Start Roadracing
So You Want To Come Bike Racing With The PCRA
Dear New Racer,
Well first of all welcome, the Post Classic Racing Association of NSW is a road racer's club.
We go racing.
We don't often go riding out together and at the present time we are rarely away from the race track. Although we do hold monthly general club meetings to discuss events and general bike business
But we do go racing and this short guide is designed to help you get to the track and enjoy your first couple of meetings
At first sight the process may seem a little intimidating, I guess that it is. But once you have this document in your hand the process should begin to be a bit easier
The PCRA recognises that there is a lot to take in on the first couple of meets. So, we have introduced a mentoring scheme for new racers.
Quite simply, if you e-mail one of the committee members and tell us the type of bike that you want to race we will find someone in the club with a similar bike, introduce you to them and they will help you through the first couple of meetings and put you in touch with like minded people.
The PCRA is getting quite progressive these days; we are currently trialing New Era 1 and New Era 2. These two new classes include bikes of all capacities right up to 1995. So relatively modern bikes can be raced.
Also, the PCRA enjoys a very close relationship with the Bucket Racing Association of NSW. The BRA races small capacity bikes.
The bucket class includes bikes with restricted development up to 150cc's and the Motolite class includes bikes up to 150cc's and 80cc water cooled bikes.
The BRA is an ideal entry class as the racing is competitive, terminal velocities are low and the price of entry can be minimal - a basic racing bike can often cost less than $1000.
At the present time, the PCRA caters for both converted road bikes and production racers, so come on and have a go, racing is much more fun than ride days or road runs and is much safer than riding on the road.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Sue Dorling President, PCRA NSW
Starting Out
- Doing Your Research
- What You Need
- Choosing a Bike
- Getting The Bike Ready
- Documentation
- Flags
- On Your First Race Day
- Getting Permanently Organised
1. Doing Your Research
Come To The Track!
There is no better way to understand what it's all about than coming to the track and talking to competitors, so do it! Check out our website and the bike press to find the PCRA meeting dates and locations and come on out.
Introduce yourself and chat to the competitors. Say that you actually are serious about racing and they will offer lots of help and guidance.
Try to understand both the type of bike that you want to ride and also the level of maintenance that you want to do to the bike.
There are always bikes for sale and people at the track ready to help you buy one!.
If you don't have a lot of skill in the maintenance area this will influence the type of bike that you race. But you learn quickly and there are lots of resources and people with skills around. Once in the swing of things you will find that you can often get technical work done inexpensively for cash or kind!
Be A Flag Marshal!
Check out a race meeting and then ask one of the competitors who to see about flag marshalling. We always need 'flaggies' and you need to know which flags do what and what they mean. A day or two flagging will make them very familiar and also enable you to get to know bits of the track and some of the corner lines!
Being a flag marshal will also help you to select a bike and class that is right for you, you'll see them racing real close up.
And there are big bonuses for flagging beyond a track side seat, including a free lunch and a beer at the end of the day!!.
Get On The Net
You have this document, but the net is a terrific resource. The PCRA has this website, as does the Bucket Race Association. There are local discussion forums out there that are good for information, bike and equipment sales and other information, check them out and read as much as possible.
Check out www.motorcycling.com.au and get a copy of the General Competition Rules (The GCR's). There is an annual printed copy of the GCR's that is the reference document for all racers.
The GCR's detail general racing rules and specific class rules. Some of the classes like the BRA Classes and the New Era and Period 6 rules are not in the GCR's as they are in development but the main racing rules are there.
It's good to read them up.
Contact The PCRA
Use the PCRA discussion forum to introduce yourself to the club, The PCRA discussion forum will help you to meet people, access gear, technical advice and you will probably be able to get a bike from the forum if you place a wanted ad
If you ask for help at the forum a helping hand will be extended!
