The rules of the road. House rules. Rule of thumb. The golden rule. Let’s face it, as humans, we are inundated with rules. They keep us in check. They keep us safe. They rule our lives.
As the saying goes, “rules are made to be broken” and that may be so, but there are usually penalties and sanctions associated with breaking rules. Such is the case in motorcycle road racing.
In the MotoAmerica Series, sanctions are levied for a wide variety of things that are “against the rules”. Exceeding the speed limit on pit lane. Passing in a corner where a yellow flag is being waved. Jumping the start. Exceeding the limits of the track. Using non-approved equipment. Not using required equipment. And the list goes on.
When most rules are broken in the MotoAmerica Series, and sanctions are levied, those sanctions are often meted out in monetary fines. Teams and/or riders must pay those fines as recompense for breaking a rule. But, where does the money go?
We wondered the same thing, so we looked into it. First of all, the money is collected throughout each MotoAmerica season, and then, at the end of each season, the money that is collected is given away.
Given away…to what or to whom? The sum total of every penny collected from sanctions doled out in the MotoAmerica Series is given to the Roadracing World Action Fund.
A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Roadracing World Action Fund promotes motorcycle racing safety, and in particular, encourages and facilitates the use of soft air barriers at motorcycle racing events, including all MotoAmerica races. So, the air fence that is deployed at every MotoAmerica round—the air fence that protects riders when they crash—is partially funded by the sanctions that some of those same riders (and their teams) have had to pay as compensation for their rules violations.
In 2020, a total of $4,000 in sanction fees was collected and given to the Roadracing World Action Fund. In addition, MotoAmerica collects fees for the Dunlop Suzuki M4 Two-Seater Ride program that gives the media and fans a chance to experience what it’s like to be a MotoAmerica road racer by taking a couple of hot laps aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike piloted by Roadracing World’s Chris Ulrich. That program collected another $8,300 towards the Roadracing World Action Fund.
All told, in 2020 alone, MotoAmerica collected $12,300, which was all donated to the Roadracing World Action Fund. So, fans, keeping taking those Dunlop Suzuki M4 Two-Seater Rides. Riders and teams, keep breaking those rules.
Wait, what? NO! Don’t keep breaking those rules. But, if you do, and you’re given a fine, just know that the money is going towards your safety on the track.
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For the full 2021 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE
