This is a beginner's guide to minimoto in the UK and will help those with little or no knowledge of the mainland (excluding Ireland) UK scene at present.

There are seven main 'operators' that provide riders with bikes, spares, places to ride and championships to compete in. They are;

Mini Moto Racing Association (MMRA)

Click here for their MiniMotoClub member details

9 Mayfair Grove
Whitefield
Manchester
M45 6BQ
Phone 0161 766 2919
jmmra@hotmail.com

They organise the British Minimoto Championship (BMC). It takes place all over England, Scotland and Wales every summer. They are the only 'not for profit' minimoto organisation listed here and are run by a dedicated team of volunteers headed by Spike and Judi Priestly. Riders join the MMRA and then compete in the Championship. You can get involved in helping out by becoming a club member. They don't sell bikes or spares and exist purely to provide national championship racing for kids and adults. They have their own forum at MiniMotoClub

Minimoto Racing Ltd

Click here for their MiniMotoClub member details

Hanger 88, A site
Hullavington Airfield
Nr Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN14 6BT <Click the postcode and the map will show you the nearest village to their track.
Mobile 07766 334407
Phone 01666 838362
Phone/fax 01793 815114
info@minimoto.co.uk

Minimoto Racing is owned by Julian Hayward, helped by Ian Harris and Scott Finley they are based in South West England. They are National Importers and suppliers of all makes of Minimotos spares and accessories. They hold twice weekly indoor practice sessions at their own track that will shortly incorporate a shop. They have a large fleet of bikes for hire. They operate the Southern Mini Bike Racing Club (SMBRC) and organise a winter championship using indoor tracks in South West England. They attend other championship events and shows to promote minimoto and sell their products. They have their own forum at MiniMotoClub

Lucky Devils Minimoto

Click here for their MiniMotoClub member details

5 The Glade
Oakdale
Blackburn
BB2 4HH
Phone 01254 671119 / 696113
Fax 01254 53683
Mobile 07748782169
enquiries@minimotosuk.co.uk

Lucky Devils is owned and run by Nicky and Mick and based in the North West. They are suppliers of Minimotos (mainly Pasini) spares and accessories. They host regular practice sessions at several tracks in their area. They have a large fleet of bikes for hire. They operate an Auto Cycle Union (ACU) approved minimoto racing school. They organise the ‘Italian Job’ winter and summer race series in their area. Operators of the first super mini motard fleet!They have their own forum at MiniMotoClub

Phoenix Racing

Click here for their MiniMotoClub member details

Bridgewater Mill
Legh St
Eccles
Manchester
M30 0UT <Click the postcode to find it on the map.
0161 707 0700
0789 909 6161
info@phoenixminimoto.com
technical@phoenixminimoto.com
sales@phoenixminimoto.com

Phoenix Racing is owned by Huw Evans. They have a shop at the above address. Opening hours are normally 9.30 til 6.00 (or other times by appointment) Monday to Saturday inclusive and Sunday's if they're not otrherwise busy. All visitors are advised to ring to check that they will not be away racing before setting off. Scott Cupello helps him run the business that operates (predominately) in the North of England. They are National importers and suppliers of Minimotos (mainly Pasini, Stamas and DM) spares and accessories. They operate the North of England and Eastern Counties Minimoto Championship, a summer championship using outdoor tracks in their area. They attend other events and shows to promote minimoto and sell their products.

McIntosh Minibikes

54 Edmonstone Terrace
Danderhall
Dalkeith
EH22 1QF
0131 654 0786
07050 383 943

McIntosh Minibikes is owned and run by Alan McIntosh and based in Scotland. They are National Importers and suppliers of Polini Minimotos, spares and accessories. They have a large fleet of bikes for hire. They operate the Scottish Championship.

There are other dealers, hire bike operators and event organisers that help to supply riders with products and places to race and are no less important. However, I think it is fair to say the above list represents the ‘main operators’ at the moment.

The Politics

If you’ve been visiting MiniMotoClub for a while you can’t have failed to notice the ‘differences of opinion’ that sometimes exist between the operators and their supporters. 2002 was a particularly active year for this, helped to some extent by the introduction of MiniMotoClub, a place to air those opinions.

The debate centres around which championships and clubs should do what and how they should do it. Each of the above championships is making a claim for their area and ultimately the “National Championship”.

Last year, the Scottish Championship, the South of England Championship and the Championship that was run by Double M Racing (no longer with us, it was called the North of England Championship, a title that is now being used by Phoenix Racing) joined forces to create the UK Championship. Also in 2002, Phoenix Racing launched a National Championship affiliated to the ACU. Both these challenged the established ‘British Minimoto Championship’ run by the MMRA. The ACU championship failed and Phoenix had to cancel the last few rounds.

In 2003, the UK Championship will consist of selected rounds from the Scottish, South of England and Welsh Championships as well as the ‘Italian Job’ race series. The organisers of those regional championships have combined to form the ‘UK Minimoto Federation’. Consequently, the UK has two National Championships for 2003 and the ‘politics’ are likely to remain for the time being.

The other debate involves the ACU. The ACU (Auto Cycle Union) is the main governing authority involved in all aspects of motorcycle sport in Britain. Until recently, minimoto racing has existed without the involvement of the ACU. The ACU are ‘in talks’ with the minimoto industry with a view to bringing minimoto under the ACU’s ‘umbrella’.

How does a ‘newcomer’ make their choice?

Gain an understanding of what’s going on but try not to get involved in the politics. It will depend on where you live but (in your first year at least) try several operators’ championships and decide for yourself which you like most. This might be easier said than done. Championships have rules and charges that may make it difficult to attend the odd round in each.

The other obstacle maybe club and brand loyalty. Most of the championship operators supply bikes and spares. On the plus side, this is very convenient and adds up to a great ‘all in one’ service. On the other side, it may tie you to that operator and create problems if you decide to go elsewhere. No dealer will be overjoyed to see you ‘shopping around’ but try to gauge their reaction to this situation. It will give you an insight to their attitude and help you to decide where to place your custom.

Do your research and take your time when deciding what championship is best for you. If and when you make a choice, keep an open mind about the other championships, you may want to change your mind!

On the other hand, championships may not be your thing. In this situation find an operator that is either actively involved in organising or supports practice sessions. There’s no point buying a bike and then having nowhere to ride it!

I have gleaned the above info from posts at MiniMotoClub and from the operators’ websites. I cannot guarantee its accuracy; please check before you make any decisions. I would appreciate feed back from the operators mentioned above. Please let me know of any inaccuracies or anything you want me to add.

This article has been compiled with the intention to positively inform newcomers on the basis that they are more likely to take the plunge of getting involved if they have all available information.