Motorcycle Hill Climbing – Vertical Adventure

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Adventure is loved by everyone, but when it gets extreme, all of us may not be up for it. Imagine hills covered with motorcycles racing to reach the top. It includes a daredevil attitude and a motorcycle that can pump enough power to reach the top first. Motorcycle hill climbing is an extreme sport which has a long history. It has been around for a notable period of time and the sport is gaining popularity as more riders join the community of hill climbing partly for the adventure and partly for the risks it involves.

History

The sport began as a mere case of showing off the abilities of a powerful motorcycle built by Indian. The founders wanted to use an innovative way of advertising the new ride so they called the press to the steepest hill in Springfield, Massachusetts. The bike zoomed up to the top of the hill leaving the press in awe of the prototype. News of the bike’s abilities augmented the sales and Indian accomplished what it wanted through this thrilling stunt.

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This awesome demonstration made it clear that hill climbing on a motorcycle was no longer a difficult job, so it became a sport for the adventure-seeking motorists. Riders began to use their usual motorcycles and located the steepest hill in the region. They staged meets and then raced each other to the top of the hill.

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Bike manufacturing companies catered to the growing needs of hill climbing riders, but the group of hill climbers remained a small community. Hill climbing started getting more recognition when the Daytona Motorsports group took over professional motorcycle racing from AMA. The AMA became the sanctioning body of the sport. DMG was created to run, promote and govern top-class motorsports. The PHCA and DMG partnered to bring motorcycle hill climbing championships to the world.

Top Championships

1. Widowmaker Hill Climb

The Widowmaker Hill Climb is held annually or semi-annually in Croydon, Utah. It has become a popular event among the locals as well as nationwide. The popularity grew because of the difficulty level that it portrays for the riders.

2. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

It is also known as the Race to the Clouds. It is an annual motorcycle hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak Colorado. With more than 150 turns, the track measures 12.42 miles. The race has been taking place since 1916.

3. Big Sky Challenge Pro Hill Climb

The Big Sky challenge pro hill climb is held at BMC in Billings, Montana.

Places To Motorcycle Hill Climb

Some of the best places to hill climb for motorcycles are Billings, Montana. The Big Sky Hill is a perfect track for hill climbers. The Pikes Peak is another place which is loved by motorcycle hill climb enthusiasts. Red Wing in Minnesota and Bay City, Wisconsin are also some of the most popular places for hill climbers. 

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Classes

Entry class – This class allows almost any motorcycle. The class allows any rider who turns up to be a part of the race. The limit for this class is 450 cc Single. It is mandatory for all the riders to wear a neck brace along with the helmet, gloves and boots. In addition to this every bike must be fitted with a dead man’s switch.

Xtreme – This class allows fours up to 700 cc and twins up to 750 cc. The rules for this class allows custom frames and any fuel up to nitrous or nitro. It also allows paddle tires which can be wrapped in chains or the ones with bolts.

Top Class – This class is for the pros only. The rules allow custom frames and running engines that are larger than 700 cc or twins larger than 750 cc. 

Conclusion

Motorcycle hill climb is an adventure that is gaining popularity. Many bike riders who enjoy the thrill of bike racing on hills, race each other to the top or else they race till the first person reaches the highest point if they are unable to summit the hill. The events have challenges for all bike riders. The thrill of motorcycle hill climbing is accompanied with risks as well.

The hill climb events allow for a variety of motorcycle classes to take part in the championships. Motorcycle hill climbing has seen some of the best motorcycles and some very amazing custom frames as well.

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Lawn Mower Racing: Wait – We Can Explain…

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The History Of Mower Racing, Cut Short

Lawn mower racing is a fairly young sport. I had its beginning in the early 1970s in West Sussex, England, United Kingdom by man named Jim Gavin. He and a few friends were rather dismayed at all the pomp and circumstance that surrounded actual races – the sponsorships and all the expenses associated with racing cars. It was them that the British Lawn Mower Racing Association was born. The idea was to have a cheap, fun sport. Lawn mowers are generally owned at every house, so there was great potential to have more people involved. In fact, about 80 people showed up for event not long after.

