GETTING STARTED IN TMCC ROAD RACING
Motorcycle road racing at club level can be a low cost, exhilarating experience. Competitors on $600.00 Superlites ( bargain basement racing – 100 cc two-stroke and up to 150 cc four-stroke machines ) indulge in bike preparation and racing with the same enthusiasm and passion as competitors on $30,000.00 Superbikes .Riders arriving at Turn one handlebar-to handlebar at 130 km/h in Townsville are experiencing the same emotions and exhilaration as the big boys pulling 290 km/h at Phillip Island . The competitor coming last is trying to make up a place with as much intensity as the competitor in second place who is trying to take first ! This applies throughout the entire field . The tight , twisting track that is Suncity Raceway ensures close racing , and skill rather than horsepower determines results . One day as a racer beats a lifetime as a spectator ! Motorcycle racing is a very democratic , very accessible sport . There is a bike type and event to suit every budget and every level of rider ability . The best way to start is to attend a race meeting , and see how they are run . Talk to the guys (and ladies !) there . They are ordinary people , having a LOT of fun !!! ( A note - if you see feverish activity around a bike , and spanners flying about , it might be an idea to find someone else to chat with !!!! ) Most of them started the same way , not to make a career out of it ,but for the love of riding their bikes as fast as THEY can as safely as possible! SOME COMMON QUESTIONS : Is it safe ? Motorcycle racing by its very nature is a dangerous activity . In fact , for some of the competitors , that is an attraction . However , by participating in an event that is sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia you can rest assured that dangers have been evaluated and minimized wherever possible .There are no telephone poles , no Volvos and no roundabouts . "Sorry mate , I didn’t see you " has never been uttered at our track . Terminal speeds aren’t excessive , and we are all going in the same direction . An ambulance is in attendance at all race meetings . BEATS THE PUBLIC ROADS ! What if I crash ? Not IF , but WHEN you crash , one or combination of the following will occur : 1.The ambulance guys will be straight there to assist if required ; 2. Flag Marshals will warn other riders that a competitor has crashed ; 3.Your machine may be brought back to the pits or you may remount your machine and continue participating in the event . 4.You might walk (limp?) back to the pits with all the dignity you can muster ; 5. Other competitors will do all they can to assist you in continuing racing . 6.There are often racing incidents in the course of an event , but what happens on the track stays on the track .We all simply want to ride our machines as fast as WE can as safely as possible ! RACE BIKES CRASH , AND THAT’S A FACT ! ALL THE ABOVE OCCUR ON A REGULAR BASIS ! We all do it ( some more than others! ) . Where do I get a bike ? 1.There are always a few bikes for sale within the club . Check the pits ,talk to the competitors . 2. The Web – E-bay ,various motorcycle club web sites . 3. Auctions / newspapers for production bikes and Superlites . 4. Build one – although it is preferable to buy a race-ready machine and start racing .Get on to the track first , then build that "special" . What will it cost ? Various classes of competition are available in Townsville and are listed below, with approximate machine values : Superlites - $ 600.00 - $ 1200.00 250 Production - $ 1000.00 - $ 5000.00 Formula 3 – 650 cc Four Stroke Twin , 400 cc Four Stroke , 250 cc Two Stroke ( No GP Machinery)- $ 1200.00 – $ 7500.00 125 Grand Prix - $ 3000.00 - $ 6000.00 Motards - $ 600.00 - ?????? *Motorcycling Australia has placed capacity restrictions on machines at Suncity Raceway , which has determined the classes of machine able to compete here . Safety Gear : Leathers – ( $ 300.00 E-bay ) , gloves ( $ 80.00 ) ,helmet ( $ 150.00 ) ,boots ( $ 250.00 ) , back protector ( $ 80.00 ) . Transponders - these are available for hire , but we prefer that you purchase your own - talk to the club. A race license and nomination fees are approximately $ 110.00 per meeting . These fees provide a level of insurance for personal injury , ambulance attendance , track fees etc . Membership of TMCC is $ 30.00 per year , $ 20.00 if under 16 , and $ 50.00 per family . Try before I buy ? There are quite often guys willing to loan race bikes to newcomers to try ……. Age Limitations : As per the Motorcycling Australia Manual Of Motorcycle Sport ,and in respect to road racing , " no person who is under the age of sixteen years may compete in other than a junior competition . 15 year old competitors may participate in the 125cc GP class only provided they : a) Satisfy their SCB of their competence. b) Obtain a licence endorsement for road racing only . c) Compete in the 125cc GP class or in combined classes with similar performing machines.eg 250cc Production , 400cc Four Stroke" . Other Involvement in Motorcycle Racing Apart from actively competing in a Motorcycle race meeting , there are many other avenues participation available . KEY OFFICIALS – MA ACCREDITATION REQUIRED
OPERATIONAL OFFICIALS – TRAINING PROVIDED PRIOR TO RACING, MA ACCREDITATION MAY BE ATTAINEDSteward Clerk of Course Race Secretary
