General information

Motorcycle racing is about freedom and having fun, but obviously there are rules. We are affiliated to both the ACU and the AMCA and all our events are run under permits issued by one of these authorities. All our events are run to ACU/FIM standards. Please take a few minutes to look through the info in this section and you should know all you need to know to come racing with us (if not just ask!). Always ride responsibly and remember whatever you ride, wherever you ride and whenever you ride you are truly privileged to be out there on a motorcycle. The vast majority of people in this world will never experience anything like it . So get out there and Enjoy the ride!

1. Types of event

2. Classes

3. Race Numbers and Backgrounds

4. Championship Points

5. Beginners tips

6. Licences

7. Noise

8. Why Enduro tyres?

9. What is an Enduro tyre?

10. Route Markers

11. Transponders

12. Time Cards

13. Marshalling

14. Q & A

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Types of Event

o ‘Hare Scrambles’: Typically fast flowing circuits over farm or open terrain often including existing or specially built moto-x tracks. Average course length 8-10km (5-6 miles). These events usually run for a maximum of 3 hours and are suitable and enjoyable for riders of ALL abilities.

o ‘Hare & Hounds Enduro’: Typically much tighter and far more technical (enduro style) terrain than Hare Scrambles. Circuits may be longer than Hare Scrambles 10-15km (6-8miles) and often Woodland or Forest based. These events usually run for a minimum of 3 hours and are suitable for more experienced riders and ambitious newcomers.

o Enduro: Traditional ‘Time Card’ Enduros are really a different sport all together. They are usually quite technical and forest based with a lap length that varies enormously (from 8 to 150km) as does the level of difficulty - though most events are still manageable by ambitious newcomers. These events are run over a minimum of 3 hours but are more often run over a whole day or weekend.

Classes for 2008 Southern Counties Enduro Club events

• Championship:- Machine classes merged

• Expert:- Machine classes merged

• Expert Over 40 (Vets):- Clubman/Expert class riders over the age of 40. Machine classes merged.

• Ladies:- Machine classes merged

• Clubman E1:- 2 stroke up to 200cc / 4 stroke up to 250cc (300cc air cooled)

• Clubman E2:- 2 stroke over 200cc / 4 stroke over 250cc (300cc air cooled)

• Sportsman:- Machine classes merged

• Sportsman Over 40:- Sportsman/Novice class riders over the age of 40. Machine classes merged

• Novice: Machine classes merged

Race Numbers and Backgrounds

• Championship Red Backgrounds 1-99 (prefix C)
• Expert Green backgrounds 1-99 (prefix X)
• +40 Expert Blue backgrounds 1-99 (prefix V)
• Ladies White backgrounds 1-99 (prefix L)
• Clubman E1 Yellow backgrounds 100-199
• Clubman E2 Yellow backgrounds 200-299
• Sportsman Black backgrounds 300-399
• +40 Sportsman Black backgrounds 400-499
• Novice Black backgrounds 500-599

Awards

Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each class for each event and will be presented during the rider’s briefing at the following club event.

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Championship Points

The 2009 series will have a new scoring system - 1st place will get 1 point, second 2, and so on for every finisher. DNFs will be awarded the same number of points as the number of finishers in their class plus 5 and riders registered for the series but not starting a race will be awarded the same points as a DNF plus 10 points. If a rider competes in all 6 rounds his worst finish will be dropped (so 5 of 6 the rounds will count) and the winner will be the rider who has the lowest overall point score. The series will support the riders who support the series so it will not be possible to enter just a couple of races and walk away with the championship. Championship awards and product prizes will be presented during the rider’s briefing at the first event of the season.

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Beginners tips

Hare & Hounds or Hare Scrambles are more relaxed than motocross but more competitive than trail riding – it’s the blending of the two that makes them so popular and so exciting.

• You can use almost any off-road bike. Moto-x, Enduro & Trail bikes can be used but you will find it most enjoyable on a proper Enduro bike. Fourstroke MX bikes will need an Enduro or ‘Q” type silencer. Trail bikes are often fitted with glass lights and these should either be removed or taped up as lights are not required (unless you are very VERY slow!)

