Motocross

Motocross, or off-road motorcycle racing, originated in the United Kingdom as a competitive sport called "scrambling." Consisting of track races, endurance trials, and hill climbs, the first event, the Southern Scott Scramble, took place on March 29, 1924, and was won by local rider Arthur Sparks. After exploding in popularity in the UK, the French adopted the sport, renaming it "moto-cross" by combining "motorcycle" and "cross country." Since its inception, motorcycle manufacturers use the event to publicize their brand and show off the durability and performance of their machines. Early rides were merely bicycles with an internal combustion engine attached; later, rugged motocross terrains resulted in technically improved motorcycles such as the 2000s’ four-stroke machine.

Motocross is governed by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). A European Championship was created by the FIM in 1952 and a World Championship in 1957. Motocross debuted in the United States in 1966; its popularity soared during the 1970s and 1980s; in the United States, the sport has evolved into Supercross, an indoor stadium event.

Brief History

The birth of motocross in the United Kingdom dates back to 1924; however, precursors of the sport were motorcycle competitions called observed trials, where riders’ ability and style were scored by a panel of judges. The most prestigious of these events was the Scott Trial in 1914, sponsored by motorcycle designer Alfred Angus Scott, a race which continues today over an off-road course of eighty-four miles.

Regional rivalry developed during the 1930s and ‘40s when various British motorcycle brands each supported a racing team. After a brief interlude during World War II, the competition resumed with the United Kingdom dominating the sport. In 1947, motocross went international when Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium competed in an event, consisting of two eight heats over a two-mile course, held by the Dutch National Motorcycle Federation. The British defeated the Belgians by nine seconds. The event, called the Motocross des Nations, continues to attract over thirty thousand spectators. When the European Championship was created in 1952, the Belgians dominated the race for many years while the first World Championships were won by Belgians or Swedes with the exception of 1964 and 1965 when Jeff Smith took home the title for Britain. In 1969, motocross racer Gary Bailey became the first American to defeat the Europeans. He went on to become a motocross teacher and opened over twenty schools. Bailey is also an acclaimed track designer and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

Motocross machinery evolved over time, progressing from rigid frames to suspensions to swinging fork rear suspensions during the sport’s early years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers replaced the twin-shock, two-stroke rear suspension machines with water-cooled, single shock absorber rear suspension models. Environmentally friendly laws led to the 2003 manufacture of the four-stroke machine used by most motocross racers today.

Major Motocross Competitions

The major motocross competitions are the FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship, British Motocross Championship, Motocross des Nations, and the AMA Motocross Championship.

FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship. Held primarily in Europe with events also held in the United States, Asia, and Africa, the international competition consists of two races lasting thirty minutes plus two laps. Based on type of bike, the series is divided into four classes: MX2 (250 cc machines); MXGP (450 cc machines); MX3 (650 cc machines); Women’s MX.

British Motocross Championship. Consisting of MX1 and MX2 classes (250–450 cc four-stroke bikes and 175–250 cc four-stroke bikes), the British Motocross Championship is the primary off-road competition in the UK. In 2007, a youth MXY2 class was added, and in 2009, a veterans’ series was added.

Motocross des Nations. Taking place after the National and World Championships each year, teams of three riders representing three nations compete in three classes: MX1, MX2, and Open. The event’s locations include the UK, United States, and Belgium.

AMA Motocross Championship. Founded in 1972, the American series is managed by MX Sports Pro Racing and is the major outdoor motocross competition in the United States. Running from mid-May until late August each year, the AMA consists of twelve rounds held at twelve major tracks in continental United States. The series is divided into three classes: 250 Motocross Class (formerly the MX Lites class) (0–125 cc 2-stroke machines or 150–250 cc 4-stroke machines); 450 Motocross Class (formerly the MX class) (150–250 cc 2-stroke machines or 251–450 cc 4-stroke machines); Women’s Class.

Since 1993, in response to stricter emissions regulations and after all competing manufacturers adopted 4-stroke engines, the 500 cc class was discontinued.

Other Motorcycle Sports

Several additional motorcycle sports have derived from Motocross, including Supercross, Freestyle Motocross (FMX), SuperMoto, and ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) Quad Motocross.

Supercross. Dubbed by some the American-style motocross, Supercross debuted in the 1970s. Developed to take this form of the sport to broader live audiences and international TV, Supercross has evolved into one of the most popular motorcycle events in the world. The professional cycling race is held in large indoor stadiums on artificially made dirt tracks. Featuring high-performance off-road motorcycles, the course includes steep jumps and obstacles, and the track has tighter turns and shorter straights than typical motocross tracks. Every weekend during the Supercross season, the race goes to a different US city with approximately seventeen races on schedule.

Unlike traditional motocross, where riders earn part of their money for starting, not finishing the race, and where the rider with the most points may or may not take home the final checkered flag, Supercross scoring is progressive. Only riders who place well move on to next level, and only the final determines the victor.

Freestyle Motocross (FMX). A form of Supercross introduced in 1999, FMX involves acrobatic stunts performed while jumping motocross bikes. Scored by a panel of judges, riders are evaluated for style, trick level difficulty, use of the course, and crowd reaction.

SuperMoto. Introduced in 1979, SuperMoto pits riders from three categories—paved road racing, flat track, and dirt obstacles—against each other. Raced on bikes with special grooved tires designed to grip both pavement and dirt, SuperMoto events take place on the street, on road-racing tracks, at go-kart tracks, and include classes for kids.

ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) Quad Motocross. Quad racing began in 1980 and is known for including endurance type races and obstacles such as dirt roads, wooded trails, hill climbs, and creek or log crossings. Including an Amateur (ATVA) and Pro (AMA Pro) series, competitions take place between March and November, and points are awarded throughout the season.

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