Sport Motorcycling Affiliation date 1904 | Founded 1903 | |
Affiliation Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme | ||
The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) is the governing body of motorcycle sport in Great Britain, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, but excluding Northern Ireland.
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History
The ACU was founded in 1903 with the name of the Auto-Cycle Club, as a branch of the Automobile Club of Great Britain (later to become the Royal Automobile Club). Its aim was to develop motor sport through clubs and arrange touring facilities for members. The ACU acquired its current name in 1907, the same year that the ACGB became the RAC.
From page one of the Auto-Cycle Union Official Pocket Handbook, 1964:
Auto Cycle Union: Founded in 1903 as a Branch of the Royal Automobile Club to protect the interests of Motorcyclists and to encourage the Sport and Pastime of Motorcycling, and since 1924 has existed solely for the purpose of encouraging and controlling the Sport.
In 1904 it was a founding member of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.
The ACU is currently (2016) administered from offices in Rugby, Warwickshire, UK.
As at June 2016, some hundreds of ACU-affiliated motorcycling clubs are listed by the ACU in 21 regions within mainland Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), plus 46 x 'Non-Territorial' Clubs, 6 'Recognised Associations', and 42 'Recognised Promoters'.
Motorcycle sports
In its capacity as governing body for motorcycle sports, the ACU covers: grasstrack (track racing), enduro, motocross, road racing (Including Supermoto, Motorcycle drag racing, Motorcycle sprint racing, Hillclimbing, Pocket Bike and Scooter), speedway and trials.
Tourist Trophy (TT) Races
The ACC was involved in the running of the TT races from their inception. The 1911 Isle of Man TT was the first of the TT races to be organised fully by the ACU.
Safety
For many years (circa 1947-1982), with the RAC, the ACU ran a motorcycling training scheme for motorcyclist road users, which was the precursor to the modern Compulsory Basic Training courses.
For motorcycle racing, the ACU stipulates that a race competitor training course and a basic rider assessment must be passed before a Road Race Competition Licence is issued.
The ACU also governs the safety standards for personal protection equipment worn during racing. Only motorcycle helmets which meet ACU standards and display the appropriate ACU sticker can be worn in 'speed' competitions. The majority of quality helmets sold in the UK now feature an ACU Gold sticker and many riders choose these for everyday use in preference to those that meet the more basic BS6658:1985 legal requirement.