RS Academy Scotland

Developing the Next Generation: RS Academy Scotland Building a Rider Pathway

Creating clear development pathways for young riders is essential to the future of motorcycle sport. One organisation working hard to achieve this in Scotland is RS Academy Scotland, a rider development academy focused on structured training and grassroots racing opportunities for young motorcyclists.

The academy’s mission is simple but ambitious: to create a professional and supportive environment where young riders can safely develop their skills and progress through the sport.

At the heart of the programme is a structured approach to rider development. Rather than simply offering track time, the academy delivers a staged learning system where riders progress from beginner to intermediate and then advanced levels. Training focuses on key fundamentals such as bike control, braking technique, body position, cornering, and race awareness. All the core skills required for competitive motorcycle racing!

A unique aspect of the academy is its international collaboration with RS Academy Barcelona, led by Alvaro Castano. This partnership provides insight into the highly successful Spanish rider development model – a system that has produced many of the world’s top professional riders. By adopting elements of this model, RS Academy Scotland aims to offer young riders in Scotland, and eventually across the UK, the same structured opportunities that exist in leading European racing nations.

 

Building Skills from the Ground Up

Training begins with Minimoto and pit bikes, which are widely recognised as the best platform for developing core riding skills. These smaller machines allow riders to focus on balance, braking, cornering and race lines in a controlled environment. By mastering these fundamentals early, riders can transition more safely and effectively into larger racing classes later in their careers.

The academy also offers a clear pathway into competition through the Scottish Minimoto Championship. The championship provides riders with the opportunity to apply their training in real race conditions, building confidence, racecraft and experience.

Grassroots championships such as this have historically played a vital role in developing talent. Riders such as Lewis Rollo and Rory Skinner both began their journeys in minimoto racing before progressing into professional motorcycle racing.

 

Expanding Opportunities for Young Riders

Looking ahead, RS Academy Scotland has ambitious plans to expand its reach and provide even more opportunities for young riders. This includes growing its training programmes, developing the Scottish Minimoto Championship, and introducing new classes such as electric minimoto and MiniGP machines.

Longer term, the academy hopes to expand the model beyond Scotland and create a UK-wide development programme, helping more young riders access structured training without needing to travel abroad.

Youth motorcycle sport in the UK has significant potential, but opportunities for training can still be limited. By building accessible programmes and clear progression pathways, RS Academy Scotland hopes to play a key role in developing the next generation of riders.

For young riders starting their journey, the academy’s advice is straightforward: focus on learning the fundamentals, listen to your coaches, stay patient with your progress, and most importantly… enjoy the ride.

At NORA Motorsport, supporting organisations that nurture grassroots talent and create opportunities for young riders is an important part of the sport’s future. Initiatives like RS Academy Scotland are helping to ensure the next generation has the guidance, training and pathways needed to succeed.

Affiliation Terms

NORA affiliation is conditional upon compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations throughout the affiliation year, running from 1 January to 31 December.
The organisation/club is responsible for its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and operational procedures. NORA affiliation, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not mean NORA has checked, approved or accepted responsibility for those documents.
NORA reserves the right to suspend or revoke affiliation, licences and permits where an organisation fails to comply with NORA requirements or where serious concerns are identified.

1. Annual Affiliation and Compliance

Affiliation with NORA 92 Limited trading as NORA Motorsport (“NORA”) is granted on an annual basis, commencing on 1 January and expiring on 31 December of the relevant calendar year, unless suspended or terminated earlier.
Affiliation is not automatically renewed. Each organisation/club must complete the annual affiliation process and receive confirmation of acceptance from NORA.
By applying for and accepting affiliation, the organisation/club agrees to comply with all applicable NORA Rules and Regulations, policies, procedures, safety requirements and permit conditions throughout the affiliation period.
The organisation/club acknowledges that continued affiliation, the issuing of Road Traffic Act (RTA) exemption permits and access to NORA licensing and insurance arrangements are conditional upon ongoing compliance with these requirements.

2. Organisation/Club Responsibilities

The organisation/club accepts full responsibility for the planning, organisation, management and safe operation of all activities and events conducted under its authority.
This includes ensuring that appropriate documentation, procedures and safety measures are established, maintained, implemented and enforced.
In particular, but not limited to, the organisation/club is responsible for:
Preparing, maintaining and implementing its own supplementary regulations, ensuring they comply with applicable NORA Rules and Regulations.
Preparing and maintaining appropriate health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, method statements, emergency procedures and event safety plans.
Ensuring all documentation complies with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and NORA Rules and Regulations.
Ensuring all officials, employees, volunteers, contractors and other persons acting on behalf of the organisation/club are aware of and comply with the relevant regulations and procedures.
Ensuring that appropriate safety measures are implemented and maintained throughout each event or activity.
Ensuring that circuit certificates are in place, valid and adhered to where applicable.
The organisation/club acknowledges that responsibility for the adequacy, accuracy, legality, implementation and enforcement of its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and internal procedures rests with the organisation/club.

3. NORA’s Role and Limitation of Responsibility

NORA provides the regulatory framework under which affiliated organisations/clubs may organise and conduct approved motorsport activities.
Affiliation with NORA, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not constitute confirmation, certification or approval by NORA that an organisation/club’s supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation, risk assessments or internal operating procedures are adequate, compliant or suitable for their intended purpose.
Unless expressly confirmed in writing, NORA does not undertake responsibility for preparing, reviewing, verifying or approving an organisation/club’s internal documentation.
NORA shall not be responsible for any failure by an affiliated organisation/club to prepare, maintain, implement or comply with its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or internal procedures.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, NORA shall not be liable for losses, claims, damages or consequences arising from such failures by the organisation/club.
The organisation/club acknowledges that NORA affiliation does not transfer responsibility for the safe and compliant organisation of events from the organisation/club to NORA.
Nothing in this Agreement excludes or restricts any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

 

4. Road Traffic Act (RTA) Exemption Permits

RTA permits issued through NORA are granted strictly on the understanding that the organisation/club and the relevant event will comply with all applicable NORA Rules and Regulations, permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
The issuing of an RTA permit is conditional upon compliance with NORA’s regulatory framework and does not relieve the organisation/club of its responsibilities under applicable legislation or its own supplementary regulations and safety procedures.
An RTA permit must not be interpreted as confirmation that NORA has independently inspected, verified or approved all aspects of an event or the organisation/club’s internal documentation.
Where NORA becomes aware of, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, non-compliance with its Rules and Regulations, permit conditions or relevant safety requirements, NORA reserves the right to:
Refuse to issue an RTA permit.
Suspend or withdraw an RTA permit already issued, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Require corrective action or additional documentation before permitting further activities.
Suspend or terminate the organisation/club’s affiliation.
Suspend or revoke any NORA-issued licence or authorisation, subject to the applicable licensing rules and procedures.
NORA may take immediate action where it reasonably considers this necessary.

5. Non-Compliance and Withdrawal of Affiliation

Compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations is a fundamental condition of affiliation.
Where an organisation/club fails to comply with these requirements, or fails to maintain and implement appropriate supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or operational procedures, NORA reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action.
Such action may include suspension or termination of affiliation, refusal or withdrawal of RTA permits, and suspension or revocation of NORA-issued licences or authorisations.
NORA may request evidence of compliance, including copies of supplementary regulations, risk assessments, health and safety documentation and other relevant records.
Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance may result in the suspension or withdrawal of affiliation, permits or applicable licences.
Where reasonably practicable, the organisation/club will be given an opportunity to respond to identified concerns. However, NORA reserves the right to take immediate interim action where necessary for safety or regulatory reasons.