HOW TO GO RACING

It may seem like a wild ride, but it’s not as intimidating as it looks. Here’s how to go racing in 2020…

- DEANELLISON

I remember my very first racing meeting and how disappointed I was with the results, although I’d been riding bikes from a very early age; competitive tarmac riding was unknown territory and looking back I was so unprepared. I didn’t even book a track day. My only practice was on a private road in the Lake District, completely illegal, but it gave me a taste for thrashing a 36bhp 125cc Aprilia on what I thought was the racing line. I simply joined a club, applied for my race licence, which didn’t require any examination other than a medical and eye test, paid the fee, and then before I knew it I was on the grid for my first race. I probably didn’t know all the flags at that stage, hadn’t done a race start, and really didn’t have a clue how to string a good lap together. Here’s what I would do now:

Joining a club

Research where you’re most likely going to race and join the closest club, and give support to your local club racing organization. That’s where you will spend a good few years learning the ropes, and without the clubs it would be difficult for anyone to get their first competitive outing.

Licence

Applying for a licence can be done on the ACU website. It’s very easy to apply and even easier to renew each year. Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to attend a rider assessment day on a live circuit. This will be a school day and although the team of ACU assessors aren’t scouting for the next Rossi, you are required to show competency and general awareness when on a live track.