MCI - Getting Started

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Getting Started

Introduction:
Welcome to motocross! This page is aimed at newcomers to motocross riding and racing. Hopefully it will be helpful to those interested in getting into this great sport.

Membership:
The best way to get into the sport and find out more about it is to become a member of a club. The clubs link at the top of the page will give you a list of MCI affiliated clubs so take a look and see which one is nearest you. Yearly membership is available for around €20 - €30 varying from club to club.

Practice Days:
All clubs hold practice days throughout the year, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays with some organizing evening practices during the summer months when we have more daylight hours.
Practice Days are a great way to get used to your bike and see what it’s like to ride on a motocross track before actually racing. It can be a little daunting racing straight away but Practice Days provide a safe and relaxed way to familiarise yourself with the scene. They cost in the region of €25, again varying with different clubs.
You do not need to have a race licence to avail of a practice day.

Race Meetings:

You will need a competition licence to race, details on how to get one are under the “Forms” link.
Day licences will also be available but you should still pre enter and inform the club that you’ll require one (you’ll need to have your medical form with you to get a one day licence).
You will also require a transponder to record your lap times. These cost about €200 and are stocked by some dealers or can be bought direct from the AMB website. Alternatively you can rent a transponder on race day but if you intend to compete in several events it’s much more economical to buy one.

Race Meetings are held throughout the season, generally beginning in March and ending in October. There will be a mix of championship race meetings and Open (non-championship) race meetings. There are a number of championships you can compete in. As an adult rider you have the Southern Centre (S/C) Championship for MX1 & MX2, the S/C Over-35 Championship and of course the Irish MX1 & MX2 Championship. As a youth rider you have the S/C Championship and the Irish Championship.

For adult riders there are three classes; Grade A – Expert riders, Grade B – Semi-Expert riders and Grade C – Support riders. There are generally always “non-qualifiers” races on any given day also as the pace in Grade C is fast enough. When you first apply for a licence you will be placed in Grade C. As you progress and start doing well in championships you will be moved up accordingly.

For youth riders there are six classes depending on bike size; Autos, 65cc, 85cc/150F Small Wheel, 85cc/150F Big Wheel, Youth 125cc (2T) and Youth 150cc (2T)/250F. The rider’s age will determine what class they ride in.

For adult competitors it is necessary to pre enter for race meeting with a €20 deposit. If you do not pre enter with a deposit you may still race, if numbers allow but you must pay the full entry fee in addition to a late entry fee of €20.

The schedule on a race day is:

Sign-on and Scrutiny first thing in the morning (typically around 8am)
Practice/Qualifying (typically around 10am) – This allows you to familiarise yourself with the track and log a laptime which will determine your gate pick
Racing (typically around 11.30am) – Each class will get three races. Races are typically of the order of 15 minutes + 1 lap for adults with varying lengths for the different youth classes.

Youth race meetings are generally on Saturdays with adult races on Sundays.

Flag Signals:
The following flag signals will be used and motocross and grasstrack events:

National Flag: This flag can be used for starting a race.

Red: ALL riders must stop. Riders must not pass any red flag unless authorised or directed to do so and proceed at a slow pace.

Black (with the rider’s number clearly shown on a board): That rider must stop racing immediately and leave the track.

Yellow, motionless: Danger, take care, ride with caution.

Yellow, waved: Great Danger, prepare to stop, ride with extreme caution, no overtaking.

Green: Course clear.

Blue: Warning, you are about to be lapped.

Yellow with a black cross: Last lap, or two laps and then a one lap board clearly marked.

Chequered: Finish

White with Green or Red Cross: Medical attention required at that post.

N.B. ‘Waved’ shall mean a flag should be moved up and down through an arc of 45 degrees and not indiscriminately.

Only authorised officials are permitted to use these flags. Any rider who is judged to have taken unfair advantage whilst a yellow flag is displayed and wave, or ignored any other flag signal, will be excluded.

Additional Information:
MX1 class is for 450cc 4-strokes and 250cc 2-strokes
MX2 class is for 250cc 4-strokes and 150cc 2-stokes (or below)

Protective Gear:
You will need:
Motocross Helmet – approved by relevant safety checks and stamped by the MCI
Motocross Boots
Goggles
Chest Protector
Neck protection – this is compulsory for youths, highly recommended for adults (eg Leatt Brace)
Kidney Belt
Knee & Elbow pads

Most top motocross outlets will have start up deals on gear. It is also possible to buy second hand gear for current riders although it would be highly recommended that you don’t buy a second hand helmet.

What type bike to buy:
For a youth rider your age will determine what capacity machine you can ride so you will just be choosing between different brands. The big four Japanese companies; Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki are very popular. Austrian KTM’s and Italian TM’s are also quite popular. The age brackets for youth riders can be found under the “Forms” link.

For an adult rider your choices include the brands mentioned above and then choosing between 450cc 4-strokes, 250cc 4-strokes, 250cc 2-strokes and 125cc 2-strokes. For an absolute beginner a 125cc 2-stroke or 250cc 4-stroke would be recommended. These bikes have plenty of power and are great for learning on.