Our club is run by hardworking parents that volunteer their time so everyone can have the opportunity to race and have fun. Being a volunteer organisation means we always need extra hands on the night so we can also watch our children and family members having fun.
As well as the volunteers required for club nights and race events we also require help throughout the year for working bees to prepare the track and ensure it is rideable.
Every club member needs to volunteer for a least two sessions per season so we can run our club nights.
The starter operates a device that calls: "OK riders", “set yourselves”, “riders ready”, “watch the lights”. The starting lights then flash through a sequence, accompanied by 3 beeps from the mechanism after which the gate drops forward and the race starts.
Starter Volunteers are required for practice gates from 6-6:30pm with racing gates from 6:30 till the end of racing.
Prior to raising the gate the operator must first check no riders are rolling through. Once clear you then call 'GATE UP' and lightly press the Red button.
Check the Corner Marshalls to ensure the track is clear for the next race (Green flag). If a Yellow or Red flag is raised wait until the Green flag is raised. Please acknowlege the Flag Marshall so that they can put down the green flag.
Wait for all riders to be on the gate and with their feet in the correct location.
Call out 'SET' and briefly wait for if anyone isn't, then lightly press the Green button.
Allow for any riders to roll through that want to the go back to Step 1.
The staging area is where competitors in the upcoming races are assigned a lane number and are marshalled in race order ready for their turn on the track. This generally happens on the back of the start hill. Riders will be called into their various classes and organised into heats or “gates”. Each gate has 8 lanes and therefore upto 8 riders. If there are more than 8 riders in a class they will be split into multiple gates. It is essential that the riders listen carefully for their name to be called and cooperate with the staging officials so that the race meeting can run efficiently. Sprockets and striders are allowed to be supported (usually an adult standing with a leg on each side of the rear wheel lightly assisting the stability of the bike and rider) until they are competent at balancing on the gate.
Staging Volunteers are required from the start of racing till the end. (approx 6:30pm till 7:30pm)
Collect the Moto sheets from the registration hut at the close of registration and once the motos have been drawn.
Decide who will be calling the Age Groups, Lanes and Gate.
The Caller will Read out the Race Class (eg. 12yr Boys) then the riders name and their gate position before each moto (12 year Boys, John Smith, Lane 1).
The person checking the riders into Lane will ensure no riders are missing and that they are lined up correctly in the right lane and with the correct race moto.
The person checking the Gate will ensure all riders are in the correct gate lane, that the plate numbers match the moto sheet, check that all riders have gloves, helmets done up and no loose shoelaces.
Confirm with the Gate Operator that all riders are on the gate.
Marshalls are required for indicating if there are any crashes or hold-ups on the track that will disrupt racing. They should be in position from the start of practice at 5:30pm through until the end of racing.
The marshalls are situated with a view of the track, and in view of the gate operator. A good locations is on the concrete berm between the first and third corners (near the commentary hut) as this has near full visibility of the track.
There are two flags that are used during a BMX event;
GREEN FLAG - A green flag is raised when the track is clear and the starter is free to start the next race.
YELLOW FLAG - A yellow flag is raised when a rider has fallen, or their is an incident on the track and the next race should be held at the gate. The yellow flah should remained raised until the track is clear, at which point the green flag can be raised.
At each BMX event a qualified first aid personnel is required to provide a 1st point of assistance to any fallen or injured rider. A valid First Aid Certificate is required.
First Aiders are required for practice from 5:30pm with racing from approximately 6:30 till the end of racing.
The designated first aider can collect the First Aid backpack and Pink Hi-Vis vest from the Registration Hut prior to going on duty.
The first aider should position themselves around the track with easy access to any potential accident areas. A good location is between the 1st and 3rd corners (by the commentary hut), or by the WTKBMX sign along the 3rd straight.
Watch the racing and corner marshall (a yellow flag indicates a crash) for any accidents. At the first sign of a crash start heading towards the rider(s) and provide assistance where neeeded. NOTE: It is important not to touch or assist the rider if they want to continue racing as in a race meet this would result in a DNF(did not finish) score. On club nights this is not a issue as we are not scoring points.
The canteen is generally set-up by 5:30pm to ensure food is ready for families as they arrive at the track. The head canteen operator will advise of any special menu items, costs and details on the night.
To assist in the canteen please be there by the start of registration at 5:30pm.
Set-up of the canteen.
Assisting our canteen operators with taking orders, refilling fridges and ensuring food is ready.
Clean-up at the end of the night.
On race day all riders must register (enter) at the start of the race meeting. Registration is where riders go to confirm that they are present and intend to race, confirm their plate number and the class they are riding in. It is essential that all riders register when they first arrive at the track, as the registration period is usually limited to specific times.
Set-up of the Registration Hut is required at 5:00pm, with registrations and bike hire starting at 5:30pm through till the start of racing at approx 6:30pm.
Enter existing BMXNZ riders into the SQORZ race file, take payment for the night, and instruct them to roll over the check-in mat if they have a transponder on their bike.
Help new riders/families with disclaimer forms, intro membership queries and any assistance required.
Draw races for the night, print out moto sheets and ensure scoring is working.
Pack up at the end of the night.
The hire shed is used on Thursday nights for training and Friday nights for racing.
Typically the shed will be unlocked and ready to use by 5:30pm, at the same time as rider registration. Riders should have already registered and paid for any hire equipment before coming along to the hoire shed.
1-2 people are required to run the hire shed. The hire shed is only required to be attended from the start of registration at 5:30pm till the close of registration at 6:15pm.
They are in charge of getting the right sized bike, helmet and gloves for the riders that require them. Before letting a rider go on the track the tyre pressure should be checked and if they are new it is important to ensure their helmet is done up correctly and advise them to go slowly at first to get used to the bike.
At the completion of racing all bikes should be returned to their correct position and locked together.
Helmets should be sprayed with disinfectant and then returned to their position on the shelving.
Gloves, clothing and pads should be returned to the correct location.
Thanks for volunteering your time to support our club. Please arrive for your shift by 5.30 on the night.
With everyones help we can have a great season.