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What is motocross racing?
Motocross is a form of racing that is performed on a natural terrain dirt track with an assortment of different obstacles. Its roots date back to England in the year 1924 when an event called “A Rare Old Scrambles at Chamberley Heath” took place. It has evolved into a sport that involves extremely specialized motorcycles. The riders are being paid salaries of one million dollars a year and more. This is the story of The Evolution of Motocross.
The date was March 29, 1924. It was five years since the end of World War I where many servicemen had learned to ride motorcycles. In that time many clubs had been created for motorcycle enthusiasts, and they were looking for a way to compete with each other. Two club members, G.G. Kitson from Ilkley Club in northern England and E.O. Spence from Camberly Club in southern England, decided to create an event to determine if the best riders were from the north or south. They created a 25 mile loop and invited all the top riders from around England to compete. There was a morning 25 mile lap before taking a break for lunch. A second lap was run in the afternoon with the times combined for an overall winner. The format has changed considerably since that first race but even to this day the overall winner is based on two races which are called motos.
Motos are generally based on a specific time plus two laps. A good example is the A.M.A. sanctioned Outdoor National Series which races for thirty minutes plus two additional laps. The flagman notifies the riders that the thirty minutes has expired by displaying a two lap board. They then know that there are two laps left in the race. The next lap around the flagman waves a white flag signifying one lap left before the finish. The end of the race is signaled with a checkered flag like most other forms of motor sports.
In the beginning the bikes were heavy four-stroke motorcycles designed to be ridden on the road. The majority of the motorcycle manufacturers were based in Europe as well as most of the experienced riders. The Europeans dominated the racing scene aboard their heavy four-stroke machines. Then in the early 60’s a Swedish company by the name of Husqvarna designed a light weight two-stroke machine just for off road. They hired a team of experienced riders and started to win races. During this time there was racing in the United States, but it was not taken very serious. The European riders were known as the top guns. In 1967, a Husqvarna dealer by the name of Edison Dye thought it would be profitable for him to sanction races in the United States and bring the Husqvarna riders. It became a showcase for him to sell his motorcycles and show the U.S. riders how far behind in experience they really were. The Americans were motivated to upgrade their level of racing.
A good judge of what country is on top of the motocross racing scene is an event called the Motocross Des Nations. It is similar to the Olympic format in that countries compete against each other. Three riders are selected from each participating country to contend in three different classes. There is a 125cc class which has the smallest displacement motor, and also the lightest, most nimble frame. The 250cc class has a more powerful mid-sized engine, but is not as lightweight. The last group is called the Open class which has the most powerful engines, but this class is also the heaviest. Each of the classes requires a different style of riding. In the early years, the Europeans dominated this event. After many frustrating losses, the U.S.A. team won in 1980. They continued to win this event for the next thirteen years. The European dominance was overturned by the young riders from the U.S.A.
During the 60’s and 70’s, the World Championship Series was the racing schedule the top riders of the world competed in. To be World Champion was the top accomplishment in the sport at the time. There were a few Americans who tried their hand at this racing series, but they were not very successful. Then during the 80’s and 90’s with the U.S.A. domination of the Motocross Des Nations, the top series in the world became the A.M.A. Outdoor National Series. The best riders in the world came to the United States to try to win this series. Now the person who wins the 250cc Outdoor National Series is considered the fastest motocross rider in the world. It carries more prestige then the World Champion title.
Another form of racing that has evolved from motocross is called Supercross. It is a type of motocross that is performed in a stadium type atmosphere. Spectators can sit in a stadium seat with many creature comforts and witness great racing. This racing series begins in early January and ends the first week of May. The majority of the schedule is in southern United States stadiums or climate controlled enclosed domes. The week after this series is over the A.M.A. Outdoor National Series begins. The riders do not get a break till Labor Day weekend when the outdoor series ends. The riders and factories then begin testing next years racing bikes. Both the Supercross and Outdoor National series are extremely competitive.
One of the major evolutionary steps for the sport has been the ever changing motorcycle. The heavy four-stroke European made brands gave way to the much lighter more nimble two-stroke models. In the early 70’s, the Japanese manufacturers started to take the motocross bike market seriously. It took them about ten years, but they now own the market for motocross bikes. There are very few European manufacturers left in the motocross bike business, and the ones that exist are not very competitive. The latest trend is now towards all bikes having a four-stroke motor. With the tougher air pollution restrictions the major manufacturers of motocross bikes are now concentrating on a lighter four-stroke motor because it is more environmentally friendly. The major companies are now producing or developing very fast light weight four-stroke racing bikes.
This sport began in Europe in the early twentieth century with a bunch of competitive guys wanting to have some fun. It has been performed by many different people on many different machines. The track type and motorcycle has changed drastically over that time, but the competitive heart of the sport has not. Most people still do it for the competition and to have fun. I’m sure the young men who organized the first race in England had no idea it would evolve into what it has become today. They should be proud.
If you ever get the
chance to experience a professional motocross race do yourself a favor and give
it a try.
You will not be disappointed.
