Getting started, by Nev Jones
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2015 12:23 pm
Pinched this from an FB post.
Nev Jones Racing
As promised, a quick guide to becoming a Road Race Sidecar Passenger.
First, you'll need a licence which you can get from the ACU Website.. https://www.acu.org.uk/ridersmembers/license-forms.aspx
Most of it is self assessment, but you will need an eye test and the optician will have to fill out and sign the form. Costs vary, but you should get it done for £20 or so?
As a first time applicant, you'll also need to do a Classroom Training course (CTC) Courses and venues are here:
http://www.acu.org.uk/ACU-Events/Compet ... ourse.aspx
Then all you'll need is one piece leathers, gloves, helmet, boots and a dog tag. All must be in good condition, no rips etc, gloves and boots must be all leathers, helmet should be no older than 2 years old.
Then get yourself a ride. Several ways.
1. Go to Steves Place, register on the forum, and either advertise your services or answer an ad by a driver. Link here:
http://www.steveenglish.com/
2. Get to a club meeting EARLY (before 9am). Take your gear. Ask around, and listen to the tannoy. Sometimes, last minute problems mean a passenger doesn't turn up. You might find a ride at last minute. Talk to competitors, someone might know a driver who is sat at home because he didn't have a passenger, and he might be the regular ride you're looking for.
3. Talk to mates. You might find a kindred spirit who wants to race and he'll end up being a driver. Form a team, buy an outfit, get it on track and have fun!
Want to do the TT? That's great, but realistically, it will take a minimum of 3 years to reach a level where you'll get a mountain course licence. And with good reason. It's not easy! Passengers make it look easy because they have put in the track time to know what they are doing in any given situation. And the TT course will challenge even the best. So, aim high, but be prepared to do the work to get there. Trust me, IT IS WORTH IT!!!!
Good luck, and we hope we'll see some of you out there soon!
Nev Jones Racing
As promised, a quick guide to becoming a Road Race Sidecar Passenger.
First, you'll need a licence which you can get from the ACU Website.. https://www.acu.org.uk/ridersmembers/license-forms.aspx
Most of it is self assessment, but you will need an eye test and the optician will have to fill out and sign the form. Costs vary, but you should get it done for £20 or so?
As a first time applicant, you'll also need to do a Classroom Training course (CTC) Courses and venues are here:
http://www.acu.org.uk/ACU-Events/Compet ... ourse.aspx
Then all you'll need is one piece leathers, gloves, helmet, boots and a dog tag. All must be in good condition, no rips etc, gloves and boots must be all leathers, helmet should be no older than 2 years old.
Then get yourself a ride. Several ways.
1. Go to Steves Place, register on the forum, and either advertise your services or answer an ad by a driver. Link here:
http://www.steveenglish.com/
2. Get to a club meeting EARLY (before 9am). Take your gear. Ask around, and listen to the tannoy. Sometimes, last minute problems mean a passenger doesn't turn up. You might find a ride at last minute. Talk to competitors, someone might know a driver who is sat at home because he didn't have a passenger, and he might be the regular ride you're looking for.
3. Talk to mates. You might find a kindred spirit who wants to race and he'll end up being a driver. Form a team, buy an outfit, get it on track and have fun!
Want to do the TT? That's great, but realistically, it will take a minimum of 3 years to reach a level where you'll get a mountain course licence. And with good reason. It's not easy! Passengers make it look easy because they have put in the track time to know what they are doing in any given situation. And the TT course will challenge even the best. So, aim high, but be prepared to do the work to get there. Trust me, IT IS WORTH IT!!!!
Good luck, and we hope we'll see some of you out there soon!