A Youth Hare and Hound course, is typically one single loop, in which riders will race across for a specific distance or time period.

• Pee Wee- A minimum of 1-mile, or 30-minutes
• Micro Mini, Mini, Girls, Junior Girls, Trail Blazers- A minimum of 5-miles, or 1-hour
• Big Wheel- A minimum of 10-miles, or 1.5 hours

It can be a huge benefit for your child to participate in a local off-road event to get comfortable with off-road racing. We suggest connecting with your local AMA District to learn more about local off-road racing in your area, and we would be happy to assist you in finding this information!

In order to sign your child up on-site, BOTH parents must be present to sign the release form. You can find the form here: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-Minor-Release.pdf.

The form MUST be notarized if only ONE parent is present. Minor Release forms may also be completed ahead of the event online here, with no notary required: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/annual-release-forms/.

Please bring your Moto-Tally transponder with you to Registration (or prepare to purchase one on-site for $10). You may also request your child’s series number (this is free), you can find the link to this on the Youth page.

Absolutely! We want racing to be a fun experience for your child for their first time, and the Trail Blazers class is the perfect starting place. The Trail Blazers class is an organized class without the overwhelming feeling of competition for a Youth rider looking to try out an AMA National Hare and Hound. Please note, this class does not pay points, or award trophies

If your child has competed in an AMA event before, they must race in the appropriate AMA skill level as previously raced. If your child has not competed in an AMA event before, please read our Supplemental Rules to understand the classes offered. We also have a Class Reference tool to help you where your child’s local level class fits into the AMA National Hare and Hound class structure.

• A motorcycle! We also recommend outfitting your child’s motorcycle with protective components like a skid plate and hand-guards.
• Protective Gear, including a motorcycle helmet (Bell Helmets offer great youth helmets!, motorcycle boots, gloves, goggles, motorcycle pants and jersey and chest protector.
• A Spark arrestor, this is important as we often compete of public land that require these to ride or race.

• Temporary Number (if needed)- $10, good for one event
• Transponder (required for all racers)- $10, good for all series that are Moto-Tally compatible and will can last for years if maintained properly.
• Race fees- $20-$40, depending on the class your child competes in.
• There are no membership fees, gate fees or camping fees!

The AMA National Hare and Hound Championship is the only one of its kind in North America! We have a full About and History page to help get you oriented with the series.

There are many different styles of AMA racing. Racing off-road typically takes place on open terrain (vs. a track). In a hare and hound-style off-road event, the race begins with a “Banner Drop” instead of a gate or flag wave. The races are longer in duration, and allow the kids to navigate a course marked by ribbons on natural terrain.

There is limited outside assistance, and given the terrain and format, it is more about the racer and their machine. In comparison to motocross, it is less likely that you will encounter bike modifications and parent involvement is limited to only the start and finish line. NHHA staff and  club chase riders are always available to help, and our series serves as an opportunity for your racer to learn more about the challenges of natural terrain and their bike, while building confidence that will last forever. The vibe is different, in a good way! Come out and try for yourself and experience True American Offroad!

For information on what bike size your child should run, please see the AMA Rulebook and NHHA Supplemental Rules (located on the Youth main page.

Because our series often takes place on public lands manged by the BLM, it’s a good idea to make sure your bike is registered. There are occasions in which you may be asked to show proof of your registration.

Children of all skill levels and ages race a series Youth event. However, it can be a huge benefit for your child to participate in a local off-road event to get comfortable with off-road racing. We suggest connecting with your local AMA District to learn more about local off-road racing in your area, and we would be happy to assist you in finding this information!

• This is an AMA Sanctioned Series, governed by AMA Off-Road rules. Please see the AMA Rulebook and our Youth Supplemental Rules for this series. Please note that AMA Off-road rules are different than AMA Motocross rules, and Adult rules sometimes vary from Youth rules.

If this is your first race, you have a few number options to get started.

• If you’re a member of the particular event’s local co-sanctioned organization and have an approved number, you may run this number.
• If you are not, and have a number you would prefer to run, you must request it. It is completely free and there is no series membership.
• If you’re not sure, and are feeling overwhelmed, just show up and we will issue you a temporary number for $10 at Registration that is good for one event only.

On our flier, and on our website, you can find detailed information on the event location. As you get closer to the location, keep an eye out for bright orange cards and ribbon markings on the highway that will indicate the turn. Follow these until you arrive at the race site.

Before leaving Registration, be sure to ask the NHHA crew where the Start location is. This information is also in your Rider’s Instructions. You can identify the start by sighting the ORANGE 15ft feather flags. There are two of them directly across from each other, and here is where your child will start their race.

All youth riders pit in the main pit unless otherwise announced. You can easily find the main pits by identifying the long row of colorful feather flags. Because adult racing takes place after youth racing, simply find a spot on pit row, or ask a team if you may pit your child for the duration of their event. The community at our races is typically very kind and more than willing to help with this request.

