New 650, GP, and 125cc Championships from 2003.

The 121st Congress of the FIM ended with agreement for the following modifications to the 2003 Motocross season - including the renaming and reclassifying of the three Grand Prix classes. From 2003, the following GP classes will exist:

1. Motocross GP World Championship:

The premier class for 250cc two-stroke and over 290cc up to 450cc four-strokes. This will replace the current 250cc World Championship. The number of entries to each meeting will be limited to 40.

In 2003, at the first meeting, the first 12 riders of the previous year's 250cc classification, and the first 8 of the previous year's 500cc classification (for 2004, a maximum of 20 riders of the Motocross GP World Championship classification of the previous year) will be eligible for entry.

2. 650 Motocross World Championship:

For 500cc two-stroke and over 475cc up to 650cc four-strokes. This will replace the current Open class. The number of entries to each meeting will be limited to 40.

3. 125 Motocross World Championship:

For 125cc two-stroke and over 175cc up to 250cc 4-strokes. The name stays the same but the introduction of 250cc four-strokes throws the competition into a format similar to that used by the AMA. The number of entries to each meeting will be limited to 50.

Qualifying in the 125cc class will involve pre-qualifying practices, 2 qualifying races (2 groups of 25 riders, 20 minutes + 2 laps) and a last chance qualifying practice.

No overseas races for the 650cc class..

Only the Motocross GP and 125cc classes will be scheduled for overseas events.

New Race day schedule...

The new Championship time schedule, for Sunday (race day) will be:

12h05 local time - Motocross GP race
13h35 local time - 125 race
15h05 local time - 650 race

Number plate location...

The rider's number must appear on the front and the side number plates (compulsory number, FIM logo and background colours for the front plate).