During the 1960s, in the UK, it was not uncommon to see motorcycle scrambling on the TV as part of the BBC's (and occasionally the ITV) scheduled Saturday sports presentations. Often covering the main events of a professional series organized by the the Auto Cycle Union (the main governing body of motorcycle sport in the UK at the time), the broadcasts would typically show heats and finals of the large capacity machines, the 500s.

As a professional sport, the ACU scrambles offered prize money that would typically be won by professional riders riding works, or semi-works, machines. The self-financed privateers also competing in these races rarely took home any money as their machines were outclassed by the well-supported professional rider's machines.

A Chance to Win

Around the late 60s a challenge to the ACU scrambles came along in the form of the AMCA (the Amateur Motor Cycle Association); although the AMCA had been around since 1932, its popularity came to the fore around this time as riders who could not compete with the works and professional teams in the ACU wanted a chance to win against riders on equal terms.

What had become a mainly midlands-based sporting body began to spread out to all corners of the UK. The main difference between the ACU and the AMCA – besides not competing for prize money – was how the various clubs organized their events which had a major effect on the growth of the AMCA.

Depending on the number of riding club members (who participated in the scrambles), each AMCA club was responsible for organizing a set number of events each year-typically three or four.

For example, a small club (five to ten riding members) would be expected to put on only two events. During these events the riding club members would be responsible for all of the work associated with the event, which included setting out (with ropes and wooden stakes) the track, supplying marshals (corner workers) and paying for the use of a farmer's land for the duration of the event. Additionally, club riders did not ride in their own event.            

The ACU clubs were structured differently. In essence their clubs were motorcycle clubs who had a sporting section that organized scrambles and sometimes road races. However, the work associated with the events was done by volunteers from the club (including family and friends in most cases). Getting help to organize an event in the case of a large club was relatively easy, but for small clubs it was difficult and as the AMCA became more popular, most of the smaller ACU clubs stopped putting on scrambles all together and concentrated on Trials events. In addition, the cost of staging an event versus the revenue generated was not sustainable for the local events.  

Good News for Farmers

For farmers, the growth of popularity of the AMCA and the scrambles they put on was a welcome source of extra revenue. In addition, often the land offered to the clubs was not suitable for crops; for example a hilly, weeded scrub land (see note below) area. After some clearing, the AMCA clubs had a perfect venue for their events.

Soon the popularity of amateur scrambling, or MX as it became to be known, grew to Europe. Effectively, the discerning factor was that the amateur status of the event and riders was paramount that is: riders must not be paid to ride (no professional riders) and there must not be any prize money—trophies only. However, many of the basic rules and concepts depicting amateur became muddied. For example, a rider could work at a dealership and be given a semi-works bike to use as he or she felt fit. Also, prize money could be given in the form of travel expenses. One obvious area where the rules were flouted came with the ever increasing manufacturer support in the form of clothes or accessories for the bike. 

Regardless of the rule fluting, the amateur races grew to club championships, to national championships, and eventually European championships.

In spite of the questionable amateur status of the AMCA events, the number of clubs joining and the number of riders participating grew throughout the seventies. However, as the old saying goes, “all good things must come to an end,” so too did the level of participation in AMCA events. Besides a number of economic factors affecting Britain during the 70s and 80s, the use of land took a sudden hit when the government was forced to restrict movement on farm land when a disease began to affect livestock. This disease was eventually found to be BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), better known as “mad cow’s disease.”

Although the sport eventually recovered to an extent, the combined effects of BSE and the recessions in the UK, took their toll.

Today the AMCA is going strong with classes covering most years of MX machines. At events now it is common to see many of the machines from the hey days of the 70s being enjoyed by a new group of amateurs, and some being ridden by riders who took part all those years ago who are now in their 70s.

Further reading:

Riding Vintage and Classic MX - The Basics

Early Japanese MX Bikes