Your number 1 race tip to a newbie

[caps 999]

its all about the holeshot once youve got that the rest of the race dont mater  but seriously its about the fun factor

[holeshot buddy]

just let them all go and then try and catch as
many as you can and pass them
most prangs happen in the first 4 corners after the start
eh tm bill
you will have more fun catching riders than banging bars up the front
dont let other riders psych you out about the track
take your time in practice and have a good look
try different lines and watch were the fast guys go
but mainly have fun and finish in front of your mate
no matter were you come so you can bag him back in the pits

[VMX247]

the word FUN is coming up alot on this topic 

[evo550]

Don't worry if you don't do all that well, I have won most of my races around a camp fire at 2 am when the rum bottle is empty.

[Graeme M]

If your first race is a vintage event - all of the above. But especially, wander the pits, check out the bikes, get to know the lads. The most fun is under the quickshade after the race talking it up and pretending you went better than you actually did!

[Hoony]

Enjoy Mate, heres a few practical tips

Make a check list before your event so you don't forget anything on the day, some ideas as follows

spare gloves & tops
tear offs or roll offs
bucket and brush to wash numbers if muddy day (not much chance lately)
spare levers and other spares you have (no good in the shed)
have you got all your club membership done, Ambulance subsciption joined, race licence or one day stuff sorted
bike preparation & checks (at least a week before so you have time to get that last minute stuff)
Bike stand
spare tubes if you get a flat, levers, mallet etc
get to track a bit early, suss it all out feel relaxed as you have plenty of time to get ready
chain lube
spare air filter for dusty days
tools you may need on the day
poweraid or lots of water to drink
food
chair
A warm coat for winter  (ok i'm a Vicco)
A camera for the missus to take shots with

Esky with good Victorian beer, not that Barbed Wire shit you blokes drink  (get ice on the way so those beers are well chilled at days end)

[caps 999]

second that hoony the vic beer is an essential

[yzhilly]

Get someone to video your first race Barsby coz we want to see it. Ride slow enuff that you dont fall off and let it come to you. And make sure you pull a mono every time you get on the straight. Hah good luck mate dont get hurt.

[Noel]

if you do every thing Hoony says you'll be set,

 as every body else will come and borrow your tools and spare parts and drink your cold beer,
get to meet lots of people that way

Cheers
Noel

[YZ250H]

SEE - THIS is what this forum is all about.  Well it is for me anyway.
Some excellent stuff here.  I'm sure I wont be the only newbie this year, so hopefully other people are getting something out of this as well.  I like that list Hoony - good advice for someone like me  .  Actually all of it is .

Hilly - Monos on the straight will be a certainty as I'll be taking the 465, but as per your previous advice it will be "sit on the tank and give it heaps"      Don't worry - I'll be taking it very easy.
I'll be sure to take the video camera and someone that is better at using it than me 

Good shit fellas - keep em coming.

[lms6201]

sit on the tank ?   shit i could sit on the bars of mine and it,ll still come up , have fun and stick one of those big # one,s on the frount

[caps 999]

what race you doin mate

[MX?]

I'm sure I wont be the only newbie this year, so hopefully other people are getting something out of this as well.

Well I am! (A newbie and getting something out of this)
Good thread, I'm glad you asked. 
Tracks would be a bit muddy up your way at the moment wouldn't they?

[mx250]

The 7 P's

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.

Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance .

Prep your bike and yourself, body and mind.

Arrive early, get your self together, walk that track, visualize. Relax, enjoy.

It's you and your bike working as one pitted against the track - what others think etc doesn't matter.

Do it smooth and ease and speed will come.

Pace yourself through the race and through the day.

[Nathan S]

I'm repeating a lot of stuff here, but:

Let the officials know that you're a virgin, and they'll be gentle with you.

Sit back off the start of your first race or three - the first corner or two is where it is most likely to get ugly.

Expect to get hosed at first - and maybe forever. There is no shame in this - last place racer beats first placed spectator, every day of the week!

Missing races is damn easy to do... Esp at a non-VMX specific club day where they usually churn through the races with military precision. Don't get too caught up in talking shit if you'd prefer to be racing.

Don't meekly follow a slower rider around, even in your first ever race. If you've caught 'em, you can go around them.
Obviously you don't want to be the jerk who races like its the last corner of the last round of the world championship (ie: Make sure you race clean), but its very easy to get into the habit of following someone. You'll already be concentrating harder than you ever thought possible, but if you can find the mental strength/capacity to concentrate even harder for a few seconds, you'll be able to pass them, without crashing.
I'm still un-learning this habit, particularly if they're using my preferred lines.

But most of all: ENJOY.