Informative Essay On Motocross

Some may say its not a sport. Some may say it takes no talent or effort. But everyone who plays a sport thinks theirs is the best. Not many understand the complicated sport of motor cross but everyone that says its not a sport says all you have to do is twist the throttle and the bike does it all for you. Imagine running for thirty minutes as hard as you can. That almost compares to being lined up with forty riders all roaring to that first turn. Each one of them having whatever is takes to win. Going fifty miles per hour around the track, going over hundred foot jumps and skimming across four foot deep whoops. This research paper is going to explain to you the amazing and sometimes unbelievable sport of motocross through the eyes of racers around the country.
The first motorcycles were basically a bicycle with a very small combustion engine bottled to the frame. They even used bicycle tracks she they first started racing motorcycles. Motocross first started in Europe around World War 1. It later came to the united states around 1910 in the frame of hare scrambles. These are simple off road races performed across large masses of land and different terrain. Motocross is a race or a event that is held on though ground with sometimes elevation

changed on a marked coarse. Motocross is known as one of the most physically demanding sports in the world and performed in any weather conditions. Unlike all the other sports. Similar to how the industry still is today, manufacture’s would enter their motorcycles and different creations and modifications to the motorcycle into competitive to show off or publicize there grand. They did this to prove their bike was the most durable and the best performing on the track. Similar to how they do today but even mrs competitive (“the Birth”).
Around 1919, and organization started called the AMA, American Motorcycle Association as a non profit organization. This organization organized numerous activities and campaigns for motorcyclist. This organization did not become official until 1924. As of october 2013 they had more than twelve hundred character clubs. People have been racing competitively for ninety years in the AMA, in the time were people raced two stroke engine powered motorcycles. Around 2000 is when people started racing four stroke competitively. This was a game changer in the sport.
People have always thought that two stroked engines were an advantage because of their light fast motors and nimble frames. But as four stroke engines progressed people started racing them and the machines began to win races. When people started to win races on these new bikes, other followed. The bikes started getting faster and more advanced. From the old two stokes dual shocked rear suspension to one advanced spring shock. During all these changes to the bikes the tracks got bigger and more difficult. The riders getting more experienced and faster it made the evolution of the sport grow rapidly. First started in 1972 , super cross was not so much as competitive but would pick up in the years after. This was new to the game. Super cross is a tight course held in inclosed stadiums like football and baseball stadiums.
Pro guys are the guys on TV and get paid the big bucks. This varies on what place they finish in the race. If these guys are on factory teams which top fifth teen guys can be getting paid up to millions of dollars from championship bonuses, and endorsements. Also team salaries, purse money, and sponsorship money. depending on if the raider is on a factory team or not they get paid lump sums of money from team sponsors and the brand of bike there riding. Also from the AMA paycheck depending on what place the rider finished. While the big guys on factory teams are getting the best of the best for free. Having everything paid for like fly race to race and hotel fees. The other guys are called privateers are struggling to make it to each race. Paying for there own bikes and ways to the race. Driving race to race by truck or van. Not showing up to races with your teams semi like the factory guys do it.
Amateurs is basically everybody else. This is what every professional racer goes through to get to where they are today. This is where I am at now, racing every weekend. Chasing a dream to possibly one day becoming a professional. Although we don't get paid in dollars for racing as a amateurs, we get paid by enjoyment and loving of racing that we will never forget. In 1985 a championship race evolved located in Hurricane Mills Tennessee at Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch. Yes this the famous country music singer. They decided to hold this event here because its basically in the middle of the country.
Loretta Lynn’s is the most difficult and hardest race for an amateur rider. To compete in this event you must qualify by going to a certain race in your region. Once you place good enough in this qualifier you race your regional. Must remind you that these are the fastest kinds in the country and have to place seventh or better to qualify for this event. Once these qualified riders make it past regionals they start preparing and training everyday on and off the bike the be able to compete with the best riders in the world for three motos. All being twenty minutes plus two lap. This event is spread out for a week long event. For the guys that are racing pro class at Loretta’s are all going for the same thing, obviously wining. But further more than hopefully getting picked up by a factory team and make a career out of the sport. This is the biggest race for amateurs. They get to go there and show off there talent to all the industries and possibly get big sponsorships to help them through there amateur career (Whitmore).
To compete in the higher level of amateurs the bikes get more advanced by motor modifications and suspension modifications. These guys do this because all the top guys do this. If not doing this then there gonna have an advantage on you because your bike will be much slower than theres. Other things that these top amateurs do are suspension mods. What they do is send there suspension local or big name companies like Race Tech, Pro Circuit, etc. Mechanics set the bikes suspension up by the riders weight, height, and skill level. This allows the rider to go faster as the track gets rutted up and breaking bumps. The suspension soaks up all these bumps and ridged lines allowing the bike to perform smooth and not beat up the rider making him more tired. The factory riders that are going at much faster speeds and intensity levels are spending thousands of dollars on motors, rebuilding the internals to produce more power. They bolt on oversized front forks and shocks known as the “suspension”. They spend many hours on developing these components to fulfill the riders need. The mechanics also bolt on different varieties of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber parts. This makes the bike lighter and stronger. In 1986 there became a “production rule” that the AMA started enforcing this rule requires all race bikes to use all the same major components as the bikes come from the production lines. what this means is that the crankcases, transmissions, engine cylinders and frames must be the same as the ones that can be sold to the public. Although, anything beyond those four rules anything els goes(Coombs).
Motocross is considered to be a very physical sport.

