BSSO Scooter Racing 2008

How do I start Scooter Racing?

Firstly join the BSSO
BSSO membership currently costs £10 a year and entitles you to enter scooter race meetings. With your membership card you will receive a set of race entry forms, a calendar of our events, a copy of our current regulations (you can also download these from this site) and after every race meeting you will receive a newsletter and set of results. Note - you need to be a member of the BSSO to apply for your ACU scooter race licence.

Read the BSSO machine construction regulations
The BSSO Regulations are available as a download at this site. Familarise yourself with the regulations. These tell you what you can and can’t do to your scooter.
Decide which group you want to compete in
No matter what scooter you use we have a group to suit you, whether it is a Gilera Runner, Piaggio Zip, Suzuki Burgman, Lambretta, Vespa or a Moto Rumi Bol d’Or. Our classes cater for everything from sidecars to liquid cooled, as well as specially constructed solos, and for all capacities of scooter from 50cc to 650cc

Build a bike to the spec for that group
Now match your choice of machine with the regulations for that group. Other members of the BSSO are always happy to help out with advice and don’t forget our sponsors, many of whom supply everything you need to get your bike on the track. Many dealers are also either racers or are involved with certain riders. Links to dealers websites are found on the Links Page

Get an ACU racing licence
This is an essential requirement, without an ACU licence you cannot race. Everyone who races a two or three wheeled vehicle needs a race licence from the ACU — the organisation that controls motorcycle sport in the UK. Visit their website www.motorcyclinggb.co.uk for full details and an application form. A scooter race licence will cost you £35 per year and every three years you will need to supply the ACU with an optician’s report on your eyesight. (Note - you cannot get an ACU licence for scooter racing without being a member of the BSSO). New addition is that a course is held at ACU headquarters in Rugby which is compulsory before any licence is issued. The course runs every Monday at Rugby from 11am to 3pm. Visit our page at :- www.scooterracing.org.uk/bsso20.htm for full details of the ACU course.

Get the right protective equipment
When you race a Scooter you will need to protect yourself in case you take a tumble. ACU regulations require you to wear a one piece leather or Kevlar suit, a current ACU gold standard crash helmet, leather gloves, leather boots that cover the ankle and a dog tag around your neck that carries your name and date of birth, (it is also a good idea to have your blood group on this as well).

Go along to a couple of track testing days
Practice makes perfect. Racing on a track is very different from hammering along the A1 or the M6 so it’s useful to have a bit of practice before you race for real. Many race circuits around the country hold track testing days, where you can go round and round the circuit as many times as you like. This gets you used to the bike, and you’ll develop a smooth riding style, making you safer when you race against other riders.

Enter one of our races
When you feel you and your machine are ready to compete, fill in one of the entry forms that you received in your membership pack, send it off along with the entry fee (usually around £100) and then wait for confirmation that you have been accepted as a starter.

Get your adrenalin pumping
Turn up on the right day, listen for when the race is called, go to the start line with the other scooter racers, open the throttle and drop the clutch when the lights go out, unless you are on an Auto — now you’re racing!

Remember :-
Our Regulations are online at our website -
If you want more info, print off the Inquiry form at this website and Fax it to the Admin Sec -
If in doubt email us at info@scooterracing.org.uk and we'll try to assist, but do check the BSSO website first - Thanks