WELCOME

BMX - Bicycle Motocross

Welcome to the wonderful world of BMX racing! The manual you hold is designed to try to provide a comprehensive, yet simple guide to the various aspects of the sport. In the early 1970's, a group of California kids were imitating their motorcycle motocross heroes on their 20-inch bicycles, and they built a homemade track to "race" their bicycles on. This new sport, created by kids, for kids, was happening throughout the nation. In 1974, the National Bicycle League (NBL) was formed as the first sanctioning organization to turn the backyard racing into an exciting, competitive sport on a local, state, national and international level. In 2011, USA BMX was born after the American Bicycle Association and the National Bicycle League united.

Getting Started

Equipment

Bicycle
Any bicycle can be used for competition. The handlebars must also have grips that are in good condition. If your bicycle has a kickstand, chain guard, reflectors, freestyle pegs or other gadgets, they must be removed for safety purposes on the track. We have tools and people to help you remove these parts.

One point to remember: Getting started with the right bike and BMX equipment is extremely important to a successful season. We do have some loaner beginner bmx racing bikes available for you to try. You will learn that a bike made for BMX racing will greatly help the rider on the track, starter bmx racing bikes are sold at local bike shops. We also have loaner helmets.

Gear
Helmet: A helmet is the most important part of your equipment! If you do not have a helmet to use, ask one of the track officials. We have some helmets available for you to borrow. For racing purposes, you must have either a full-face helmet or a helmet with a mouth guard attached.
Clothing: You must wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It is advised that if your pants are baggy and could possibly become entangled in the bike chain, you use some tape to fit the leg tight around your ankle. You will not be permitted to roll your pant leg up, all skin must be covered.
Optional: You may see many riders wearing gloves, chest protectors, extra padding, etc. These items are optional, however can be very helpful, especially to a new rider. Please ask any track official if you have questions about what is necessary or acceptable.

Membership

The track at Northmoreland Park is open to the general public during park hours, only if the track is not wet or muddy. Anyone can ride the track during those times if the track is dry. However to participate in any racing events or gate practices, you must sign up at our track to become a member of USA BMX. You may join USA BMX with a 30-day trial membership to see if you enjoy racing. If you decide that you like it and want to continue, you can then extend your membership for the year and will receive a membership card with your USA BMX number. The last 3 digits of that USA BMX number will be the number you will place on the front of your bike. You will also be given a number plate.

Things you will receive through you membership:

• USA BMX publication (monthly)
• Membership card
• Participant medical insurance
• Qualified officials
• National and state point standings
• Awards
• List of tracks and schedules of events

Racing

LEVELS: There are three skill levels in BMX: Novice (beginner), Intermediate and Expert. The brand new rider will start as a novice and will race other novices the same, or close to the same age. Age classes in BMX are one year apart, beginning with the 5 year old and under class and continuing up to the 17 and older classes. Beginning riders will continue to compete in the Novice class until they have won 15 races or raced for one year. When a beginner receives his 15 move-up awards, he then becomes a Intermediate.
The classes for girls are slightly different, they can run either as a "girl" or run in the boy classes. Please ask the Clerk of Course if you have any specific questions about the girl classes.

REGISTRATION: The first thing to do is check the local schedule to see what time registration begins. You will need to register prior to each race to be included. Simply go to the registration area and present your USA BMX membership card.

BIKE INSPECTION: The next stop you will need to make is at the "Bike Inspection Area." If you are not sure where that is, ask any track official. The inspector will check your bike to see that all fittings are tight, that there are grips and ends on the handlebars, and that your chain is fitting appropriately. He will also check that you have the appropriate clothing and helmet on. Once approved, he will place a sticker on your number plate. You will not be allowed to sit on the gate without an approval sticker.

PRACTICE: Before the race begins there will be a practice gate session. This is an open session and is not divided into classes or age groups (at the local level). One of the track officials is called the "Gate Starter." He/she is in charge of the gate area. During practice times, he will encourage riders to fill in all 8 gate spots.

DESIGN OF A RACE:
Officials:
You will notice many volunteers helping out during the races. Please realize that these folks are volunteers and do not get paid for the work that they do. Their only payment is for you to have a safe and fun race. Following is a list of the various positions of the officials:

• Track Director - functions as the chief referee for the day - final say in all decisions.
• Clerk of Course - in charge of the registration process
• Official for the Starting Hill - assuring that all riders are in the correct moto and the correct gate.
• Gate Starter - in charge of all gate activity
• Bike Inspector
• Announcer
• Corner Marshals - oversee each area of the track to record and observe racing. These are the folks who provide info to the referee in the event of a protest.
• Scorers - (3) at the finish line
• Paramedic may be present

Your track also has 1 Rider Representative available. This is an elected position and it is their responsibility to be your voice to the board. Please learn who your Rider Rep is and feel free to ask him/her questions and express your opinions on issues related to the racing program.

