STARTING RACINGYOU NEED A LICENCEIf you’re going to go racing then you need a licence. All licences are issued by the Auto Cycle Union (ACU). Before you can apply for your licence you need to attend a Competitor Training Course. These are run at various locations including the ACU Head Office in Rugby, most local in the North West is through the Wirral 100 Motor Club. Once you have attended the course then you need to join a club. The club you join will depend on where you want to ride. In the North West of England that will probably mean either: Wirral 100 Motor Club (Anglesey and Oulton Park) Crewe and South Cheshire (Tonfanau) Nantwich and District (Anglesey and Oulton Park) Aintree Motorcycle Road Racing Club (Aintree obviously) Most contact details are available on the Links page or a search via the internet should get you contact details for clubs in your area. Once you have joined the club then you need to complete a licence application form from the ACU. This may include a medical form to be signed by your doctor depending on your circumstances (age, previous conditions etc) and an eye test. The form is available on the ACU’s website along with guidance notes. You need to get the club to countersign the form and forward it to the ACU. The licence normally returns within a month, often quicker. Your licence will either be a novice or intermediate clubman type depending on what type of road licence you hold and your age. Either way you need to wear an orange bib so other riders know you’ve just started. Any orange hi-viz will do. That’s it. You’re going racing! YOU NEED A BIKE (Converting a road bike)Most people start racing because they have a road bike and have either done track days or have just fancied giving it a go. You can convert your road bike into race specification without spending a lot of money but this isn’t always the best idea since the bike may start to look tatty, may get damaged and it’ll affect the resale value as some people don’t like to buy bikes that have been raced. However if you want to convert a road bike here’s the basics that you need to change: Road bodywork can be acceptable but you need to modify the bellypan area to include a tray to catch any oil/water that may escape. You must also remove the lights, indicators, mirrors and stuff. You can leave the horn if you like but don’t use it on track! The best bet is to fit race bodywork.
Either remove or lockwire the side stand in the up position. Some bikes have side stand cut outs that need to be by-passed.
That’s about it. You notice that there is no mention of engine tuning, sticky tyres, special brakes, suspension, wheels, footrest or exhausts. You don’t actually NEED them but you may WANT them soon enough. |
ACTUALLY GOING RACINGPREPARATIONYou need a good helmet with a acu approved sticker and must be less than 3 years old, one piece leathers, gloves with no tears, boots and very important a identity tag showing name date of birth and if possible blood group is handy.
You need one transponder (for timing) per machine at most clubs. The clubs have regulations (entry forms) for the meetings and these need to be posted in at least 2 weeks before the event. Some classes fill up quickly. You can try to get a late entry but the clubs are not keen and if you keep doing it then you won’t be popular. The fees will vary between £80 and £150 per class. The club will post your acceptance forms and scrutineering card back to you around a week before the event. This will tell you your race number. If you can practice before the big day then do so. Even if it’s not at the track your racing at then at least you’ll get used to the bike and iron out any problems. You will get very little practice at the race meeting (around 5 laps). THE BIG DAYDON’T EXPECT TOO MUCH STRAIGHT AWAY Take someone with you to help. Don’t encourage people who just want to watch as this adds pressure that you don’t need. You need to arrive not much later than 8am or stay the night before. Find a space where you can see or hear what’s going on, get unloaded. You need to push the bike to the scrutineering area for technical checks. They will look the bike over and need to see you wearing all your race gear. If it’s OK then you get your card signed and you go and sign on in the race office. You’ll receive a programme and practice pass. Go and get ready to practice. This may include tyre warmers if you’re using them and check the tyre pressures. Practice normally starts around 9-9.30am and you’ll get around 10 minutes at best. Don’t try too hard, there are no awards for practice but you’ll get a kicking if you fall off. Practice over. Settle down and get ready for the race. Tyre warmers, fuel etc. Don’t forget to look after yourself too. Race meetings are full of experts. Most of the spectators believe they would win if they had a go. Loads of other riders will offer “expert” advice. Be careful who you listen too. |
|
DO YOU FANCY “REAL” ROADS RACING?If motorcycle racing is dangerous and road racing the more dangerous then “real or pure” roads racing is the most dangerous of all. You either accept that or don’t do it because it’s not the place for a rider who is not fully committed to the job. Remember that there is very little room for error and no run off. Straw bales or catch fencing do little to stop a rider at high speed. Basically speaking there aren’t any pure roads circuits in England. The closest is Oliver’s Mount at Scarborough that although is a public road, it doesn’t have the walls and houses that are usually associated with this kind of circuit. Aberdare Park (South Wales) is another that is similar. Both are still fast, dangerous and require the tremendous skill and nerve that are normally associated with “pure” roads racers. |
 |
That means that if you intend to race on real roads then you’ll either have to travel to Ireland or the Isle of Man. Due to the risks associated with this kind of sport, it’s not normally aimed at novice riders. Some Irish support classes may allow Irish Clubman holders but generally speaking you must hold a National or International Grade of licence. Have a look on the ACU website for qualifying criteria but generally it’ll take a season to upgrade from Novice to Clubman, then another season to upgrade to National. International licences are only available as an upgrade to National holders. |
|
The Manx Grand Prix in the Isle of Man uses the same full course as the TT. It is also known as the Amateur TT but don’t let that fool you into thinking the riders are slow! You must hold a National Licence to enter but you also need to hold a special “TT Course” licence. To qualify you must have finished at least 6 meetings in the previous 12 months (up to June) and passed a medical. The Manx club helps newcomers via the Mike Hailwood Foundation, see the Manx Grand Prix website for details. When entering the Manx then you must consider the extra travel and accommodation arrangements required some time (months) in advance. Your machine will also be subject to more rigorous safety checks and its worth considering that the course has broken many “factory” bikes in its time so spares are a must. Having said that, it’s a considerable achievement to just finish a race and an unforgettable experience. |
 |
If you want to race in Ireland then you will require not just an International Licence but also start permission and insurance from the ACU. There is a charge for this too. Many Irish races have limited numbers on the grid. Entries are not guaranteed and the organisers often cherry pick the best from the number received. The main thing to keep in mind above all is to enjoy your self, not get hurt and keep within a budget you can manage. A big thank you to Richie Ellis for the above....................... |
 |
