Auto-Cycle Union

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).[https://www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/about-the-club About the RAC: (ACGB) gained current 'Royal' title in 1907, at royalautomobileclub.co.uk] Its aim was to develop motor sport through clubs and arrange touring facilities for members. The ACU acquired its current name in 1907,[https://www.acu.org.uk/general/about-the-acu.aspx Second page of history at acu.org.uk] Retrieved 26 May 2016 the same year that the ACGB became the RAC.

From page one of the Auto-Cycle Union Official Pocket Handbook, 1964:"A long look at the ACU". Motorcycle Sport, UK monthly magazine, September 1964, pp.340-342, 355-356. Accessed 16 September 2015

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 was the controlling body of Motorcycle speedway from 1930 until 1946,{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003329/19300308/139/0012 |title=Dirt-Track Racing |website=Leicester Evening Mail |date=8 March 1930 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 February 2025 }} when the Speedway Control Board took over, although still constituted with the ACU.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002308/19470411/004/0001 |title=Acoustic Shield to absorb noice of speedway |website=Norwood News |date=11 April 1947|via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 February 2025 }}

The ACU is currently (2020) administered from offices in Rugby, Warwickshire, UK.

As at January 2021, some hundreds of ACU-affiliated motorcycling clubs are listed by the ACU in 21 regions within mainland Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), plus 49 x 'Non-Territorial' Clubs, 6 'Recognised Associations', and 35 'Recognised Promoters'.[https://www.acu.org.uk/Centres-Clubs/ List of ACU-affiliated motorcycling clubs by region, at acu.org.uk] Accessed 2 June 2016 (Note the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (MCUI) is the governing body of motorcycle sport in Ireland, consisting of three bodies within the island of Ireland, each of which is affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation)).

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.[https://www.acu.org.uk/RidersMembers/ACU-Handbook.aspx ACU Handbook (June 2016) at acu.org.uk] Accessed 2 June 2016

The ACC was involved in the running of the TT races from their inception.[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1908_Tourist_Trophy_Race '1908 Tourist Trophy Race' from The Motor Magazine of 7 July 1908 at gracesguide.co.uk]’’Official Programme – International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy’’ 28 May 1907 pages 1-3 The Auto-Cycle Club (1907). Reproduction (2007) Isle of Man Post Office The 1911 Isle of Man TT was the first of the TT races to be organised fully by the ACU.[http://www.iomtt.com/History/Timeline.aspx TT Races History/Timeline at iomtt.com] Retrieved 26 May 2016

For many years (circa 1947-1982), with the RAC, the ACU ran a motorcycling training scheme for motorcyclist road users,[http://www.lpmcc.net/training/training_mins8203.htm End of RAC/ACU courses recorded at lpmcc.net] 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.[https://www.acu.org.uk/acu-events/competitor-training-course.aspx page about race competitor training at acu.org.uk]

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.[https://www.acu.org.uk/Uploaded/1/Documents/ACU%20Handbook%202015/Road%20Racing2.pdf ACU Handbook 2015/Road Racing2.pdf- see Section 14.2 p.298, at acu.org.uk]

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.acu.org.uk}}
• [https://mrc.epexio.com/records/ACU Catalogue of the ACU archives], held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick

{{Sports governing bodies of the United Kingdom}}

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Category:Motorcycle safety organizations

Category:Motorcyclists organizations

Category:Organisations based in Warwickshire

Category:Rugby, Warwickshire

Category:Sport in Warwickshire

Category:Sports governing bodies in the United Kingdom

Category:1903 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:National members of the FIM

Category:Motorsport organisations in the United Kingdom

Category:Sports organizations established in 1903