It's been a while but glad I checked in here today.
I should probably start a new thread as the rule changes were not driven by the CMA. In Canada there is currently an Initiative to have all of the clubs work together to support all Trials riders and enthusiast. We are independently trying to do what we can to work with all 20 Trials clubs across the country, all Canadian importers, Moto Canada, CMA, and FIM. I applied for funding from the FIM to support this effort in 2021 and it was approved in 2022 it is scheduled to run out this year. I have posted weekly updates to the list of entities above as well as to the Canadian Trials Initiatives facebook page.
The rule changes are part of this effort and were shared with all of the clubs for input as part of the process. The main people involved in the effort were well known Canadian trials riders and enthusiast Jonathan English, Christy Williams Richards, Derek Thomas and a not so well known Michael Traves (that's me). The idea for the rules was to adapt the NATC rules for the most part, Christy and I sit on the NATC rule committee and the feeling was to work towards one standard set of rules for all of North America (and adopting the NATC rules was a good starting place as we help set them). We saw a number of benefits to this, as people travel to events outside their local club and as top riders ride at NATC events it would be helpful to have standard rules followed. I also believe it will help legitimize the sport (with government agencies) if we all followed the same rules. We are also looking to get the FIM NA Championship back up and running with one event from the NATC schedule and our Nationals counting towards the NA championship so having the same rules will also be helpful for that series. I sat in on a NATC/AMA meeting this week and there is a lot of interest from them and the FIM to make this series happen this year.
I will note that the new rules do go beyond just or Nationals and suggest that local clubs can adapt for things such as gate trials and self checking (I know lineway doesn't think that is a "real" trial). I did send an offer to all the clubs to provide new markers to help with the adoption of new colours but it seems most clubs are not ready to switch this year. We will also reviewing these rules every year.
I have probably opened a can of worms by posting - and my views can be seen on this thread from 7 years ago... I still feel the same today (as I did then) - we all need to be working together to grow our sport. I am happy to stand behind my actions because I truly felt (and still do) we have to put more effort into working together than complaining and knocking peoples efforts for doing so.
Respectfully,
Michael T.