Terry Cheney was elected to his second term as M.O.T.A. Chairman and presided over one of the most smoothly operating seasons yet.

Terry Cheney was elected to his second term as M.O.T.A. Chairman and presided over one of the most smoothly operating seasons yet. Riders were pleased with the events held, rules having reached a state of refinement where they are fair to all, and several new trials sites were unveiled during the season.

For 1978, an all-new Championship and class promotion system was initiated. The Championship points system was patterned after the existing National and International procedures. In addition, the Expert classification was revised in concept to make it a yearly classification awarded to the riders who have accumulated the required points during the Championship season. Thus, the “Expert” number plate will be the badge indicating a rider’s top-rank riding ability during the previous season. The class promotion systems were also revised to award the same points for finishing position as the Championship system. Riders who have accumulated enough points to indicate top ability in their class are automatically promoted. The intent of these revisions was to insure that a rider was fully capable before he was promoted, and to allow all riders to compare their standings at any time during the season. The first test of this system worked so well that no changes at all were needed for the next competitive season.

M.O.T.A. did not host a National Series trial this year, allowing other areas in the country to show their sections to the Nationals riders. Many local riders competed in the series and did quite well. Terry Cheney collected a fifth-place overall season finish, with Bob Hopkins winning the sixth-place award.