About BMX Racing
BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing, derived from motocross racing.
BMX races are sprint races on purpose-built off-road single-lap race tracks, like our Lisburn BMX Track
The sport of BMX racing is facilitated in Northern Ireland at our national standard Race track at Lisburn BMX Club
Bicycle moto cross (BMX) started in the late 1960s in California, around the time that motocross became a popular sport in the USA. The motorised version of the sport was the inspiration for the human powered competition. Children and teenagers with the desire but not the means to participate in motocross sated their appetite by racing bicycles on self-built tracks. These young adventurers completed the imitation by dressing themselves up in motocross gear. The sport was given the name ‘bmx’ and the conception was complete.
BMX racing offered exciting action at a low cost, close to home. It is easy to see why the sport was an instant hit. In California the sport was more popular than anywhere else. During the early 1970s a sanctioning body for BMX was founded in the U.S.A. This is considered as the official start of BMX racing. As that decade progressed, the sport was introduced on other continents too, among them Europe in 1978.
In April 1981, the International BMX Federation was founded, and the first world championships were held in 1982. BMX rapidly developed as a unique sporting entity, and after several years clearly had more in common with cycling than motorcycling codes. Thus, since January 1993 BMX has been fully integrated into the Union Cyclist Internationale.
BMX racing rewards strength, quickness, and bike handling. Many successful BMX racers have gone on to international level events including the Olympic Games, or continued to leverage their skills in other forms of bicycle and motorcycle competitions.
The sport is covered in Ireland by Cycling Ireland & BMX Ireland whom we are affiliated to.
Lisburn BMX Club Survival Guide to Racing
The most important thing to remember is HAVE FUN – This is a competitive discipline and yes, it’s an Olympic discipline, but above all it’s about a community of people who enjoy riding little bikes around bumpy tracks.
BE PATIENT
Whether it’s as a rider or parent, BMX Racing can take a while to master on and off the track. Give it time. You’re never too old, too unfit, too slow or anything else. GIVE IT A GO.
BE REALISTIC
Not everyone will make it to the top, but racing will still challenge you, give you opportunities to push yourself and to shine, no matter if you win or never make it out of motos.
BE A GOOD SPORT
You’ll lose more often than you’ll win and how you handle it will get noticed. Racers shake hands after crossing the line.
RESPECT
Race Officials, they’re volunteers, they do it for the love of the sport and we couldn’t race without them.
REMEMBER
Expensive parts make the bike better, not the rider.
RIDE LOTS
Practice does indeed make perfect. The best way to improve is to ride, and riding is fun! So what are you waiting for… Go fast and get rad with Lisburn BMX Club today.