To win in a BMX race you need to be in front going into the first turn. The leader controls the race and the followers need to work harder. To do that you need to get out of the gate the fast and accelerate the fastest ... this is how you do it.

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[edit] Steps

Wait until the second part of the cadence to stand up. Focus on the first twenty feet of the track. Don't look or think about who's on the gate with you; because it doesn’t matter if there a NAG1 rider or some newbie, your all going for the same thing and you need to be there first!
Straighten out your front leg, then bend it until it unlocks. Keep you knees in.
Your butt should be centered over the backside of your seat. Keep from squatting by keeping the front leg straight, as described above.
Keep the back straight, shoulder squared off ... neck straight while your looking at a point about 20' out.
You should a relaxed grip on the bars, wrist rolled foreword with you knuckles pointed toward the ground. Arms should be slightly bent … stay relaxed … deep breath … let it out slow, thru the nose, and set your self up.
Do you watch the light or listen to the cadence? Either one works ... just be consistent on what you do! "Practice what you race and race what you practice ... ". When the light turn red, or you hear the “Watch” … explode out of the gate …
Don’t lift up on the bars!!! Use the bars to hold your body down … pushing down with lead leg … Stretch the bike … your whole upper body should be moving forewords … your arm are now locked in position, still bent, holding your body stable while you push down. Make sure you don’t squat down as you’ll be missing the power that is in you’re legs …
Keep you legs together, your back straight and head up … be up on the bike and use your legs … they are key to getting a good gate … use your legs … There are really 5 gates … by that time you’ll be up to speed, so make sure you explode five times, be smooth, under control, keep you butt off the seat, back straight and head up …
Never stop pedaling on the first straight ... learn to pedal over everything ... if you can pedal over it, don't jump it'
If you’re being squeezed by other riders, don’t stop … ever … if you do you’ll go down. A rider pedaling is harder to take down then one not, so never stop pedaling!!!

[edit] Tips

stay on top of the bike
keep you head up and back straight
Never ever ever lift on the bars ... use them to keep your body from going up while you push the pedals down.
Never stop pedaling on the first straight ... ever!!

[edit] Warnings

Alway wear a helmet, always. and try to make it a full face bmx helmet. Motocross are to heavy so get a good bmx racing helmet. Gloves are not required, but I highly recommend them ... I've seen to many de-glovings of the hand .. yuk.
And of course, long sleeve shirt, long pants and good closed toe shoes ... no soft tennis shoes or sandles.