BMX New Zealand

WHAT IS A NQM

An NQM is a National Qualifying Meeting. Meaning that a race meeting has been noted by BMXNZ as a meeting where riders can compete to take a step in Qualifying for the National Championships. Each completed NQM meeting is one NQM, and riders need a MINIMUM of four(4) NQMs to qualify for Nationals per bike type 20" & 24" Cruiser

WHY HAVE NQMs

BMX racing is one of the only sports where you can self nominate to participate in the sports National Event. Most other sports participants need to be selected by their club or through results-driven criteria. So with the sport self-nominating format, the only check process BMXNZ puts in place is one based around the experience of racing, understanding of eventing & a seasonal involvement in the sport here in New Zealand.

The NQM process requires the riders an absolute minimum number of race meetings they must attend & complete before they are eligible to attend a Nationals Event. BMXNZ actually want riders to do more than the bare minimum, as that then comes with more experience & understanding of the processes of an event, also more involvement with the general sport during the season.

To have people learning the sport and how to navigate an event at the National Championships is unacceptable. The delays & issues this creates is unfair for other participants and the volunteers running the event.

BMXNZ recommend that riders do as many NQMs prior to going to Nationals, you and the sport will be better off for it.

THE RULES

1.024 National Qualifying Meetings (NQM)

A current Challenge or Sprocket licenced rider wishing to attend the National Championships must complete a minimum of 4 NQM meetings per bike type 20" or 24' cruiser. These can be a combination of 20” and / or Cruiser bikes and in any race class, including Superclass or Mixed Open, in the calendar year prior to the National Championships.

Championship licence holders shall not be required to meet NQM provisions.

When a rider has completed 4 or more NQMs in the calendar year on each bike type prior to the National Championships they will be eligible to enter a 20” and / or Cruiser class at the event.

At each NQM meeting a rider will receive 1 NQM point regardless of the number of classes entered / completed at the meeting.

BMXNZ will keep a register of all riders who have attended these meetings as the official record thereof.

An NQM shall be held at specified meetings and shall be held between the dates of January 1st and December 24thin the calendar year prior to the National Championships, or as approved by BMXNZ.

4 NQMs will be allocated, annually, to each Region. In addition, the North Island and South Island Titles shall be NQMs.

BMXNZ reserves the right to allocate additional special NQMs or promotional NQMs within any region.

An NQM can be held on either a single day meeting or over a two day meeting as advertised.

A rider must complete all qualifying motos at the meeting to gain the NQM point.

Riders seeking dispensation for not attending sufficient NQMs must complete an application to the BMXNZ National Officiating Director by the end of January prior to the National Championships event using the online application system, setting out reasons for not attending and also their BMX involvement. A fee may be payable as determined by the BMXNZ Executive for each NQM not attended

THE ADDITIONAL POINTS

The system that calculates the NQM results from the meeting race files works to the rules & indicates to an admin person three sets of riders,

1—those who completed the required motos (complete)

2—those who have not completed the required motos (not complete)

3—anomalies that need attention. (pending)

The admin person then goes through all riders in sets 2 & 3 to define why they are in these groups, then details any reasons why they are a ‘not complete’ and updates all the pending to either complete or not complete.

Further notes regarding NQM allocation;

• There is a level of compassion to riders who have in race incidents & may be held at medical stations.

• Riders who signed up for a meeting but did not attend the event for any reason are not covered for an NQM.

• There is no cover for random missing of motos marked as a DNS (Did Not Start), this is a key indicator of lack of attentiveness by a parent or rider, so this is not covered for an NQM

• NQM allocation can be questioned, but first, you need to read the rules & ask yourself, does my situation fall into the framework of the rules.

DISPENSATION

As per the rules, missed NQM can be made up by applying for an NQM dispensation. These dispensation applications need to include reasoning why the NQM was missed, why the application should be accepted & the riders involvement in the sport & riding experience.

Each NQM dispensation has a possible fee & is charged if the dispensation is accepted.

This is not a “buy an NQM” process. Dispensation generally covers medical stand downs with proof of a medical cert from a registered doctor, postponed or cancelled events.

Offshore based riders with New Zealand citizenship may attend Nationals only if they apply through the NQM Dispensation process & are accepted by the Officiating Team.

SUMMARY

NQMs are a level of competence and seasonal involvement that BMXNZ needs to see in riders & guardians for our smaller riders so that when they attend a National event have the skills to attend & race to their fullest.

The Nationals is no place for a new rider. Local & regional NQM meets are the best way to get this experience.

The NQM process is 99% black & white.

It is built to be fair & transparent for all riders.

Any questions regarding this process should be directed to [email protected]