So you want to start racing?

[Scott221]

This is a really good FAQ off another forum to answer the many threads/posts we seem to get regarding the whole ACU/racing scene.

I want to start racing

Ok, ok, hold on, do you have a road licence? Have you done any trackdays before. If the the answer to the former is no, then I'll assume for argument's sake that's you're under 17. You'll need to get yourself an ACU licence. See below.

If the answer to the latter is no then why not? How can you expect to cut it on track without having been out there before? Stop reading this and book yourself some trackdays. Start in the novice group so you don't scare yourself shitless the first time you go out and gradually move up as you feel ready. Once you're in the advanced group and holding your own, then you're probably about 60% of the way to being race fast. Then look into getting your licence.

How exactly do I get my ACU licence?

If you're under 16 and/or don't hold a road license or CBT you'll need to prove you can handle a bike competently, so you'll need to do a day at the Ron Haslam Race School or any other approved ACU race school, then sit an exam(O no!) at the ACU HQ in Rugby(other venues are available between January and March), and have your eye test(An eye test is all they as for as far as I know at the moment) in order to get your licence. In order to get the licence you also need to be a member of a club.(See links further down). Most clubs offer a system where by you send all your licence forms to them and they do the rest for you.(Not the exam naturally).

So you've got your novice licence now. The novice license limits you to a bike of no more that 600cc. As a novice license holder you MUST wear a novice orange bib. In order to upgrade your license to a clubman license you need to complete at least 1 race at 10 different meetings and on at least 3 different circuits.

If you are over 16 and have a full motorcycle licence/CBT then you don't have to do the race school part because your road licence proves that you can handle a bike competently, although some clubs will stipulate that you attend a race school anyway. You simply send your bits off to your chosen club and sit your exam, and eye test.

So you've got your novice INTERMEDIATE licence now. The novice intermediate has no cc limit on it as you've already proved your competence using your road licence/CBT. As a novice intermediate licence holder you MUST wear a novice orange bib. In order to upgrade your licence to a clubman licence you need to complete at least 1 race at 10 different meetings and on at least 3 different circuits.

Clubman Licence

It essentially means you can enter an club race in the UK without the orange bib.In order to upgrade to a national licence you need to finish in the top half of the total finishers in 10 race meetings at 4 different circuits.

National Licence

Is the highest form of UK licence and permits you to race in any racing in the UK, BSB etc. etc.

Competeing outside the UK?
You'll need an international licence or UEM and must have held a national licence for at least 1 year prior. The UEM is a time based progression, whereas the international licence is based on results and is what the moto gp, world endurance, and WSB etc. racers hold.

ACU Pace days

You may have seen these advertised, they are essentially trackdays, but only ACU licence holders may attend and timing is permitted. I think they're of an open pit lane format(so no groups) although I'm not sure.

Do I need a medical?

Unless you've had previous health problems then only an eye test is required. The ACU will inform you if you need to take a full blown medical.

Greatly detailed info here

Choosing a class

Choose a class based on your experience an/or wallet.

Many people think that supersports 600's is a good place to start as they don't feel that they can handle a 1000cc bike and a 600 is easy. Hence 600 supersports is never always oversubscribed and is fiercely competitive.

There is the mini moto route, but IMO this is only really good very young riders starting out, if you're over about 13/14 forget it, get a 125 and enter superteens.

If you're older than that then your best bet is probably to start looking at the more affordable classes, ideally ones with limit on tuning and bhp so that your ability to compete isn't dictated by your ability to spend £10,000 on a factory tuned motor. Things like the CB500 cup, hornet cup, desmodue, and mini twins are still very competitive, although the tuning regulations are very strict and the tyres last a comparatively long time. In desmodue one set will last you about a season, in the hornet cup a set will last you at worst(by worst I mean if you're really on it) 3 full track/racedays.

Rookie 400's is also a good place to start, also as 400's are getting more and more thin on the ground both decent bike wise, and spares wise perhaps this isn't a good move.

Clubs

There are loads of clubs throughout the UK:

BMCRC(Bemsee) and New Era are the biggest, others include:

Auto66
DerbyPhoenix
HMRC
ThundersportGB
NGRR
NEMCRC
Wirral100

Each club runs different race classes and at different circuits at different times, you browse their sites and see which is the best for you.

[will#224]

I'm not sure if i misread it but you can run a 1000cc as a novice, my cousin did it last year.

[simmo]

yer you can race 1000's as a novice.
in the novice race with EMRA there are a few 1000's in it.

http://www.eastmidlandracing.co.uk/augustbook.pdf