Online entry closes Thursday 1 October at 9pm. Enter before the deadline.

Hayes Hawks race day guide

London Series
Round 1

Heading to Merton? Here is a simple plan for new and experienced riders, plus a checklist you can tick off before leaving home.

Sunday 4 October 2026Merton Saints BMX, MitchamNovice & expert riders
Enter & read event details ↗Merton Saints updates ↗Jump to checklist ↓

At a glance

The 2026/27 London Series has six rounds and welcomes novice riders. British Cycling membership is not required to enter this series. Check the event page for your category, entry deadline, fees and the latest technical guide before travelling.

Venue: Merton Saints BMX Club, 192 Acacia Road, Mitcham Eastfields, CR4 1SF. Allow time to park, find the check-in desk and get ready for practice.

Getting there: For this London Series round, St Mark’s Academy opposite the track should have ample parking for the London Series event, the parking will cost £6 and paid on the day by card only, Mitcham Eastfields station is also a short 3minute walk away. The track is in London’s ULEZ. Do not park on the nearby residents-only estate or the grass verge opposite the track, which must stay clear for emergency vehicles. Follow the parking marshals and check the club’s latest post for any charges, practice details and catering.

Before you travel: The organiser's event page and technical guide are the final word for start times, sign-on, plate and kit rules. These can change, so check again the evening before.

What to do when you arrive

Novice riders

Sign in at the desk, then practise

Check in at the registration desk with your plate number by 10am — no exceptions. Then complete a practice lap before registration closes. Online entry alone is not race-day check-in.

Expert riders

Check in during practice

Bring your bike with its plate and transponder. Complete a practice lap before registration closes to check in through the transponder.

Check your status on Sqorz. Riders who have not checked in by the end of registration will be removed from the event. If you do not show as registered after practice, speak to race admin straight away.
  1. Park and set up. Find the Hayes Hawks club gazebo, then locate the check-in desk, toilets, start hill and race office.
  2. Check the bike and kit. Confirm the plate number is clear. See the Hawks Ready to Race guide ↗ for front and side plate information. Check that the helmet and gloves are on, clothing meets the category rules, tyres are inflated and brakes work.
  3. Practice in the correct group. Follow the organiser's practice schedule and marshals' instructions.
  4. Find the moto draw. Note the race number and gate for each moto. Write it on masking tape and stick it somewhere easy to see on the bike.
  5. Get to staging early. Listen for the call-up for each round. There are three moto rounds, then, depending on the number of riders in your age group, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. Check the results and updated draw after each round, and follow the staging officials.

Clothing and safety gear

Expert riders

Race clothing is required

Tops and trousers must be designed and sold for BMX racing, in line with British Cycling BMX Regulations. Jeans and jogging bottoms are not acceptable.

Novice riders

Long sleeves and suitable trousers

If you do not yet have race clothing, wear a long-sleeved top with jeans or race pants. Jogging bottoms and cargo trousers are not acceptable.

All riders must wear a helmet and gloves. Knee pads and elbow pads are optional when wearing the permitted trousers: BMX race trousers for experts, or jeans or race trousers for novices. Body armour is optional but recommended.

Classes on race day

Classes may be merged depending on the number of entries. The Chief Commissaire's decision on any class merging is final. Cruisers and 20-inch riders will form a merged category. Female riders may elect to ride in an open class of the same age for the series.

Check your entered class and the published moto draw on race day.

Your race-day packing list

Ready to race?

Tick items as you pack. Your progress stays in this browser on this device.

0 of 0 packed

Bike & race kit

Race-day admin

Food & comfort

Last checks before leaving

Reading the moto draw

Which pen and gate?

The draw may show a race and gate as race:gate. The number before the colon is your race number; the number after it is your start gate. Find the marked pen for the race number. Where the pens cycle 1 to 10, the last digit tells you the pen, except a race ending in 0 goes to pen 10.

8:3

Race 8 → pen 8
Start in gate 3

34:3

Race 34 → look for the 34 marking, or follow the final digit 4 to pen 4
Start in gate 3

50:3

Race 50 → final digit 0 means pen 10
Start in gate 3

At staging: Check the pen signs and listen to the marshals. If the pen markings or instructions on the day differ, follow the marshals.

First London Series race?

A moto is one of the qualifying races. You may have a wait between motos, so keep an eye on announcements and get to staging in good time. The race office can help if something on the draw or entry looks wrong.

It is a great next step after club racing. You do not need to know everything on day one: find another Hawks family or ask an official if you are unsure where to go.

Latest details: British Cycling entry and technical guide ↗ · Merton Saints venue and race-day updates ↗. Check the latest Round 1 instructions and follow the officials on the day.