The Extreme and Spectacular World of Motocross Racing

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Motocross is one of the most popular and extreme off-road motorcycle racing sports today. It is usually held in an enclosed off-road racing course that is composed of dirt roads, hills, ramps and a lot of mud. The size of the course can allow up to 40motocross riders to race and compete at the same time.

The Bikes

In motocross, the bikes used are much lighter than the normal motorcycles. Aluminum is preferred over other heavier metals to make the bike lighter. The bikes are categorized according to their engine size and it ranges from 50cc to 550cc. Some motocross bikes are customized and adapted according to the rider’s taste and needs. With the harsh conditions of the motocross courses, the bikes have to be very durable to withstand all the big impacts and crashes that may happen during the race.

History

1924 – 1930

The earliest known freestyle motocross was held in 1924 at Camberley in Surrey and this event was known as the Scrambles. Riders in Europe began adding various obstacles and shortening the tracks of the courses in the following years. In 1930,motocross became very popular in the UK and different districts and companies constantly held events.

1950 – 1970

In the 1950, the introduction of the swinging arm suspension greatly improved the technology of the bikes. In 1952, the 500cc European Championship was held by the international motorcycling governing body. It was then upgraded to the World Championship status in 1957. Companies began creating motorcycles that are lighter with more maneuverability. Japan began producing top quality motocross bikes that would rival the European bikes in the 1960s. In the 70s, motocross became popular worldwide, especially in the United States.

1980 – 1990

Japan continued with its high technology innovation of motocross bikes and greatly improved its quality. In the 90s, new laws were introduced, which ensures that the production of four-stroke motorcycles adhere to strict environmental standards.

Today

Motocross has developed different types of riding disciplines such as Supercross, Arenacross and the Freestyle motocross. This type of sport continues to evolve with the improvement of the motocross technology and the demand for more extreme competitions.

Major Competitions

Here are some of the most popular Motocross competitions held in Europe, USA and other countries worldwide:

1. AMA Motocross Championship
2. FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship
3. Motocross des Nations
4. British Motocross Championship

Other Types of Motorcycle Sports

Freestyle Motocross

It is also called the FMX and it is a variation of motocross wherein the goal of the riders is to impress the judge with a series of death-defying acrobatic stunts and jumps. The judge scores the acrobatic tricks according to the level of difficulty, style and the crowd reactions. This type of sport was first introduced at the 1999 X Games competition.

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Super Moto

Supermoto or supermotard is an exciting motorcycle competition that combines the asphalt racers and the off-road racers in one big awesome race. The tracks are made out of asphalt and off-road with some jumps. Other Supermoto race has asphalt all throughout the course. The bikes usually undergo modifications with stronger engines, reinforced frames and better road tires. Supermoto was conceptualized to bring the best riders from different genres into one big racing event.

ATV or Quad Motocross

The ATV and Quad motocross is just like the usual motocross event with extreme courses. However, the main stars of the race are ATVs and Quads instead of motorcycles. It is usually held in motocross racetracks across the US and the courses features different obstacles such as dirt roads, wooded trails, hill climbing and creek crossing.

SuperCross

Supercross is another form of motocross racing but the main difference is its highly technical courses that are constructed inside a large sports stadium. The course is considered as very difficult because it has tighter turns, shorter straights and very steep jumps. Since the course is in an indoor arena, the size of the course is limited, which makes it highly technical and extreme.

The Dangers of Motocross

If you have seen a motocross event, you would immediately see how dangerous and insane this type of sport has become. The dangers of this extreme sport are very real and one fatal mistake can be very disastrous. Crashes are very common in anymotocross event and it would seem that injuries are inevitable for most riders. Imagine flying 20 feet high into the air while trying to balance and control a roaring beast of a motorcycle and crashing to the ground with an impact that will rattle your brains out. The most common injuries sustained by the riders include broken ribs, broken collar bones, leg injuries and head injuries. Even if the riders are wearing full protection, the risk of fatal injuries is very real. However, motocross riders risk it all because of the thrill and the adrenaline rush they feel when they compete and race around the unforgiving race track.

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Thrill Girl Lorraine Tully

The Extreme and Spectacular World of Motocross Racing

http://thethrillsociety.com is your link to Thrilling Stuff! This article is just a taste!

Motocross is one of the most popular and extreme off-road motorcycle racing sports today. It is usually held in an enclosed off-road racing course that is composed of dirt roads, hills, ramps and a lot of mud. The size of the course can allow up to 40motocross riders to race and compete at the same time.

The Bikes

In motocross, the bikes used are much lighter than the normal motorcycles. Aluminum is preferred over other heavier metals to make the bike lighter. The bikes are categorized according to their engine size and it ranges from 50cc to 550cc. Some motocross bikes are customized and adapted according to the rider’s taste and needs. With the harsh conditions of the motocross courses, the bikes have to be very durable to withstand all the big impacts and crashes that may happen during the race.

