Thousands of people enjoy the thrill and power involved in taking motorcycles off-road for extreme racing. There are many varieties of motorcycle racing, but some of the more popular are motocross events and derivatives like supercross.
Those unfamiliar with the world of off-road motorcycle racing may not know the differences between motocross and supercross. Since motocross and supercross are so similar, some people might mistakenly feel they are the same thing. In fact, they are two completely different sports.
SAFETY: OFF THE ROAD
A. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE
Learn the differences between the types of vehicles: ROVs, also called side-by-sides, have a steering wheel, acceleration foot pedal and brake foot pedal. ATVs have a handlebar for steering, a throttle controlled by a thumb lever, and hand levers and a foot pedal for the brakes. Most ATVs are designed for one rider who straddles the machine, out in the open. With an ROV, it’s important to wear the seat belt and keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.
B. GET THE SIZE RIGHT
It’s critical that ATV riders be the right size for their machines. Children should not ride adult-sized ATVs, though youth-model ATVs let kids as young as 6 enjoy riding under adult supervision. ROVs are only for operators age 16 or older with a valid driver’s license.
C PROTECTIVE GEAR
Riders of either vehicle need proper helmets that meet Department of Transportation standards, eye protection, gloves, long sleeves and pants, and sturdy boots. An ROV should have seat belts, a rollover protective structure, side retention features and handholds.
1 RIDE RIGHT
These vehicles are for off-road use only and should be taken exclusively on designated trails.
2 RIDE SOBER
Neither should ever be operated while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3 GET SAFETY TRAINED
Both should be used only after proper training, through the ATV Safety Institute (www.atvsafety.org) or the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (www.ROHVA.org). Then go have fun—safely—off-road. courtesy of naps
MOTORCROSS
Motocross motorcycle racing takes place on enclosed, off-road circuits. The sport is derived from motorcycle trial competitions that originated in the United Kingdom.
The outdoor tracks of motocross vary in size, and races are held in all types of weather conditions. Because the space needed for tracks is so vast, many tracks are located in rural locations. Although the natural terrain helps shape part of the course, some man-made modifications are also included to create jumps, pits, sharp turns, and other obstacles.
Motocross is celebrated across the globe. Since the sport was introduced in 1966, motocross has become more popular in the United States. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), based in Paris, France, is the global governing sanctioning body of motorcycle racing and represents 103 national motorcycle federations. Canadians also participate in the sport through Canadian Motocross.
SUPERCROSS
Motocross enthusiasts sometimes find attending a motocross competition is difficult due to the rural location of outdoor tracks. And once there, spectators can only see the portion of the race closest to their seat. But enterprising individuals created subdisciplines of the racing that could take place within indoor arenas, and supercross and arenacross were born. Supercross is typically held on man-made tracks that are smaller than outdoor motocross tracks. Football stadiums and other indoor stadiums are retrofitted to accommodate these tracks. Even though the racing takes place indoors, it is still considered off-road racing.
With supercross, the race is shorter than motocross and there are typically fewer racers because of space constraints. The size of the arena also limits the types of jumps and other stunts that can be accomplished depending on the height of the building. Some people argue that supercross is more extreme because the size of the arena forces racers to be more precise and there are a greater number of rules governing the races.
The main motocross championships are the FIM Motocross World Championship, which is typically held in Europe, and the AMA Motocross Championship that begins in early May and runs through September in the United States. The annual Motocross des Nations is held at the end of the year when National and World Championship series have ended. The competition involves teams of three riders representing their nations.
As motocross continues to draw fans and racers alike, different variations of the sport also continue to evolve. Freestyle, supermoto, ATV/Quad motocross, and mini-motocross are derivatives of the original sport.
Extreme sport enthusiasts have many options from which to choose. Motocross and supercross are two sports that boast a loyal legion of fans.
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