∧ back to top...2. What You Need
To come racing you need:
- A Bike
- A set of leathers
- A good pair of gloves
- A pair of riding boots
- A helmet
- A back protector
The Bike
Choice of bike is a critical factor. Post Classic (Period 4) and Forgotten Era (Period 5) bikes now need a logbook. The logbook determines that the bike is correctly presented, engineered and does not have 'wrong' bits on it - later model forks, brakes, wheels etc .
New Era bikes are more recent, more available and usually cheaper
Existing race machines may be sold with a logbook; Period 6, New Era and BRA Bikes do not need log books. Log books application forms are available from the Motorcycling NSW website.
There are safety requirements for racing, at a basic level sump plugs need wiring, handlebars need plugging, lights and indicators need removing.
If you are starting with a road bike and getting it ready for racing expect to do a fair bit of work to the bike. It is much easier getting an existing race bike.
Please remember that most of us race on Sunday and work on Monday. Good raced gear will pay for itself when you don't have to miss work on Monday!.
A Set Of Leathers
To race you must have leathers that do not have any tears or holes. Zips must be in good order.
Two piece leathers must zip together at the waist.
Leathers can be bought second hand for a few hundred dollars or custom made for thousands.
The smart buy is new one-piece leathers for about $700. Made in Pakistan, these leathers have great protection at a brilliant price. They are important protection so buy well.
A Good Pair Of Gloves
Ever slid your hand along a brick wall?
Buy good gloves. Do not skimp.
Spend about $150 and purchase a set of gloves with carbon fibre style knuckles. This is good value and they will last a decade and save your hands.
A Pair Of Riding Boots
I started racing in motocross boots (and a MX helmet). They were not exactly the most current race boots but they fulfilled the protection criteria set down in the GCR's. If you have riding boots for a bike they will probably do. Again, your trip to the track will give you a good handle on exactly what you need.
A Helmet
You've only one head and you'll need it.
Again, I replaced my MX helmet with a $600 Shoie. It lasted one hour on the track before I high sided and wrote it off.
It was a cheap investment even though it cost $600; it did its job!
You can buy helmets that comply for about $150. They meet the requirements and if they fit well are very adequate. You may wish to buy the latest and greatest composite 'dome', but if your budget is limited buy a new polycarbonate.
A Tip: Find a new helmet that fits well and then look carefully inside the helmet. The date of manufacture is on the inside of the helmet usually under the lining.
Get the most recently made one that fits you well regardless of colour and style!. Polycarbonate helmets should only be raced for a maximum of 3 years.
A Back Protector
Invented by the late great Barry Sheene (Bazza), a back protector is an armadillo like shield for your spine.
They cost $70, you must have one to go road racing.
∧ back to top...3. Choosing a Bike
There could be a book written about choosing a bike.
In short, the best thing to do is to come to the track, chat to people and then make your decision wether to buy a $1,000 bucket racer or a cheap RD250, a big Honda or a highly collectable TZ250.
For a first season it's probably wise to buy something reliable and inexpensive, that way you can concentrate on riding and then upgrade later on as you progress or when something special comes along.
∧ back to top...4. Getting The Bike Ready
As above there is a long book to be written about race preparation, but there are some general 'bits' that need doing to prepare the bike for the track.
Again, your research trip to the racetrack should include a visit to the scrutineering bay. Here you will see prepared bikes being checked and on occasion rejected!
But watching the scrutineering will give you a good idea of what's around, what's being raced and what's required.
But generally you need to:
Wire the sump plug to the frame
Plug the handlebar ends (there are ready-made plugs for $25 a pair)
Put ball end levers on
Fit metal dust caps on the tyre valves
Remove all dangerous protrusions
Ensure that all components are tight
Ensure that all wheel and swing arm bearings are in good order
5. Documentation
If you have a motorcycle license you do not need a competition license in order to race.
You can race on a day license, however, day licenses are not always available on race day and you must be able to demonstrate that you are capable of knowing all of the answers to the racing knowledge test.
It does get very busy on race day so it is wise to check in advance if the provision for day licenses exists (It usually does with the PCRA).
If you do not have a competition license or a motorcycle license you must be able to demonstrate to club officials that you can ride and control a bike.
