How to Motocross: Getting Started and What to Expect

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If you love riding dirt bikes or ATVs or have an child interested in racing, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually want to give motocross a try. Getting started can be overwhelming but if you keep reading you’ll see that you can be prepared even if you’ve never been to a track.

Going motocross racing is not only extremely fun, but you can also create friendships that will last a lifetime. Above all, know that your moto family will have your back if you need help. Ask anyone at the track and you’ll almost always get the assistance you need.

Before You Go Motocross Racing

First things first. Before you go motocross racing, you need to have a bike. If you’re an adult and want to go racing, you most likely either have a bike already or know what you want. If not, look on the website of the track you’re thinking about racing at for the class list. Between the class list and rules, you should be able to figure out what bike is best suited for you.

Choosing a bike for your child in youth classes can be a bit more tricky. Check out the article, Dirt Bikes for Kids – the Ultimate Picks (by Age – 2021) for more detailed information. If you’re racing in a “Limited” class, that means the bike has to be completely stock. Below is the AMA chart explaining what can be changed and what cannot. This is very important, especially in the 50cc classes. You can get protested and/or disqualified if you run parts on your bike that you aren’t supposed to.

Another thing to do before you head to the race track is practice. Practice makes perfect as the saying goes. Find a track that offers open practice and spend some time on the bike. The more seat time you get, the more comfortable you’ll be on your bike.

In addition to the items mentioned above, you should know the distinction between an AMA race and a “local” or “outlaw” race. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sanctions many races. If you race AMA races, you will have to have an AMA membership ($49/year) and follow the rules put forth by the AMA. Although local/outlaw races follow many of the same guidelines as AMA, they are not usually as strict on the enforcement

Other Aspects of Motocross Racing

There are other things to consider if you choose to continue racing long term. Motocross is not an inexpensive sport as you will soon find out. There are certain things you want to think about to keep your racing program top notch:

• Training
• Sponsorships
• Racing Resume

There are many training facilities and camps to help you get faster and safer for motocross racing. This is very important if you plan on being competitive. Check out MX Training Facilities: Exclusive List & More for more information on the various programs available.

Furthermore, once you have a few races under your belt, you’ll probably want to apply for sponsorships. You will need to create a racing resume to make a professional appearance. Racing resumes are very different than employment resumes. For example, pictures make a great addition to a racing resume.

If you feel comfortable creating your own resume, read Sponsorship Resume: How To Get Noticed in Racing for additional info. Another option is to use a racing resume template. Resume templates are in a Microsoft Word format and are available on my website for a small fee. The design has been created for you! Simply change the wording using your own personal information and save.

At the Track

Once you get to the track, start looking around for the signup building as you find a place to park. If you don’t see it, just ask someone. The moto crowd is eager to help! Sometimes you will find a long line at signup. Therefore, it’s smart to get to the track early and have your bike unloaded before you head to sign up.

Motocross Sign Up

Sometimes there can be several different steps to the signup process. But don’t worry …we’re going to cover them all. Like I mentioned before, it’s a good idea to figure out what classes you want to race in advance. When you’re in line at sign up, you can feel under pressure to hurry up (I’m laughing right now thinking about how ridiculous that probably sounds).

So let’s talk about what you’ll need to do to sign up for racing. At an AMA sanctioned motocross race, you can expect the following steps at sign up:

• Transponder Rental
• Membership Applications
• Sign Up For Classes

Transponder Rental

Transponders are small tracking devices that attach to your bike with plastic brackets. The transponder tracks lap times and helps the racing staff keep track of everyone’s position.

In addition, many races will have a printer to print off lap times. This can be a great learning tool and can help you determine where you stand against your competitors.

Motocross tracks typically use the MYLAPS (eScore) transponders. There will be a trailer at the track renting transponders. This will be your first stop before you go to registration. You will have to pay a deposit of approximately $120.00 but the majority will be refunded when you return the transponder after racing. After the deposit is returned, you will have paid $10-40 for the rental.

When you’re done racing for the day, you must return your rented transponder to the trailer. If you forget, they will keep the deposit you paid and you will either now own the transponder or you’ll have to ship it back to them.

Purchasing a Transponder

Another option is to purchase your transponder. If you plan on racing a lot of AMA sanctioned MX races, it might be worth your while to purchase your own. You can purchase them online or at the track but keep in mind you will have an annual fee each year to keep it on. The smaller rectangular item in the picture is the transponder charger.

** Also, it’s worth mentioning that the transponder used for GNCC racing is completely different. You cannot use this transponder for GNCC.

Membership Applications

There are certain races that require you to have a membership to the AMA, a membership with the organization running the race or both. This is the next step after you rent your transponder.

