Joining the club is simple. You can come along to any of our club events and discuss joining with one of our club leaders.

At Titans we want you to take part and enjoy BMX. It’s the taking part that counts, not just being a winner. If you enjoy racing but don’t always finish higher than third place, don’t worry we can help you improve your riding. Just ask a club leader for advice or a demonstration.

Free racing and practice until April 09

Courtesy The Pulse our winter series racing (see calendar for dates) and Sunday practice sessions are free until April 09. If you want to try BMX you can borrow one of our bikes, and wear a new helmet and gloves for safety. To take part you need to complete a British Cycling membership form which is free for the first year.

Club membership

First you need to join our club. Click here to download a simple one page application form. Complete it and bring it with you the next time you visit the track. A club leader can help you complete the form if you wish.

Remember that if you are under 16 years of age you will need to get your parent/guardian to sign the membership application forms for you.

Membership of the club runs from 1st April each year and membership fees for 2008 will be:
Under 16 years £5 | Over 16 years £10

The above fees are based upon the member's age on 1st April 2008.

If you have never been a member of British Cycling before, then you can qualify for free membership for your first year. Under 16's automatically get FREE silver membership. Over 16's get FREE bronze membership, but you can choose to upgrade your membership to silver or gold at a discounted rate if you wish. See one of the club leaders for more information, or visit the British Cycling website.

If you are a lapsed or existing member of British Cycling, download renewal application forms here.

Long sleeved tops, trousers and gloves are recommended but not essential. A helmet is mandatory though – ideally a full face.

Racing age groups and classes

If there are less than 4 riders in any class that class may be combined with the nearest class, of either older or younger riders. This will help to make the racing more competitive and exciting. However, you'll still be awarded points based on your final placing within your own age group.

Boys BMX	Boys Crusier | MTB	Girls	Girls MTB
6 years and under	Open cruiser	6 years and under	Under 10 years MTB
7-8 years	Under 10 years	7-9 years	11-15 years MTB
9-10 years	11-15 years MTB	10-12 years	-
11-12 years	16+ MTB	13-15 years	-
13-14 years	-	16+ years	-
15-16 years	-	-	-
17+ years	-	-	-

About BMX racing

A maximum of 8 riders take part in each race or ‘moto’. Each rider is told by an official what lane on the gate they are starting from, lane 1 being the inside lane, 8 the outside lane. The lane positions are selected at random by the race officials.

The riders line up in the start gate and an official will activate the automated gate. A recorded announcement of “OK, riders let’s set em up!" will follow – this gives the riders a few seconds to prepare for the start of the race.

“Riders ready!” then “Watch the gate!” will follow seconds later. Four beebs will sound and the start gate will quickly drop to the ground. All riders are expected to cycle out of the gate as quickly as possible. The key to winning a race is to ‘snap’ out of the gate and reach the first corner ‘berm’ in the lead. If you are leading the race comfortably you can then take the best line around the rest of the track and win.

If you are not leading you will have to use cycle power, skills and tactics to beat the other racers. However, any rider seen using unsportsmanlike conduct will be disqualified from a race.

The following points are awarded to each rider who crosses the finish line:

Place	Points	Place	Points
1	50	5	43
2	47	6	42
3	45	7	41
4	44	8	40

Taking part in a race is easy and great fun. However, bike skills and technical knowledge can help improve your racing. A club leader can help you learn more about racing and there are websites and DVDs that offer tips and advice. Racing techniques are also featured on YouTube.

Click here to download detailed rules about BMX racing.

• About Titans
• How to join
• Club leaders
• Calendar
• Under 16 racing
• Old school & 17+
• Gallery — new school
• Gallery — old school
• Club shop
• Location
• Contact

Race equipment

20” BMX bikes are normally used for racing. But we allow 16” BMX bikes, off-road bicycles and mountain bikes to take part in the racing. If you don’t have a bike, a club leader will be happy to lend one (and a helmet) to see if you like BMX at no cost.

WE WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THAT YOUR BIKE DOESN’T HAVE STUNT PEGS FITTED AND THAT THE HANDLE BAR ENDS ARE COVER BY GRIPS OR BAR ENDS.

To compete in the organised racing you will need a helmet, preferably a full face. The club can lend you one. In addition we encourage riders to wear as much protection as possible: gloves, elbow and knee pads, long sleeved top and trousers, and training shoes.

CHILDREN WHO WISH TO RACE WEARING CROCS SHOES, FLIP-FLOPS, BALLET SHOES, SHORTS AND T-SHIRTS DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK.

If your budget allows proper BMX clothing is more practical as it offers more protection and is easier to clean. Most local bike shops should stock protective gear and clothing, if not try Groove Racing or buy it new or used from eBay.

Supervised racing

Here’s club leader Niall Craig assisting a youngster at the gate.