Racing Continued

Motos
A typical race consists of 3 separate races around the track (not at the same time). You will race once, and then you will have a break, then race again, take a break for a total of 3 races. These races are called motos. Once the official clerk has divided all racers into their class and age groups, they will post the moto sheets. These sheets will tell you what number moto you are in, what gates you will have for your motos. After completing your three races there will be a main event. If there are 8 or less riders in your class all riders will be in the main, if there are more than 8 riders the top 8 from the motos will advance to the main. It is your responsibility to check the moto sheets, to know the number of your moto and what gate you have for each race.

Racing
You will begin the race by sitting on the gate with the rest of your group. The Gate Starter will watch to make sure everyone is ready. He will then make a short announcement and push the button to begin the gate sequence. If the Gate Starter is beginning before you feel you are ready, you need to speak loudly saying, "hold the gate" and raise your hand. The Gate Starter will wait until you are ready. If you do not let the starter know you are not ready, he cannot be held responsible for beginning without you.

During the race there are officials posted at various points around the track to observe the racers and watch for offenses. If you feel that someone has purposely done something wrong to you during the race, you need to raise your hand in protest immediately after crossing the finish line. One of the officials will hear your complaint and judge the action. No protests will be honored later or will be accepted if voiced by anyone other than you the rider. A parent may not protest for a child - the child must raise the protest.

What happens if I am the only one in my class who shows up to race?
If there are not enough riders to make a class, the rider will be combined with another group. For instance, if you are the only 10-year old novice who shows up, you may be combined with the 11- year old novice class just for the purposes of running the moto. This prevents you from having to travel the track by yourself.

When this race is finished, there will be 2 first place trophies awarded. No matter how you finish, you will receive a first, because you are truly the only rider in your class. There will also be a first place 11-year old rider. You will not receive a move-up point for this race. There must be at least 3 riders in the same class on the gate for move-up awards.

At the end of your racing for the day, you may go to the registration area to pick up your trophy. You will need to tell the trophy staff your name and what moto number you were in. Please realize that the trophy staff is working as fast as they possibly can, be patient!

The points that you add up all year, decide what track plate you can ride for the following year. For example, you may come out with the most points of everyone in your class based on your performance. You will be given a #1 plate to wear on your bike at the local track for the following year.

That is how local BMX racing works! Let's move on and look at other levels you can participate in.

Pennsylvania State Series

There are 4 tracks in our region that are part of the PA series:

• Johnstown BMX, PA
• Drake Well BMX/Titusville, PA
• South Park BMX/Pittsburgh, PA
• Westmoreland BMX/Apollo, PA

The state series consists of qualifying races and one state championship. A qualifier is a weekend race held at each track. Each track in the state hosts either a qualifier or the championship each year.

Any registered rider may participate in the state series. It does not matter what place you take in the qualifiers, you can still compete in the championship. Points accumulate with each of the qualifiers and do count towards the championship.

The State Championship rotates to a different track each year. Based on the number of points you enter the championship with and the place you take in the championship race itself, you will be awarded a state place for the year. For example, you may earn the #1 10-year-old Novice plate for the year in the state. You will be awarded a trophy and a number plate with "1". There will also be a small letter after the number telling the class you are in (rookie, novice, etc). Your plate will say "1" r. You can then wear that plate on your bike for the next racing year at all state and local races, until another #1 is awarded.

The State Series is a great way to improve your racing skills. You will be racing against the best kids in the state and that can only help you get better. Plus it is a lot of fun!

USA BMX NATIONAL SERIES

The highest level you can race at is the National Series. You must complete 6 national races to compete in the National Championship. Again the awards are given based on points accrued as well as the place taken in the Championship. If you win the national #1 novice plate you can wear that plate at any race for the following year.

The schedule for the National Series can also be found at http://usabmx.com

THE WORLDS

Certain national riders may qualify to go to the World Championship. This race rotates to a different country each year.

The different levels of racing can be very confusing at first. Please feel free to contact any of your track officials and they can point you towards helpful information about the various series.

Conclusion

Well that is BMX racing in a nutshell! I hope it sounds exciting. Westmoreland BMX will work very hard to make your season successful.

It takes many people to keep Westmoreland BMX going. The track itself and all areas inside of the fence are maintained by the organization, not by the Park. For this reason, volunteers are always welcome and needed. Whether you would like to become an official and work the race itself, volunteer to help in the concession stand, or simply cut some grass every now and then, we accept all help graciously.

Financially the organization is self-supporting also. We do not keep money collected for registration, your yearly fees are given to USA BMX and your weekly fees get divided up between trophy and operating costs. Therefore the only money we get to keep is that which is donated for sponsorship, advertising and what we bring in from the concession stand. Monies that we do make are used for promotions, operating expenses, track maintenance and track rebuilds.

The parks department is good to our organization, without them we would not have a track at all! Please be courteous and respectful to the park staff and police. Also please respect the park itself by not littering and by cleaning up your area after you are done.