Protocol for Choosing your racing number

[Nathan S]

Well, yes... 

Anybody who turns up to the Nats with the #1 on their bike, who isn't the defending champ, deserves to be laughed out of the place.

Edit: Isn't there a rule that says that only the defneding champ can ride with #1? And even if they don't (a la Rossi) then nobody else can use it?

[Tim754]

Ok you are most likely correct. But I believe very few VMXers in Australasia would cynically laugh at or try to stop the true legend his proven place. 

[Nathan S]

You mean Boagy didn't win everything this time 'round?

 

Oh.

[vandy010]

hey Tony,
this threads 3 pages long and i'm only just reading it for the first time.
i like my #789 as well for many reasons and it came about while mucking around with my kids,
you know, "why was 6 scared of 7? cause....7 ate 9...
ok, so it's an old joke but hey...
and having a number like 7 at the beginning allows a small prefix letter like an "X" or "H" enough room on the small oval plates.
i also like 3 digit numbers as it fills up a number plate and makes it "look" busy although a number #1 would be nice one day.... oh to dream...
i applied for the #789 when i put my licsence application in and to my surprise i got it first go.
you'll have a better chance of getting your chosen number on your licsense if you nominate "classic moto~x" as your first choice of discipline.

[NR555]

It's all pretty informal for classic mx.  Just request your number at the start of the year with a second preference.  A few people run 3 digits down here in Vic, but not many.

For moderns, you just request a number when you get a licence:
C grade - ring up and get one
B grade - you'll get one when they send you the notice that you have been moved up a grade.
A grade - same thing.

My actual number is 555.  I've been sitting on it for years. 

I'm still waiting for Boagy to rock up with big fat custom No.1s, instead of those strips of electrical tape!

[Wombat]

It's said the #1 is the heaviest piece of equipment on a bike.

[mx250]

It's said the #1 is the heaviest piece of equipment on a bike.

I think Casey might agree

[allan hughes]

MY RACE NUMBER IS 145 .I RACED JUNIORS 1974-1977  THAT WAS MY NUMBER . RESTARTED 1996 145 WAS FREE                                                                                                                           

[YZ250H]

Sooo... Apart from all the cool stories on here ...  I request a number with a second choice when I apply for my MA licence and it's (maybe) all good.  My local club is very small (with the best natural terrain loam track in the whole world, but that a whole nother story) so I'm more than likely to get the number I want there.  WTF does MA have to do with it ??  I'm still confused - obviosly I am a bit thick 

[Wombat]

Sooo... Apart from all the cool stories on here ...  I request a number with a second choice when I apply for my MA licence and it's (maybe) all good.  My local club is very small (with the best natural terrain loam track in the whole world, but that a whole nother story) so I'm more than likely to get the number I want there.  WTF does MA have to do with it ??  I'm still confused - obviosly I am a bit thick 

No, it's just a bit confusing when confronted with too much info.

Now it's been a year since I cast a shadow at their door so I'm a tad cloudy on the detail.
However, I remember going to the MA website and checking out the different types of licences.
Club only or National etc and selecting what I thought I would compete in.
You then have an idea of cost for your type of licence and it's important to get all the info.
You'll need a copy of your Club membership, two passport photos (signed by a JP) and a few other bits I forget.
But it's all on the MA website.

I then phoned the Qld MA office at Tivoli (the local office for me) and asked for an appointment (I think it cost an extra $20 to do the application over the counter).
Whilst on the phone I asked about race numbers and she checked on the computer for availability.
They're quite helpful. Just explain what sort of racing you're into and ask for advice.

So when I arrived I filled out the forms, she checked again for the few numbers I enquired after, I handed over the paperwork, paid my money and left with licence in hand - 15 minutes tops.
If you don't want to visit the office I suggest you phone and ask for your race number of choice.
It's all computerised these days so it's easy for the staff to check availability.
You can then mail your cheque and your licence will arrive in the mail.

I believe there's a window of a few weeks to send your money in when it's time for renewal.
If you miss this window (2 weeks I think) they can give your number to someone else.
and they do! It happened to me in '79...Pricks!

Good luck with that.

[YZ250H]

Aaaah Haaa.  Still sounds like a frigging lottery, but I'll see what happens. Thanks for the info Wombat .

Personally I think the little man with the chocolate wheel would have been just as effective 

Next stop MA web site.  Thanks again.  Sorry for sounding like a dickhead, but the only blokes I know that race bikes are on here.  Hopefully I'm not the only newbie and others will benefit from my stupid questions .  Apparently there are some things you are just supposed to know .

[Nathan S]

Apparently there are some things you are just supposed to know .

Yeah, there are heaps of things like that. Don't tie yourself in knots over em - muddle through as best you can, don't try to pretend that you're an expert, and you'll be amazed at how much help you'll get.

[brent j]

When I started racing up here (7 years ago) we raced with our club membership #.
At the time they were up to 470 and I asked for 500 and got that. When I got my MA licence I applied for 500 and got that officially. But it's an MANT number, I'm not sure what would happen if I were interstate.

The reason for #500 is simple, I ride a 500 Yamaha.
Oh and my car rego is "VMX". A great birthday present from my lovely wife!

Brent

[matcho mick]

MA costs you $11 a year to retain/book your number in each catagory,vmx,Vintage DT,historic RR.Post Classic RR,etc,that way you can turn up (in your respective state that is!) knowing no wukkers with your race number,interstates a slight concern,but organisers do try to accommodate riding numbers,especially if it's a common number,but in different capacity/period classes ,

[YZ250H]

Yeah, there are heaps of things like that. Don't tie yourself in knots over em - muddle through as best you can, don't try to pretend that you're an expert, and you'll be amazed at how much help you'll get.

Good advice thanks Nathan.  I will take it on board.