What Is Motocross Racing?

As its name implies, motocross is a form of cross-country motorcycle racing. Modern motocross involves a multitude of styles, and types of racing, exhibitions and vehicles. The rugged terrain used for matches is what influences the design of the bikes and distinguishes them from other types of motorcycles.

  1. History

    • Motocross began in Britain and was originally known as "scrambling." The first match took place in 1924 in Camberley, Surrey, England. In 1952, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme created the first European motocross championship, using 500cc engines. In 1957, it added a 250cc engine race. Although it was predominately a European-only sport, the late 1960s saw the introduction of Japanese bike manufacturers into the market. From the late 1970s through to the 1980s, the U.S. began to compete internationally. Because of eco-friendly regulations in California, bike manufacturers started releasing four-stroke bike technology, which is very popular in the world of motocross.

    Tournaments

    • There are two dominant motocross series: the FIM Grand Prix and the American Motocross Association's American National Championship. The Grand Prix, the longer of the two with more than 16 rounds, has historically been a European championship. But it has seen some popularity in South American and Oceanic countries. The American National championship runs from early May to mid-September with 12 rounds and 12 tracks. Motocross des Nations is held after national and international championships have ended, wherein teams of three representing their respective nations compete. Each member of the team rides in a different class, MX1, MX2 or "open."

    Freestyle

    • At the 1999 X Games, freestyle riding brought a new take to the motocross sport, focusing on the performance of stunts. Riders are judged by the style and difficulty of tricks performed, as well as the use of the track and crowd reactions.

    Supercross/Supermoto

    • Supercross is held on indoor man-made tracks, usually at large arenas or football stadiums. Supermoto, an artifact from the 1970s, uses race tracks made from dirt and pavement. After the death of the sport in 1985, Supermoto experienced a revival in 2003.

    ATV/Quad

    • In the 1980s, ATV/Quad motocross racing fell out of favor with manufacturers because of a bad reputation for being dangerous as well as the expense. But in 2002, it made a comeback after manufacturers began releasing cheaper hybrid vehicles, using bike engines in ATV/quad frames.