• All machines have to pass a basic technical inspection and must be well silenced. Four stroke moto-x bikes will need enduro or quiet pipes fitted to pass the noise test. You use the same race number throughout the season and these should be clearly visible front and sides. If the bike isn’t fitted with race number plates you can wear a race bib showing your race number instead.

• Protective boots and clothing must be worn, along with an ACU ‘gold’ stamped helmet. Kriega style ‘hydration’ systems are strongly recommended, as are good quality goggles and body amour. Goggle ‘tear-offs’ are not usually allowed, most riders use a ‘roll-off’ system and have at least one spare pair of goggles ready in the re-fuel area. If it’s muddy you should consider taking a spare pair of gloves with you in a protective bag – it’s hard to hold on to the bars when your hands are covered in slime!

• You will need enough fuel for a 3-hour race, a small fire extinguisher plus some tools and spares for minor repairs (cables, levers etc.) This can be placed in the refueling area before the start and you can stop there as many times as you like during the event. Most riders have additional drink and small snacks or ‘power-bars’ with their tools and eat them when they stop for fuel to help keep them going. You must stop your bike and push it within the refueling area.

• After you have ‘signed-on’, collected/registered your tranponder and your bike has passed technical inspection you will be asked to push it into the start area. This is arranged in lines depending on class. The first line is the ‘Championship’ class, then the Expert, Expert Over 40, Clubman E1, Clubman E2, Ladies, Sportsman Over 40, Sportsman and Novice groups each have their own line behind them.

• 10 minutes before the start all riders are allowed to warm their engines and then 2 minutes before the start all the engines are cut. The race is started when the starter drops the start flag and each group has it’s own start. Usually the Championship class will start at 11:00, the Experts at 11:01 and so on. When the starter drops the flag for your class you start your engine and you’re away!

• The courses are of mixed terrain but are always rideable even for the less experienced rider. There are often ‘extreme’ sections but this should not put you off as there is always a longer but easier way around. The route is very well marked using ‘day-glo’ orange arrows and track tape and should present no problems. You must always ride in the direction of the arrows and never ride backwards along the course (if you want to retire find a marshal who will help you get back to the start). Naturally you should pay special attention to any warning signs. The courses are usually around 5 to 6 miles long and will take the average rider between 15 and 25 minutes per lap to get round.

• We use a transponder system for lap scoring - there are always lap scoring marshals there to help if you have any problems.

• Your position is displayed on the timing screen as you scan and provisional results are available just after the race finishes. They are also sent by text to your mobile and published on the website in the evening.

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AMCA Licences

AMCA Licences for Enduro and Cross-Country races are now obligatory (as from 1^st February 2009). The cost is £15 p.a. The application form can be obtained from SCEC or downloaded from the AMCA website. It must be stamped and countersigned by the rider’s club before being sent to AMCA HQ. SCEC club members can send us their completed licence application which we’ll be happy to stamp/countersign and send them on directly to AMCA. Day licences are not available, if you arrive at an event without a valid licence you will given an application form which you should complete and send to the AMCA as quickly as possible after the event.

Our Cross-Country style events are normally run under AMCA permits.

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ACU Licences

ACU Licences are obligatory for all ACU sanctioned events. An annual licence costs £43 p.a. (or for 2009 only) £25 for new applicants. The application form can be obtained from SCEC or downloaded from the ACU website. It must be stamped and countersigned by the rider’s club before being sent to ACU HQ at Rugby. SCEC club members can send us their completed licence application which we’ll be happy to stamp/countersign and send them on directly to ACU HQ. Annual ACU licence forms can be downloaded directly from the ACU website (www.acu.org.uk)

Day licences are available by prior arrangement (£10 per event). The rider must belong to an ACU affiliated club. It is important to let the organising club know if you will be needing a day licence as they have to order and pay for them in advance.

Our Forestry style events are normally run under ACU permits.

