There is nothing on earth quite like the sheer adrenaline rush involved in winding open the throttle of a high-powered motorcycle! Bikes offer more performance per pound note than anything else on the planet, but how can you push your Fireblade, R1 or Hayabusa to its limit without risking your driving license and a hefty fine?
...Go Sprinting!
| Motorcycle sprinting is organised in the UK by the National Sprint Association. Although run primarily against the clock, many sprints are two lane affairs which allow you to race directly against your mates. The occasional kilometre or flying quarter event also gives you the chance to really open up your bike and see what it can do! |  |
The NSA has classes for all types of machines from bog-standard road bikes to nitro-burning supercharged specials. Riders as young as eleven can compete safely on 50cc machines, whilst some of the older NSA riders regularly blow the rest of us into the weeds when they should be down at the Post Office collecting their old-age pensions.
Vintage Bikes and the NSA
Vintage motorcycle enthusiasts have formed an essential part of the NSA since its birth in 1958. These chaps prefer to ride the sportsbikes and racers of yesteryear in the manner they were built to be ridden rather than just polish them or keep them in a museum.
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If you think this side of the sport is more genteel and less exciting than watching more modern machinery, then the sight of Henry Body wheelieing his 1929 Douglas to turn in a 12 second quarter-mile should shatter your illusions! |
Although most of the Vintage bikes are immaculately prepared and beautiful to behold don't make the mistake of thinking that their riders don't take the racing very seriously.
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club also has an active sprinting section, and their members are welcome at NSA events. The two clubs also run occasional joint sprints at some venues.
Junior Racing
Sprinting offers boys and girls as young as eleven the opportunity to compete safely and gain self-confidence. They start on 50cc single-speed machines and progress gradually to 125cc multi-geared bikes at age 15. Young Lucy Thorn made a clean sweep of the 1999 NSA championships at age 15 on her 125cc Honda, running low 12 second quarters on this bike and regularly beating 1200cc Suzuki Bandit riders.
| Here eleven year-old Gary Balmforth goes over the finish line at 50 mph on his 50cc Aprilia scooter. |  |
The NSA in the Isle Of Man
Any questions please ask in the forum!