Circuit Racing at Preston Park

What kind of bike can you use?

For circuit racing at Preston Park, riders must use a standard road bike that meets British Cycling’s circuit‑race equipment rules.

✔ Permitted

  • Drop‑handlebar road bikes

  • Gears and brakes (both must be fully functional). For youth riders (under 16), see Youth Racing for specific rules for youths.

  • Clincher or tubeless tyres

  • Normal wheelsets that meet BC safety standards

✘ Not Permitted

  • Fixed‑gear bikes (these are for track racing only)

  • Time‑trial or triathlon bikes

  • Aero bars or clip‑on extensions

  • Disc wheels or deep‑section wheels beyond BC limits

  • Flat‑bar hybrids or MTB‑style bikes

  • Remove lights, bags, bottles, or anything that could fall of

If you are looking to race with a camera fitted, please contact the organiser and let the commissaire know on the day.

British Cycling’s rules are designed to keep the racing safe, predictable, and fair. Circuit racing involves cornering, braking, and changes of pace, so bikes must handle consistently in a bunch and allow riders to slow or stop safely.

Cycling at Preston Park has this wonderfully idiosyncratic split personality: on one hand you’ve got circuit racing, fast and tactical; on the other, track racing, which leans into the velodrome’s heritage and fixed‑gear purity. Both happen in the same historic venue, but they feel like completely different sports.

What is Circuit Racing at Preston Park?

Preston Park’s circuit races run on the full tarmac loop of the velodrome — the oldest and longest at 579 metres in length — and they’re run as closed‑circuit road races rather than traditional track events. The Sussex Cycle Racing League runs a full series, with categories from elite to juniors and women’s fields.

Circuit racing at Preston Park is the perfect entry point into competitive cycling.

Think of it as road racing on a closed, safe, traffic‑free loop.

Riders use their normal road bikes — gears, brakes, and all — and race around the full tarmac circuit for a set amount of time, usually between 40 to 50 minutes for each race.

Races at Preston Park are fully registered with British Cycling, which means they follow the national governing body’s standards for safety, fairness, and competition.

Because they’re officially sanctioned events, riders can earn British Cycling licence points based on their finishing positions, contributing to their national category progression.

All racing is overseen by British Cycling‑qualified commissaires, who ensure the rules are applied consistently, manage race conduct, and help keep the event running smoothly.

The gates to the circuit are kept locked during racing to ensure the track remains fully secure and free from unexpected traffic. Marshals are positioned at key points around the course to manage access, monitor safety, and make sure the circuit stays clear for riders throughout the event.

For a first‑timer, circuit racing offers:

  • A welcoming environment to learn bunch skills

  • Predictable laps that help you build confidence

  • A chance to race without needing specialist equipment

  • A supportive community of riders and volunteers

It’s the gateway into the wider world of racing — and Preston Park is one of the friendliest places to begin.

The atmosphere is friendly, the bunch is mixed‑ability, and the focus is on learning the flow of group riding, cornering smoothly, and getting comfortable with the rhythm of racing. It’s fast enough to be exciting, but controlled enough for beginners to find their feet.

Categories & Requirements

Preston Park’s circuit races follow the standard British Cycling category system, which means riders of all abilities can take part — from complete beginners to experienced racers.

Senior & Junior Categories (16+)

4th Category (Entry Level)

This is the starting point for most new adult racers.

  • Who it’s for: Beginners and riders with no licence points.

  • Requirements:

    • A British Cycling race licence (or you can buy a day licence which is available when entering).

  • What to expect: Friendly bunches, mixed abilities, and a great place to learn race craft.

3rd Category

For riders who have earned enough points to move up from 4th cat.

  • Who it’s for: Developing racers with some experience.

  • Requirements: Full race licence.

    What to expect: Faster, more tactical racing.

2nd, 1st & Elite Category

These are the higher‑level amateur categories.

  • Who it’s for: Experienced, competitive riders.

