The United Bicycle Racers (UBR) (initially and briefly known as World Bike Riders (WBR)[1]) was a short-lived Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing sanctioning body based in Modesto, California which was started by John Valdez, a bike shop owner, on his 18th birthday that lasted from 1977 to 1983. At its peak it had 34 tracks in California and Nevada.[2] His philosophy was to cater to the local racer and deemphasized the focus on National events. Still, because of its California base, it did attract many of the national caliber pro racers who normally do not attend the events of small sanctioning bodies.
The UBR went out of business due to bankruptcy[3] and ceased operations early in 1983.
| Milestone | Event Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded: | May 1977. | |||||
| Motto(s)/Slogan(s): | "We're here for you." | |||||
| Years of operation: | 1977–1982 | |||||
| Original Headquarters: | Modesto, California. | |||||
| Last Headquarters: | Same | |||||
| Original Owner: | John Valdez | |||||
| Last Owner: | Same | |||||
| Original President: | John Valdez | |||||
| Last President: | Steven littrell | |||||
| Original Vice President: | Steven littrell | |||||
| Last Vice President: | ||||||
| Employees (peak): | ||||||
| First track: | King's BMX Raceway in Modesto. | |||||
| Peak claimed number of tracks: | 32 in 1982[4] | |||||
| Claimed present number of tracks: | ||||||
| Peak claimed number of members: | 5,000+ | |||||
| First sanctioned race: | ||||||
| First National: | - | Number of nationals per year: | Approx. six (including Grand National). | |||
| Span: | Regional. Tracks in California and Nevada. | |||||
| First Grand National: | October 17, 1979 Centennial Coliseum Reno, Nevada. It's Pro purse was USD$1,500 | |||||
| Last Grand National: | 1982 | |||||
| In house newspaper: | UBR Scene | |||||
| In house magazine: | None |
| Division | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur Proficiency and age levels 20 inch class: | Junior (Novice equivalent), Expert. 5 & 6 Junior (Boys & girls), then 7 Junior to 16 & over Expert in one year steps. Girls could race with the boys (thanks to Cheri Elliott in 1982) but were barred from Powder Puff (the Girls classes) if they did.[5] | June 1982 Vol.5 No.6 pg.77 Amateur Open: 7 & under to 16 & over in 2 year steps. Age classifications only | |
| Amateur Cruiser: | 13 & Under, 14–16, 17–22, 23–34, 35 & Over. Age classifications only | ||
| Girls 20 inch: | 5-6 girls to 14 & over girls in 2 year steps. Age classifications only, no proficiency levels. Amateur only. | ||
| Professional Classes: | Pro Cruiser, Pro 20". Open Expert, a Pro/Am division open to both Pros and Expert level racers. Men only. | ||
| Qualifying system: | Moto system a.k.a. Olympic System a.k.a. Cumulative Scoring System. |
Pro Nat. #1 Men
| Pro Cruiser Nat. #1 Men
| Amat. Nat. #1 Men
| Amat. Nat. #1 Cruiser
|
Amat. Nat. #1 Women
| Amat. Nat. #1 Sidehack
|