What gear do I need to go racing?

Each discipline will have its own specialist requirements, but ALL will start with an ACU Approved helmet bearing the current ACU Gold stamp. When buying a helmet it is always advised to buy the highest quality for your own budget.  All helmets must be in sound condition and ensure that the fit is correct.  This is a requirement for both riders and passengers on practice days as well as when racing.

Road Racing

During practice and racing riders and passengers must wear the following clothing and footwear.

A complete (all in one, not zipped together at waist) leather suit of at least 1.2mm in thickness (on all parts of the suit). Non- leather material may be used if it meets with the following requirements. The following characteristics of the material must be at least equivalent to 1.5mm of cowhide (not split leather)

Fire retardant quality - Resistance to abrasion - Coefficient of friction against all types of asphalt - perspiration absorbing qualities - Medical test - non toxic and non allergenic – Fabric of a quality that does not melt. It must be non-flammable.

The following areas must be padded with at least a double layer of leather or enclosed plastic foam at least 8mm thick:- Shoulders, elbows, both sides of the torso and hip joint, the back of the torso, knees.

Competitors must wear complete undergarments if they use suits that are not lined. Suitable undergarments may be of the Nomex type, they may also be of silk or simply cotton. Synthetic materials which may melt and which could harm the riders skin in an accident are not allowed, neither for the suit nor for the undergarments.

Kevlar suits are not acceptable for Sidecar Passengers competing at Public Road Venues.

Footwear must be of leather or an approved substitute material and of a minimum height of 200mm to provide, with the suit, complete protection (i.e. no exposed areas.)

Competitors must wear leather protective gloves.

The use of metallic material in any item of clothing or personal protection that regularly comes into contact with the track is prohibited (i.e. metal studs in knee sliders, boots etc.).

Clothing requirement for Drag, Sprint, Hillclimb and Supermoto

When completing in Drag, Sprint and Hillclimb  events  you  will be required to wear a complete leather suit of at least 1.2mm in thickness (on all parts of the suit), two piece suits that zip together (75% of the waist band) at the waist are acceptable. Each part of the zip should be securely attached to the jacket or the trousers respectively.

  • Non-leather material may be used if the characteristics of the material are at least equivalent to 1.5mm of cowhide (not split leather)
  • Footwear must be of leather (outer hide) or an approved substitute material and of a minimum height of 200mm to provide, with the suit, complete protection.
  • Helmets bearing the current ACU gold stamp and in sound condition and properly fitted must be worn by all riders and passengers while practising and racing.
  • Gloves need to be leather (or an approved substitute material) for supermoto the requirement for clothing is the same as with road racing.

Track Racing

Compulsory items

  • ACU approved Off-Road helmet
  • Either a one piece set of racing leathers or a Kevlar race suit
  • Back Protectors or suitable ‘body suits’ that can be worn underneath the suit
  • Racing Boots
  • Gloves
  • Goggles

Other items to consider include: knee braces, steel shoe and neck brace, which are solely at the rider’s discretion. Remember there are a lot of bargains to be had on older kits from dealers and the internet. Other items to pack in your vehicle when going racing include a paddock mat and fire extinguisher.

Motorcross

To take part in an ACU event, you will need to have an ACU Approved Motocross Helmet. When buying a Helmet it is always advised to buy the highest quality for your own budget and ensure that the fit is correct.  All Motocross riders are required to wear Chest and Back Protection. Motocross Boots are also another must have item of protective wear. You will also require a set of Motocross kit. Remember as you are just starting out; there are a lot of bargains to be had on older kits from dealers and the internet. Other items such as kidney belts, knee braces and neck braces are all down to personal choice.

Auto-Cycle Union Ltd.
ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby.
CV21 2YX.
Telephone: 01788 566400
Email: admin@acu.org.uk