Start Racing!

Thats it Dude, get on and do it!

The club you have joined will have probably sent you entry forms, fill them in, write out the cheque and get it on!

On your first race remember the following things:

You've never done a start before, and there is no way of practising them!
You're gonna get beaten
Its your first race, take it easy
Its better to finish last than not to finish at all, trust me!

Thats right, take it easy, there are gonna be plenty of opportunities for you to do better!

Starts are scary at first, 30 odd bikes all trying to get off quick and get round the first corner, my advice, on your first race, is to sit back a few seconds, let the other guys race off and then you follow.
Noone will judge you badly for it, and this is another thing to consider. Racing is competitive, but off the track most club racers I have met are the most helpful and considerate people I know. If you need help ask, in general most guys will be happy to help. Remember: they where once just like you, some of us not that long ago!

Format of the day

This will be outlined in the correspondence you receive from your club, at New Era meetings they generally follow this format:

7:30 Scrutenering & signing on
9:00 Practice
10:30 Racing Starts
13:00 Lunch
17:00 Racing Ends

Before you can race both your clothing and bike have to be inspected by an ACU official. If you have followed my "Road Bike to Racer Guide" you shouldn't have any nasty shocks (in which case if you have bought a race ready bike, it might be worth your while reading the guide and checking your ACU handbook to be sure your bike meets the regulations).
Get to scrutenering as early as possible, then if your bike does not come up to scratch you have time to put it right!

Now you have to sign on, you'll require the following:

ACU Licence
Signed Scruteneers card
Any outstanding fees

Sign on, show your licence and hand over your fees and scruteneers card and your in!

Then practice sessions take place, the number of sessions will vary from meeting to meeting.

And then its on with the racing!

Make sure you know which races you are in and listen to the announcements for your race being called!

Things to take with you to your race meetings:

Maybe this should be a section on its own, but for now, take at least the following:

Some else!
Tools (As many as you can carry!)
Spare clothing (If possible)
Dog Tag!
Money

They may seem obvious, but over my short racing career(?) I have forgotten all but one of the above!
Try and always take someone with you, if you crash and hurt yourself they can at least get you and your bike home!

I take way too many tools with me, my dad and I empty his garage into the van, but its better to take too much than too little!

If you have a spare helmet/gloves/boots take them with you, if you crash your clothes have to be re scrutenered, if any are considered too damaged, you wont be able to race with them again.

You are required to wear a dog tag while racing, it should have on it your full name, date of birth and (if you know it) your blood type. This doesn't have to be a real dog tag, but you can get one made at some of the big pet shops like pet city!

Money - if you've forgot to bring something you can always buy it at the track. Most meeting have stands selling everything you might need, levers, tyres etc. You might want to get a cupa too!