The Earlystocks Racing Club
How To Start Racing
STARTING RACING WITH THE EARLYSTOCKS RACING CLUB
To start Motorcycle racing with the Earlystocks Racing Club you have to be at least 15 years of age,
due to the restrictions relating to the age at which you can race machines of a certain size.
As well as the obvious requirement to have a suitable motorcycle there are a number of other
requirements that you must comply with.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE MORE COMMON QUESTIONS:
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO FIRST?
To race a motorcycle at authorised race meetings, you have to hold a Road Race Licence issued by the
Auto Cycle Union (ACU) who are the governing body of motorcycle road racing in England and Wales.
Therefore the first thing to do is to obtain a licence.
GETTING A RACE LICENCE, WHAT DOES THAT INVOLVE?
There is now a requirement to attend a Pre Licence Qualification Course (ACU-T) before a new Road
Race licence can be issued. This is a classroom-based course, organised by the ACU, designed to
ensure everyone understands the basic safety and organisational requirements to participate in road
racing. Courses generally start at 11am and conclude at 3pm. The cost of this course is £50.
Courses are available at various venues and dates throughout the year. You must pass this course
before you can apply for your licence. Application forms for this course are available from the ACU
at ACU House Wood Street Rugby CV12 2YX. Tel no 01788 566410. Or www.acu.org.uk As are
the licence application forms.
A race licence will cost you £40 and is valid from 1st January until 31st December each year. In
most circumstances, provided you are reasonably fit there is no need for a medical but an eyesight
examination is required.
When you have complied with the above requirements and completed the licence application form there
is one further thing to do. That is to join the Earlystocks Racing Club (this will cost £15) which is
affiliated to the ACU. A licence can only be issued to someone who is a member of an ACU affiliated
club. In practice most people send the ACU licence application form, with a stamped addressed
envelope addressed to the ACU, to the Earlystocks Racing Club along with the Earlystocks membership
form. The club secretary will then countersign your licence application form and forward it direct
to the ACU.
WHAT CAN I RACE?
All bikes must comply with the eligibility rules, which are very basically, twin shock air cooled
production machines available pre 1990. There are however a few restrictions that apply to newcomers
to road racing that relate to age and type of road licence held.
At the age of 16 you are restricted to an up to 250cc 2 stroke, up to 400cc 4 stroke machine, or a
twin cylinder 4 stroke up to 500cc.
At the age of 17 if you hold a category A road licence, you can race an up to 600 cc machine.
At the age of 18 you can race an up to 600cc machine however if you have a category A road licence
there are no restrictions.
I'VE OBTAINED MY RACE LICENCE AND WANT TO ENTER A RACE?
When you join the Earlystocks race club you will be forwarded all the forms that are required to
join the other clubs that the Earlystocks club runs with. On joining these clubs they will then
forward to you the race entry forms. You can participate in as many or as few events as you wish.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER A RACE?
The costs vary and are very much dependant on what club you are running with and at what circuit. To
give you some idea of entry, here are the costs for 2005:
Mallory park: £90.
Anglesey: £70.
Three Sisters: £70.
Darley Moor: £75.
Donington Park, Snetterton, Castle Combe, between £95- £100.
At most events your entry fee includes morning practice and then usually 2 Earlystocks races.
WHAT CIRCUITS DO YOU RUN AT?
We run at a combination of: Mallory Park (either 5 or 6 meetings at this track) Darley Moor, Three
Sisters, Anglesey, Snetterton, Cadwell, Oulton Park, Donington Park, Castle Combe, Pembrey, Brands Hatch. However the
details of dates and circuits aren't normally finalised until January.
Please note these details are meant for guidance only and relate to Earlystocks eligible machines
only. If in any doubt about any of the information given please contact either the Earlystocks
Racing Club or the ACU.