History

1924 – 1930

The earliest known freestyle motocross was held in 1924 at Camberley in Surrey and this event was known as the Scrambles. Riders in Europe began adding various obstacles and shortening the tracks of the courses in the following years. In 1930,motocross became very popular in the UK and different districts and companies constantly held events.

1950 – 1970

In the 1950, the introduction of the swinging arm suspension greatly improved the technology of the bikes. In 1952, the 500cc European Championship was held by the international motorcycling governing body. It was then upgraded to the World Championship status in 1957. Companies began creating motorcycles that are lighter with more maneuverability. Japan began producing top quality motocross bikes that would rival the European bikes in the 1960s. In the 70s, motocross became popular worldwide, especially in the United States.

1980 – 1990

Japan continued with its high technology innovation of motocross bikes and greatly improved its quality. In the 90s, new laws were introduced, which ensures that the production of four-stroke motorcycles adhere to strict environmental standards.

Today

Motocross has developed different types of riding disciplines such as Supercross, Arenacross and the Freestyle motocross. This type of sport continues to evolve with the improvement of the motocross technology and the demand for more extreme competitions.

Major Competitions

Here are some of the most popular Motocross competitions held in Europe, USA and other countries worldwide:

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Motorsports: The Exhilarating World of Rally Raid Racing

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For those who get an adrenaline rush from speed, rally raids, often known as cross country rallying can literally sweep you off your feet. Rally raids are a form of long-distance off-road racing which takes place over a span of 3 to 15 days. Racers can end up travelling almost 560 miles (900 km) a day.
While there are many rally raid races that take place around the world, the FIA Cross Country Rally allows racers to rally raid for the World Cup.
The three competitive groups in off-road rally raiding are motorcycle (moto) class, car class and truck class.

Moto Class:

The moto class sees a further division into three groups-

• Marathon – This group includes motorcycles that have been mildly modified. Separate races take place for engines of greater than 451 cc and those lesser than that.
• Super-Production bikes – These bikes see a similar subdivision of engines greater or less than 451 cc. The super-production bikes have gone through a notable modification.
• Quads – Two-wheel and four-wheel quad bikes make up Group 3 of the moto class. They are divided further into engines more than 500cc and those less than 500cc.

Baja and Dakar Rallies are considered to be the most prominent moto rally raid racing events. KTM and Yamaha are known to be the best among bikes used in moto rally races.

Car Class:

The car class consists of vehicles weighing less than 3,500 kg and is divided into 3 groups as well which is the T1, T2 and Open class

• T1 – The T1 Group comprises of improved cross country vehicles.
• T2 – This group is made up of Cross Country Series Production Vehicles.
• Open Class – This class is made up of weight qualifying vehicles like the SCORE international trucks.

Truck Class:

Vehicles weighing more than 3500 kg come under truck class. They are divided into two groups:

• T4 – This class of trucks participate in competitions. This class covers production trucks and modified trucks.
• T5 – The T5 trucks are used for providing support to other vehicles participating in the rally.

Rally Raid Races

Some of the most popular rally raid races are:
Dakar Rally – The Amaury Sport Organization organizes the annual Dakar Rally Raid was held at Paris, France, Dakar and Senegal until 2007. The 2008 race was cancelled due to security threats and since 2009 the race is being held in South America. The Dakar Rally provides a racing platform to amateurs as well as professionals.
Budapest-Bamako – Also known as the Great African run, the Budapest-Bamako rally raid is the world’s largest amateur rally raid racing in the world. With no entry restrictions and an exciting track, the race promises a sense of adventure as the vehicles race through Austria, Hungary, Italy, Western Sahara, Morocco, France, Spain, Mauritania and Mali.
Raid de Himalaya – This rally raid racing is haven for rally raiding in Asia. With the Himalayan terrain to challenge the racers, the racing is an extreme endurance event. It is considered to be the world’s highest rally raid at 6000 metres which also makes it one of the toughest rally raid races.
Rallye Des Pharaons – French for the Pharoah’s rally, the Rallye des Pharaons starts and ends at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza giving the entire race a theatrical set up. With most of the rally taking place in desert conditions, the rally covers approximately 3,100 kilometres of rough terrain.

Incidents Marking Rally Raid Races

In enthralling adventure of rally raid races have often transformed into gruesome events when racers or ordinary citizens lost their lives or met with fatal accidents. Some of the incidents are:
Three participants and three local residents were killed in the 1988 Dakar rally race. One of the three residents was a 10 year old girl who lost her life crossing the road.
The 2003 Dakar Rally race saw the deaths of Daniel Nebot, Jose Manuel and Fabrizio Meoni. Fabrizio was winner of the event twice before.
In 2004 Richard Sainct lost his life in the Rallye Des Pharaons when his motorcycle went off the course.
In 2009 motorcyclist Pascal Terry’s body was found after 3 days on a remote part of the Dakar rally race track.
A woman watching the race lost her life as a vehicle went off the course in the 2010 Dakar rally race.

