Motocross

Motocross is a motorcycle and quad sport. Driving is on off-road vehicles with long spring, progressive spring characteristic and deep-tread tires.

Since the competitions take place on closed-off, nichtöffentlichem terrain, the vehicles do not have a street legal. They thus have usually not mounted parts such as indicators, lights, stands, license plate holder. During the motocross sport has lost sidecar motorcycles in popularity, due to the popularity of quads a new variant of the sport.

The drivers are equipped with extensive protection equipment. They wear helmets, boots, gloves, knee, back and chest protectors.

Motocross races are run in various modes. It is generally distinguish between indoor and outdoor races. Indoor races are usually referred to as Supercross and Outdoor Motocross race as. Supercross is usually held in the winter, because at this time the motocross tracks are hardly, or not to drive. The main discharge levels are the World Cup and the Championship of the American Motorcyclist Association. Since 2005 there is also a Motocross World Championship for Women.

The name " motocross" is a contraction of two words Motorcycle ( Motorcycle ) and Cross Country ( off-road driving ).

• 2.1 motocross (MX, Moto -X)
• 2.2 Supercross (SX)
• 2.3 freestyle motocross ( FMX )
• 2.4 Historical Motocross Sports

History of Motocross sport

Beginnings (1900-1945)

The first motorcycle races took place on roads from 1900. In England, the first off-road driving were organized. The driver tried to climb a mountain or hill with their motorcycles, who came the furthest, had won. The so-called Hill Climb was popular only with a small group of riders, what was that higher speeds were achieved in road racing and that was attractive to spectators at that time. To make the popular off-road driving, was held the first off-road race in the spring of 1908 on a military base. It was held in the form of a fox hunt. 13 riders and 16 riders formed one group which competed against each other in the field. The Riders won, since only two riders finished the race. It was followed by several such races, which attracted despite the higher speed only a few spectators. With the 1909 inaugural competition Reliability Scottish Six Days Trial of motorcycle sport won on dirt and unpaved roads gradually in importance. In 1913 the then discharged with the International Six Day Trial, the first advertised by the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes competition. The race resembled a six-day rally with motorcycles. This exit was repeated until the beginning of World War II every year. Because you needed for wartime conditions machines with strong frames, large motors and a larger tank, reinforced at the development of motorcycles for off-road use.

1945-1969

The further expansion of traffic, decreasing opportunities to move the bikes in open terrain and in search of appropriate training opportunities first permanent Rundstrecken emerged after the Second World War in the field. This was partially linked also to already existing possibilities of grass railway lines. Differences initially the bikes for the motorcycle off-road racing and motocross hardly vehicles soon emerged that were adapted to the special requirements of the circuit races. So the engines were highly compacted and a higher ground clearance and higher down fenders off-road capability has been further improved.

Initially were motocross racing, especially in Great Britain and Belgium, a popular motor sport. 1947 (later Motocross of Nations ) first held a competition of national teams compared with the Motocross of Nations. Each country had a team of three to twelve riders. Winner was the country with the best results of all drivers of his team. The first unified championship for the first Motocross Motocross Championship was held in 1955 with runs in six countries. These and most other motocross race of the 1950s were fought in the 500 cc engine capacity, but there was already racing with 250 cc and - very rarely - even with 1000 cc engines. John Draper was having a BSA motorcycle from the first European champion in motocross.

In 1952, for the first time organized a World Motocross Championship. There were machines go to 500 cc for the title. After the first two races of the season more detailed provisions on the requirements for the race tracks have been enacted since the routes but differed greatly. The end of 1957 stood with Bill Nilsson from Sweden on a AJS the first motocross world champion firmly.

In the following years further design improvements were carried out by the stresses of the competition. So the motocross bikes were robust special frame. In addition, the rear swing were further strengthened and better integrated ball bearing in the frame. In the then usual telescopic forks spring travel were extended and the fork bridges reinforced ( the connection between fork and frame ). Another innovation was the chain guide with fixed mechanical tensioners. This chain guide proved to be simpler and more reliable than the previously used spring-loaded clamps, which during braking occurring disorders. The stable new motorcycles were also heavier and so the motocross bikes weighed 1960 average over 150 kg.

1960 took riders from the GDR for the first time at the European Championships in part and at the same time the GDR was host an EM run in flag. European champion this year was Czechoslovakia. While the CZ- two-stroke motorcycles were not the highest performance, but they were the lightest of the time. The two-stroke engines were easier many times, as there are no valves and other small parts, which increase the weight. In the following years more and more manufacturers rose to two-stroke engines. First, only in the 250 cc class because the weight plays an even more important role in this class.

