Understand the ins and outs of BMX Racing and get the details on all the important aspects of the sport here!
Get the Low-Down
On Racing
What is a BMX race anyway?
BMX racing at Northern BMX Club is all about adrenaline and fun! Here's how it works: Riders line up on the starting hill and race down the track, navigating berms, jumps, and other obstacles. You'll be competing against others in your age (based on age at December 31st that year) and proficiency group, with races typically involving up to eight riders. The first rider to cross the finish line wins! It's a test of speed, skill, and strategy, and it's an absolute blast whether you're a seasoned pro, new novice, or little mini or sprocket! We use a 'moto' system, where riders compete in several heats to earn points. This means you get multiple chances to race and improve your position!
Race Day Breakdown
Race day at Northern BMX Club is always buzzing with excitement! It's a fantastic opportunity to put your skills to the test, have some fun, and enjoy the camaraderie of the BMX community. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect on race day...
Entry & Registration
Entry for racing can be completed online before the event (we use Entryboss), or at the track during practice times.
Once you've entered, head to the scoring window to check your transponder (if applicable) and entry details and confirm you're present and ready to race!
*Note: entry on the day is usually only available for club-level racing and not at all tracks. Make sure you don't miss out and enter early online if you can!
Sit Tight in Staging
With all riders in the staging area, the 'Stager' will start to line up riders in moto order. Racing is quick, so this part moves fast!
When your moto is called (race/category) follow the stager's direction on which lane to head to. This is where you'll line up with your fellow racers and get ready to hit the gate.
Gate numbers are supplied by the 'Stager' at the top of the hill, and then it's time to race!
Get some Practice
Once you're all registered, it's time to hit the track for practice! This is your chance to warm up, familiarize yourself with the track, and practice your lines.
Practice sessions are usually divided into age groups to ensure everyone stays safe. Just line up with your age group and take as many laps as you like within your group time.
Watch the gate...
This is the part you've been waiting for! Each rider will line up for 3 motos during the initial block of racing, or 4 if you are a Sprocket or Mini-Wheeler (cycling through each category). At the conclusion of these motos, all other categories take a short break while the scorer finalised the ranks and draws the finals!
Based on your moto finishes and the number of riders for your category, you may have to race 1/8, quarter, or semi-finals to determine who makes the main final. Don't fret though, your day is not over if you miss out on those top 8 spots! We race a series of X finals so everyone get's to smash out a final lap!
Listen Up for "The Bells"
Once registrations close the scorer will complete the "draw" where the categories are merged (if required), and then riders are randomly sorted into motos.
Once the race order and draw is ready the race director will call "Riders to the Pits" which is usually accompanied by playing ACDC - Hells Bells! This is your cue to head to the staging area ready to race!
Celebrate with your Mates!
Once the racing is done and the dust settles, don't forget to congratulate your racemates on a job well done. BMX may be an individual sport, but we are a strong community who ride as one. Competition on the track, camaraderie off the track!
You can keep track of how you went (and check to see if you have to present for qualifying rounds) on Our Sqorz. Each race is published there, updated live as scoring progresses, and saved to look back on!
Bookmark Our Sqorz for race results!
The Track
Forget boring old playgrounds! BMX tracks in Australia are where the real action is. Every track is a unique beast, with its own personality and challenges, guaranteeing a thrilling ride whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out.
Across the country, you'll discover tracks built from a mix of gravel, dirt, bitumen, and aggregate – each surface offering a different feel and challenge. These aren't your average bike paths! Think twisting circuits around 350-400 meters long, packed with obstacles designed to get your adrenaline pumping.
Starting Hill: The Race Begins!
Every BMX race starts with a rush of adrenaline as riders line up on the starting hill. This steep ramp, typically 2 to 5 meters high, gives riders the initial speed and momentum they need to tackle the course. The starting gate holds riders in place until it drops, unleashing a burst of energy as they fly down the ramp and into the first turn.
Berms: Cornering with Speed
Berms are banked corners that allow riders to maintain speed by leaning into the turn. Instead of braking, riders use the berm's shape to guide them through the corner, carrying their momentum into the next section. Navigating berms effectively requires a good sense of balance and control, but the feeling of flying through a turn is worth the effort.