Mower racing does have a pre-organizational start, however, when the Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club held a lawn mower racing event to raise funds.

In the United States, in the town of Twelve Mile, Indiana, the tradition of racing lawn mower had been held since 1963. Every year on the fourth of July they would hold a race called the Twelve Mile 500, and still exists to this day. It was actually introduced to the United States by the makers of Sta-bil after having seen a meet.

There has since been no one to stop the growth of this sport, including its growing number of organizations.

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Grass – You Don’t Really Need It

Some safety attire and a mower is all that will fill your to-get list. Of course it is a little deeper than that. Depending on the organization of which you are a part, the rules and regulations will vary marginally. Generally, you will need long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a bike/motocross helmet, gloves, and appropriate shoes. As for your race horse (read: lawn mower) you will need to make mods, unless you plan on losing to other racers by no less than 20mph. Some mowers are modified to go well passed 50mph. Of course with said caliber speeds, there needs to be other precautions taken, such as brakes, steering, and an auto-shutoff mechanism or switch in the not-so-rare event you are hurled from your buggy. Mowers that have been built specifically for racing are not generally accepted. It should be a store bought mower with the intent to be sold as a tool for cutting grass. Further regulations, rules, and safety concerns can be found with the organization of which you choose to be a part.

How Is Lawn Mower Racing A Thing?

There are not too many homes you will find without a lawn mower – they are easily and readily available. They are not that expensive, either. Mowers are relatively cheap to mod for racing. Being part of a racing association or organization is kind on the pockets as well. Also, children as young as age 7 are allowed in some races/rides. It can literally be a family affair. I mean, what dad doesn’t want to go out racing with his boy? What kid wouldn’t want to go racing? Another thing that makes it quite appealing is the atmosphere. This is not what you would call a professional sport, therefore, there is not a serious competitive air (of course you will get that one guy who wants to fight – butthat guy is literally everywhere!). The idea is good, clean, relatively cheap fun for everyone. Of course there is some competition. There are trophies, and national recognitions and points that are kept per race (depending on your organization). Take a shop around and see where the grass is greener!

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The Reel Deal On Safety

Of course, when you consider the fact that you are taking a motorized gardening tool and adding a transmission, some breaks, and steering so that you can race others at up to 90mph, you may just wonder if this is at all safe. It is just as safe as anything else. Honestly, it is probably less safe driving your car on the freeway than it is driving a lawn mower through the mud.

There are plenty of regulations that are to be followed, and when followed, it results in the most fun (least danger). Only certain types of mower are allowed in for racing: many, if not all, races are open to only self-propelled rotary or reel type lawn mowers. Brakes must be operable on at least two of the wheels. There are also parts that are made specifically for mowers, to ensure the safest operation during racing. Lawn mowers also come in classes based on how heavily modified the vehicle is. Therefore, you will not find yourself being mowed over at 80mph because yours can only go 35. And even if that did happen, be happy that the mowing blades must be removed, regardless of where or with whom you race.

There is the whole issue of falling off of the lawn mower. It is actually not uncommon. This is why it is regulated to wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, protective shoes, gloves, and an authorized helmet. It’s just like riding a bike… A really fast bike… with four wheels… a little close to the ground. Some associations will require that the lawn mower have a tether to keep you on the vehicle, which also comes with its own regulations and rules.

Other little things, such as kill switches (to turn off the machine) are also a necessary. While there obviously exists safer activities in which to engage, there are definitely way many more dangerous ones.

“Let’s Mow!”

The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (henceforth will be called the USLMRA) is self-proclaimed to be the largest and oldest National Mower Racing Sanctioning Body. They hold races all over the country, either directly, or through their affiliated clubs. Annually there are more or less 150 races sanctioned by the USLMRA nationally. A good race is right around the corner from almost everyone. Take a look on their site soon to see the 2017 schedule. There, you will also find their official rules, interactive maps, and their “Lawnstars.”

