A participant in mini bike racing will need to make sure he or she is familiar with the rules of racing and has built or purchased a mini bike that complies with those rules. The racer will also want to prepare for mini bike racing by practicing regularly on a race course or similar area in the weeks and months leading up to the race or race series. Physical and mental preparations will be necessary, and the rider will also need to be prepared in terms of safety equipment and contingency plans should something break on the bike.
Many people mistakenly believe that mini bike racing is exponentially safer than motocross racing because the bikes are smaller. Mini bikes can, in fact, reach significant speeds, so injury is still possible. A racer will need to practice a significant amount before the race to become comfortable with proper operation of the mini bike, and he or she will need to invest in all the proper safety equipment. Helmets, goggles, gloves, boots, and a chest protector are all necessary pieces of equipment that can help prevent injury during mini bike racing. The racer should invest in properly fitting safety equipment and be familiar with using the pieces properly.
The racer should be sure to check with the race series promoters for rules and regulations regarding the size and function of the mini bike. Certain races or race series restrict the size of the engine one can use on the mini bike, so the racer will need to ensure he or she is in compliance with those regulations. Some race series may also require rider insurance, which means the rider will need to research different options before the day of the race. Some offer temporary insurance for the day of the race at an extra cost.
A helpful tip for mini bike racing is to do preparation rides in which several riders are riding the bikes in close proximity, similar to the situation a racer is likely to encounter during a race. This does not necessarily need to occur at a race track, though it is helpful to do so. Racing is much different than simply riding a mini bike, so the rider will need to be prepared for the likelihood of having to make quick steering adjustments, sudden stops and starts, and evasive maneuvers, as well as jumps.