Edmonton BMX

BMX Glossary

MOTO: The race that you are in. There are 3 races every race night

STAGING: Staging takes place by ramp on the grass. You should be there at least 10 Moto's ahead of the one you are racing in. The Stager will call out each Moto number, with the riders name and their gate. The Stager will then direct up you to the start gate.

STARTING GATE: The Stager will help you find which gate you are in, the upper stager double checks the rider are in the right gate.

TRACK OFFICIALS: There are Track Official's positioned at different places on the track. These official's watch the race and ensure safe, and proper track conduct is followed. They are there for the safety of riders, if they fall/crash the official is the first to them. They raise their flag to tell the start gate to hold, and direct others racers on the track around the crashed racer.

If a rider feels they were fouled they must go back to the finish line within 5 Moto's and register their complaint or protest.

FINISH LINE: The finish line generally consists of 4 Finish Line Official's and 1 Chief Scorer. They are responsible for scoring each rider as they cross the finish line in each of their Moto's. If a rider fails to start a Moto or does not finish a Moto they will not be scored for that Moto. In all cases the decision of the Chief Scorer is final.

FIRST AID: We have well qualified track officials with First Aid training. Parents if your child should fall please do not come running on to the track. Our qualified track officials will evaluate the extent of your childs injures if any. At that time if they feel your assistance is needed they will call you onto the track.

MOTO-SHEET: A record of the riders in the days races. These are numbered, beginning at number 1 and continuing for all of the motos, this number is used to call you for your race.  

POSTING OF MOTOS: Placing of the racing schedule (moto sheets) in a convenient place for all riders to see. 

HEAD TRACK OFFICIAL: The person who officiates the race and ensures the rules are followed. 
 

TRACK LINGO

The Start Gate

The start gate marks the start of the track. Most BMX tracks have a gate. The starting hill will normally provide all the speed for the remainder of the race. Generally, the larger the hill, the faster, so pro hills are much larger than the amateur ones.

Step-up

A step-up jump is one where the landing point is at a higher elevation than the take-off point.

Berms

Turns which are at an angle. Therefore, one can easily turn without having to brake.

Double

A double is two hills close enough to each other that it is possible to jump between them.

Step-down

A step-down jump is one where the landing point is at a lower elevation than the take-off point.

Roller

A small hill, generally too low to be jumped off. Rollers are normally built in groups that are known as rhythm sections because they challenge the riders' ability to maintain speed over the bumps.

Tabletop

A tabletop is a jump where the track is level across between the take-off and landing points. They are especially useful for beginning BMX riders who are still learning how to jump since a too-short jump will land on the level tabletop rather than slamming into the uphill side of the landing hill.

Pro set

A set of jumps with only a takeoff lip and a landing ramp, that is, where a failure to take-off or to jump far enough will result in a crash.