You must however be a member of the PCRA. Membership costs $65 per annum, is valid for 12 months and falls due on the 31st December each year.
A membership form can be submitted on race day but it is usually better to also get this organised in advance (Allow at about 4 weeks from the date that you post the application for receipt of your club membership card).
A race entry must be submitted, again you can enter on the day, this is generally a bit of a pain for club officials and again takes time. Entering on the day also incurs an additional cost.
Entry forms are usually available on the club web site or are available on request prior to the meeting.
So, for a first event you need to:
- Join the PCRA
- Get your gear, log book (if required) & bike together
- Put in your race entry
- Show your bike log book - if it needs one and get a day license
- Get the bike checked
- Sign on
- Attend the rider's briefing
- Go racing
You will be allocated a race number for the day by the club, although it is possible to reserve a number for yourself by registering a number. But leave that for after your first meeting.
After your first event you should really apply to Motorcycling NSW for a competition license.
click here for more info on race licenses >>.
There are club and national licenses, a couple of events or interstate events require you to have a national license. You can race club days on a club license but a national license is required for state and national title meetings.
The application forms and the knowledge test is attached to this document.
You have to do the knowledge test and send it to the club official for 'marking'
When you pass that test you send the test, the competition application form and a couple of mug shots off with a fairly large sum of money (about $250) and you have a license to race for 12 months.
∧ back to top...6. Flags - Know your flags
You have to know your flags to compete and they are in the test but here is a brief outline
Yellow stationary Hazard ahead, maintain your position and a safe speed
Yellow waved As above slow down carefully
Yellow and red bars Oil or debris on track
Red Race is stopped proceed with caution to the pits
Blue Waved Someone is about to overtake you
Green Race or a clear track
Chequered waved or held You have won or finished
Black with a number Leave the track at the next pit entry
∧ back to top...7. On Your First Race Day...
Arrive at the track bright and early and get a good position for your bike close to other competitors with similar machines. Pit positions are sometimes pre booked, but mostly it's just bunk in.
Sometimes pit shelters have to be paid for, we normally bunk a few bikes in together to reduce costs. Ask someone what the go is.
Get unpacked and look for the sign on locations and scrutineering.
Sign on early and avoid the rush - wear your leathers, and take your gloves, helmet, boots and back protector along for checking.
Get the bike scrutineered early and avoid the rush.
Go to the rider's briefing and and listen to the riders instructions. Useful information about starting procedures and track safety matters are issued by the clerk of the course. You must attend this briefing and you must sign after the briefing to acknowledge that you have attended.
Get a programme and mark up your practise times and races.
After the rider's meeting get a novice racer's orange bib from the flag marshals, they usually have a briefing right after the rider's briefing. We know that you feel like a gumby goose, but when faster riders approach from behind they know that someone inexperienced is in front of them and race accordingly - it's worth it to wear a bib.
We all wore one once!
Find your mentor again and have a chat, get the low down on practise. Listen for announcements and go out for your practise sessions.
Take your first race day easy, try to avoid binning it. Introduce yourself to a few people and you'll find that everyone is pretty friendly.
Have some fun and come back for more.
∧ back to top...8. Getting Permanently Organised
Races are often won away from the track! It costs about $300 to do a race meeting. The most organised people get the best results with the least amount of strife and they also have the best race days, often because they have time to socialise.
Get your bike well prepared and your gear well organised. Keep you paper work up to date. Time preparing prior to the race meet makes the day enjoyable - you can socialise a bit and not have to sweat mechanical repairs in the hot sun!!
After a while you will discover that a substantial amount of the fun of racing is being immersed in the racing scene and enjoying the company of the people who go racing.
You will hear it said many times "We are not racing for sheep stations", not that I'd ever want one but please remember, the reason why we are doing this sport is for a bit of competitive fun on a Sunday.
Enjoy It and hopefully you can end the day with a few yarns to bore the family and entertain your mates!!!!!
We look forward to seeing you at the track
∧ back to top...