MOTOCROSS INFORMATION

Below are answers to commonly asked questions from people interested in racing motocross at ACTMCC.

What's it cost to race MX at ACTMCC?

Membership (club)
$80 Senior
$10 extra per person to a maximum of $100
$90 Junior plus Guardian
$100 family
$20 day membership

Race Day
Junior: $25 per class
Senior: $30 per class
Second class: $10
Day Licences: $100

Recreational Ride Day
Junior - $25
Senior - $30
Day Licences: $15

What does the MX track layout look like?

Click here for the annotated plan as prepared by Cia Landscapes & Colour.

I'm just starting out - what do I need to know?

To be able to race MX at the ACTMCC motocross circuit at Fairbairn Park (and survive your first race day), you'll need to do a range of things well in advance. Some of these are obvious, some may not be - but you need them all. Read on.

Note: another good source on info for new starters is the Motorcycling Australia booklet, Kick Start - Getting Started in Motorcycle Sport. Download it HERE.

Things to do:

1. Get a bike
2. Work out transportation
3. Get geared up
4. Join the club
5. Pay rec riding/race licence plus riding fees on the day
6. Attend accredited rider training (Juniors only - but strongly encouraged for Seniors too)
7. Find and bring a volunteer flaggy
8. Work out what happens on race day
9. Race.

1. Bike
The first thing to realise is that motocross costs! Buying a good race bike new will set you back $6-$10,000. If you not going to be too serious about it, go for a recent second hand model - much cheaper. If a Senior rider, most recent models are four stroke, so choose your second hand steed carefully. These bikes are bred for racing only and need lotsa maintenance. If you don't see evidence of that, steer clear of it. It'll save you in the long run. If a Junior age rider, some classes are still two stroke friendly (eg, 50cc, 60cc and even 85cc). Come to the track and talk to people. Most will gladly share their thoughts on bikes - what's hot, what's not and where to get them. Keep in mind, you don't need the fastest, biggest capacity bike going to get out there and enjoy yourself (the opposite for most people). And finally, don't forget - upkeep of your bike will cost too!

2. Transportation
You need more than a bike - you need to be able to get it to the track to ride. You can ride a registered trail bike at rec ride events, even race it too (with minor modifications), but these bikes are not designed for motocross. If you have a pure MX bike, you need at least access to a car and trailer or ute. No good having the bike and no way to get to the track. They can drop you off at the start of the day and pick you up at the end if you want. You'll also need tie downs to secure the bike.

3. Riding gear and associated equipment
Minimum: good MX boots, socks (long), pants, jersey, helmet, gloves, goggles and body armour (Juniors only). Recommended: padded undershorts, kidney belt, elbow guards, wrist guards, neck roll/brace, knee guards/braces. Where you see the word 'brace', read: expensive but not as much as the hospital bills if they're not there and you prang bigtime. Associated equipment: stuff to help you get through the day - water (plenty of it), food (canteen can supply), chair/s, shade of some sort, tools, fuel (five litres often is enough), engine oil (if two stroke).

4. Club membership
Membership of the ACT Motorcycle Club (ACTMCC) is required if you wish to ride at the club's track, be that -racing, recreational riding, training, or attending a riding school. You will need to show your Club Affilliation Card when signing on to participate at any of these activities. So keep it safe and always take it to the track with you.

To Join the ACTMCC: print the membership form when (2010 form available soon), fill in the info, remember to read and sign (parent or guardian to sign if the applicant is under 18 years of age) the indemnity and agreement to abide by the clubs rules and constitution and forward with a cheque or money order with the appropriate amount to the Club Mail box at:

Membership
ACTMCC
PO Box 3150
Manuka ACT 2603

Cost: see below.

The PO Box is emptied at least once a week. Once your club application is received, the Affilliation Card will be posted to you within the next couple of days. Your application is then presented at the next monthly club business meeting for approvial by the executive.

Membership is for the year and no matter what month you joined in, everyones membership becomes unfinancial on the 31st of December each year.

Lost or destroyed Affilliation Cards can be replaced you should contact the Membership Registrar - first choice by e-mail, then phone. Currently Registrar is:

Suzie Kirk
Suziekirk@gmail.com
Ph 0429 813 863

Note that membership of the Club obliges you to attend at least one Working Bee at the track per year. The club is run entirely by volunteers, so make yourself feel good about yourself and pitch in to share the load of keeping the track ready and the club going. Remember our unofficial motto - '"we came for the bikes - but stayed for the people".

5. Rec riding/race licence/fees
If you just want to come to recreation riding days, you only need a Motorcycling New South Wales rec riding licence (cheaper), but a full race licence for racing. You will have to send a Club Affilliation Card with this application (to get that you have to join the ACTMCC or some other motocycle club). You'll also need to supply two passport sized photos of yourself (again, see the MNSW site for more info).

You also need to bring some money to pay for rec riding or race fees on the day. And bring your club membership card and rec riding/race licence too.

6. Accredited rider training
Rider training is only required for Juniors - but MX coaching is a great idea for Seniors too, especially if you're just starting with racing. Racing is fast, fun and dangerous. Coaching can help you go fast, have fun, and avoid danger. Well worth it.

As well, we encourage you to get yourself as fit as possible, not just so you can keep your speed up over four laps but also to help reduce the impact of injuries should they happen. Cardio-vascular fitness will help you a lot, as will lots of stretching before and after.

7. Volunteer flaggy
New club rules for 2008! All Junior riders entered on the day must supply a volunteer for marshal duties, lap scoring, canteen or other duties. Seniors can only ride one Primary class if they don't provide a volunteer on the day.

8. Knowledge of race day schedule.
See the MX RACE DAY page for more info. Read it carefully so you know what to expect on the day. Prepare for it days before so you're not caught unprepared. Your bike needs to be sorted and reliable, and that means doing the hard yards before race day. The bike - and your helmet/body armour - also needs to pass scrutineering on the day. After scrutineering comes riders' brief - also mandatory.

You also need to read the race program (available on the day) and keep track of races thru the day so you know when you're on, and know when to line up ready to go to the starters grid.

And you need to pace yourself - race days are long and tiring. Knowing what to expect in advance will help you remember the day as fantastic experience, to be repeated, rather than a bloody hard slog.

9. Race
If you've done the above and find yourself on the start line, you should be in good shape to go for it with the others when the gate drops. So hold on for the ride of your life, cause not much beats motocross for pure excitement and satisfaction. And track your results on the MX RESULTS page over the course of the season.

If the above hasn't answered all your questions, make sure you've looked at all other relevant pages. If still no go, find the relevant club contact on the club CONTACTS page and give them a call. We're here to help you get going.