There are other associations as well. See for yourself!

by Angelique Harris

Angelique’s Etsy Store: JaenaLaShae.etsy.com

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Karting: Motorsport For The Masses

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ntroduction

Karting is best described as an open-wheel sport that involves karts. Depending on the nature of the design, the vehicles can either be karts, go-karts and shifters. Given the chosen vehicle, the sport involves racing on circuits that have been scaled down. The understanding is that karting creates the foundation for developing into much more competitive and larger sports. When placed in the context of the public, the karts are often limited to 16mph. Such a safe speeds are intended to better protect the public from the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

History

Karting has its history located in Southern California. It was started in the year 1956. It is widely acknowledged that Art Ingles came up with the original idea of karting. Upon its inception, karting gained the favor of most people in the region. With time, karting became a national phenomenon.

Image credit: “Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B1007-0016-001, 5. Berliner K-Wagen-Rennen” by Bundesarchiv, Bild

The development of karting has been attributed to the actions of both McCulloh and Go Kart Manufacturing. The former designed and built the engines that were used on the karts. While the latter, built the body and the first version of the engines. At first, the karts primarily used chainsaw 2-stroke. However, with time motorcycle engines were later adapted for these vehicles. The beginning of the 1960s ushered in the building of dedicated engines that were especially designed for the karts.

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Components

Chassis

Given the nature of the sport, the karts are built using steel tubing. There are no provisions for incorporating suspensions into the car. Therefore, the steel tubing structure has to be both flexible and strong to ensure that it accommodates the role of suspensions while not being weak enough to give way when making tough corners.

Different kinds of chassis are used for different weather conditions. Chassis used in wet conditions will not work effectively for dry conditions. For wet conditions, a much flexible chassis is often employed in order to ensure that the kart is able to accommodate the effects of wet roads. The ideal situation is when the chassis is able to accommodate the bends and slides. On the other hand, when in dry conditions, a much stiffer chassis is preferred. In such conditions, the driver needs that kart to have a high degree of traction.

The braking system is located in the rear end of the car. However, in some situations, a front mounted system is preferred, which in most cases is the class of shifter karts. In some designs, the shifter class often accommodates two breaking systems, one in the front and the other in the back. In this way, depending on the bias, shifts between the front and back can be implemented.

Engines

With regard to the engine capacities, there is the 4-stroke option and the 2-stroke option. For go-karts, there is the alternative of the 4-stroke engines and the electric motors. On the other hand, racing karts, there is the option of the 4-stroke and the 2 stroke-engine.

Racing categories

International racing

The international championships are KF1, the KF2, KF3, KZ1 and the KZ2. The aforementioned classes are the highest levels of karting.

National racing

Dirt oval classes are the most common classes in the U.S.

Racing licenses

In order to qualify to race for karting, an individual needs to have a license. Depending on the region, either clubs or associations can provide the licenses. There are some situations where an insurance coverage is necessary. However, this is not always the case. Various countries have different requirements for licensing. In some situations, a capability tests is required.

Driver equipment

Driver safety is critical in karting. There are various equipments that are needed are those that have been perceived as enhancing the safety of the drivers. Full-face helmets, driving suits, gloves and boots are required.

Cost

Karting is a low cost undertaking. The only cost-intensive measure has to do with setting up the facilities for competing best exemplified by building the circuit. However, aside from this, the other associated costs are quite low budget. The costs of acquiring a license are quite low. Even when there are additional requirements, the additional costs cannot increase the expenditure associated with the sport.

It is highly likely that the demand for karting will be perpetuated well into the future. Given the current trend, it is highly likely that people will start to appreciate the fun experience that is associated with the sport. The low costs associated with the sporting experience are expected to further motivate additional demand for the sport.

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Thrill Girl Bambi