BEGINNERS HELPFUL HINTS
At the bottom of this page is a link to video's that will help you learn 
motocross and riding skills 

Motocross Racing 

Motocross is a family sport; many participants are under 21. Motocross is 
rated as one of the world's toughest, most difficult Sports to master at 
the Professional level.  To develop motocross talents takes time. To be 
like the top ATV or Bike Pro's will not happen in a year.  No matter how 
good of an athlete you are, Motocross is tough; don't get discouraged 
because you don't win 1st Place your first year of racing.  It may take 
you awhile to learn all of the skills properly, so be ready; this sport 
requires much physical training, lots of practice, learning the machine, 
basic mechanical skills and money. Speaking of money if your parents are 
paying for your racing fun, then you need to help out around the house 
with your chores, study to get good grades, plan on  college career  or 
a life vocation and do some odd jobs and help buy some of the riding 
equipment you need to get. Learn to be responsible for yourself.  Other 
racers will be happy to help you. Some tracks/ races require Membership 
which is available at these tracks. 

ON MOTOCROSS RACE DAY: 
You must be signed up in your proper race class, this is done a couple 
hours before the race starts; there is a Registration building or trailer. 
Paperwork must be completed. At registration offered are race categories 
by age
 and skill. The race classification will range from D=Beginners / C=Novice
 / B=Intermediate / A=Pro

There will be practice sessions for each class before the race starts. 
Practice Order and Race Order will be posted on the billboard located 
near Sign-up, write them down because you are always responsible for 
being at the starting gate in time for your race.  We can't wait. Riders 
Meeting will be on Race Day before or right after Race Day Practice. There 
is a always a short practice before the race starts. Some tracks have 6 
hrs of rotation practice the day before a Race.  On Race Day before 
practice starts you are allowed to walk a track as long as no equipment 
in on track. During practice or during racing no one allowed on the track 
except 50cc Parents. 

AFTER RIDERS MEETING / PRACTICE & The RACE  
The announcer will announce the race classes coming up to race the track 
but you need to follow the race order also. Motocross is raced in a two 
race format called `Moto's`. We will follow the posted race order, till 
the end; then we take a short half-time and go right back to the same 
race order. Your position for the Moto will be posted on the Results 
Billboard - it takes about 20 minutes after each race to be posted.  
At the end of your second race, the scorekeepers will tally both races 
together for an overall position.  Supercross uses a Format of a Heat 
and Main Event.

The announcer will announce the class on the starting gate, the class 
behind them is called `staging` and the class after that called 
`pre-staging`.  So at all times there are 3 groups ready to race -- the 
racing goes fast. Be Ready. You need to be heading to the Starting Gate 
when your class is called for pre-staging. While in the staging area, 
during the first race `moto`, the STARTER will load the gate according 
to computer pick. During your second race you will get a gate position 
according to your 1st moto finish.  While at the starting gate you can't 
do any digging, flatting, packing or fixing up in front of the starting 
gate. You may pack the dirt behind the gate. To start the race, we will 
use a board with a 2 on one side and a 1 on the other.  When the starter 
puts the 2 board up, start you engine. The starter will check to make 
sure everyone is ready … if U R NOT ready because of a plug fouled or 
some problem, put your hand up high and get his attention, the group 
will get a 2 minute warning to get ready. Once everyone is ready then 
the Starter will show you the #1 board -- in about 10 to 30 seconds 
the #1 board will turn sideways and in 3-8 seconds the gate will drop. 
Go - it's time to race.  On the Race Order you will see 2 Classes racing 
at the same time, they are scored separately and a Stager Start is used.  
At the starting gate there will be the first group on the gate ready to 
race: the 2nd (Stager) Class is directly behind the first group.  After 
the first group leaves the starting gate, the second group moves up to 
the gate as it's lifted back up --- for the 2nd Group you will only get 
the #1 board --- So if you're in the 2nd group known as a Stager Start; 
start your motors when the first group dose.  The first group will get 
the #2 Board then the #1 and then sideways then they race, the Stager 
Class will only get the #1 Board - then it will go sideways and the 
Gate will drop then they race. Make sure you have clean number plates. 
We score races based on the numbers on your machine.  

While riding a track always stay in a straight line, don't dart all over 
the track, a faster rider will find his way around you. Never slow down 
or stop on the backside of a jump, if you do, you can risk getting landed 
on. If you crash on the track don't jump right up, make sure there is no
 one coming, if you must, crawl or roll off the track. It's much safer to
 get run over then it is to get hit while standing up.  So stop, look,
 listen - then move.

At then end of each race; the results will be posted by the Sign-up 
building! Check your results after your race! 
When both races are over your final results will be posted. Awards 
are giving out at the Sign-up building. 


