Getting Started

For those of you who wish to find out about what safety gear and clothing is required for motocross racing, Dirt Bike Rider magazine have produced an excellent article detailing what you will need, what each item of clothing does, and how much you should expect to pay.

http://www.dirtbikerider.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=2377&ArticleID=1112099

Here we have a basic guide to getting started in AMCA Motocross racing.

HOW THE AMCA WORKS

AMCA Motocross clubs are divided into "groups" depending on their location, Each group usually has around 5-10 clubs per group, in a similar area of the country. Shrewsbury is in the Wales & Shropshire group, which consists of clubs from North Shropshire and North Wales. If you wish to start racing, you will have to join a club, AMCA regulations require you to join one of the three closest clubs to your home.

Basic requirements of being a rider member involve attending club meetings, helping the club organise their race meetings (e.g. by supplying a track marshal) and helping the club get their track ready for racing at working parties. This usually takes about 6-7 weekends of work, very little in conrast to many other organisations, where one is ofeten expected to marshal every week!

CHOOSE YOUR BIKE

Adult AMCA classes are split into 125cc, 250cc and 750cc. The bike you ride depends on your size and what you want from a bike. Here is a basic summary of what each class consists of:

125cc (125cc 2 stroke/250cc 4 Stroke)

The smallest class consists of the above mentioned machines. 125cc 2 strokes are the least tiring bikes to ride physically, due to them having less power and being lighter, however they can be difficult to ride as the engine has less torque than a larger bike. Their main advantage is their light weight and their agility, 125s tend to have nimble handling, and despite their small engine size, can easily keep up with larger bikes.

In recent years, manufacturers have developed 250cc four-stroke machines, which are now the bike of choice in this class. Despite being heavier, they have more torque, making them easier to ride, whilst still being quite nimble. Their main disadvantage is their extra weight and power, which may be too much for a small novice rider, plus, being a 4-stroke engine, engine repair bills can be more expensive.

250cc (127cc-265cc 2 Stroke)

Until the emergence of the 450cc 4-stroke, 250cc 2-strokes were the machine of choice. 250cc machines are a lot more powerful than their 125 counterparts, whilst still being quite light and nim,ble to ride. Whilst the extra power is more of a handful, there is a lot more torque, which in some respects make them easier to ride. Power, however, can be the 250cc's downfall. 250s usually have an agressive powerband, maning the power comes in very hard and suddenly. If the bike is treated with respect this is not a problem, but the throttle-happy novice may well get bitten hard by one of these bikes!

750cc (266cc upwards)

The big bike class is today dominated by 450cc 4-strokes. These bikes carry an abundance of torque and can be ridden very smoothly, they have gained popularity with both pros and novices due to their user friendly nature. The development of the bikes has been so rapid in recent years that the bikes do not weigh a great deal more than a 250cc 2-stroke. The main advantage of the 450 is that they carry similar amounts of power to a 250 2-stroke, but have a smoother, gentler powerpand. However, many prefer the more agressive riding style of a 250, 4 strokes can carry more expensive repair bills, plus they are often more difficult to start than a 250, a problem if the bike stalls mid-race!

JOINING THE AMCA

When you join an AMCA club you will be give an AMCA application form, you have the option of taking out either an A or B licence. Both carry the same rights, the only difference being that with an A licence, insurance costs are paid with the licence, with a B it is with entry fees as described:

A LICENCE

Cost: £145.50 (£98.00 for under 16s), Entry fees £18

B LICENCE

Cost: £65, Entry Fees £29

Therefore, if you are planning to race more than 8 times per year, it is cheaper to get an A licence.

Under 16s must pass a test before they are allowed to compete. Riders will apply for a licence as usual, however before their first AMCA meeting, they must prove they can pick up their bike from the floor, start it and ride it safely. This is usually a formality, as it is just to prove they can physically ride a bike. Tests are usually carried out in the morning before practice, and are conducted by an AMCA Steward.

When you get your first licence, it will be classed as a "Bronze" licence. In your second year of racing, it will either remain as a Bronze, or be upgraded to Silver or Gold, depending on how many meetings you enter. This was a sysyem introduced by the AMCA a couple of years ago to combat the problem of filling race meetings which are oversubscribed. If more riders enter a meeting than the organisers can handle, Gold riders will be entered first, followed by Silver then Bronze.

RACE CLASSES

With very rare exceptions (top ACU or Youth riders), all new AMCA riders go into the Juniors.

JUNIORS

This race class is for unlimited ages (in the past some have asked for the name to be changed as it implies it is a youth race!) There is often a wide range of abilities in this class, some are riding with more enthusiasm than skill, whilst others look more purposeful. Many Junior accidents are caused by lack of experince, something which riders usually iron out byt he time they get upgraded. Don't worry if you are in the Juniors a long time, it is a very competitive class, and some people will happily compete there for over 10 years. Should you start winning events, or finishing on the podium, local AMCA Stewards will upgrade you to Seniors.

A recent divison of the Juniors is the Inter Juniors. This is for riders aged 10-14 years on smaller machines (maximum 85cc) Inters cannot practice or race with adult Juniors, but fast Inters can be upgraded, with parental permission, to the Adult classes.

SENIORS

This is for riders who have been upgraded from Junior competiton, and occasionally, downgraded Experts, although this is quite rare. Seniors tend to be more competitive than Juniors, the racing is faster but often safer, as riders have gained more race experience. All senior riders will have had some previous success in the Junior class as must prove themselves there before being upgraded. As with Juniors, winning seniors will soon get upgraded, this time to the Experts. If they wish, Seniors and Experts can also race abroad, European championship events (IMBAs) have support races for Senior and Expert riders.

EXPERTS

Experts are the fastest and most competitive race class. To even keep up with an Expert, you would have to be a top Senior, winning in the Experts can often take years of dedication. Expert racing is even more competitive than Seniors, but, as Experts are usually very experienced riders, racing is usually quite safe. Should you be successful in the Experts, you riding career can really take off, top local Experts can qualify for the British AMCA championships, should you be one of the best there, then European IMBA competitions will follow!

However, whether you become the next IMBA champion, or whether your riding career takes you no further than the Juniors doesn't take anyhting away from the fun and thrills of racing in Motocross competion!