FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are keen to give BMX a go - where do we start?
Rotorua BMX Club runs the following training sessions in Terms 1 and 4:
- Start Up to Race is our kids programme for beginners (4 years+) - Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm.
- Legends Training is for adults (18 years+) beginners and intermediate - Wednesdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm.
- Intermediate Training is for kids (8 years+) who have already completed at least two terms of Start Up to Race - Wednesdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm.
How do we sign up?
- You can fill out a registration form for Start Up to Race here or just come along to a Thursday evening Start Up to Race session.
What is the cost?
- You can come along for one free session to try it out. After that, you will need to pay a membership fee.
- The Club has a Term 4 membership special of $60 per child for Start Up to Race.
- In Term 1, you will need to purchase a Club Membership ($100 per year from 2024) plus a Race Licence ($30 - $80 per year). These are valid for one whole calendar year (January - December) and need to be renewed each year. Even if you are not planning to enter races, you still require a licence to ride at our track (with the exception of the Term 4 special deal where you don't need a licence).
- You can apply and pay for membership here.
Can you explain the different types of race licence?
- Sprocket Licence ($50 per calendar year) - Riders aged up to and including UCI 7. Kiwi Sprocket Rockets are permitted to enter all BMXNZ sanctioned meetings and they must participate in their appropriate age on the day class. Sprockets cannot ride in Challenge age groups. A Sprocket license includes a sprocket bike number plate which the club will provide.
- Regional Licence ($30 per calendar year) - Riders 8+ yrs old (turning 8 year old or above in 2024) holders of a Regional licence may participate in Category 9 & 10 (Club & Interclub) meetings, held within their licenced region (e.g. The Central Region Winter Race Series). This licence is to introduce riders to more racing at a cost-effective fee. A Regional licence can be upgraded to a Challenge or Championship licence through the members club and by paying the appropriate fee.
- Challenge Licence ($80 per calendar year)- Riders 8+ yrs old (UCI8) for all Challenge 20” and Cruiser classes, this is a full race licence that can be used throughout New Zealand for all race meetings.
- Championship Licence($80 per calendar year) - Riders 17+ yrs old (UCI17) who wish to compete in Championship classes of Juniors, U23 or Elite. Riders wishing to enter Elite UCI Category Meetings must select CHAMPIONSHIP and be fully aware of the implications of that decision.
- UCI AGE EXPLAINER - Regardless of the birth date during the year. The age a rider turns in any particular year between Jan 1st to Dec 31st will be the age group the rider will ride in for that year.
What equipment do we need?
- Long sleeve top
- Long leg pants (or shorts with knee and shin pads)
- Socks and closed-in shoes
- Gloves & Helmet* (full-face helmet required if riding from the gate)
- Bike* (BMX or Dirt Jump bike. Younger kids can use their own strider or mountain bikes)
- Children under 8 years old as of 1 December are also required to wear knee and elbow pads
*The club has bikes, helmets and gloves available to hire for $5 each per night. Please come along early if you need to rent gear.
What size bike do I need?
- When you are sure that your child is keen to continue with BMX racing, it's probably time to start looking for a race bike. Sometimes freestyle or street/park style BMX bikes can look similar to a race bike, but will not perform anywhere near as well.
- Club members are more than happy to let people try out bikes to get an idea of sizing. The club also has hire bikes available to try out.
- Bike sizes and dimensions vary between manufacturers but these guidelines should be useful:
- Micro Mini ‐ The smallest race bike frame available, these will often have an 18-inch wheel diameter. Generally, these are used for children aged 5 or under who are shorter than 120cm.
- Mini - 20-inch wheel diameter. Best suited for children between 115 and 135cm tall.
- Junior ‐ 20-inch wheel diameter. Best suited for children 130cm ‐ 145cm tall.
- Expert ‐ 20-inch wheel diameter. Best suited for children 140cm to 160cm tall.
- Pro ‐ 20-inch wheel diameter. Best suited for riders 155cm to 175cm tall.
- Pro XL or above ‐ 20-inch wheel diameter. For larger adult riders, or those who prefer a longer frame.
- Cruiser ‐ Cruisers have a 24-inch wheel diameter and are generally available in Junior, Expert and Pro sizes.
- Riders choose between 20-inch and Cruisers from personal preference. Cruisers and 20-inch are raced in separate classes for specific events, but usually, for club nights, cruisers and 20-inch bikes race together. 20-inch bikes are much more common. Cruiser bikes are popular with older riders - lots of our mums and dads race on cruisers.
Where can I buy a bike and the other gear I need?
- There are a few Facebook pages that sell second-hand gear. “BMX racing NZ exchange” and “BMX racing NZ buy sell or swap” are a couple of good ones.
- Trademe is another option. Local bike shops are great for helmets and other protective gear and clothing. Note BMX race bikes can hold their value reasonably well and you may end up paying a lot for a well‐used second-hand bike.
Is the BMX track open to the public?
- Yes, anyone can use the track when it is not being used for Club activities or training. We ask that people wear the correct equipment at all times, respect other riders and ride the track in the correct direction.
- Please do not ride on the track in the rain.
