How to Survive the Wild World of 50cc Motocross Racing

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The world of 50cc motocross racing is a wild one indeed. If you’ve ever had a son or daughter racing minis, I guarantee you’ve witnessed chaos ensue at the gate a time or two. If you’re just starting out, listen up while we discuss how to survive the wild world of 50cc motocross racing.

First off, I’m going to give you a warning. Racing in the 50cc mini world is not for the faint of heart. Emotions run high and every parent firmly believes that little Billy or Patricia is the next GOAT (including you)! To be fair, it is hard not to live through you child when they’re accomplishing something so awesome. This being said, let’s begin by talking about some of the basics…

Starting Out In 50cc Motocross Racing

Starting out racing motocross can be a bit confusing, especially in the 50cc class. There are several different classes, age groups and bikes that you must be aware of. Too many times, I’ve seen parents show up to the track with their kid on the wrong bike only to be disappointed when they get disqualified. For example, most tracks will not allow your child to race a 50cc Sr. bike in the 4-6 Jr. class.

If you’re interested in finding out what classes, age groups and bikes race in the 50cc class, please refer to Dirt Bikes For Kids – the Ultimate Picks (By Age – 2022). This article goes into great detail and gives you information on 65cc and 85cc classes as well.

Learning the Rules

You wouldn’t take your kid to a football or baseball game without knowing the rules. Motocross is no different. Truthfully, it’s probably more important that you know the rules in moto since your child is racing potentially dangerous equipment.

There are certain things that you need to discuss with your little racer before hitting the track. First of all, it is very important that your racer know the meanings of the various flags used in motocross. You can find pictures of the flags and what they mean in the article How to Motocross: Getting Started and What To Expect.

Second, make sure your child knows to hold their line (don’t randomly move from one side of the track to the other). This is especially important when other kids in the class are jumping and your child is not. It is very likely that your child will get into an accident (or cause one) if he/she doesn’t hold their line.

Next, please make sure your kid knows the motocross starting and racing procedures. What the cards mean before the gate drops, where to enter and exit the track and remembering to NEVER EVER go the wrong direction on the track are some great examples.

Finally, there are rules as a parent that you need to know before taking the kiddo racing. I make this statement bold because it is a bold statement!! Let’s begin…

• Most 50cc classes are considered “Limited” classes. This means that the bike has to be completely stock. There are very few things you are allowed to modify on these bikes. If you come to a track and think you’re going to run an aftermarket pipe on little Johnny’s bike, think again. The 50 parents are hard core and will protest you in a heartbeat. If you don’t follow this rule, your child will get disqualified and be known as a cheater. This sucks but it is the harsh truth.

• Your racer cannot race just any 50cc bike. If you try to race a bike that is not approved for that particular class, your racer will be disqualified. Don’t think you’re going to bring a Cobra FWE to the line in the 50cc 4-6 class (remember I said the 50 parents are hardcore?) …you won’t get away with it. Do keep in mind that certain series (aka Outlaw races) sometimes have there own set of rules that allow this. This is the exception not the norm.

• Don’t mess with your racing age unless you’re committed to moving up in class. With youth motocross, your racing age is the age you were on January 1st of that year. For example, if your child is 6 on January 1st he/she will race in the 4-6 age class. IF YOU RACE IN THE 7-8 CLASS DURING THAT YEAR, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO THE 4-6 CLASS. Again, 50 parents are brutal. I’ve seen kids race in a higher age bracket at local races, then get protested, disqualified and required to move up in class when they tried to race at a major event in their actual age class.

• Make sure you and your little racer go to the riders meeting before the race. The track officials will go over the rules. Some rules are different depending on where you are racing. For instance, some tracks allow jumping during a yellow flag, some do not.

Advancing In Motocross Racing

Once you start racing, it becomes a lifestyle versus just a hobby or sport. Obviously the purpose of racing is to win and motocrossers are among the most competitive people around. That being said, most likely you’ll be interested in how to advance in the sport. Here are a few tips on how to make that happen:

• Training Facilities and Camps – Not only can motocross training make you faster but it will also make you a safer rider. Honestly, you will see kids in the 50cc class that literally live at training facilities. If you want your racer to advance in the sport, training is pretty important. If you live in a colder climate, heading south for a week or weekend can help prepare your racer for the upcoming season. For a list of the most popular training facilities and camps, please refer to the article MX Training Facilities: Exclusive List & More (2022)

• Resumes & Sponsorships – As you are about to find out, motocross is not a cheap sport. Once your racer has some finishes under his/her belt, you can start applying for sponsorships. Manufacturers, race teams and local businesses are all examples of possible sponsors. To have the greatest advantage, a professional resume is a must. To find out more about resumes and sponsorships, please read Sponsorship Resume: How To Get Noticed in Racing. Also, check my website for low cost resume templates!!

Parent Etiquette – 50cc Edition

This might not seem like a very important topic, but if you’ve ever been to the starting gate with your 50cc racer you’ll know the utter drama that takes place. As a moto mom that frequently takes her kids to the gate, I’ve witnessed some horrible behavior by fellow parents. Please think about these things and the problems that can occur.

• Don’t start screaming or cussing at people down at the gate. Don’t scream at your racer, another parent, the track officials or anyone else. You stand to be labeled a douchebag if you do (sorry for the wording but it’s another harsh truth). I’ve seen 50cc parents literally getting ready to thrown punches at the gate with their 5 year old standing there confused and stressed. There are many ways to solve issues at the track without acting like a maniac.

• If you are at a Loretta Lynn qualifier or other major AMA event, do not go onto the track to assist your child (or any other child) if the rules state you are not allowed. Don’t be surprised if your racer gets disqualified if you do. This is pretty specific to the 50cc classes, which is why I mention it.

• I might get some flack for this one but it is yet another harsh truth. If your child has already earned a ticket to the annual Loretta Lynn National race, it is frowned upon by others if you attempt to collect a second ticket. It happens every year and every year people are whispering about the kid that took a ticket away from another kid. While it’s completely legal to do so, be prepared to get shade from others in the class.

• If you are unsure about something, always go to the registration office and ask! Ask before you act. Last year I witnessed an “almost” fist fight between parents because one was allowing their son to race a different bike in the second moto. In this instance, the parents surely questioned themselves as to whether it was allowed or not. It would have saved a lot of drama if they would have just asked in advance.

Other Things To Consider

There are some other considerations I want to mention before I wrap things up. A big factor in how your race day goes can depend on the weather, especially with little ones. Remember to check the weather ahead of time and come prepared. If you need a little help figuring out how to prepare, check out How to Prepare For a Muddy MX Race!

Something else that deserves special attention is the KTM Jr Racing Program. If selected, they get to live the day of a professional racer a supercross event. The kids get to race on KTMs SX-E 5 electric bike and take home loads of super cool gear! You have to be either 7 or 8 years old to apply so don’t hesitate.

The biggest thing to remember when living in the wild world of 50cc racing is to have fun!! Enjoy this time you get to spend with your family and have a great race day! Thanks for visiting!! Badash ❤