  • Requirements: Full race licence.

    What to expect: High‑speed, aggressive racing with strong riders.

For Youth Categories, see Youth Circuit Racing.

You’ll find the full explanation of British Cycling’s rider categories on their official site:

British Cycling – Road Categories & Classifications
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roadst_Road-Categories_Classifications

That page covers how 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and Elite categories work, how riders progress, and how licence points are awarded.

Where races are for joint classifications, such as 3/4ths, this is classified as one race and only one set of points are allocated.

Finish Line

For the finish, the commissaire will calculate the closest time to the designated race duration and will display a 5‑lap countdown on the lapboard. Riders who are lapped may be asked to leave the circuit (their points and finishing position will still be recorded) to ensure the race remains safe and fair for the leading bunch. The commissaire will also give a safety briefing on the start line, so please listen carefully.

How do you enter?

A first‑time rider can enter a race at Preston Park directly through the SCRL website, where all events are listed with dates, categories, and entry links.

Just head to https://scrl.co.uk/circuitentry and follow the entry instructions for the race you want to join.

Once you’ve entered online, simply arrive a little early on the day, sign on, collect your number, and transponder - and you’re ready to race.

The process is straightforward, and the volunteers and commissaires are always happy to help newcomers settle in.

The bib number allows commissaires and finish‑line judges to identify riders quickly. You’ll be given two numbers, and they must be securely fastened over the back pockets of your cycling jersey. The transponder is used for electronic timing and should be attached to the front fork using the clips provided.

We aim to provide real‑time results, but these will remain provisional. Final results will be published on the same website where you entered the event.

Entry will be available on the day, subject to availability. During the 2025 season we were getting full fields, so please do enter early - the limit is 35 riders on the circuit at any given time, including combined races.

What does “Open” Mean?

“Open” means the event is open to all standard British Cycling race categories, including men, women, and juniors, who all race together in the same bunch. It doesn’t refer to bike type or experience level — it simply means the race isn’t restricted to a specific group. Women can enter Open races just like any other rider, and their results still count for British Cycling licence points, however, for joint category races, it will be the first 10 finishers that score.

Women’s Racing

We’re committed to creating opportunities that make women’s racing both fun and genuinely competitive.

In an Open race, women race alongside the men and can score British Cycling licence points in exactly the same way — if they finish in the top 10 overall, they earn the points for that position.

At the same time, SCRL also runs women‑only races, and those events award women’s category points independently, regardless of what happens in the Open race running alongside it.

This keeps the Open race genuinely open to all categories, while also ensuring women have dedicated opportunities to score points within their own category.

For details of which weeks feature combined Open races and which include independent women’s races, please check the SCRL calendar — all race formats are listed there.

Anything else you should know?

The cricket ground clubhouse will be open during racing, with access to both men’s and women’s changing facilities, toilets, and a place to shelter if the weather turns.

Because the schedule is tight, there’s usually very little time between races, so riders who need a proper warm‑up are advised to do so outside the circuit before their event.

SCRL is a volunteer‑run league, and the racing simply couldn’t happen without people giving their time to help. If you enjoy the events and want to support the community, we’re always looking for regular volunteers — even one evening a season makes a difference. Please be respectful and thankful to those that have volunteered to allow you to race.

If you have entered, and cannot make it, please do let the organiser know so that we can open up the entry to someone else - we usually transfer your entry.

If you’re a member of a cycling club, we encourage you to wear your club colours.

Parking at Preston Park is limited, and it isn’t always free, so please plan ahead or consider alternative transport if possible.

Spectators are very welcome, and we encourage friends, family, and clubmates to come along — a bit of noise and support always lifts the atmosphere.

We often publish photos and race reports after the event, depending on volunteer availability and weather conditions.

And finally, we’re always trying to improve. If there’s anything you think we could do better, or something that would make racing more enjoyable or accessible, please let us know.

Thank you for taking the time to read, see you at the circuit on race day!