- There is access through a side gate when the main gate is locked. When you sign up as a member you will be given the code to access the carpark and toilet.
Can we ride from the 8m ramp?
- Our facility has both a 5m (Challenge Class) ramp and an 8m (Elite) ramp. Only experienced riders UCI15 and over, who have signed the waiver form (available here) are permitted to ride the 8m ramp.
- Access to the 8m ramp is kept locked when not in use and is out of bounds to all.
What happens at Club Night?
- Club night is a chance to practice racing in a relaxed and fun environment.
- All Start Up to Race, Intermediate and Legends riders are welcome. Members of other clubs are also welcome.
- You need a club membership and licence to race.
- You don't need a transponder or race plate to ride at club night.
- Sign in at Race Control from 5.30pm. Come a bit earlier if you need to hire a bike or other gear.
- Everyone will be called to the start ramp (listen for "Riders to the Pits!") and you will be put into a group of riders of similar age to race against.
- We usually have 3-5 races each club night.
- The Club shop will be open to purchase food and drink. We have eftpos!
- We rely on parents to help run club nights, so please let us know if you can help.
What do we need to enter a race?
- The appropriate licence (see above for details). If you want to race in the Central Region Winter Series you only need a regional licence - this is a great introduction to racing. All other race meets require you to have a Sprocket or Challenge licence.
- The correct coloured number plate for your bike:
- Sprockets must use their Sprocket Plate as provided by BMXNZ when racing.
- Boys UCI8 and above must have a yellow background with black numbers and RO written on the plate. (RO = Rotorua)
- Girls UCI8 and above must have a blue background with white numbers and RO written on the plate.
- Cruisers (24" wheel) must have a red background with white numbers and RO written on the plate.
- Plate numbers can be any number between 51 and 999
- The club sometimes has spare plates to give to new racers - just ask a member or message us on Facebook.
- A transponder (if you are age 8+). Most race meets require a transponder. You will need to purchase one at https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/218703. More information about transponders is below.
- Enter the race online here: https://bmxevents.nz/enter-online/. You will need to know your BMX licence number, your transponder number and your race plate number.
What is a transponder?
- A small red sensor that you attach to your bike. Each transponder has a unique ID number so the timing system at each track can record when you start and finish and the time it takes you to complete a race.
- You will need to purchase a transponder (which includes a subscription) at https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/218703.
- Once you have purchased a transponder you need to activate it:
- Download the MYLaps software onto your computer (find it here https://flex.mylaps.com)
- Connect the transponder via USB to the computer
- Once the App has located the transponder, click on 'Activate'
- You will be able to see how much battery life and subscription time is left on the transponder
- Once registered, you can then use your transponder ID number when you enter a race.
- Go to mylaps.com to set up an account and register the transponder. Your transponder has a subscription for a set time, generally a year, or you can pay for a longer time period. At the end of the term, you will be advised via email that you need to re-register, which you can do online here https://account.mylaps.com/en/products.
- The transponder should be mounted on your front fork (either side) with two strong cable ties to secure in place. The transponder is required to be mounted on the outside of the fork (not the inside).
- A transponder battery cannot be recharged. Once the battery dies, you will need to replace the transponder. If you still have an active subscription on the transponder, you can request a FREE replacement at https://account.mylaps.com/.
- You can check whether your transponder battery and subscription are active by following these instructions:
- Place the transponder on a flat surface for 10 seconds.
- Pick up the transponder and shake for 10 seconds.
- You will see 2 blinks, the first blink indicates the subscription status. Red means Inactive and Green means the transponder is Active. The second blink indicates battery status: Red means Low Battery and Green means the battery is Ok.
- Make sure you check your transponder battery regularly as it will take at least a week for a new one to be delivered.
How does a race meet work?
- BMX race meets usually take place on a Saturday or Sunday and can take between 4-6 hours depending on the number of racers. Bigger race meets run over two days (e.g. North Island Champs, Nationals).
- You will need to be at the track at least an hour before racing starts so that you can register and do some practice laps. If you have a transponder you will need to run your bike over the mat at registration to check that your details are correct.
- Our club will usually have a gazebo set up so bring some camp chairs and plenty of snacks!
- You can check the race order and all the riders who are entered through the Sqorz website: https://our.sqorz.com/region/nz/orgs
- There are a maximum of 8 riders in each race and you will be allocated a lane to race in.
- For most race meets, you will complete 4 races (motos) then at least one final moto.
- If there are more than 8 riders in your class (age group) then you may have quarter and semi-finals. Use Sqorz to check your times and whether you have qualified for a final. Most race meets will run 'B finals' so everyone has a final race. All Sprocket riders and classes with fewer than 8 riders have a final moto.
What is an NQM?
- An NQM is a "Nominated Qualifying Meeting" or a "National Qualifying Meet". This means that a race has been nominated by BMXNZ as a meeting where the rider can compete to take a step toward qualifying for Nationals.
- To qualify to race at Nationals, each rider needs a minimum of four NQMs. You must race those NQMs in the calendar year prior to Nationals - e.g. 4 NQMs in 2023 will qualify you to race at Nationals in 2024.
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