The sport of motorcycle racing has become international in structure. In organized form it is controlled by the Fédération Internationale Motorcycliste and its national affiliates such as the American Motorcycle Association. Amateur racing can be almost any activity involving people and motorcycles. Professional racing is divided into road racing, motocross, drag racing, speedway, cross-country racing, trials, and oval-track racing.
Road racing has displacement classes of 50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, and 750cc. Modern road-racing machines have engines with up to four cylinders, and they are partially streamlined. The most powerful have almost 150 horsepower and top speeds in excess of 185 miles (298 km) per hour. Most events counting toward the world championships in the various classes are held in Europe, but the annual race at the Daytona International Speedway is considered one of the most important and draws a large field of entries from all over the world. The once-famous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races have been relegated to minor status, and its 28-mile (45-km) course over public roads is considered by many star riders to be so dangerous for today's machines that they refuse to compete there.
Motocross, a European sport, is internationally popular. Motocross events are held on a very rough, rutted dirt-surface course, usually in two long heats. In motocross, rider stamina is perhaps even more important than equipment, and the riders quite rightly see themselves as athletes. Their machines are characterized by lightness, with power a secondary consideration except in the small-engine classes. Much care is taken with suspensions.
Motocross has largely displaced other types of off-road events in spectator appeal, but the amateur rider who cannot give enough time to physical conditioning will turn to cross-country regularity trials called enduros. They are an offshoot of the European International Six Days Trial, but of much briefer duration. In another event called an observed trial, the object is for riders to traverse various obstacles, such as boulders and logs, without putting a foot down.
Like half-mile (0.8 km) and mile (1.6 km) dirt-oval racing, cross-country racing is an American sport. The most famous cross-country race is the Baja 1,000, which is run in Mexico but organized and run by Americans. Most American professional racing takes place on flat dirt ovals that are one-half mile or a mile in length. Racing distances are up to 25 miles (40 km) for a single event on the larger tracks. Points earned at these dirt-oval races usually decide the American championship.
Drag racing attracts many amateur participants, most of whom race the same motorcycle they use for general sporting purposes, though some persons in drag racing build special motorcycles exclusively for that purpose. They combine exotic oxygenated fuels with supercharging to produce some remarkable performances; nevertheless, their motorcycles still do not attain the speeds of drag-racing cars.
Speedway is a form of racing that combines the showmanship of roller derby and professional wrestling with motor cycling. Speedway tracks are small, sometimes only a quarter mile (0.4 km) around, and surfaced with loose clay or cinders. This accounts for speedway racing's excellent safety record as compared with other forms of professional motorcycle racing in which serious injury and fatalities are not uncommon.
Motocross, a European sport, is internationally popular. Motocross events are held on a very rough, rutted dirt-surface course, usually in two long heats. In motocross, rider stamina is perhaps even more important than equipment, and the riders quite rightly see themselves as athletes. Their machines are characterized by lightness, with power a secondary consideration except in the small-engine classes. Much care is taken with suspensions.
Motocross has largely displaced other types of off-road events in spectator appeal, but the amateur rider who cannot give enough time to physical conditioning will turn to cross-country regularity trials called enduros. They are an offshoot of the European International Six Days Trial, but of much briefer duration. In another event called an observed trial, the object is for riders to traverse various obstacles, such as boulders and logs, without putting a foot down.
Like half-mile (0.8 km) and mile (1.6 km) dirt-oval racing, cross-country racing is an American sport. The most famous cross-country race is the Baja 1,000, which is run in Mexico but organized and run by Americans. Most American professional racing takes place on flat dirt ovals that are one-half mile or a mile in length. Racing distances are up to 25 miles (40 km) for a single event on the larger tracks. Points earned at these dirt-oval races usually decide the American championship.
Drag racing attracts many amateur participants, most of whom race the same motorcycle they use for general sporting purposes, though some persons in drag racing build special motorcycles exclusively for that purpose. They combine exotic oxygenated fuels with supercharging to produce some remarkable performances; nevertheless, their motorcycles still do not attain the speeds of drag-racing cars.
Speedway is a form of racing that combines the showmanship of roller derby and professional wrestling with motor cycling. Speedway tracks are small, sometimes only a quarter mile (0.4 km) around, and surfaced with loose clay or cinders. This accounts for speedway racing's excellent safety record as compared with other forms of professional motorcycle racing in which serious injury and fatalities are not uncommon.