Sometimes you can obtain your memberships at the registration booth. Other times they have a separate area designated for memberships. The AMA membership can be purchased at the track or online. A membership is currently $49.00/year. Organization memberships are purchased at the track and vary in price.

Sign Up For Motocross Classes

Now it’s time to sign up for your classes. Sometimes there is a table with signup forms, sometimes they sign you up directly at the registration building and sometimes there is a kiosk. Allow me to elaborate.

Some tracks have signup forms at a table. You will need to fill out the appropriate information on the forms provided. This information is typically name, address, age, bike brand, bike number and the classes you want to participate in.

Many times you will stand in line at the registration building and sign up directly with the person at the window. They will ask you the same information as above.

AMA Motocross Sign Up

If you’re participating in an AMA race, you will likely sign up at a kiosk. This will be a touch screen and printer. On the touch screen, you will enter your AMA number and all pertinent info directly into the computer system and print your forms to sign. You will also be asked to provide your membership number at this point as well as your transponder number if applicable.

Regardless of the sign up method, certain papers will need to be signed as well as a waiver if it applies. If your racer is under 18 years old, the child’s guardian will have to sign a waiver. After everything has signatures, the person at registration will give you a practice sticker. Make sure to take a picture of the practice order. The number on your sticker represents which practice you go out with.

Motocross Practice

Practice is handled in a couple different ways in motocross racing. There is usually an entire day in the race weekend allocated to practice only. Keep in mind that you will have to pay separately for practice that day. Otherwise, you will get practice before racing starts.

Near the track, there will be a staging area where the bikes wait on their turn to go out for practice. When your practice number is getting close, start heading down to staging. Many tracks offer an FM radio station so you can hear the announcer more clearly.

Motocross Racing

After practice, racing will begin. Usually, motocross follows a two “moto” or race format. This means that you will race twice in each class. Occasionally, an event will call for a three moto format but you usually only see this at bigger races. Also, motocross utilizes a gate drop system for the starts. You will be called to the gate for the first moto in a random order. Subsequently at the moto 2 start, your gate pick will be your finish from moto 1.

Next you will stand behind the gate with your bike’s engine running. A track worker will be holding up a card with a number “2” on it. This means prepare for the race to start. The worker will turn the card around to show a number “1”. When the worker turns the “1” card sideways, look at the gate and wait for it to drop.

When the gate drops, go as fast as you can to get out front. The person to go around the first turn in 1st is said to have gotten the “holeshot”. It’s definitely better to be up front from the start than to try and pass your way to the front.

Motocross Flags

Obviously you want to race your bike as fast as you can but let’s go over the flags you’ll need to know. This is very important. Flaggers will be throughout the track to give the racers warnings with the flags they are waving. There will also be a flagger at the finish line. The flags they will be waving are as follows:

• Green Flag – the green flag is to let you know that the race had a successful start and is running as normal. You will typically see the green flag being waved at the finish line.

• Yellow Flag – the yellow flag means CAUTION! You must ride cautiously until you get past the incident that caused the yellow flag to be thrown. The flag is thrown if there is a wreck or downed rider. At most races, you cannot pass or jump during a yellow flag situation. Failure to do so may result in a penalty, such as disqualification or loss of position.

• Red Cross Flag – the red cross flag is a white flag with a red cross. It means that emergency vehicles are on the track tending to a downed rider. Show extreme caution, maintain your position and keep your wheels on the ground. Failure to do so will result in a penalty, such as disqualification or loss of position.

• Red Flag – the red flag means that they are stopping the race due to an emergency situation. When you see the red flag, quit racing and go back to the starting gates. They will either restart the race or call it.

• Black Flag – the black flag means that you have been disqualified. You must exit the track as soon as it’s safe and report to the referee immediately. This is for severe infractions only.

• White Flag – the white flag is meant to inform you that there is one lap left in the race. The flagger at the finish line will be waving this flag. There are certain situations where you might not see the white flag so always make sure you race to the checkered flag (up next!)

• Checkered Flag – the checkered flag indicates the end of the race. You did it!! There will be a close location to exit the track and head back to your pits.

What To Do Next

After your race, you’ll need to go check the results. If there is an issue with the results, you typically have a half hour to dispute. Once both motos are done, go pick up your awards! Usually the results sheet with have a line or highlighted area that shows who gets a trophy or plaque. Congratulations on your first race!!

If you enjoyed this article, check out Moto Mom Files: How to Prepare For a Muddy MX Race!! Above all, I hope you and your family enjoy racing motocross! See you at the track! Thanks for visiting Badash Life and make sure to sign up for email updates on your screen ❤