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Noise

The standard noise limit for Enduro events is 94db and this limit is rigidly enforced. All four strokes must be fitted with an enduro or ‘Q’ type pipe - Four-stroke moto-x bikes fitted with standard pipes will not be noise tested and will not be allowed to compete.

If the exhaust is in good condition and the silencer well packed standard Enduro bikes and modern two stroke moto-x bikes should pass OK.

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Why Enduro tyres?

The tyres on your bike are as hi-tech as any other part of it and choosing the correct tyre for the conditions is the single most effective performance boost you can give your machine. All tyres are not the same and bigger knobs do not necessarily mean more grip!

Modern moto-x tyres are designed specifically for modern, man-made moto-x tracks and in that environment they are superb - but they are not designed for enduro racing. The compounds used, the tread design and the stiff, unforgiving carcass designs give poor grip and control in enduro conditions whilst at the same time causing rapid tyre wear and enormous unnecessary damage to the terrain.

Conversely Enduro tyres feature highly technical designs that provide superior grip and control over a huge range of conditions. Even with their reduced tread height most modern Enduro tyres will easily match the performance of moto-x tyres on a moto-x track yet still offer vastly better grip and control in more technical riding conditions. This extra grip and control not only greatly assists the rider it also dramatically reduces tyre wear and damage to the terrain.

What are Enduro Tyres?

The FIM standard for Enduro tyres stipulates that they should be:

a) Road legal and ‘e’ marked

and

b) Have a tread height of not more than 13mm

A road legal part worn moto-x tyre (with a tread height of less than 13mm) would theoretically be acceptable for a World Championship event.

FOR BEST PERFORMANCE WE WOULD ALWAYS RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE GENUINE (MARKED) ENDURO TYRES WHENEVER POSSIBLE - however if the event does not use pubic roads (currently only our proposed BEC round does) then we simply stipulate that the tread height should not exceed 13mm ANYWHERE on the tyre. The tyre need not be marked ‘enduro’ or road legal.

Route Markers

• Where the route marker arrows run along the edge of a field you must pass between the arrows and the edge of the field.
• Where the route has been cut through a crop, you must stay within the intended route.
• Where crops are protected by a row of pegs joined by tape or rope you must pass between the pegs and edge of the field even if the tape/rope becomes broken.
• You may come across signs stipulating Walking Pace - Walking Pace always means Walking Pace !
• If the route crosses a bridleway or footpath you must obey the marshals and be prepared to stop immediately if required.

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kPeg Transponder Hare & Hounds Timing System

Always at the forefront SCEC introduced electronic timing to UK cross-country racing back in the 1990s with their innovative hand held bar-code system. Around five years ago we took the next leap forward and introduced the kPeg transponder based timing and lap-scoring system. The system is now fully developed and is universally acknowledged to be the best cross-country timing system available. It has proven extremely reliable even in extreme conditions and unlike other systems has the very real benefit of giving the rider a visual and audio confirmation that his lap has been recorded. The transponders are inexpensive and virtually indestructable and can be rented for £5 per event or purchased outright for £15. Newcomers can borrow one for their first 2 rides with us after which they must buy or rent.

In 2008 we will in introduce a new software package that will calculate and display your position as you scan!

• You wear the transponder on your right wrist just like a wrist watch

o Wear it under your shirt or jacket to keep it clean – this will not affect the way it works.

o When you approach the reader, swing your wrist along the front surface of the scanner an inch or two away from the surface. The antenna is the black box with the little red flashing light – not the other thing that looks like a car reversing light.

o When the other thing that looks like a car reversing light lights up you have been scanned and can go on to the second scanner.

o Follow exactly the same procedure at the second scanner. The second unit is the back-up system and is totally independent from the first.

o The scanners cannot scan the same tag twice by mistake, so don’t worry – you will not be accidentally credited with extra laps so you won’t have to spend the rest of the race wrestling with your conscience.

• It is your responsibility to make sure you have been scanned!   The light will tell you when this has happened. If you have followed these instructions and cannot get the unit to scan you, go to the timing controller immediately who can record your time and issue you with a replacement transponder if necessary.