In 1965, two-strokes also dominated in the 500 cc class. Through this development, the race of the 250 cc class were exciting because the new two-stroke had almost double the performance. In the years 1966-1970 the developed rapidly, soon you also needed a more powerful braking system. Until the 1960s, still drum brakes were gone, were sufficient for the four-stroke engine, but the new two-stroke needed a better braking performance, because a two-stroke engine, unlike the four-strokes no engine braking effect. The Czech motorcycle manufacturer Jawa used as the first disc brakes in motocross. This advantage in the braking power was seen in the 1969 season, in which the Jawa won outstanding.

1970-1989

Early 1970s were many World Cup and European Championship drivers due to higher prize money to the United States in order to go to the championship of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). So the American Cup had developed into Motocross Championship. Despite the departure of many good riders the World Cup remained at a high level. In the 1970 season increased with Suzuki also the first Japanese motorcycle manufacturer in the World Cup one. Suzuki has already been successful in road racing, already had experience with two strokes and was able to bring many developments from road racing in her first motocross bike. European manufacturers such as Maico, Jawa and CZ focused mainly on the large 500 - cc machines. For this reason, Suzuki was able to take in the 250 cc class foot. The very first season in 1970 won Suzuki with the Belgian rider Sylvain Geboers. In 1971, Suzuki in the 500cc class, Yamaha also increased in both classes, which won Suzuki. In 1972, the class was renamed ³ capacity in MX 2 and to 500 cc in MX 1 to 250 cm. In addition, a third class up to 125 cc was introduced, the MX-3 class.

Since the AMA Championship attracted more and more viewers, it was decided in the summer of 1972 to race in the winter. These races should form their own championship, which take place in football or baseball stadiums. The jumps were very quick succession by the lack of space in the stadium, which was very tiring for the driver, but attractive for the spectators. For this reason, the separation distance has been reduced by half. In winter 1972/1973 the first so-called Supercross Championship was extended, with about 10,000 viewers per run. In subsequent winters more and more European drivers went into this championship. This was mainly because the championship was held in the winter, so the driver to drive both Supercross and World Cup.

In the years 1973-1975 the then fledgling manufacturer KTM and the established Japanese brands Honda and Kawasaki went into the World Cup. The Japanese manufacturers soon dominated the World and European Championships. 1979 increased the Japanese manufacturers after her great success in the World Cup almost simultaneously in the AMA Championship and also in the Supercross events a. Yamaha won the first season in 1979 equal to the U.S. Championship and was also 250 cc World Champion. The 1980s were the heyday of the Japanese brands, KTM could only rarely enter victories. Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki stuck invested time and money in the development of the motocross bikes. Longer spring travel for higher jumps were possible. Better tires with more durable profile and thus more forward motion have been developed. The suspension geometry has been improved and it also increased the performance of the two-strokes. The performance of the 500 - cc two-stroke engine was but by the ever improving engines in 1985 already so high that could not handle all the drivers with these machines. In the years 1983-1985 alone in the 500 cc class four driver died in the World Cup and the U.S. Championship. In the early 1980s increased the interest of the sponsors on motocross. The funders brought additional capital in the sport. For this reason, the events were getting bigger and the prize money later. 1989 KTM became the first world champion in the 500cc class.

Since 1990

After 1990, originated in East Germany and Eastern Europe, many new motocross club. This was favored by the now easier to be acquired motocross bikes and easier set up the appropriate tracks. In other European countries such as Italy or France doubled at that time the interest in motocross. This meant that more money was made with the audience and also increased the budgets of the teams in the World Cup. In 1995, the events of the season were recognized with a budget of 1.2 million euros. The World Championships in various classes was dominated from 1991 to 2006 by the Belgian Stefan Everts, the ten times world champion was in this period.

To put the racing machines closer to the road machines in the late 1990s began the first manufacturer again with the use of four-stroke engines. As more and more manufacturers are alternated, 2003, a new classification has been introduced. The MX1 class was now intended for four-stroke motorcycles up to 450 cc and two-strokes to 250 cc, the MX2 class for four-stroke engines up to 250 cc, two-stroke engines up to 125 cc and the MX3 class for motorcycles with 650 cc four-stroke and 500 cc two-stroke engines. While in the MX1 class only four-stroke motorcycles dominate, two-strokes are represented in the MX2 class continues. Here, the performance difference between the two types is not so high and the structural disadvantages of the two-stroke Motores are not critical to wear. However, four-stroke motorcycles used in the World Championship exclusively.

