Long sleeved, not too baggy as getting it caught in someone else's bars is no fun. It should be tucked in for the same reason.

Long pants, preferably a heavy fabric, old jeans are good but need to be tucked into socks or taped around your ankles. They will end up in your chain otherwise.

Real shoes and do them up firmly, socks help protect your ankles if you bail!

Not vital but your hands will be the first thing to hit the ground when you lose it, and yes you will fall off, everyone does! Old woollen gloves or even gardening gloves will do.

This is the one that makes the biggest difference and you won't be allowed on the track without one that's in good condition. A standard road helmet is ok for club days but realise it won't stop you grinding your face. The first thing you buy if you decide to race regularly should be a full face or open face with a face guard (see the Gear Up - Helmets page for more info on helmets!).

Even those nasty little plastic ones that they sell at The Warehouse will keep your skin on your elbows instead of spread along the track! Good ones, from a real bike shop, will cost way more but will stop just about any damage to your arms.

Same deal as elbows..... depends how many scars you want !!!! They must have a rigid surface that extends from the knee protection to fully cover the shin or to just above the ankle.

Real racing pants will have padded knees and usually hip pads as well. They'll be tight around your ankles and be made of something that doesn't just fall apart when you hit the deck at speed! (tear-resistant material). They also look cool and after a race meeting smell like the inside of grandad's shoes!

Loose fitting short pants made of tear-resistant material are permitted if used together with knee and shin protection with a rigid surface that extends from the knee protection to fully cover the shin or to just above the ankle.

Look Good! and some even have padded elbows, but mostly they look good!

On a muddy or dusty track these can make racing a bit easier .. except if you're always out front! Mud in the eyes usually means the next corner is a bit of a lottery, you'll probably visit the spectators! For both, make sure they are plastic shatterproof lenses, good safety glasses from the hardware shop are usually ok.

Rugby/League shoulder pads can be worn under your shirt. You will usually notice that the old guys racing seem pretty bulky, that's because they've worked out that after a while the ground gets harder and the bruises take way longer to heal! Some riders wear motoX type body protectors, these are ok but should fit well.