There's no need to feel worried about coming along to a race meeting. All the local club races are small and friendly and there's always someone there to help you out. Here are a few important things to remember.

1. EQUIPMENT -You will need a full face helmet, gloves, long trousers and sleeves. No stunt pegs on the bike. You will also need a number plate for the fromt of your bike. A paper plate will do, so long as it is not raining. Your number bneeds to be big and bold so that the commentator and the finish line judges can read it easily from a distance.

2. REGISTRATION - register your name and race age. The race organiser will then be able to put you in the correct races, so you will be racing with others who are roughly the same age as you. Your race age is your age at the end of the calendar year, Dec 31st. At Regional races you need to decide between racing Novice or Expert. Ask for advice if you are unsure.

3. RACE FORMAT - Everyone gets 3 races (motos) and then the points are calculated to work out the running order for the finals. Most people get a final, but if there are more than 16 riders in an age group then the last placed riders (after 16th) get 'moto'd' and do not get a final, unless the race is being run in a special way to avoid riders being moto'd.

4. MEMBERSHIP - Even at club races, you will need to be a member of a club, so that we have all the parental consent legal issues covered. If you wnat to race Expert level at Regionals, you'll need to be a member of British Cycling AND get a race license.

5. RIDER LISTS - Once everyone is registered, the riders lists will be posted. You MUST check the riders list to see that you are down to race and that your details are correct. Mistakes can happen and it is the riders responsibility to check. Every time.

6. MOTO SHEETS - Moto lists will then be posted which show what races everyone is in. Ask if you need help interpreting what the numbers mean (race and lane numbers).

7. BE READY - Be ready to race. The youngest riders usually race first, though the mountain bikes and cruisers copuld be slotted in just about anywhere. The starter will call out names and which lane each rider is to start from. Riders line up with their front wheel against the start gate.

8. FINALS and RUN-OFFS - After the moto's there will be a short break, sometimes a long one. Listen to the announcements on the PA. Do not go anywhere in case you miss your final. Siometimes there are run-offs. This happens when two riders get the same points but there is only space for one of them in a final. They have to race against each other to see who gets into the final.

9. SERIES POINTS - At each race, riders win points which get added to their total in the series. At the end of the series, the biggest scores in each category, win the series. Simple!

10. RACE OFFICIALS - remember that all the people runnning the race are volunteers, even at National level. Please have respect for them and understand that it can be a very difficult job sometimes. They have to make difficult decisions which sometimes you may disagree with. That's the way it goes, just like in other sports. Please encourage your child to understand and comply with this. It is worthwhile getting to grips with the rules, and a full rule book can be obtained from British Cycling.