For your convenience, our most common questions are answered right here.

Not finding what you want? Reach out directly through our Contact Us page.

When do you race at the Manly Warringah BMX Track?

  • Racing is just starting back again after a long break,  stay tuned for more details as they emerge
  • Our canteen will be open during racing.

My Child wants to Race. What do i need?

  • Any Functioning Bike
  • A BMX License (see below)
  • A number plate (see below)
  • Full sleeve shirt and pants.
  • Gloves (the club has several that can be borrowed while trying the sport).
  • Full faced helmet (the club has several that can be borrowed while trying the sport)
  • We also highly recommend elbow and knee pads to reduce falling injuries.
  • Sign on and pay the $8 race day fee.
  • BMX is a unique family sport. Mum and Dad bring your bikes down and you can also race.

My Child wants to Race. How should we start?

  • Our track is open to the public when we are not using the track. If your child can ride around the track they are ready to start racing.
  • Check our Club Calendar for Race dates.
  • Kids are usually put with kids with similar abilities when getting started.
  • We have a sign on desk on race days. Here you can ask more questions, purchase a license and sign up to race.

How old does my Child need to be to Race?

  • There is no age minimum, however the rider needs to be able to ride around the track on their own.
  • Typically BMX riders start at the age of 4 years old.

How much is racing?

  • It is $8 per rider to race at our clubbies. ($20 max  per family).

BMX Licenses, How much and where can i purchase?

  • To ride (and do training) a valid AusCycling Dirt License license is required (to cover insurance costs).
  • The AusCycling Dirt License also covers racing in Mountain Biking, Freestyle BMX, Cyclocross as well as BMX Racing events.
  • Purchase license online here: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/race-off-road

Do I need a BMX Race Bike?

  • No. Before going out and spending hundreds of dollars on a proper race bike we highly recommend that your child starts with any bike.
  • Race bikes are very light and will be a lot faster than a standard bike. However they typically start at about $400 for a new bike. So we recommend your child uses any bike. If they enjoy the sport then look at purchasing a proper race bike.
  • If looking for a new race bike or any other gear we highly recommend talking to the guys at 99 Bikes at Brookvale as your first point of call – they are the main sponsors for the club and give generous discounts across the entire store for club members.

Do i need to do anything to my bike to race?

  • Check that the bike is fully functioning and is safe to ride.
  • Typically the front brake on a bike is removed.
  • Remove any reflectors, baskets or any items that may be sticking out on the bike.

What size bike should my Child Have?

  • This depends on the size of the child but here is a very rough guide to bike sizing. Please get your bike shop to recommend the correct bike size.
  • Micro – Ages 4 year and under
  • Mini – Ages 4-5
  • Junior – Ages 6-7 years
  • Expert – 8-10 year
  • Expert XL – 11-13 years
  • Pro – 13-14 years
  • Pro XL – 15-17 years
  • Pro XXL –  Tall Adults

What is the difference between a Clubby and a State Series?

  • Most BMX clubs conduct their own racing at their track weekly or fortnightly. These are called ‘Clubbies’ and normally consist of 5 fun moto races. Most clubs run a points series over the year and award prizes at the end of the points series.
  • Every two or three weeks a club in NSW will host a NSW State Series. All riders from the state are invited to attend these events and they usually offer small prize money.
  • See our club calendar for Clubby and State Series dates.
  • Most riders start with just riding Clubbies. If you are looking for the ‘next level’ of competition they will then start trying State Series events.

What age are Sprockets?

  • In Australia all riders 7 years or younger are classed as Sprockets and require a ‘Sprocket’ license.
  • When they turn 8 they will be upgraded to a Open license.
  • Note: If your child is 7 but is turning 8 this year; Then you require a sprocket license as they are 7. But as they are turning 8 this year they will actually ride as a ‘Under 8 year old’ so they do not race as a Sprocket even though they still have a ‘Sprocket’ license. (Yes very confusing).

What age group does a rider ride at Clubbies and State Series?

  • In BMX we group the riders by the age they turn this year. So at State Series you ride the age you are turning.
  • At Clubbies we try to group riders based on ability, and this roughly equates to age groups
  • Clubbies; Sprockets, 8-10 Years, 11-16 Years, 17+ Years

Do you provide coaching and training at the club?

