Types of races in the UK
So you have enjoyed coaching and training and you want to race your BMX and test your skills and speed against other riders. There are three main levels of racing in the UK.
Club race series, which is what it sounds, it is a race series run by a club or a series of clubs. Look out for details on their social media channels. You often sign up online in advance directly to the club or sign up and pay on the day.
Regionals are run as a series by the six BMX regions in the UK. You have to ride regionals to qualify for the British Championships which takes place in August each year. The regions include the South, the South West, the Midlands, the East, the North and Scotland. There will be a regional ranking in each category which will be denoted in the race number used by each rider at the British Championships. The winner of the British Championships will get to use the 01 race plate number for the next 12 months.
Nationals are coordinated in collaboration with British Cycling. There are 10 national races over 5 race weekends. Nationals not only create a national ranking for riders in each category, but also enable riders to qualify for the next year’s European and World Championships. Your national ranking from the year before will usually dictate your race plate number for the following year, 1 denoting the National number 1.
Credit - BMX Widow Photography
Novice Vs Expert
Club races will have a novice and an expert category. Regionals may have a novice category. Nationals are only for expert riders. Novice riding is where riders cut their teeth and learn how to put those coaching tips into practice. Novice riders do not use transponders but do need a race plate and a number. Expert riders must use a transponder fixed to their bike and must have a race plate (and side plates for nationals). They must also have a provisional race licence with British Cycling. When starting out as an expert rider use the last three numbers of your British Cycling membership number as your race plate number.
Essential Equipment
If you want to race then you need to make sure you have:
- A bike you can use which is in good condition and is safe to deal with the challenges a BMX race track will throw at it.
- Full face helmet that has a chin bar that fits snugly and meets the BS EN 1078 safety certification.
- Your legs and arms covered. Ide
- ally you should have body armour, knee and elbow protection. You also must wear gloves.
- A race plate and ideally side plates with your race number on them.
Transponders and SQORZ
For club racing you may only need to be a club member but for regionals and above you need British Cycling Membership and a race license.
A working transponder with an active licence if you plan on racing as an expert.
BMX racing in the UK uses a specific and consistent transponder and racing system. The transponders are made by MyLaps and can be purchased online. You need an active licence for the transponder to work and you need a computer to activate a new transponder. Don’t try and charge the transponder with the USB plug, it won’t work, it will just drain the battery. When the battery is running low you need to change it for a new one.
The transponder will work with a timing loop at BMX tracks. When the loop is activated then you can see your times on https://my.sqorz.com/. this will usually include a hill time and a full lap time. When it comes to racing you need to use https://our.sqorz.com/ and navigate to your local club or race series. There you will be able to check you are registered in the correct category, to see what races (motos) you are in and see your times and results against other expert riders.
You can buy a MyLaps ProChip Flex which is compatible for BMX Racing in the UK here.
Booking Onto a Race
Booking onto a race will depend upon whether it is a club, regional or national race. Club races will typically have online signs ups on their website or using another web platform. Look out for links from their social media channels. To sign up for regionals and nationals you need to create an account and sign up via the British Cycling website. You can also search for events near you on the British Cycling website here. You will need an active British Cycling membership and race licence. If you are signing up a child for a race you will need to have an adult account with British Cycling as well as a child account to sign them up. You pay directly to British Cycling for race entries. You will need your race plate number when you are signing up for the event so read the section below.
Race Plates and Numbers
Front race plates are mandatory for regional racing and both front and side plates are needed for national racing and the British Championships. There are lots of different makes of race plates, but the regions usually give you stickers for the British Championships to fit Box plates. There are two main sizes of plates, Large for adults and Small for youths and juniors (and Cruisers). Novice riders can use a plain white background but Expert riders have to use a background colour specified by British Cycling.
Boys – yellow background with black writing
Girls – blue background with white writing
Cruiser (24” wheels) – red background with white writing
For Expert riders your plate should have your racing age (the age you will become that calendar year) identified on your plate.
Plates need to be securely fastened to your bike. Box plates come with Velcro straps but cable ties are also a popular option.
When starting out as an Expert rider use the last three digits from your British Cycling membership number. Once you are competing in the 9 years or above category you will be given a national ranking from the year before. This then should be used as your race plate number for that national season. The only exceptions to this in the UK are if you have a World (W1-W8) or European (E1-E8) plate for finishing in the top 8 in either competition or if you won the British Championships in which case, you can use the 01 race number. These special race plate numbers can only be used until the next European, World or British Championships have finished.
You can buy a Box race plate suitable for BMX Racing in the UK here.
British Cycling Race Licences
To race at regional races, you will need a British Cycling provisionally race licence. To race at national races, you will need a full race licence.
The cost of a race licence via British Cycling is:
Up to 15 years of age = free
Aged 16-18 (juniors) = £20 year
Aged 18+ = £40 year
To sign up for British Cycling membership please visit here.
Are you getting ready for your first BMX race day?
