Starting Grass Track

First things first. Do you know what Grass Track is? Although it shares a lot of similarities with Speedway, don’t confuse the two or its larger cousin, Long Track.

You will need to belong to a club affiliated to the centre in which you intend to ride (there are discrepancies in that statement which will be made clear later). Selecting a club suitable for yourself is important and it is recommended that you read the page on Joining a Club before parting with hard earned money.

You will of course need a machine and suitable clothing etc. It is suggested that you consider purchasing ‘good’ second hand equipment but combining that with the best new helmet you can afford. A good quality helmet of the appropriate standard for grass track racing is a must - your head is your most valuable commodity. Granted, depending on your age you may think that other parts have greater value, but no, your head MUST be looked after.

Most people, but not all, will enjoy their first forays into the world of grass track racing but if you find it is not for you then by purchasing second-hand equipment, it is possible to cut your losses without incurring too much of a financial loss. However, if you start with new equipment, you will find that the items have lost a considerable part of their value as soon as they ‘leave the box’.

Before you are able to take part in a grass track event you will need to purchase a Competition License and the requisite License Application Form should be available from your club secretary. Purchase of this license also includes affiliation to the ACU.

The purchase of a machine not only depends on how much you can afford but may also be related to your age, particularly if you are still at school. Please refer to the current ACU Handbook for the machine capacity that may be permitted to ride. A copy of the current ACU handbook should be provided when you obtain your license.

As in most aspects of life it is best to know and understand the rules. Rules are not written for others to comply with, they are written for the safety of all concerned (competitors, organisers and spectators), and a desire to ensure ‘fair play’ between competitors. Knowledge of the rules can also give you an edge over your competitors.

Almost certainly, you will find grass track to be harder than you had anticipated, both from the physical standpoint as well as mentally. Don’t start the sport expecting to win - that is MOST unlikely! Instead, aim to finish each race, gaining experience with each outing. If you go like a ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ for the first lap and then fall off - what have you learned? You have learned that Mother Earth is pretty hard and unforgiving - but I assume you already know that - but if you finish, then you have a far better challenge for the next race - to beat that rider who just pipped you last time out!

Normally it will be necessary to enter an event before the day in order for a programme of events etc. to be compiled. To do this it is necessary to complete an entry form and send it together with the event entry fee to the Secretary of the Meeting. Most grass track events are of either Centre Restricted/Open to Centre, Regional Restricted or Open. The definition is in fact quite simple: Centre Restricted - the event is open to members of any clubs which comprise the Eastern Centre; Regional Restricted - the event is open to members of any club belonging to the centres defined in the regulations, for our part of the world this would normally be ourselves (the Eastern Centre), the South-Eastern Centre, the Southern Centre or the South-Midland Centre and occasionally the East-Midland Centre; Open - the equivalent to a National but where the permit is issued by the local centre.

Entry forms for Eastern Centre events are published in the monthly Eastern Centre Gazette which is normally obtainable from your club. However, if you intend to travel further afield and enter grass track events in other centres, e.g. Regional Restricted, then it may be necessary to purchase The Sporting Motorcyclist which is published in the Southern, South-Eastern and South- Midland Centres. Distribution of The Sporting Motorcyclist is undertaken by Andy Wood.