United Bicycle Racers Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The United Bicycle Racers (UBR) (initially and briefly known as World Bike Riders (WBR)[1]) was a short-lived Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing sanctioning body based in Modesto, California which was started by John Valdez, a bike shop owner, on his 18th birthday that lasted from 1977-1983. At its peak it had 34 tracks in California and Nevada [2] His philosophy was to cater to the local racer and deemphasized the focus on National events. Still, because of its California base, it did attract many of the national caliber pro racers who normally do not attend the events of small sanctioning bodies.

The UBR went out of business and ceased operations early in 1983.

Contents

[edit] Vital statistics

Founded: May 1977.

Motto(s)/Slogan(s): "We're here for you."

Years of operation: 1977-1983.

Headquarters: Modesto, California.

Original Owner: John Valdez

Original President: John Valdez

Original Vice President:

Last Owner: John Valdez

Last President: John Valdez

Last Vice President:

Employees:

First track: King's BMX Raceway in Medesto.

Number of tracks claimed: 34

Span: Regional. Tracks in California and Nevada.

Members (Peak): 3,000+

In house newspaper: UBR Scene

In house magazine: None

Number of nationals per year: Approx. six (including Grand National).

First Grand National: October 17, 1979 Centennial Coliseum Reno, Nevada.

First Grand National Pro Purse: US$1,500

Last Grand National: 1982

[edit] Proficiency and division class labels and advancement method

Amateur Proficiency levels 20 inch class:
 Junior (Novice equivalent), Expert.

  • 5 & 6 Junior (Boys & girls), then 7 Junior to 16 & over Expert in one year steps.
    Girls could race with the boys (thanks to Cheri Elliott in 1982[2]) but were barred from Power Puff (the Girls classes) if they did.[3]

Amateur Open:

  • 7 & under to 16 & over in 2 year steps. Age classifications only

Amateur Cruiser:

  • 13 & Under, 14-16, 17-22, 23-34, 35 & Over. Age classifications only

Girls 20 inch:

  • 5-6 girls to 14 & over girls in 2 year steps Age classifications only, no proficiency levels. Amateur only.

Professional Classes:

  • Pro Cruiser, Pro 20". Men only.

There was also Open Expert, a Pro/Am division open to both Pros and Expert level racers.

Qualifying system:
 Moto system a.k.a Olympic System a.k.a Cumulative Scoring System.

[edit] Operations

[edit] UBR Rule book

[edit] United Bicycle Racers Association list of National number ones

Pro Nat. #1 Men

  • 1977 Ray Valdez
  • 1978 Ray Valdez
  • 1979 Frank Post
  • 1980 Kevin McCarthy
  • 1981 Ronnie Anderson
  • 1982 Scott Fifield

Pro Cruiser Nat. #1 Men

  • 1977 CDNE
  • 1978 CDNE
  • 1979 CDNE
  • 1980
  • 1982 Jess Guymon

Amat. Nat. #1 Men

  • 1977
  • 1978
  • 1979 Eddie Beloate
  • 1980 Chris Torres
  • 1981 Danny Steplight
  • 1982 Justing Green

Amat. Nat. #1 Cruiser

  • 1977 CDNE
  • 1978 CDNE
  • 1979 CDNE
  • 1980
  • 1981
  • 1982

Amat. Nat. #1 Women

  • 1977 CDNE
  • 1978 CDNE
  • 1979 CDNE
  • 1980 CDNE
  • 1982 Cheri Elliott

Amat. Nat. #1 Sidehack

  • 1977
  • 1978
  • 1979 Scott Barrette & Craig "gOrk" Barrette
  • 1980 Chuck & Kelly Croffoot
  • 1981 Scott Barrette & Craig "gOrk" Barrette
  • 1982

[edit] End Notes

  1. ^ Bicycle Motocross News June 1977 Vol.3 No.6 pg.4
  2. ^ a b BMX Plus! February 1982 Vol.5 No.2 pg.81
  3. ^ BMX Plus! June 1982 Vol.5 No.6 pg.77

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../u/n/i/United_Bicycle_Racers_Association_6890.html"