With perfect timing, the ABA released the brand new 2012 USA BMX and BMX Canada rulebook, 24 hours before the first (Pre-race) gate drops in Reno.

We wanted to get this posted ASAP, so have not had a lot of time to go through it yet…except to say that new rules appear with a grey shaded box.

A sampling:

Page 6: Any current Cruiser rider earning a NAG (#1-10), Redline Cup or ROC plate, with a 20” license, will be classified as NO LESS than an Intermediate rider.

Page 12:
A Pro Class Qualifications
1. A rider must be 17 years old the day of the race.
2. A rider earning $4000 in one season in either A Pro or through the Elite/AA Pro race series will be advanced to AA Pro.

And a full section devoted to the East/West Championships (Page 41).

Download the Rulebook now as a PDF

We’re talking about the USA BMX Rulebook over on Vintage…so come join the discussion.

When the ABA/NBL Merger was finalized in Mid June, many BMX Racing fans thought that the names of both leagues would fade into history, in favor of the new USA BMX moniker. At first, one direction the ABA discussed, was to have the brand names of both leagues live on under the USA BMX banner (some nationals flying the NBL flag running total points, and some flying the ABA flag running the transfer system) But, as the reality of the merger began to take root among track operators and the rank-and-file racers, it was clear that the NBL brand had been damaged beyond repair by the events of 2011, and the desire for a split series was practically nil.

“Even the (NBL) loyalists were saying it didn’t make sense to keep the NBL name alive,” said one former NBL track operator. At the end of the day, the ABA system made the most sense, and it was decided that the initial plans would be altered to make it one national series, running under the ABA transfer system.

So, what did that mean for the ABA brand name? Some industry observers thought there was a real possibility that the ABA would pivot the plan again, and just keep things running under the ABA brand name. Others argued that the USA BMX brand does a great deal to signify the “unified” condition of things, and is smart branding by saying “BMX” right in the name. In the end, both points of view made it into the final recipe.

The above USA BMX logo was circulating this week, as the final version of the first USA BMX logo. As you can see, it includes “The American Bicycle Association” as a tagline under the USA BMX logo.

So, what do we call this thing? Just like with “Willis Tower” here in our native Chicago, people are slow to accept a name change of something so deeply rooted in their memory. Indeed, just over Christmas, we said “check out the Sears Tower,” calling the kids’ attention to the antenna towers on the top, lit up for the holidays. We were quickly corrected from the back seat “You mean WILLIS Tower, dad” (um..no, I really meant SEARS tower, but whatever).

In the BMX context, this is how we are thinking of it: Since the ABA remains the business entity of the organization, and operates USA BMX and BMX Canada, it seems to be proper to say, in conversation, “We are working with the ABA on a sponsorship deal,” but not accurate to say ” I’m going to the ABA National next weekend.” You’d be going to the USA BMX National next weekend. You would also be “renewing your USA BMX membership,” and making plans to race the USA BMX Grands in November 2012.

Now that we’re done with Robert’s Rules of Order, BMX Edition, let’s gate up for an amazing 2012!

Lots of changes percolating at the ABA these days. As BMX News reported last week, the first issue of their new, yet-to-be-unveiled magazine is on-press as we speak, and due for a debut at next week’s Winter Nationals in Phoenix.

Well, those at last week’s Super Nationals in Desoto got a glimpse of some new branding on the hoof, as ABA slipped in their new logo on the podium checks held up by the pros.

Above, you’ll see Dennison Smith hoisting his bacon for the A Pro win, and with that, in the upper left, is the new-fangled ABA brand mark. The logo has a Neville Brodyish feel to it, with a parade lap rider in the middle proudly carrying the American flag. Look beyond the podium riders, and you’ll also see a new checkerboard backdrop for the podium, festooned with variations of ABA’s new slogan “Be That (Rider/Kid/Parent).”

We’re excited to see what else the Gilbert gang has stepping off next week as every BMXer in the known universe heads to PHX. You’ll be there, right?

Oh yeah, congrats to A-Pro podium-placers Dennison Smith (center), Ron Vega (Left), and Justin Dodson for the ol’ 1-2-3, respectively on Sunday. We’re pretty sure we pinched this photo off Big Daddy’s Facebook page, so thanks to whoever took it.

BMX Racing has a rich history of “replica” bikes, dating back to the mid 1970s. The definition of a “replica” is, traditionally, a bike produced during the career of a famous rider or team, in the style and image of the bike that the rider is actually riding at the time. Hyper Bicycles has stayed graphically true to that tradition with the forthcoming release of a Donny Robinson Replica complete bike, out this March. The added bit of news on this project is that the bike will be marketed through Walmart stores nationwide. With millions of shoppers per day chain-wide, the dR Replica has a chance to put BMX Racing in front of a massive audience.

Though the initial rollout this March will be a market test to gauge consumer interest, it is still hitting 314 stores, which is bigger than most chains, in itself. Based on this test, Walmart will evaluate whether the bike gets a chain-wide rollout.

According to Donny, himself, on last week’s episode of our “Announcers Tower” Podcast, “This is the lightest bike on the (mass) market…I could easily run the frame—it’s an aluminum frame.”

It is clear that, by way of this model, Hyper hopes to sell some bikes. Commerce is a beautiful thing. But it goes beyond that. We see them making efforts to move merch, yes…but also to promote the sport of BMX Racing to a broad, general interest audience, who may not otherwise know about the sport.

And when promoting the sport is the topic of discussion, you know the ABA is never far off the lead. They have joined with Hyper to create a hangtag to go on all of the bikes on Walmart’s floor. The hangtag offers a free 30-day ABA membership with purchase of the bike—helping break down barriers to getting new wheels on the gate at the local track. Check out the hangtag.

For his part, Donny will be promoting the bike, and the sport in general through his “In Motion” Youth Mentoring talks at middle schools in places like Oldsmar, Phoenix, DeSoto, TX an other ABA National cities throughout 2010.

The bike will retail for $99—which makes it an irresistible starter bike for Joe and Jan Novice. On Vintage, over the past couple days, the forum has been alight with great ideas from people wanting to join in the fun. Tracks are talking about buying a few of them for loaner bikes, and some of the collector types have their eye on it as a “timecapsule” buy of BMX, circa 2010.

BMXNEWS will be keeping our eyes on the progress of the bike, and will show you first-photos when the time comes.

Meanwhile, here is the complete list of Walmart stores where the Donny Robinson Replica will be showing up next month.