Scootering race track guide
British Championship races are held at some of the UK’stop circuits and here is aguide to help you get the best out of spectating at UK scooter races.
It’s faster than you think
There are some very fast road scooters but it takes a special skill to manhandle a scooter through bends at ridiculous speeds with a knee skimming the track surface. Most first time spectators whether they are scooterists or not are blown away by the cornering speeds being reached. You won’t see scooters being ridden as fast around bends as they are in UK scooter racing.
Open access
You can get to meet and speak to the riders and mechanics. All circuits have open paddocks and the racers will be more than happy to talk to you about their race scooters, sign autographs and let you take pictures. But please just pick your moments - they are competing in a British Championship so whilst its all smiles in the paddock , before a race it is time to concentrate, do last minute checks and preparation and get the race face on so give them some time. Equally if an engine is apart being fixed it generally means there is an issue to fix or something major broken so this is not a time to be asking questions or trying to stick a camera in the engine. But avoid these times and you will generally find the paddock a friendly place where you will be made welcome.
Camping
Staying over is one of the best ways to really feel the race vibe and get to know the riders. You haven’t read this here but at most circuits enter on the Saturday and don’t leave and most circuits won’t check for any tickets on Sunday (but be ready to pay if they do). You can generally camp at most circuits close to or even in the race paddock but just make sure you leave space for racers and their vans. If you
bring a few beers you will be made welcome at most race tents and the chilled vibe can go on pretty late in between fixing and preparing for Sunday’s racing.
Get your ticket in advance
Most circuits have a web site and offer a reduction on tickets bought in advance . Generally ticket prices are in the £10-15 range but vary by circuit and event.
Food and Drink
This varies hugely in quality and cost so you may wish to take a pack up or barbecue if you have space or are on a budget.
More than just scooters
Other races are held over a race weekend featuring vintage and modern motorcycles, sidecars, three wheel vehicles racing over very full days with track action generally filling the day from 9.30 to 5.00 or even later. There is a sequence of practices for all classes that generally takes up the first half of Saturday mornings. All racers need to complete practice laps to get a grid slot for their races which are spread over the day in a sequence generally featuring different classes so you may see riders competing on more than one scooter in different class races. On Sundays there is generally a brief practice for latecomers and then it’s on with the race sequence proper. If there are delays to any races on the Saturday then often races are held over to Sunday so you cannot rely totally on any published race sequences - they can be very dynamic!