BMX Guide
Everything you need to know about BMX racing — from the track to the race format.
What is BMX Racing?
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) racing is a sprint cycling discipline where riders compete on a purpose-built dirt track featuring a starting hill, jumps, berms, and rhythm sections. Races are short — typically 30–45 seconds — and intensely exciting. It's an Olympic sport that welcomes riders from age 3 to 80+.
The Track
A BMX track starts with a steep starting hill (the 'gate'). Riders are held at the top by an electronic starting gate which drops when the race starts. The track then winds through a series of:
- →Rollers — small, rounded bumps ridden smoothly for speed
- →Table tops — flat-topped jumps you can jump over or roll across
- →Step-ups and step-downs — jumps between sections at different heights
- →Berms — banked corners that help maintain speed through turns
- →Rhythm sections — sequences of bumps requiring pump or jump technique
Race Format
At club races, riders are grouped by age and experience. Each race begins with motos (qualifying heats), with the top riders advancing to semi-finals and finals. Up to 8 riders compete on the track at once.
The starting gate drops after a sequence of beeps — timing your start is one of the most important skills in BMX racing. A perfect gate start can win or lose a race.
Getting Involved
The best way to get started is to come to a Saturday coaching session. You'll learn the basics in a safe, structured environment before progressing to Open Gates sessions and eventually club races.