UK motorcycle club racing guide

Details for the main racing clubs in the UK

Club racing is the bare bones of motorcycle sport giving the chance for weekend warriors to join budding upstarts in a slipstreaming, out-braking duel around top-class circuits before a return to the 9-5, Monday to Friday routine.

Before going racing there is a list of items you need to tick off before lining up on the grid, including making sure you have the appropriate riding gear and a race bike that is able to pass scrutineering. The most important of these is an ACU licence, although a peculiarity is you need to belong to a club to obtain the race licence in the first place.

Niall Mackenzie explains that picking a club ‘all depends on where you are based and what tracks you want to race at’. To help along with the choice of picking which is the right one, here is a breakdown of the main clubs in terms of their costs, circuits and the classes they feature.

ACU Licence Test

One way to get an ACU licence is to complete an instructed trackday with MSV. Check out our guide on how you can get take your ACU licence test on a trackday. We list the cost, dates and application form you'll need.

Suspension setup

Suspension can provide a huge boost in your race performance. Learn how to get the best from your suspension with our motorcycle suspension setup guide.

Be faster

Being race-fast is all about being smooth and in control. Check out Niall Mackenzie's guide to learning lines and hear what he has to say about keeping a sharp mind to go faster on track.

Wet Weather

If it rains on race day, don't worry! We've put together a guide full of tips and advice for riding in the wet weather.

BEMSEE

BMCRC

The British Motor Cycle Racing Club, the originator of British motorcycle racing. The club is the oldest of its kind in the UK beginning in the 1909. The BEMSEE club ranks as one of the main arenas for motorcycle sport and features a wide array of classes and circuits on its calendar.

Costs: £32 per year.
Classes: MRO Stocksport 600, MRO Supersport 60,0 Clubman 600, MRO Stock 1000, MRO Superteens, MRO Powerbike, Pro-Thunderbike, Clubman 1000, Rookie Superteens, Superteen 80cc, MRO Minitwins, Yamaha Past Masters, Formula 400, Rookie (600), Rookie (1000), Thunderbike, MZ’s, M/T Junior 15-20 yrs, Rookie Minitwin, Sidecars F1, Sidecars F2
Circuits: Brands Hatch (Indy and GP), Cadwell Park,  Pembrey, Silverstone, Snetterton
Contact: Website - www.bemsee.net Office - 01708 720305 Email - Mike Dommett (CEO), Tracy Ringrow (Race Secretary)

EMRA

EMRA

The East Midlands Racing Association is, as the name puts it, focussed on racing in the East Midlands. The club series mainly visits Mallory Park and although EMRA features the 'friendly circuit' as it's major destination, the 1.3 mile track provides plenty of thrills with an interesting challenge for the riders.

Cost: £15
Classes: 72-125 Formula machines, 80-125 Racing machines, 250-400cc Formula machines, 301-600cc Formula machines, 175-1300cc Open class machines, Superstock 600cc,  Formula II sidecars, 1200cc sidecars,  240-1300cc Roadstocks, Earlystocks (including 250 LC machines),175-1300 Newcomers Championship,  175-1300cc Buildbase Mallory Trophy
Circuits: Mallory Park, Darley Moor
Contact: Website - www.eastmidlandracing.co.uk Email - Iain Rankin (Entries Secretary)

Thundersport GB

Thundersport GB

With the offices located at Mallory Park, the Thundersport GB is one of the slickest clubs catering for solo competitors. Tracktime is limited with Thundersport GB and it can be costly racing with them, but they offer the opportunity for the racing action to be shown on the box as the races are televised on Motors TV.

Cost: Premier registration - £120, Standard registration - £20 (premier entitles members to a £20 discount for each race entry, with a potential net saving of £110)
Classes: Thundersport GP1, Superstock 1000, Supertwins, Thundersport GP2, Minitwins, Thundersport GP3, Formula 600, Superstock 600, Thundersport 500 (CB500),  Streetfighter Class, Aprilia RRV 450 Challenge, Aprilia Superteens, Supermono
Circuits:
Anglesey, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Donington Park, Mallory Park, Pembrey, Snetterton
Contact:
Website - www.thundersportgb.com Office - 01455 842600 Email - Dave Stewart (CEO), Bernadette Stewart (Administration)

New Era

New Era may have dramatically rescaled their race series but they are still around, focusing their race organisation on one round and with select series.

Cost: £25
Classes: Ducati Desmo Due, Ducati 848, Landsdowne, Formula 2, Open 750cc, Open 250cc
Circuits: Castle Combe, Anglesey, Snetterton, Pembrey, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park
Contact: Website - www.neweramcc.org Office - 01920 444205 Email - New Era

NG Racing

NG Road Racing

NG Road Racing was started by a group of enthusiasts back in 1970 as the North Gloucestershire Motor Cycle Club, the racing club has grown to feature some of the premier club series in the UK and counts Neil Tuxworth, Roger Burnett, Trevor Nation and Steve Parrish as it’s graduates.

Cost: £20 per year
Classes: F125 / 125GP / 80cc, 250cc (ACU National), Streetstock 700 / 1300, Streetstock 400cc, 250cc N G Cup (Clubman), Pre Injection - pre 2001, F400 / 2 Stroke, 600cc, Sound of Thunder,GP 45, Mini Twins, Open, 250 4 Stroke, Powerbike (over 700cc), Newcomers, Sidecar - Open / F2
Circuits: Pembrey, Brands Hatch Indy, Cadwell Park, Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Anglesey, Thruxton
Contact: Website - www.ngroadracing.org Email - Race office

CRMC

CRMC

Perfect for those yearning for the rose-tinted old days, the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club gives the chance to relive the classic race machinery that were raced by the legends of motorcycle sport.

Cost: £35 per year
Classes:
Sidecars, Up to 200cc four strokes & two strokes, Up to 250cc single & twin cylinder, Classic Grand Prix 350cc single cylinder, Classic Clubman 350cc single cylinder, Up to 350cc twin cylinder, Up to 350cc BSA Goldstars, Classic Grand Prix up to 500cc, Classic Clubman 351cc - 500cc, Up to 500cc BSA Goldstars, Formula 750cc, 201cc - Classic Clubman 1300cc twins, Post Classic Grand Prix 490cc - 1300cc, Post Classic Superbike, Post Classic 750cc Clubman, Post Classic Up to 500cc Air cooled, Post Classic Grand Prix 250cc & 350cc, Post Classic 125cc
Circuits: Mallory Park, Pembrey, Donington Park, Anglesey, Knockhill, Brands Hatch, Darley Moor, Cadwell Park, Snetterton
Contact:
Website - www.crmc.co.uk Email - Tony Finch (Race Office) Sue Wale (Membership Secretary)

Derby Phoenix

Derby Phoenix

Derby Phoenix is a big club with a very loyal following and has grown to be one of the top clubs in the country. Despite their race programme being disrupted by the troubles at Donington Park over the last few years, they boast full grids to their growing reputation with a calendar that features some of the best circuits across the UK.

Cost: £30 per year
Classes: Formula 125, Mini Thunderbikes, Formula 400 & Novice, Pre-Injection 600, Steel Frame 600, Superstock 600, Formula 600, 175cc to 675cc Allcomers, Thunderbikes, Four Strokes 751cc to 1300cc, 700cc to 1300cc Allcomers, Early Injection 600 & Novice, Early Injection 1000, Formula 1 & 2 Sidecar
Circuits: Snetterton, Cadwell Park, Anglesey, Croft
Contact: Website - www.derby-phoenix.co.uk Email - Dave Smith (General Secretary)