CAUTION FLAGS
We have flagmen around the track; with a YELLOW flag, this means caution 
ahead, slow down, no passing or double jumping until past the area of 
caution. A white flag with a red cross means a rider is down and ambulance 
personal are attending, there is no passing and NO JUMPING. You must proceed 
with caution until you are past the area of incident.  If you endanger 
personal or the downed rider you can be disqualified. 

OTHER FLAGS  
Black flag means pull off the track, Red flag means we are stopping the race; 
go back to the starting gate.  Light Blue flag means a faster rider is 
approaching stay in your line. White flag is a courtesy flag and means one 
lap to go. Checkered flag means end of race. If you receive the checkered 
flag even though you may not have all the number of laps completed in your 
race; you must pull off the track after passing the checker flag. Everyone 
is scored according to the actual finish. 

There is no racing in the pits. The speed limit is 5 mph while going to the 
starting gate or after your race and back to your pit area, 1st gear only.   

Injuries 
Motocross can be a dangerous sport, but statistically, hour for hour of 
practice and racing, it's not any more dangerous then many extreme sports, 
football, hockey, boxing and many other sports. We require helmets, boots, 
goggles, long sleeve shirts, pants and gloves, we highly recommend kneepads 
or braces, chest/back protector, elbow pads and neck pro-tech equipment. 
If you will get used to riding with all the protective gear on, it won't be
 as uncomfortable for you during a race. Protective riding gear is not made
 for the ride but for when you crash. You don't see football players playing
 without protective gear, so get the proper equipment and get used to it.
 Motocross becomes dangerous when you ride over and above your present 
ability and or when you get tired. If you get tired slow down there is 
always another practice or race. Freak things happen in all sports but any 
racer who doesn't do physical training, won't wear the protective gear and 
is riding above their speed and ability stands a greater chance of getting 
hurt.  

Some Practice Tips
RIDE, RIDE, RIDE, LIFT WEIGHTS, JOG, Mt. BIKE, AND EAT RIGHT

Athletes in top physical shape have fewer injuries.

If you don't have a practice track with jumps and all, you can still become 
a better safer racer by learning to corner. Motocross is in the corners!  
Learning the BIG jumps is important in the more experienced `A` and `B` 
classes but they won't make you turn much faster lap times. There are very 
few injuries in corners; so practice the proper riding style and learn how 
to do corners, corners, corners.

1.Set up two barrels spaced apart between 50 to 100 feet.
Ride around the barrels doing left and right handed ovals; then do figure 8's. 
Tips: Cornering = Body position is in the center of bike, keep the inside foot
 off the peg and straight out next to front tire. Put downward pressure on the 
outside foot peg with your outside leg. Keep a couple fingers on the clutch 
and front brake lever and your elbows up, keep your body position even with 
the center of handlebars. 

2.Practice Starts with first corner barrel
Put a barrel about 200+ feet from you starting area. Draw a line on the ground, 
put your front tire on the line, and throw a rock, when it hits the ground go. 
(Small bikes use 1st gear, 250's and above use 2nd) Use the barrel as the first
 corner making the complete turn.
Tips: Put both feet on the ground (lightly) sitting in the center of bike, 
as you're leaving the starting gate and heading to the 1st corner, bring your 
feet up to the pegs and as you do, shift to the next gear. If the bike starts 
wheeling lean forward and if needed pull the clutch in. If your spinning and 
not hooking up then move your weight back over the rear tire. Don't let off 
the gas until you brake -- as close to the 1st corner barrel as possible.

3.Braking Practice
Use the practice start with first corner barrel (above). Only this time put a 
marker on the side of the track about 40 feet from the first corner, as you're
 racing to the first corner, when you see the side marker out of the corner of
 your eye, slam on the brakes, try to stop before the barrel. Move the marker
 closer and try longer and shorter approaches. 
Tips: Never hit the front brake first, always use back brake first then front.
 The front brake is over 70% of your stopping power, learn it well. Body 
position helps. Never use front brake first.


TEN MORE TIPS - Get High on Dirt Bikes 

1.TRY TO STAND UP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN (better balance, control and less bumps)
2.YOU WON'T BECOME A PRO OVERNIGHT 
3.YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN  
4.YOU NEED TO BE SERIOUS BUT HAVE FUN
5.LEARN HOW TO LOSE AND NOT GIVE UP - there can't be a first unless there is a last
6.THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER RACE
7.LEARN YOUR BIKE, SET SUSPENSION UP PROPERLY, DO BIKE MAINTENANCE 
8.NO ONE MAKES FUN OF RIDERS, EVERYONE KNOWS IT'S A TOUGH SPORT
9.YOU NEED TO STRETCH YOUR MUSCLES BEFORE & AFTER YOU RIDE
10.THE NUMBER ONE RULE IS HAVE FUN AT THE RACES  

Motocross Riding and Training Video's
Click Here  

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/133_motocross-tips-tricks.htm