Rally raid races are known for their dangers just as much as they are popular for their exciting nature. The rally races try to enforce safety rules and regulations to avoid any incidents. While racers have become more careful, the thrill of competition often leads to unseen dangers which can harm the racers and others around them.

The Extreme and Spectacular World of Motocross Racing

http://thethrillsociety.com is your link to Thrilling Stuff! This article is just a taste!

Motocross is one of the most popular and extreme off-road motorcycle racing sports today. It is usually held in an enclosed off-road racing course that is composed of dirt roads, hills, ramps and a lot of mud. The size of the course can allow up to 40 motocross riders to race and compete at the same time.

The Bikes

In motocross, the bikes used are much lighter than the normal motorcycles. Aluminum is preferred over other heavier metals to make the bike lighter. The bikes are categorized according to their engine size and it ranges from 50cc to 550cc. Some motocross bikes are customized and adapted according to the rider’s taste and needs. With the harsh conditions of the motocross courses, the bikes have to be very durable to withstand all the big impacts and crashes that may happen during the race.

History

1924 – 1930

The earliest known freestyle motocross was held in 1924 at Camberley in Surrey and this event was known as the Scrambles. Riders in Europe began adding various obstacles and shortening the tracks of the courses in the following years. In 1930, motocross became very popular in the UK and different districts and companies constantly held events.

1950 – 1970

In the 1950, the introduction of the swinging arm suspension greatly improved the technology of the bikes. In 1952, the 500cc European Championship was held by the international motorcycling governing body. It was then upgraded to the World Championship status in 1957. Companies began creating motorcycles that are lighter with more maneuverability. Japan began producing top quality motocross bikes that would rival the European bikes in the 1960s. In the 70s, motocross became popular worldwide, especially in the United States.

1980 – 1990

Japan continued with its high technology innovation of motocross bikes and greatly improved its quality. In the 90s, new laws were introduced, which ensures that the production of four-stroke motorcycles adhere to strict environmental standards.

Today

Motocross has developed different types of riding disciplines such as Supercross, Arenacross and the Freestyle motocross. This type of sport continues to evolve with the improvement of the motocross technology and the demand for more extreme competitions.

Major Competitions

Here are some of the most popular Motocross competitions held in Europe, USA and other countries worldwide:

AMA Motocross Championship
FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship
Motocross des Nations
British Motocross Championship

Other Types of Motorcycle Sports

Freestyle Motocross

It is also called the FMX and it is a variation of motocross wherein the goal of the riders is to impress the judge with a series of death-defying acrobatic stunts and jumps. The judge scores the acrobatic tricks according to the level of difficulty, style and the crowd reactions. This type of sport was first introduced at the 1999 X Games competition.

Super Moto

Supermoto or supermotard is an exciting motorcycle competition that combines the asphalt racers and the off-road racers in one big awesome race. The tracks are made out of asphalt and off-road with some jumps. Other Supermoto race has asphalt all throughout the course. The bikes usually undergo modifications with stronger engines, reinforced frames and better road tires. Supermoto was conceptualized to bring the best riders from different genres into one big racing event.

ATV or Quad Motocross

The ATV and Quad motocross is just like the usual motocross event with extreme courses. However, the main stars of the race are ATVs and Quads instead of motorcycles. It is usually held in motocross racetracks across the US and the courses features different obstacles such as dirt roads, wooded trails, hill climbing and creek crossing.

SuperCross

Supercross is another form of motocross racing but the main difference is its highly technical courses that are constructed inside a large sports stadium. The course is considered as very difficult because it has tighter turns, shorter straights and very steep jumps. Since the course is in an indoor arena, the size of the course is limited, which makes it highly technical and extreme.

The Dangers of Motocross

If you have seen a motocross event, you would immediately see how dangerous and insane this type of sport has become. The dangers of this extreme sport are very real and one fatal mistake can be very disastrous. Crashes are very common in any motocross event and it would seem that injuries are inevitable for most riders. Imagine flying 20 feet high into the air while trying to balance and control a roaring beast of a motorcycle and crashing to the ground with an impact that will rattle your brains out. The most common injuries sustained by the riders include broken ribs, broken collar bones, leg injuries and head injuries. Even if the riders are wearing full protection, the risk of fatal injuries is very real. However, motocross riders risk it all because of the thrill and the adrenaline rush they feel when they compete and race around the unforgiving race track.

Follow TTS on Youtube by clicking HERE!

Do you have a Thrilling video, photo, story or music you would like to see on our site? Send us your stuff by clicking HERE!

If we post your stuff you will win a TTS logo t-shirt, TTS Original Society Member sticker, and the Don’t Be An A-Hole sticker!