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Motocross Resources

One of the most exciting adventure sports using a motorcycle/all-terrain vehicle is motocross. It has an equally adven turous venue – circumscribed rugged terrains and dirt roads. Motocross began in the UK with the Auto-Cycle Club in 1906 and the Scottish Six Days trial in 1909. It was called scrambles after delicate balances and strict scoring were disregarded. As scrambles moved throughout the European continent, the term motocyclette or moto (French word for motorcycle) was combined with cross country and the name, motocross, remained. 1924 was the year when Camberley, Surrey initiated the first motocross and by 1930, the sport became very popular among the sports-loving Britons. At this juncture, there were now prestigious teams competing in the event. Competitions took place on rugged terrain and dirt roads so motorcycles had to undergo technical improvements: rigid frames were replaced with suspensions as well as other practical parts. Riders from Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) came out as champions and they were able to dominate competitions all through the 1940s.

In 1952, FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) motorcycling's international governing body, organized championship games exclusively for the Europeans using a 500cc formula for engine displacement. After a decade, a 250 cc world championship game was organized until it came into its own. In 1960, the technological advancement of two stroke engines transferred the bulkier four stroke engines to their competitors. Belgian and Swedish riders were leading players in the games.

In 1966, motocross came to the US when Torsten Hallman, a champion from Sweden, competed against American top riders at the Movie Ranch in Corriganville. The following year, he was joined by other champion riders and they dominated the event. By 1960, Japanese motorcycle factories began making vehicles for this type of sport and in1970, Suzuki was able to claim the first Japanese victory. At this time, the Americans were hooked on the sport. The first motocross event in the United States was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972 with European riders getting the upper hand but by the 1980s, American riders started reaping victories in international competition.

In the early ‘80’s, Japanese factories enjoyed a motorcycle boom but in the ‘90’s, strict laws safeguarding the environment in California required manufacturers to make motor vehicles which were less harmful to the environment. By 2000, all the major manufacturers were competing in the manufacture of environmentally-friendly machines.

Today, motocross is getting more and more popular and has vast followers all over the world.

Motocross Safety

Major Competitions

Sports derived from Motocross

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Famous Motocross Riders

 

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