Registration can be found at the orange Mojo Motosport feather flags. At this time, Registration is hosted out of large white party tents, buildings or as noted otherwise. Anyone with an official NHHA shirt will be more than happy to help you, and feel free to ask another family who looks like a regular!

• Please ensure your child knows the pit speed- 15MPH.
• Riders must enter and exit the pits through the designated feather flags. These are easily recognizable by the feather flags with the Mika Metals logo
• There is NO passing in the pits allowed.
• We will discuss more at the Rider’s Meeting but please have a pit mat, no gas on the dirt, etc, etc.

• Maybe. Part of Hare & Hound style racing is learning how ot navigate a course marked with cards and ribbon. While our clubs do everything possible to provide the best marked course, learning how to navigate the course is a skill to be learned. Although your child may be a great rider, navigating is part of the challenge! There are sweep riders on the course at all times, but this is part of the challenge of racing a Hare and Hound. Help IS out there for your child!

1. Don’t Panic! Please find an NHHA official or visit the NHHA Scoring crew at the Finish Line to ask them to radio for more information. There is always a sweep crew on course, and we our crew is typically aware of the situation already. Sweep crews know their terrain extremely well, and we will get to them quickly.
2. When a child seems to have missed a lap, or does not come through Scoring, our crew picks up on this and radios in to the Sweep team or Race Ref to get as much information as possible.
3. Typically, a rider is taking longer than anticipated, or has a bike malfunction or may even be experiencing a bit of frustration and does not want to continue. Our Sweep crews are typically already with these riders, and will follow them into the finish.
4. If all parties have not seen the rider, more sweep members are deployed. In the event that all resources have been exhausted, the very last resort is to contact emergency rescue services (i.e helicopter and formal search and rescue ground crew)

No. As part of the AMA Amateur Competition Rulebook, no one except riders officially entered may ride or practice on any portion of the course the day of the meet.
meet.

As noted in our Supplemental rules, no rider may receive assistance starting their bike until 15-seconds after the banner drops. Once the banner is raised all engines must be shut off and all crew members must leave the start area. 65cc and Junior Girls may ONLY receive help starting their bike 15 seconds after the banner drop. All other classes may receive no outside assistance.

While your child may or may not need to pit during their race, it’s a good idea to have a few items on hand in case your child needs support during the race.

• Additional fuel
• Water or snacks
• Fresh goggles
• Tools and spare parts
• Fire extinguisher

1. Don’t Panic! Please find an NHHA official or visit the NHHA Scoring crew at the Finish Line to ask them to radio for more information. There is always a sweep crew on course, and we our crew is typically aware of the situation already. Sweep crews know their terrain extremely well, and we will get to them quickly.
2. Typically, a rider is taking longer than anticipated, or has a bike malfunction or may even be experiencing a bit of frustration and does not want to continue. Our Sweep crews are typically already with these riders, and will follow them into the finish.

Yes! Before every race a “Rider’s Meeting” will take place. A Rider’s Meeting is the final relaying of information before riders start their race. In this meeting we will go over course details, pit rules, start rules, finish rules, trophy information and review course markings among other possible topics. We will also partake in the National Anthem to pay tribute to our great country! No event will begin without a Rider’s Meeting.

AMA National Hare and Hounds are very unique, and best known for their start style. Tall orange feather flags indicate the Youth start, and here is where riders will line up to start. There is no starting gate, but riders will line up in between the flags in a straight line. A rider or person will cross the finish line to give a “two-minute warning” to indicate the race will start in two minutes. Then, a group of people will hold a large banner in front of the start, and hold it up for a minimum of one-minute. Upon dropping, the riders may start their motorcycle and begin their race! It is a dead engine start, in which riders may not receive outside assistance for the first 15-seconds.

1. A Youth Hare and Hound course, is typically one single loop, in which riders will race across for a specific distance or time period.
   • Pee Wee- A minimum of 1-mile, or 30-minutes
   • Micro Mini, Mini, Girls, Junior Girls, Trail Blazers- A minimum of 5-miles, or 1-hour
   • Big Wheel- A minimum of 10-miles, or 1.5 hours

Always be prepared to pit! Part of the development of youth riders is to replicate real scenarios they will experience as adult rider. This includes the pit experience! It’s an important part of off-road racing.

If your child places in the top three of their class, they will receive a trophy! We have a full podium ceremony for our top three youth riders. While on the podium, they may bring up their bikes for a great photo opportunity.  Even if your child does not get on the podium, they are more than welcome to come up on for an interview and photo! Finishing an AMA National Hare and Hound is a major accomplishment for riders of all ages, and we invite you to on our podium to get a photo and conclude what we hope was great experience.

• Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have! Email contact@nationalhareandhound.com, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm PST.
• The off-road racing community tends to have a very different vibe thatn that of a Motocross event or series. Many families are extremely willing to answer any questions you may have, and help your family to better learn “the ropes” of off-road racing.
• Follow us, and our racers on social media for a real look into what we’re all about!

You can find all results and points on our Youth main page. Please note Youth results and points are found on a separate web page than Adults.