Want to know more ? ASK A COMPETITOR / OFFICIAL / MARSHAL !! A Typical Race Meeting: Once you become a financial member of TMCC , you will receive Entry Nominations and Supplementary Regulations specific to a meeting via Email (preferred ) or Snail Mail about 3 weeks before a gazetted meeting . These should be completed and returned to the Race Secretary nominated on the Entry Form as soon as possible , together with payment of nomination fees . Nominations received by the date advised in the Supplementary Regulations are eligible for a discount as specified . A mad rush then follows , getting your machine ready……………. Track : The track is usually open by 10.00 am on race day .Nominations and scrutineering usually start then, and close at 2.00 pm . Sweeping / assisting : You don’t have to assist with track sweeping and other preparation , but the more hands , the sooner this less pleasant aspect of race day is finished . And the MotoGP boys often walk the track before a race ! Nominations : You have pre-nominated , haven’t you………………..if not , this can be done on the day , but racing is expensive enough , without throwing a discount away….. Scrutineering : Please attempt to present your machine for scrutineering as early as possible .This is a fundamental requirement that must be fulfilled before a machine can be allowed to compete . Late scrutineering delays other aspects of the meeting , and creates unnecessary pressure for our officials . If you are late it will remain at the discretion of the Clerk of Course / Race Secretary as to whether your machine will be scrutineered . Riders Briefing : As per the Motorcycling Australia Manual Of Motorcycle Sport , ALL riders MUST attend the riders briefing before commencement of practice and / or racing . This briefing is usually delivered at 2.00 pm . If you are late , apart from facing irate competitors , it will remain at the discretion of the Clerk of Course as to whether you will be given a one-on-one Riders Briefing and therefore be allowed to compete in the meeting, or be requested to leave your machine on the trailer . DO YOU GET THE IMPRESSION THAT BEING "FASHIONABLY LATE" IS NOT FASHIONABLE AMONGST THE MOTORCYCLE RACING FRATERNITY ? Practice : Practice usually begins after the Riders Briefing is completed , and the QAS is on site . Practice sessions are usually 15 minutes , divided into groups , and are conducted consecutively until racing starts , usually at 3.00 pm . Racing : Grid up , go out , go when the flag is dropped , ride round and around until someone waves a flag at you , indicating that its time to stop , and head back in…….. Actually , there is a little bit more in it than that , BUT NOT MUCH !!! After Racing : Racing is thirsty work , and when the track is cleared and equipment packed away , it's time to relax with a cool drink , and discuss the nights events with fellow competitors…lap records are often broken during this social aspect of our meetings ! The committee : The TMCC is OUR club , and all members are of equal importance and standing . Our committee is there to oversee the day to day running of our division and the race meetings we hold , and respond to any concerns / queries / other issues that arise in relation to our racing . They are not there to decide issues that are addressed in the Motorcycling Australia Manual of Motorcycle Sport , of which all those whom hold an MA competition licence have a copy . Classes of Racing ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL CLASSES SHALL BE DETERMINED BY USE OF THE CURRENT MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA MANUAL OF MOTORCYCLE SPORT AND MACHINE SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA CONTAINED WITHIN THE RELEVANT RULES DETAILED BELOW . ISSUES NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BY THESE METHODS SHALL BE DETERMINED BY TMCC ROAD RACE COMMITTEE . 125 GP –.125GP Machines GENERALLY in accordance with FIM regulations for year of manufacture, and in consideration of Motorcycling Australia's specific regulations for these machines . TMCC Formula 3 – Supermono/650 cc four stroke twin /400 cc four stroke / 250 cc two stroke Machines complying with current Motorcycling Australia Manual of Motorcycle Sport , and incorporating conditions listed in TMCC Formula 3 Rules 2009 . TMCC Superlite – 100cc two stroke / 150 cc four stroke Machines complying with the current Motorcycling Australia Manual of Motorcycle Sport , in accordance with TMCC Superlite Rules 2009. TMCC Motards – Road Trail and Trail type machines , including motocross machines, up to 1000cc – subject to compliance with track permit conditions , complying with the cuurent Motorcycling Australia Manual of Motorcycle Sport , and incorporating conditions listed in TMCC Motard Rules 2009 . TMCC Production 250 – Machines shall be 250cc Four stroke and shall comply with Motorcycling Australia 2005 Manual of Motorcycle Sport 6.3.4 and 6.3.7.5 (g) ,and incorporating conditions listed in TMCC Production 250 Rules 2009 . Formula RR – Machines that are eligible for the above classes WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOTARD , TMCC NATIONAL SUPERLITES AND TMCC NQ SUPERLITES are eligible to compete in this class. Women's Unlimited – Machines that are eligible for the above classes WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOTARD , are eligible to compete in this class. Apart from the obvious , the class is only open to senior riders . TMCC Junior Corporate Challenge - The TMCC Road Racing Sub Committee is currently running the JUNIOR CORPORATE CHALLENGE for 13 to 16year olds. For more about this exciting junior development program go to Club Downloads or click on the link on the home page. Detailed rules are available for all classes on this website ( www.townsvillemcc.net )Flag Marshal Grid Marshal Scorer Starter / Finisher Machine Examiner
