First things first. Do you know what motocross is? Please don’t confuse it with Supercross or Stadium Cross.

As always, you will need to belong to a club affiliated to the local centre in which you intend to ride (although there are discrepancies in that statement which will be made clear later). Selecting a club suitable for yourself and to your needs is important and it is recommended that you read the page on Joining a Club before parting with hard earned money.

You will of course need a machine and suitable clothing etc. It is suggested that in the first instance, you should consider purchasing ‘good’ second-hand equipment although you should obtain the best new helmet you can afford. A good quality helmet of the appropriate standard for motocross is a must - your head is your most valuable commodity. Also, be aware that your machine and helmet will be scrutineered for compliance with regulations before the meeting commences. If your helmet does NOT meet the required specification then you will NOT be permitted to start until it does!

Most people, although not all, will enjoy their first forays into the world of motocross - but if you find it is not for you then it is possible - having purchased second-hand equipment - to cut your losses without incurring too much of a financial loss. However, if you start off with new equipment, you will find that the items have lost a considerable part of their value as soon as they ‘leave the box’.

Being new to the motocross scene can make you prey for some of the ‘get rich quick’ specialists. It is considered that it should be worthwhile perhaps paying a little more in the first place provided you deal with long-standing dealers in the sport. A lot of them have been around for many years whilst others have started up after having learnt motocross the hard way. These people aren’t going to go away and sell ski boats next month - they are in it for life and love of the sport. Not only that, they want to keep you as a satisfied customer. Think about it -.it’s Saturday, you want a spare, they may well endeavour to keep you happy by bringing it to the meeting the following day. Many of our local dealers also advertise in the Eastern Centre Gazette.

Before you are able to take part in a motocross event you will need to purchase an ACU Competition License and the requisite License Application Form should be available from your club secretary. If not, then they are available from the ACU website or by calling the ACU on 01788 566400. Purchase of this license also includes affiliation to the ACU.

The purchase of a machine not only depends on how much you can afford but may also be related to your age, particularly if the rider is still at school. Please refer to the current ACU Handbook for the machine capacity that you may be permitted to ride. A copy of the current ACU handbook will be sent to you by the ACU when you obtain your license.

As in most aspects of life, it is best to know and understand the rules. Rules are not written for others to comply with, they are written for the safety of all concerned (competitors, organisers and spectators), and a desire to ensure ‘fair play’ between competitors. Knowledge of the rules can also give you an edge over your competitors.

You are almost certain to find motocross to be harder than you had anticipated, both from the physical standpoint as well as mentally. Don’t start the sport expecting to win - that is MOST unlikely! Instead, aim to finish each race, gaining experience on each outing. If you go like a ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ for the first lap and then fall off - what have you learned? You have learned that Mother Earth is pretty hard and unforgiving (it is assumed that you already know that) but if you finish, then you have a far better challenge for the next race - to beat that rider who just pipped you last time out!

Normally you have to enter an event before the day in order for a programme of events etc. to be compiled. To do this it will be necessary to complete an entry form and send it, together with the event entry fee, to the Secretary of the Meeting. Most motocross events in the Eastern Centre are of either Centre Restricted (aka Open to Centre) or Regional Restricted. The definition is in fact quite simple: Centre Restricted means the event is open to members of any club within the Eastern Centre whilst Regional Restricted means the event is open to members of any club belonging to the invited centres as defined in the regulations. For our part of the world, this would normally be ourselves (the Eastern Centre), the South-Eastern Centre, the Southern Centre and/or the South-Midland Centre. Occasionally, the East-Midlands Centre may also be invited.

Entry forms for Eastern Centre events are published in the monthly Eastern Centre Gazette which is normally obtainable from your club. However, if you intend to travel further afield and enter motocross events in adjacent centres, i.e. Regional Restricted events, then it may be necessary to purchase The Sporting Motorcyclist which is published in the Southern, South-Eastern and South-Midland Centres. Distribution of The Sporting Motorcyclist is undertaken by Andy Wood. Any further afield than this and you will need to find out more from the local centre in which the club is located.