BHLG Octagon MotorSport Vision have rules about the clothing that must be worn whilst on the track and we have to conform to them.

Your clothing will be scrutinised and the clothing-scruts will sign the group label that should be on the right hand side of your helmet/visor to show that they've checked your gear. We will have a large and hairy scrut checking that you've got your signed clothing/group sticker affixed to your helmet before you go on track.

MotorSport Vision (aka Octagon aka Brands Hatch Leisure Group, aka 'Da Management') now mandate back protectors. No back protector? No going on-circuit.

Speaking as one who was stupid enough to go backwards into a tyre wall at some speed, I must say that I'm very pleased that I was wearing a back protector at the time. It probably made the difference between walking away with a few bruises and something far nastier. So, this is a Good Thing.

Helmet

Your helmet should conform to current BSI standards and should have an ACU approval sticker (almost all helmets legally on sale have these). Tinted, mirrored or black visors are fine BTW.

Having said that, if you do wear a custom painted Simson Bandit (Hi Mav!) if the helmet appears to be in good nick you shouldn't have a problem. Please be aware though that there are helmets on sale (certain types of Simson car racing helmets for example) that are not suitable for motorcycle use and will not be allowed on track.

For 2019 onwards, MSV have apparently taken exception to all kinds of flip up lid, even if it does have an ACU sticker on it. You have been warned; flippy uppy lid = no tracktime.

The marshals at Cadwell are well versed in what's right and what's not and they have spotted non-motorcycle helmets before and stopped people getting on track. If in any doubt whatsoever, bring a non-flip front, full face helmet with an ACU sticker.

Anyone expecting to get on the track in a gouged and beaten up 1970's Centurion will have to think again.

Dates on helmets caused a bit controversy in '99 - and if it's over five years old then expect it to get a close examination from the clothing scruts. You should be able to find the date of manufacture on a sticker inside your lid.

Basically, helmet manufacturers recommend that you replace your lid after about five years; cynics would say that they're doing this to increase helmet sales and whilst there might be something in that, there is reason to believe that constant exposure to sunlight, sweat and grime does have a detremental effect on both the outer and inner of the helmet.

However, in this day and age of PYB's who don't ride their bikes to work and won't consider riding when the sun isn't shining, a lot of helmets get very little usage and, if stored away from sunlight, the age of the lid has less meaning than it's general condition.

Again, be sensible. It's your head inside it after all.

Gloves

Your gloves should be 'pukka' motorcycling gloves made of leather (woven kevlar will probably be OK if it looks the part). Ideally they should have a reasonably long cuff so that your wrists cannot become exposed if you go for a slide.

Obviously your gloves should be free from holes and missing fingers.

Boots

Your boots should be 'proper' motorcycling boots and made of leather (or Lorica I guess - most Alpinestars are made of this stuff). As with your gloves they should be 'servicable' and free from obvious holes and loose soles.

Sliders

Sparky sliders (knee or "Oh look I'm Troy Bayliss" toe sliders) are a total no-no and you'll get hauled off the track and made to take them off. Emitting showers of sparks when you enter a corner tends to put the willies up any following riders so MotorSport Vision quite sensibly don't allow them on any of their tracks. I repeat that this goes for sparky toe sliders..... yeah yeah, I know that Troy Bayliss uses them but we mere mortals can't and that's that.

Leathers

One-piece leathers are not mandatory but obviously a good idea. A couple of people have sallopettes(sp?) and jacket and Cadwell have confirmed that this is acceptable - the basic idea is that whatever you're wearing, the jacket doesn't ride up exposing your fleshy bits should you sling your bike up the road and go tarmac surfing.

If you have a leather jacket and (leather not denim!) jeans then they must fasten together, with a zip, in such a fashion that the jacket cannot ride up.

The Sales Contract(2019) wording on clothing says:- "Suitably fitting full leathers (one-piece or two-piece with a full zip around the middle (at least hip-to-hip with no gap visible with arms raised above head level)."

Non-Leather-riding-apparel

Are verboten :-( Sorry but that's Motorsport Vision's rules.

Yes I know that kevlar, cordura etc etc are good and very popular (I use them myself on the road quite often). I've been asking them to allow such on track for years but never got anywhere; they say it's their insurers who insist on leathers. Sorry but it's leathers or no tracktime.

Summary

Use your common sense..... it's in your own interests to make sure that you've got the proper clothing for motorcycling; turn up wearing an anorak and a pair of ski gloves and you'll be spectating - with no refund of your entry fee.

Have a read of the Trackcraft page now.

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