Jumps: Taking Flight
BMX tracks wouldn't be complete without jumps. These vary in size and shape, from small rollers that give a taste of flight to larger doubles and triples that challenge even the most experienced riders. Jumps require precise timing and control, as riders need to judge their speed and distance to land safely and maintain momentum.
Rhythm Sections: Finding the Flow
Rhythm sections are a series of rollers and jumps that test a rider's ability to maintain speed and "flow" through the course. By pumping their legs and using the terrain to their advantage, riders can generate momentum and navigate these sections smoothly. It takes practice and a good understanding of the track to master rhythm sections, but the feeling of linking jumps and rollers seamlessly is incredibly rewarding.
The Skills
Think BMX racing is just about pedaling like crazy? Think again! It's a full-body and mind workout that demands a unique blend of skills. If you want to conquer the track and leave your rivals in the dust, you'll need to master these bad boys:
Power and Speed: Unleash Your Inner Rocket
BMX starts are explosive, like a drag race on two wheels. You need lightning-fast reflexes and legs of steel to burst out of the gate and grab the holeshot. And it doesn't stop there! Powering out of corners and sprinting to the finish line requires serious strength and stamina. Think of yourself as a human-powered rocket, constantly accelerating and pushing the limits.
Bike Handling: Become a BMX Jedi
Forget cruising down the street, BMX tracks are like obstacle courses on steroids. You need Jedi-like bike-handling skills to navigate berms, jumps, and rhythm sections with precision and control. It's a delicate dance between balance, agility, and knowing exactly how your bike will react to every twist and turn. Master pumping, manuals, and smooth handling, and you'll flow through the track like a maestro.
Jumping Technique: Defy Gravity (Safely)
Jumps are where the real thrills are, but they're also where things can go wrong in a hurry. Perfecting your jumping technique is crucial, not just for sticking those landings but also for maximizing speed and efficiency. It's about finding the sweet spot between launching yourself into orbit and maintaining control in the air. Think of it as a graceful ballet with a side of adrenaline.
Race Strategy: Outsmart Your Rivals
BMX racing isn't just about brute force, it's a game of chess on wheels. Knowing when to make your move, how to pass opponents, and which lines to choose can make all the difference. It's about reading the track, anticipating your rivals' moves, and having the confidence to execute your plan. A little bit of cunning goes a long way in BMX.
Learn the Lingo
So, you're hooked on the adrenaline rush of BMX racing, eh? Want to impress your mates at the track and sound like you know your stuff? Well, saddle up and get ready to expand your BMX vocabulary! This glossary is your guide to the lingo, the slang, and the technical terms that make up the unique language of BMX. From berms to biff, sprockets to starting gates, we've got you covered. Master these terms and you'll be dropping BMX knowledge like a pro in no time.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Age | Age for BMX category allocation is based on age at 31st December that year. |
BMX | Bicycle Motocross. |
Bars | Short for handlebars. |
Berm | A banked corner on a BMX track that helps riders maintain speed. |
Berm Official | A race official/commissaire responsible for monitoring the conduct of the riders on the track and for notifying other officials of conditions on the track which may warrant their attention. |
Block | To prevent another rider from passing by moving into their path. |
Bottom Bracket | The bearings and spindle that connect the cranks to the frame. |
Brake Pad | The part of the brake that contacts the rim or disc to slow the bike. |
Case | To land a jump hard and flat. |
Cassette | A set of sprockets on the rear wheel that allows riders to change gears. |
Category/Class | The groupings of riders based on age, gender, skill level, and bike type. |
Chain | The series of links that connects the chainring to the cassette to transfer power to the rear wheel. |
Chain Tensioner | A device that keeps the chain tight. |
Chainring | The front gear on a BMX bike. |
Chainwheel | Another term for chainring. |
Clipless Pedals | Pedals that attach to special shoes, allowing riders to pull up as well as push down on the pedals. |
Crank | The arm that connects the pedals to the bottom bracket. |
Cruiser | A BMX with 24 inch wheels |
DNF | Did Not Finish (a race). |
DNS | Did Not Start (a race). |
Disc Brake | A type of brake that uses a disc and caliper to slow the bike. |
Double | A jump with two mounds, allowing riders to "double" their airtime. |
Down Tube | The main tube on the frame that runs from the head tube to the bottom bracket. |
