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RULES OF MINIKHANA

Click HERE to download the rules.

SETTING UP A MINIKHANA VENUE

Click HERE to learn more about setting up a Minikhana venue..

LEARNING CURVES

Click HERE to view Minikhana Videos

Looking to get your youngster onto two wheels? Minikhana could be just what you’re looking for:

 “Mum, dad - I want to ride a motorbike!” Those words can spell absolute elation for some parents out there - or horror. If you do come to the party, you want your child to have fun, learn and be safe when starting out in this great sport. So where do you head after your little tacker gets sick of sitting on their new bike in the garage? Minikhana could be the perfect option to get the ball rolling.

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Perhaps you have heard of minikhana, but aren’t quite sure what it’s all about. It’s basically a smooth entry into motorcycling. The idea of minikhana is to train and teach children how to handle a bike in a safe, controlled environment.

Simply, Minikhana is a competition where aside from fun; the emphasis is on skill and rider control, not so much on speed. Aimed at kids (adults can get a lot of fun too) the idea is to build up skill levels and confidence in young riders as they move into other motorcycle sports.

Using a number of skills-based events, performed in specific areas using witches hats, tyres and ropes, riders can compete in a range of riding challenges. Participants weave their way in and out of the set course following a different route, depending on the event they are participating in.

Events range from negotiating their way through witches hats as fast as possible, to following the shape of a clover around tyres, and even a slow race. Riders compete against each other from one end of the marked area to the other, staying between two ropes 500mm apart. The slowest rider is the winner.

Combined with a minicross race, the events teach children technical skills and how to ride safer and be in more control of a motorcycle.

There is only ever a maximum of four riders competing at any one time, in both minicross and the skills events. This makes riding far less intimidating when starting out – compared to fighting it out with a big class of young guns when you are still learning.

In minicross, riders must stay within their marked lane at the start, before venturing out onto the track to complete their laps. If you hit a rope at the start, it’s game over: the black flag comes out and you must return to the waiting area.

MINIKHANA - OFF IN ALL DIRECTIONS
Minikhana places a big importance on family fun. Pop, granny, little brother, mum and dad all get involved, loving every minute of it. Whenever you rock up at a club, friendly faces - even if they are unknown - greet you with a smile.

Set up in small arena type areas are sets of witches' hats in groups of 4. The aim is to ride off up to 4 riders at a time, each rider being on an individual course, with the first one crossing the line the winner (except for the 'slow bike race' where the last one wins). Each witches' hats group has a set pattern that must be completed correctly to be scored.

In addition to the witches hats arena areas, there can be set up challenges that are more alike to the fully fledged competitions. Using heavily modified rules with a maximum of 4 riders at a time, there is MiniCross, Mini Enduro, Mini Trials and Mini Hillclimb courses – depending on the host club.

Good sportsmanship is high on the list, with riders encouraged to congratulate each other after each heat.

The juniors must have an MA Competition, Recreation Nipper or Mini licence to ride, and there’s also scrutineering to go through. After that, riders can head out for a bit of practice in the morning, supervised by their parent, before the riders’ briefing.

Once the boring bits are over, the kids end up in a sprint race to the pits, ready to jump on their bikes, itching to be told what area to head for.

Depending on the club and what the officials decide, the groups will split into their event areas. The 65cc riders will head to one event area, 85cc might jump on the minicross track, while the miniwheel riders could also take their four-stroke funbikes to an event area. Meanwhile, 50cc riders will split into nippers and A, B and C-grade, utilising either the minicross track or event areas, separate to the larger bikes.

After a few events, lunch is served. You will find the majority of clubs have a canteen to buy your lunch – which is a great way to put some money back into the club you ride at. After the lunch break, it is back to business if your grade hasn’t finished all the events, otherwise it’s free time – woo-hoo! All the kids have a blast, riding around with their riding buddies.

Minikhana clubs have a mixture of event days, some counting towards the final year’s points; others are pennants days which reward the top three riders on the day for their efforts. There are also encouragement awards.

So if you are thinking about getting your youngster into motorcycling, check out your nearest minikhana club to see what it’s all about.

KEEPING FRESH
There are plenty of different events to keep you busy. Some have funny names, but they all involve a huge range of skills.
·         Orange
·         Clover
·         Bending
·         Looping
·         Slow
·         Ring return
·         Ring bending
·         Minicross
·         No footing clover
·         Start and park
·         O-ring relay
·         Accelerate and brake

CLASSY ACT
Where would you fit into the mix at a minikhana?

Class                                                            Age
50cc nippers (non-competitive)                     Under 7
50cc A, B or C-grade                                   7-9
65cc A, B or C-grade                                   7-12
85cc A, B or C-grade                                   9-15
85cc big-wheel A, B or C-grade                   12-15
80-100cc miniwheels A, B or C-grade          7-15
85cc senior                                                   16 and over

WHAT YOU NEED
Once you have a bike and are ready to ride, you’ll need to wear some appropriate clothing
·         Helmet – Australian  or International Standards Approved
·         Boots
·         Body armour
·         Goggles
·         Gloves
·         A long sleave shirt or jersey
·         Non-combustible pants - ie riding nylons

CLUBS AND CONTACTS
It all sounds good to you? Then get on the blower to one of our MWA clubs.
Adapted from an article by Matt Bernard of Dirt Action Magazine.
Pictures courtesy of Blacktown Minibike Club & Dirt Action