Discharge forms

Motocross (MX, Moto -X)

The classic type of motocross is driving on routes in open terrain. The length of the lines varies between 1000 m and 4000 m. The so-called " Outdoor" routes are not as technically demanding as the Supercross tracks. They are generally wider and longer, so that the cracks do not follow in quick succession, so that higher speeds are achieved. Since this sport is played outdoors, it happens that the route changes through various weather conditions their condition and texture. So it can be on a hot day, that lack of moisture, the view is limited because dust is stirred up from the ground, or at the other extreme, that the soil is wet and the drivers have to cope on a muddy and slippery track. The nature of the particular substrate varies from track to track, sometimes even from stretch to stretch. The routes may consist of sand, clay or earth. Routes of clay are usually rather hard, in places like asphalt, stretch of sand or soil medium soft to soft. Here it is, as in all other racing sports, that for every texture the sports equipment must be adjusted, ie, the suspension and the tires and many other settings must be adjusted to the conditions.

The races are divided into two runs. It may take a maximum of 40 drivers in a race. In a qualifying session, the sequence is defined, in which the driver can choose their seats at the start gate. 30 riders in the front row, the rest finds its place behind it. In the Motocross World Championship, a run is finished after 35 minutes and two laps. After adding the points of both runs (the second run is more heavily weighted on points ) is determined the winner.

The viewing figures are usually somewhat less than the Supercross and often dependent on weather motocross. It is also not possible with the most tracks for a viewer to see the whole track.

Supercross (SX)

The races take place predominantly in halls or stadiums specially prepared for the respective events, that is, be filled with earth or clay. The floor in the Supercross is usually hard. Since in a hall is available only limited space, the track layout is technically demanding and spectacular. There are relatively many jumps, so the driver is hardly time to come " to rest ". Therefore, Supercross races are held over a short distance ( about 15 minutes per race). Many runs are to be seen as only a few drivers can operate simultaneously per event. It will have qualifying runs and later eighth, quarter and semi-finals are selected, who eventually allowed in the " Main Event ", the so-called final and simultaneously highlight of the event, begin. Supercross events are characterized not only by race but also by a large program with music and freestyle shows. In Germany, the events are usually held in halls with up to 10,000 spectators. In the United States, the races are, however, take place in large, often covered football stadium that can hold up to 75,000 spectators. The advantage for the audience here is the opportunity to see the whole track. The most successful super Crosser Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath.

Freestyle Motocross ( FMX )

Freestyle Motocross FMX or short has evolved from motocross. Originally competitions were held at motocross competitions in addition to the actual race, in which it came, what with his machine managed the driver the best and most beautiful trick during the jump. Soon, the driver began to focus only on this competition, Freestyle Motocross for discipline in the sport was.

Historical Motocross Sports

In addition to the competitions with current bike models also races are held with older machines since the early 2000s. So was 2007 announced the German classical and Twinshock Motocross Championship for the first time from the DMV. The events should appeal especially to older and former motocross racer. Twinshock bikes have in contrast to today's modern motorcycles with monoshock still over two conventionally -sprung rear shock.

• Maximilian Nagl ( German drivers Vice World Champion 2011 )
• Nate Adams ( American Motocross pilot and Freestyle World Champion)
• Jean -Michel Bayle (French world champion and champion in the American Motocross series)
• Pit Beirer (one of Germany's most successful motocross pilots)
• Ricky Carmichael ( record holder in the American Motocross series)
• Antonio Cairoli ( MX1 seven-time World Champion )
• Roger Decoster ( Belgian World Champion)
• Harry Everts ( four-time Belgian champion )
• Stefan Everts ( with ten titles most successful club in the World Cup )
• Eric Geboers ( five-time Belgian champion, the first driver with titles in all three classes, 125, 250 and 500)
• Georges Jobé (multiple Belgian champion )
• Paul Friedrichs ( three -time German World Motocross Champion)
• Heinz Kinigadner ( Austrian World Champion)
• André Malherbe ( several times Belgian champion )
• Heikki Mikkola ( Finnish World Champion)
• Gennadi Moiseyev ( three-time Russian champion )
• Travis Pastrana ( American Motocross and Freestyle Pilot)
• Jeremy Lusk ( American FMX rider and winner of the X-Games 2008)
• Jim Pomeroy ( American motocross racer )
• Gaston Rahier ( three-time Belgian champion )
• Joël Robert ( six times Belgian champion )
• Ken Roczen ( MX2 World Champion German 2011und AMA Supercross Champion 2013)
• Joël Smets ( five-time Belgian champion )
• James " Bubba" Stewart ( multiple winner of the AMA Motocross series)
• Akira Watanabe ( Japanese only World Champion)
• Daniël Willemsen ( ten times Dutch champion sidecar motocross )
• Adolf Weil ( 's most successful motocross riders in the Federal Republic of Germany )
• Ryan Villopoto ( three-time AMA Supercross Champion )
• Chad Reed
• Ryan Dungey ( American U.S. Nationals and AMA Supercross Champion )