20″ or 24″ Bike?

  • A standard BMX bike has 20″ diameter wheels. There is also a separate class called ‘Cruisers’ which are bikes with 24″ diameter wheels.
  • Kids generally ride a 20″ bike
  • Adults generally ride a 24″ bike
  • It is the riders preference and you can ride either at Clubbies and State Series.

Do I Need a Number Plates?

  • To race you need a number plate.
  •  We sell number plates at our sign on desk for $15.
  • You may select any number between 9 and 999. (Numbers 1-8 are reserved for the top 8 riders in the state, country and world).
  • Sprockets  Riders (turning 7 or younger this year) – require a Orange Number Plate with black numbers
  • Female 20″ Riders (8 and Over) – require a Blue Number Plate with white numbers
  • Male 20″ Riders (8 and Over) – require a Yellow Number Plate with black numbers.
  • Male and Female Cruisers (24″) – require a Red Number plate with white numbers.

Who maintains the Manly Warringah BMX Track?

  • The track is maintained by the Club which is run by the parents of riders and volunteers.
  • The council does not assist us with any maintenance however we do occasionally receive grants and help from the local government which helps us maintain improve our facilities.
  • The club relies on fund raising and race entry money to cover track maintenance costs (soil, machinery etc).
  • Before racing we kindly ask parents to arrive early and assist with raking and grooming of the track.
  • The amazing facilities at Terrey Hills are there for all to enjoy, but please respect the hard work that’s done by volunteers to make it as great as it is and do not ride when the track is wet or if it has been raining.

Is the track open?

The track is always open to the public when not being used by the BMX Club or when it is not wet from rain. Generally the track remains wet for about 2 full days after rain, even longer in winter, and riding the track when wet causes a lot of damage. If your tyres leave any marks on the track at all, then you shouldn’t be riding the track as it is too wet, even if the sun is out. The track is always closed when wet, even if there are no notices to say it’s closed!

The best way to check in advance and get an indication if the track is likely to be wet is to go to the latest observations at Terrey Hills from the BOM at http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60801/IDN60801.94759.shtml. If there has been more than 1.5 mm of rain in the past 24 hours then it is likely that the track is too wet to ride. However, all is not lost, we have an all weather asphalt pump track as well, and this never closes, rain, hail or shine.

The track is chained up but it looks ok to me, can I ride anyway?

Definitely NO. Under no circumstances should you ride the track or lift the chains and allow your kids to ride the track if the chains are up. The chains can only be removed by the Council or the BMX Club itself. Significant maintenance occurs on the track, including spraying of chemicals to harden the track and control weeds. Attempting to ride the track when the chains are up can cause significant damage to the track surface and often causes longer periods of closure as a result whilst the damage is being fixed. Please respect the hard work of the volunteers from the BMX Club that put in their own time to build and maintain this facility for the community to enjoy.

Can I ride the track on a specific day?

Our club calendar can be seen at http://manlywarringahbmx.com.au/calendar/, all dates marked as ‘club events’ are dates that we are racing at the track and it will be closed to the public during this time, generally from mid morning until around 3:30 pm. The other dates marked on this calendar are other BMX events, but not at our track. If there are no ‘club events’ on then you can assume that the track is open on the weekend and free to ride. We train at the track most evenings after 5 pm and the track is open to club members only during this time.

Can I have a kids birthday party at the track?

Yes, as long as the track isn’t closed for racing or because the track is wet, of course you can.

How much does it cost to ride the track?

The club builds and maintains this facility as a free community facility for all to enjoy. There are no fees to ride the track as a general member of the public.

My kids love the track, how do I join the club?

Easy, just go to http://manlywarringahbmx.com.au/join-the-club/.

How do I find out more information?

We are usually at the track for ‘gate’ training sessions every Thursday from February to November from about 5:30 pm. Come on down and have a chat to the members who are always happy to chat to you about everything you need to know.

Can you coach kids at their birthday party?

We only run coaching sessions for members of the club and are unable to coach non-members due to insurance cover. If you want to learn how to race a BMX bike, that’s awesome, go to http://manlywarringahbmx.com.au/join-the-club/ to get started.

Can I hire a bike from you?

No, we don’t hire equipment for riding the track.

I left something at the track, do you have a lost and found?

No, the club does not maintain a lost and found service.