Getting Involved in Off-Road Motorcycle Sport
All forms of motorcycle sport require many key personnel for events to take place and there are a number of ways that you can become involved in motorcycle sport without competing.
These include Observers for trials, race marshals for motocross, enduro and track racing; technical officials; timekeepers and event secretaries.
Observers
Motorcycle trials are held across the Eastern region most weekends of the year and all of them need Observers to record competitor’s scores.
You can become an observer very easily with no qualifications and can start from the age of 12 years old, The rules of the sport are quite straightforward and are basically counting the number of times that a competitor puts their foot down or rolls backwards but as a new comer you would not be left on your own and would be supported by an experienced person.
You get a chance to have a friendly banter with the riders whilst enjoying the event.
Most clubs will offer a food voucher or gift such as a tin of chocolates or bottle of wine as a thank you for your time.
Most trials are run on Sundays starting at around 10am and finishing mid-afternoon but in the summer months the events may run on a Saturday starting late afternoon and finishing early evening.
The best way to get involved as an Observer is to contact a local club or simply select an event from the fixture list turn up before the start and speak to the secretary of the meeting who will usually have a table set up for “signing on” the competitors.
Marshals
Motocross and Track Racing events are held throughout the summer months and endure events are staged all year round. Marshals are required at all events to carry out various duties to help with the smooth running of the events.
You can become a marshal with no qualifications and can start from the age of 16 years old (or sometimes younger if you are not trackside).
You will be briefed on what you are required to do but as a newcomer you would not be left on your own and would be supported by an experienced person. Whilst you can start with no qualifications there are training courses run to give a better understanding of the duties and allow you qualify as a marshal so that you can operate on your own.
You get a chance to meet the riders and get access to areas that the public are not allowed.
Marshals are paid expenses and of course get admission free of charge.
Most events are held on Sundays starting at about 9am then continuing until about 5pm
The best way to get involved as a Marshal is to contact a local club or contact the Eastern Centre Marshals Club who attend all events and also hold social events and training sessions.
Technical Officials
The technical Officers are the people who check that both the competitor’s motorcycle and safety clothing comply with the ACU Technical regulations which are laid down for each branch of the sport.
You can start as an assistant Technical Officer working under the guidance of an experienced person without any qualifications then you will be offered the opportunity to attend training events and qualify as a Technical Official to operate without supervision.
Technical Officers are paid expenses and of course get admission to events free of charge.
The best way to get involved as a technical Official is to contact a local club or contact ACU Eastern.
Sound Inspectors
Sound inspectors measure the level of sound generated by motorcycles to ensure compliance ACU regulations and also to ensure that members of the public who may live near to race meetings are not inconvenienced by excessive noise.
You can start as an assistant Sound Inspector working under the guidance of an experienced person without any qualifications then you will be offered the opportunity to attend training events and qualify as a Sound inspector to operate without supervision.
Sound inspectors are paid expenses and of course get admission to events free of charge.
The best way to get involved as a Sound inspector is to contact a local club or contact ACU Eastern.
Timekeeping
Timekeepers and lap scorers are essential for all speed events.
Traditionally these tasks were carried out manually using stop watches and clip boards and these skills are still used at some events but within the ACU Eastern area the majority of events now use electronic timing systems.
Ideally to be a timekeeper you will a methodical person with an interest in computing but, as with all other roles, you will initially work alongside an experienced person who will explain the process then you will be given the opportunity to attend formal training sessions which will allow you to gain timekeeping licences and lead timing teams at all classes of events.
Generally timekeepers operate on behalf of ACU Eastern who provide the service to the individual clubs therefore the best way to get involved is to contact ACU Eastern.
Event Secretary
All events require an event secretary who is responsible for all of the paperwork and administration associated with running the events.
The secretary works in conjunction with the Clerk of the Course and the rest of the team to publish entry forms, receive entries, create the programmes, and arrange for competitors and officials to sign on, publish the results and deal with all other administration.
To be a Secretary of the Meeting you will have good administration and organisational skills.
The Secretaries operate for the clubs who run meetings and to get involved you should contact a local club or ACU Eastern who will put you in touch with an appropriate club.
Clerk of the Course
The Clerk of the Course is the person in overall control of events and the person will have experience of one of the other roles or perhaps as a competitor.
Other Roles
All of the roles described earlier relate to individual motorcycling events but in order for events to run smoothly there are a large number of people in the background to fill the various roles for the individual clubs and for ACU Eastern.
No matter what your day to day job is and what your hobbies may be it is almost certain that you will be able to help the sport in some way. Some examples of the roles that are needed are
- Computer skills are essential for supporting the teams , resolving issues with timing systems , maintaining the ACU Eastern web site , setting up programmes and other publications for printing and much more
- Accountancy skills are needed to ensure that clubs and ACU Eastern record their monies properly
- Environmental skills are needed to advise clubs and ACU Eastern on the most appropriate way to organise the sport whilst at the same time protecting the environment
- Practical skills are necessary for setting up and dismantling courses with their associated buildings.
There is really no end to this list and it is often the case that you may have a skill that the sport hasn’t realised that it needs; if you have a skill please get in touch.
Whilst these roles are not directly involved with race meetings they are essential and you will be regarded as a part of the team with free admission to events and expenses for the unseen work that you carry out.
What Else Can You Do
ACU Eastern is the local branch of The Auto Cycle Union who are the national governing body for motorcycling recognised by the UK government and the FIM who are the international governing body.
Whilst you may start with events in the Eastern region there is no limit to the level that you can rise to. There are a number of people in the Eastern region who are involved in day to day events but are also accredited by the FIM and officiate at International events both in the UK and abroad. If you are interested then the sport will give you every assistance to rise through the ranks