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Below are answers to commonly asked questions from people
interested in getting into dirt track at ACTMCC.
To be able to race at the ACTMCC DT 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 that you can just come for recreation
riding days only, without racing (see below for more info).
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:
- Get a bike
- Work out transportation
- Get geared up
- Join the club
- Get race licence plus riding fees on the day
- Attend accredited rider training (Juniors only - but strongly
encouraged for Seniors too)
- Work out what happens on race day
- Race.
1. Bike
The first thing to realise is that dirt track racing 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. Most riders use motocross bikes, but some go for sliders.
To race your bike on the dirt track, the bike needs a trials tyre
on the back (knobby up front fine).
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 dirt track. 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.
And so where's the track? The ACTMCC's Lester Edminster Dirt Track
is at Fairbairn Park, Pialligo Avenue, Majura District. On entry
to the Park, keep going past the MX track and pits turn off on the
left, and up to the dirt track.
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 (eight
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 two tracks, 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, 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
Single Membership is $50 add $10 for each further family member
to a maxium of $70. Once a member, you may race motocross, dirt
track or both.
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
club membership - but a full race licence for racing. Go to the
MNSW Competitors
Information page to download. 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. See the DT home page for more
info. And bring your club membership card and rec riding/race licence
too.
6. Rider training
Juniors must produce their Kick Start Log Book or signed-off Kick
Start Riding Assessment form to ride on rec days. Beginners may
practice in their own group under the supervision of a Club Coach
under the Kick Start program. Nippers/young kids can also practice
on the Junior Rider Training Centre manoeuvring area.
To race, Juniors need to have completed the appropriate rider training.
Go to the rider training page
for more information. Rider training is only required for Juniors
- but MX/dirt track 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. One more thing - private health insurance is recommended
(ambulance cover at least - this can be costly if needed!).
7. Knowledge of race day schedule.
See the DT Home 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 soon) 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 hard slog.
8. 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
dirt track for pure excitement and satisfaction.
f 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.
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