Dropout | The slots in the frame where the wheels are attached. |
Entry/Nomination | The process of officially registering to compete in a race or event. |
Flats/Flat Pedals | Pedals with a flat surface and no clips. |
Fork | The front part of the bike that holds the front wheel. |
Frame | The main structure of the bike. |
Gate | The starting gate that holds riders in place before the start of a race. |
Gate Check | A race official/commissaire responsible for confirming riders lined up at the gate |
Gear Ratio | The ratio of teeth on the chainring to the teeth on the rear cog, which determines how easy or hard it is to pedal. |
Grip | The rubber grips on the handlebars. |
Handlebars | The steering control of the bike. |
Headset | The bearings that allow the handlebars to turn. |
Holeshot | To get the lead at the start of a race and come into the first turn before any other rider. |
Hub | The center of a wheel. |
Knobby Tyres | Tires with large knobs for traction on dirt tracks. |
Loop Out | When a rider pulls up too hard on the handlebars while doing a manual, causing the bike to flip over backwards. |
Main (Final) | The last race in a competition, where the top riders compete for the win. Sometimes called A Final |
Manual | To lift the front wheel of the bike and ride on the back wheel. |
Mechanical | A temporary stoppage of a race or practice session to allow a rider to fix a problem with their bike. |
Mini-Wheeler | A very young BMX racer, typically riding a balance bike or a small-wheeled BMX bike (usually with 18" wheels). |
Moto | A heat or race with up to eight riders. |
Moto Draw | The process of randomly assigning riders to motos. |
Over-manual | A manual where the rider balances past the point of equilibrium, requiring them to shift their weight back to avoid looping out. |
Overjump | To jump too far and land past the downslope of a jump. |
Pedal Strike | When the pedals hit the ground while riding. |
Pits | The area where riders and teams work on their bikes and prepare for races. |
Podium | The raised platform where the top three finishers in a race stand to receive their awards. |
Pro Section | The larger set of jumps on a BMX track, typically for advanced riders. |
Pump Track | A small, looping track with rollers and berms designed for practicing pumping and jumping techniques. |
Registration | When the rider attends to the scoring area to record their presence for the race (usually by transponder check). |
Relegation | To be moved to last place in a race result, usually due to a rule infraction. |
Retro BMX | BMX bikes and racing that hark back to the early days of the sport, often featuring vintage bikes and classic styles. |
Rhythm Section | A series of rollers and jumps that require precise timing and pumping. |
Riders Advocate | A race official/commissaire who represents a rider in relation to appeals concerning procedural matters. |
Rim | The outer part of a wheel. |
Roller | A small mound on the track that can be used to generate speed. |
Scorer | A race official/commissaire responsible for maintaining timing and scoring systems and finalising race results. |
Seat Post | The tube that connects the saddle to the frame. |
Sidehack | A sidecar attached to a BMX bike, typically used for racing with a passenger. |
Spoke | A thin metal rod that connects the hub to the rim of a wheel. |
Sprocket (bike part) | A toothed wheel in the cassette or freewheel. |
Sprocket (rider) | A young BMX racer, usually in the 5-7 age group. |
Stager | A race official/commissaire responsible for directing riders into staging lanes according to race scheduls, and ensuring riders safety equipment is correct. |
Staging | The area where riders line up before entering the starting gate. |
Starter/Gate Starter | A race official/commissaire responsible for operation of the starting gate to control and conduct the start of each race. |
Stem | The part that connects the handlebars to the fork. |
Step Down | A jump where the landing is lower than the takeoff. |
Step Up | A jump where the landing is higher than the takeoff. |
Straight | A straight section of track. |
Tabletop | A jump with a flat top. |
Top Tube | The horizontal tube on the frame that runs from the head tube to the seat tube. |
Transponder | An electronic device attached to the bike that records lap times and finishing positions. |
Triple | A jump with three mounds. |
Tube | The inner, inflatable part of a tire. |
Tyre | The outer, rubber part of a wheel that makes contact with the ground. |
V-Brake | A type of rim brake that uses two arms to squeeze the rim. |
Whip | A trick where the rider throws the bike sideways in the air. |
X Finals | Consolation finals for riders who didn't qualify for the Main (A) final. The "X" is a placeholder for the letters following A, so you have B finals, C finals, D finals, and so on. |