• After the event the transponders can safely be washed with the rest of your riding gear.

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Confused by ‘Time Card’ Enduros ?

Although we are best known for our Hare & Hounds events we do also run traditional ‘Time Card’ events (including an annual BEC round starting in 2008). For riders unfamiliar with this type of event we have prepared a simple guide: how to fill in a time card… 

Marshalling

Good marshals are vital to the success of any event. The Marshals priority is competitor’s safety, looking out for riders who may be in trouble and helping to ensure the safe & smooth running of the event by keeping the course intact and flowing. Marshalling can be fantastic fun and you will meet some fantastic people so if you fancy coming along, with or without a bike, don’t be shy, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

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Questions & Answers

Q: I’m told your events are too hard, why can’t you make them easier?

A: All our events are suitable for riders of all abilities from top flight expert to enthusiastic beginner (unless it says otherwise on the entry form). Suitable means that a beginner should be able to get around the course and enjoy it, it does not mean that he or she will be able to cover the same number of laps as an experienced pro. If you just want to pretend you’re an ‘enduro’ rider or you get your kicks from racing flat out across open fields then we’re not for you - but if you care more about how you feel inside than how you think your mates might see you then we’re your boys!

Q: Why are you making us use enduro tyres, some organisers say they don’t make any difference.

A: It depends on what you mean by not making any difference. Enduro spec tyres absolutely definitely make less mess than full-blown Moto-X tyres, however if you race predominately on stubble or other fields that are regularly plowed then it probably doesn’t make any difference. We prefer more natural undulating terrain but as this type of land can be difficult or even impossible to repair it is imperative we keep the damage to a minimum. See Why Enduro Tyres? above.

Q: And what about Trials tyres, surely they don’t grip.

A: We don’t use Trials tyres where they won’t grip (at predominately grassland venues for example). On the right terrain Trials tyres provide at least as much (if not superior) grip to either Enduro or Moto-X tyres AND dramatically reduce land damage. There is a cost benefit to riders too as most of us use secondhand tyres. Trials riders tend to discard their tyres as soon as the leading edge becomes visibly rounded off - a new tyre fitted to an enduro bike would suffer this much damage by the end of the start straight! Once the leading edge has worn the tyres wear slowly. We specify Trials rear tyres at some Military and Forest Commission venues.

Q: I know my 450 Kawahonsuziaha is noisy but I can ride it at other cross-country races – Why won’t you let me ride it at yours?

A: All organisers should enforce the same standard FIM enduro noise limit (94db), however some are more interested in your money today than our sport tomorrow - you and they are killing our sport. With each 3db increase the sound travels twice as far - if you want the sport to survive you should get a quiet pipe and only ride where sound limits are enforced.

Q: Do I need a ‘race licence’ to ride at your events?

A: Yes,, you will need either an ACU or an AMCA licence depending on the event (see above: Licences)’.

Q: Is it true that some organisers don’t have proper insurance?

A : It depends what you mean by proper. All organisers have to have third party insurance covering them against a third party claim but some policies don’t seem to cover the actual riders or marshals under the same circumstances. What constitutes an acceptable level of cover is also the subject of some debate with many settling for £1million cover. Very recently (February 2007) a personal Injury award of £6.6million was made for the life-time care of a young man injured in 1991. Should such an award be made following an accident at one of these events it would leave the Officials, Club members and any rider involved, personally liable for the short-fall. The best solution is to ask for a copy of the insurance and read it for yourself. If you’re happy with it fine, if not don’t ride.

Q: What insurance do you provide?

A: The ACU and AMCA permits include the best levels of cover available - all our events are held on permits issued by one of these authorities and details of the cover provided are included in the event program.

Q: How old do I have to be to ride?

A: You must be 16 to ride in the ACU events and normally 15 to ride in the AMCA sanctioned adult events (we do not currently run youth events) however the AMCA can give clubs special permission to allow 14 year olds with sufficient experience & skills to participate. We are normally happy to accept their recommendations but please remember that applications must be made directly to AMCA HQ and well in advance of the planned event.

Need more info - Just ask !

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