studies show that the only thing that takes more physical strength is the world cup soccer game. The average heart rate for professional racers is hundred and seventy to a hundred and ninety beats per minute during an average race. If you know anything about heart rates, you know that this is amazing since an average resting heart beat is between 70-100 beats per minute. Doing this for about twenty five to thirty five minutes while the bike is banging bars with 20 to 40 other riders wanting the same thing as you is absolutely amazing. You can go to the gym everyday, all day long and never work every muscle in your body like you do when you riding a dirt bike in a

race.
Motocross is the most mental sport agreed by many riders. In the sport of racing dirt bikes you have to have a huge ego; meaning, if you show up to the race track knowing and thinking that your not fast enough or skilled enough to go win then you not going to win, simple as that. This is something i have experienced hands on and by doing this I understand what it takes and how hard on the mind this sport is. However, having the confidence in yourself that you can win then your gonna go out there and win that race or do very good.
Maintenance is also a big part in motocross. To keep your bike running smooth and right you have to do a number of things like changing your engine oil, cleaning your air filter after every race. The air filter is what filters the dirt and sometimes muddy air that goes through the air boot to control the air flow an into the motor. If you don’t clean your air filter, then the air filter can get so clogged up that the bike will start popping or even shut itself off because its not getting any air. If dirt gets through the filter to the motor then the engine could blow up. Other things like greasing your bearings and greasing your chain helps keep your bike running longer, smoother, and stronger. (Osborne).
A downfall to racing is the cost. The cost of this sport gets really expensive. Paying to race every weekend, diesel fuel getting to the track, and race gas for your bike. Then you have hotel bills and eating expenses. Also, if parts need replacing, that becomes costly too. (Coombs).
Injury can also get very expensive. Broken bones, concussions, or other fatal injuries. I have experienced this face to face. So far, I have broken five bones at the age of sixteen, and had a mild concussion. Doctor bills can add up quickly even if you have medical insurance.
Another downfall to racing is the injury side to the sport. Its part of the sport and its going to happen. Its not a matter of will it happen, it going to happen.. It is said to be one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Knowing in your head that each time you throw your leg over a bike your putting your life at stake. Thats the love and passion that each competitor has for the sport. (Whitmore).
Safety equipment is required to race. For example, boots, knee braces, neck braces, wrist braces, and advanced helmets help keep you protected on the track.. As technology has evolved so has safety equipment for racing. Advanced knee braces are a big part in safety. Saying you from twisting your knee, tearing muscles, or hyperextending your knee. Preventing costly surgeries. Another safety equipment which has evolved is the helmet. 6D. It reduces the risk of a concussion a lot more than other brands of helmets. They achieved this by putting shock absorbers in between the padding of the helmet and the outer shell of the helmet.
The knee brace has come along way from just wrapping your knee up with tape. They now offer a Leatt brace. This helps with the movement of your knee by allowing it to move more freely, rather than barely moving in the brace. In the past years, even though there is more movement doesn't mean that it is a good thing. Actually, this is a way better design reducing more and more knee injuries every year. (Osborne).
The most asked question is why? Why we spend so much money and time on this sport. the answer that anybody who has ever raced or even rode a dirt bike will tell you. It’s because its the most fun you could possibly have or participate in. This is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. The dedication, the time that is spent on this sport is amazing to me. The way everybody els thinks the same as one another about the sport. The atmosphere of it and the passion that everyone has just blows me away. This research paper has explain to you the amazing and sometimes unbelievable sport of motocross through the eyes of racers around the country.