What Is the Difference in Classes at Loretta Lynn's?

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It’s one of vurbmoto’s biggest weeks of the season! The week leading up to the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch! What class are you racing? Do you know if you’re even eligible for that class? What is the difference between 450 B and 450 B Limited? Why are there seemingly 10 different C classes? What is the difference between Supermini and Mini Sr.? With the constant change in rules and bike changes through the wonderful world of amateur racing WE here at Vurb are here to keep you updated.

Here is a rundown of the differences in some of the most confusing classes at LLMX.

Limited Classes | What Do they Mean?

In the past several years we’ve seen the term “Limited” take over the class lists and gone are the old terms of “Stock” and “Mod.” We see each B and C classes with a Limited class option, as well as Micro 2 and 3 (we will cover those later). Limited gives the racers on a budget a chance to shine. It’s not a stock class, however the modifications that you can make are, well, limited. For example, in limited classes you cannot have aftermarket hydraulic clutches, high compression pistons, reed valves, hubs, axles, brake calipers, electronics, etc. All parts on an exhaust system must be “OEM for that particular year and model of bike” and they must have the same part number as the stock components that came on the bike. MX Sports has an entire checklist of eligible aftermarket parts you can run here.

Limited bikes are eligible to run Modified classes, but not vice versa. So, if you’re racing 250 C, 450 C, 250 B, 450 B, or Micro 2 and 3 then it’s mod city, but don’t you dare get caught running a big bore kit. Oh yeah, no bark busters are allowed at the Ranch, PERIOD! Don’t even try it Kailub Russell!

So Many C Classes…Why?

Well, I’m glad that I asked myself that question, because I have that answer! So, you can’t ride a 250 four-stroke unless you are 14 years old. That’s the rule. The purpose of the C classes is to provide first time national level riders a safe space to duke it out. The Ranch now offers six youth C classes on the schedule and here is the breakdown:

125 C – (122cc-125cc)
125 Jr. (12-17) B/C – (122cc-125cc)
250 C – (122cc-250cc)
250 C Limited – (122cc- 250cc)
250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited – (122cc-250cc)
450 C – (122cc- Open)

You can see that the 125 two-stroke has six options on which class to race, although unless you’re Stew, I would recommend not trying to race 450 C on one. The 125cc is a great bike for riders to begin racing on and you can see that MX Sports realizes that too. You can race a 250 two-stroke in 250 C on up to 450 C class if you don’t have a four-stroke. Also, I think it’s important to point out that four out of the six C classes are modified, so that’ll give you plenty of room to beef up your bike and become the next superstar out of the C classes like Axell Hodges, Jimmy Albertson or Jeremy McGrath.

Supermini or Schoolboy?

Two of my favorite classes at the Ranch are always the Supermini and Schoolboy classes. Technically Schoolboy is labeled as a B/C class as well, so if you’re a 125 C rider then you can have another class option to race. Schoolboy 1 is a (12-17 B/C) age class that you can race an 86cc-125cc two stroke or a 75cc-150cc four stroke in. Schoolboy 2 is the same (12-17 B/C) age and skill level class, but the only eligible bikes are 122cc-250cc. Also, DO NOT forget the rule that you have to be 14 to race a 250 four-stroke.

Supermini 1 (12-15) is eligible for 79cc – 112cc (two-stroke) and 75cc-150cc (four-stroke) motors. Supermini 2 is a 13-16 aged class with the same engine cc rules. You also have to pay attention to your wheel sizes in Supermini. In Supermini 1 and 2 you can have a maximum 19” front and 16” rear. This is opposed to the Mini Sr classes where you can run a maximum 17” front wheel and 16” rear. Supermini classes help those taller/bigger riders find a class to race as they start to fight this thing called puberty off. They may not necessarily be ready for the big bike yet, but they look like Benny Bloss on an 85cc.

Micro Classes

We have new names for the 50cc classes at the Ranch and I’m pretty sure they are named after Slaw’s Dog. We have four 50cc classes now with the newly added in 2021 electric class. Micro- E is a 4-7 age group class, limited, with a 1KWh battery specific displacement. Micro 1 (4-6) is now your Shaft Drive Limited class that has been dominated by the Yamaha PW 50 since its inception! Talk about a sponsor plug! (I love Yamaha). Micro 2 is the (4-6) Limited 50 class and Micro 3 is the (7-8) Limited class option. New names for the classes, but virtually the same rules for the little guys who are the future stars of our sport. I wish all of these little guys luck on the track as well as all of their moms who I will be cheering on the fence line.

There you have it folks, hopefully I have broken the most confusing classes down a little better for you as we prepare to take on another week at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. Wes and the boys will be at the track all week to bring you the action while I sit in air conditioning and relax by the pool far away from the hottest week in motocross. Stop by the Vurb booth and buy all of our merch and support us! Thank you!

Main image: Mike Vizer