of the basis for and his understanding of the alleged actions and infractions as committed by the two riders and the reason for the penalties assessed. Daryl Murphy, Assistant Referee, provided official and home-produced videos to support the position of the race administrators. Rider Appeal Forms were also provided.
The tribunal reviewed all the information provided and, in particular, viewed the video evidence as submitted. In so doing, the Competition Tribunal assessed the actions of both the riders and the track support staff in dealing with an emergency situation occasioned by the fall and serious injury of another rider.
Decision:
The following pictures were considered to be indicative of potential concerns with the status and inconsistency of the flagging in that particular situation. It was determined by the CT that there was reasonable doubt that the White w/ Red Cross flag was visible to all competitors. Therefore, the CT voted unanimously to revoke the 10 point penalties given to Harrison and Amyotte. Leader McNabb receives full unfurled White w/ Red cross flag with the flag person on the left side of the track.
Amyotte & Harrison pass the jump while the White w/ Red cross flag is wrapped around the flag handle.
The flag person has moved from their standard position to the right side of the track in an effort to
protect the downed rider.