Sprockets (7 & Under)

Jingili BMX Club

Sprockets (7 & Under)

Sprockets are our youngest riders on pedal bikes. At a minimum, they are aged from 2 years old (on the day) until the year that they turn 7.

Sprockets ride the full BMX race track (tracks range from 300-400 m on average). At Jingili, Sprockets start as "Non-Gate Starting Sprockets" where they start from the bottom of the start hill, on the step up. As they gain skill and confidence they can start to move up the start gate. Once they can confidently start from the gate they are referred to as a "Gate Starting Sprocket" or Sprocket.

Sprockets are a non-competitive participation race class, there is no timing or scoring, and the focus is on fun and participation in the sport.

Our race season runs from March to October, Sprockets are encourage to come along to our Sunday morning track practice and Friday night racing.

There is NO supervision for children and youth participants. Parents must stay and supervise their children.

Photo: Shane Eecen

What is BMX Racing?

BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. Tracks usually consist of a starting gate for up to eight racers, and a dirt track filled with jumps, berms, rollers and a finish line. Whilst Sprockets aren't scored, for riders aged 8 and over the goal of racing is to be the fastest, so tricks don’t make their way into this side of the sport all too often.

Races consist of four or five motos (laps) for Sprockets. Sprockets are grouped by their age (5& Under, 6 year olds and 7 year olds). Riders complete one moto, with a short break of 10-20 minutes before the next moto. Smaller break times are more common with our Friday night club races, this sees races being completed in approximately one hour. Larger race meets like the NT Series can take the majority of the day.

While BMX racing is an individual sport, the sport is very family oriented and largely participant-driven, with riders ranging in age from 2 to 50 and over.

When First Starting Out

During our race season, beginner Sprockets ride on Sunday mornings in either the 9:30-10:30 session for non-gate starting riders, or 10:30-11:30 session for Sprockets and beginners who are confident starting from the gate.

AusCycling offers a 4 week trial membership for those looking at joining Jingili BMX Club. While utilising the trial membership we encourage riders to not only come along to Sunday morning gate practice but also to our Friday night races, this way your child can experience the full sport.

While on the BMX track, all riders must wear;

Long pants, not leggings
Long sleeved t-shirt or fishing shirt
Covered shoes and socks, not sandals or crocs
Full-fingered gloves *
Full-face helmets, such as those designed for motocross and downhill mountain biking

We ask that you dress your child appropriately and bring your own full-fingered gloves with you. Stores like Bunnings sell kids gardening gloves for under $5.
We also have gloves for sale for $30.

The following clothing is acceptable for riders on a 4-week trial membership, after this, we ask that riders dress as per below.

Loan Equipment

Jingili BMX Club has a limited number of full-face helmets and BMX race bikes available to borrow when your child is first starting.

We strongly encourage the purchase of your own helmet as soon as you are able to, as our loan helmets are second-hand donations from riders we cannot guarantee their condition.

Clothing and Safety

While on the BMX track riders must wear.

Long pants, such as those made for motocross or mountain bike/BMX racing
Long sleeved jersey
Covered shoes and socks, not sandals or crocs
Full face helmets, such as those designed for motocross or mountain bike/BMX racing
Full-fingered gloves

Bike Guidelines and Sizing

Members of Jingili BMX Club are welcome to use our loan bikes when first starting. We encourage you to chat with one of our coaches (Jason, Tom, Max or Aiden) on a Sunday morning if you have any questions about bike sizing and where to purchase a BMX race bike.

All BMX race bikes, clothing and equipment must comply with the regulations detailed in Part IV of the UCI Regulations.

Wheels: All BMX race bikes have a 20-inch wheel, some "micro" framed bikes have an 18-inch wheel
Brakes: All bikes must be fitted with a rear brake which is operated by hand (not a coaster brake), a front brake may be fitted but is not required
Handlebars: Grips are mandatory, handlebar ends must also be covered with no exposed metal
Bells, footpegs, baskets etc must be removed from the bike for the safety of your child and other riders

Unlike mountain bikes and freestyle BMX bikes where the wheel increases with the frame size, all BMX race bikes have a 20-inch wheel.

LUXBMX has some information and video on their website explaining the difference between a BMX race bike and a BMX freestyle bike.

Micro - this is the smallest sized bike, these traditionally come with a 20-inch wheel, however some manufacturers have started producing them with an 18-inch wheel for younger riders
Mini - Suitable from approx 5 -7 years old, to a small 8 years old
Junior - Suitable from 8 years old, or a large 7 year old
Expert, Expert XL, Pro, Cruiser 24" - These frame sizes are unsuitable for a Sprocket

When Do Sprockets Ride?

Our BMX racing season runs from March to October. Sprockets can ride during Sunday morning track practice (open gates) and at any of our race nights.

Sunday morning track practice is 60 minutes of unstructured track time for riders to practice at their own pace. These sessions aren't run on weeks where we hold Friday night racing, or when our volunteers are travelling with their children for the NT series and National events.

Sprockets are also encourage to come along to our race nights, there is no timing or scoring of their races, Sprockets race for fun and participation.

Our first club race is scheduled for Friday the 10th of March. Sprockets who attend five of our scheduled Friday night club races will receive a medallion at our end-of-year awards party.

Please check our online calendar or Facebook page for upcoming session days and times.

Friday night club races in 2023;

March 10th
March 24th
June 16th
June 30th
September 1st
September 15th
October 20th

Is Coaching Available?

We encourage Sprockets to develop skills at their own pace during track practice and racing. Riders can practice standing and pedalling at home, and develop core strength skills through programs like NTSA Foundations program. This is a fundamental sport/motor skills session designed to develop competency in physical qualities (basic body strength) and fundamental movement. NTSA Foundations program is held at Marrara Indoor Stadium from 4:45-5:30 pm on Wednesdays during school terms.

Specialist BMX coaching is offered to Sprockets and riders who are engaged in racing. Coaching is offered as a 1:12 ratio, and is booked through the club, as places become available coaches reach out to Sprockets and their families who are engaged in racing.

What are the Fees?

Annual membership and insurance fees are exclusive of race nomination fees and open gates fees. Fees are correct as at 1st January 2023.

Insurance and annual club membership - $121 per year, Sign up today for an AusCycling membership!
Open Gates/Track Practice - $5 each visit, or $3 when paying with a 15 session prepaid card
Club Races - $8 for each race
Number Plate - $20

Costs for racing and open gates can be paid to the club as "pay as you go" (casual) or by purchasing a 15 session prepaid card for $45 (saving $30).

NT School Sport Vouchers

NT School Sport Vouchers are accepted for a combination of the following

15-session prepaid track practice - $45
Prepaid race card, in increments of $8
Race plate - $20
Club Jersey - $75
Full-fingered Gloves - $30

How Do I Join and Information About the 4 Week Trial?

We recommend that you wait until our return to Sunday gate practice has been announced on Facebook.

If your son or daughter hasn't held an AusCycling or BMXA membership in the last 3 years, and has never held a trial membership you, you might like to start with the "4 week free trial". The four week period starts from the day that you fill out the form, so make sure you are able to make it to the track as we are unable to issue a new trial membership.

Riders using the 4 week trial membership are asked to sign into the session at the canteen and pay the session fee of $5.

Riders using a trial membership are able to access Sunday morning gate practice, Friday night club racing and some bronze events. When coming to the track don't forget to dress your child in appropriate clothing and bring full finger gloves with you. Loan bikes and helmets are available to borrow.

At the conclusion of your trial you will receive an email from AusCycling to sign up for full membership.

Jingili BMX Club