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{{short description|Off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
[[File:Mundial de motocross.JPG|thumb|A motocross rider coming off a jump]]
[[File:4K Dron - Motocross Championship - MotoMax - PL.webm|thumb|Motocross championship]]
'''Motocross''' is a form of [[types of motorcycles#Off-road|off-road]] [[motorcycle racing]] held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from [[motorcycle trials]] competitions held in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=Setright1979>{{Citation|last= Setright |first=L. J. K. |author-link=L. J. K. Setright |year= 1979 |title=The Guinness book of motorcycling facts and feats |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |isbn=0-85112-200-0 |pages=202, 211 }}</ref><ref name="History of Individual Motocross World Championships">{{cite web |url=http://docs.mxgp.com/docs/2015/YOU-15-4242_MXGP_Official_Guide_2015_LD.pdf |title=History of Individual supercross World Championships |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme |access-date=11 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090723/http://docs.mxgp.com/docs/2015/YOU-15-4242_MXGP_Official_Guide_2015_LD.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2016}}</ref>
==History==
Motocross first evolved in [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Britain]] from [[motorcycle trials]] competitions, such as the [[Auto-Cycle Union|Auto-Cycle Clubs]]'s first quarterly trial in 1909 and the [[Scottish Six Days Trial]] that began in 1912.<ref name=Setright1979/><ref name="History of Individual Motocross World Championships"/> When organisers dispensed with delicate balancing and strict scoring of trials in favour of a race to become the fastest rider to the finish, the activity became known as "[[hare scramble]]s", said to have originated in the phrase, "a rare old scramble" describing one such early race.<ref name=Setright1979/> Though known as '''scrambles racing''' (or just '''scrambles''') in the [[United Kingdom]], the sport grew in popularity and the competitions became known internationally as "motocross racing", by combining the French word for motorcycle, ''motocyclette'', into a blend with "cross country".<ref name=Setright1979/>
The first known scramble race in the world took place in [[Camberley]], [[Surrey]] in 1924.<ref name="History of Motocross">{{cite web |url=https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1971/5/1/history-of-motocross |title=History of Motocross |work=Cycle World |access-date=2025-05-11 |last1=Renstrom |first1=Richard C. |date=May 1, 1971}}</ref> The 100th anniversary of the very first Motocross race was commemorated in March 2024. The same cub that ran the 1924 event ran it again over the same land.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#the_birth_of_motocross_1924_through_1939 |title= The birth of motocross: 1924 through 1939 |date= 17 September 2019 |publisher= pigtailpals.com |access-date= 18 October 2019}}</ref> During the 1930s the sport grew in popularity, especially in Britain where teams from the [[Birmingham Small Arms Company]] (BSA), [[Norton (motorcycle)|Norton]], [[Matchless]], [[Rudge-Whitworth|Rudge]], and [[AJS]] competed in the events. The first motocross race held on an artificial track inside a stadium took place on August 28, 1948, at [[Vélodrome Buffalo and Stade Buffalo|Buffalo Stadium]] in the Paris suburb of Montrouge.<ref name="Taking Motocross to the people">{{cite web|url=https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#taking_motocross_to_the_people |title=Taking Motocross to the people |date=September 17, 2019 |publisher=pigtailpals.org |access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> The event was the forerunner to [[supercross]] competitions.<ref name="Taking Motocross to the people"/>
Off-road motorcycles from that era differed little from those used on the street. The intense competition over rugged terrain led to technical improvements in motorcycles. Rigid [[Motorcycle frame|frames]] gave way to [[Motorcycle suspension|suspensions]] by the early 1930s, and [[Swingarm|swinging fork]] [[rear suspension]] appeared by the early 1950s, several years before manufacturers incorporated it in the majority of production street bikes. The period after World War II was dominated by [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]], which had become the largest motorcycle company in the world. BSA riders dominated international competitions throughout the 1940s.<ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965">
{{cite web |url= https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#motocross_goes_international_1947_through_1965 |title= Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965 |date= 17 September 2019 |publisher= pigtailpals.com |access-date= 19 October 2019 }}</ref>
[[Image:Maico68 360.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Maico]] 360 cc with [[air-cooled engine]] and twin shock absorbers on the rear suspension]]
In [[1952 Motocross European Championship|1952]] the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]], motorcycling's international governing body, set up an individual European Championship using a 500 cc engine displacement formula. In [[1957 Motocross World Championship|1957]] it was upgraded to World Championship status.<ref name="History of Motocross"/><ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965"/> In [[1962 Motocross World Championship|1962]] a 250 cc world championship was established and, new rules were adopted dividing the races into two 45 minute heat races that were referred to as motos.<ref name="History of Motocross"/><ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.namurmx.be/en/the-track-and-his-legend/the-heroic-years/ |title=Namur MX The Heroic Years |publisher=namurmx.be |access-date=8 March 2023 }}</ref>
In the smaller 250 cc category companies with [[two-stroke]] motorcycles came into their own. Companies such as [[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]] from Sweden, [[Česká Zbrojovka Strakonice|CZ]] from the former Czechoslovakia, [[Bultaco]] from [[Spain]] and [[Greeves (motorcycles)|Greeves]] from England became popular due to their lightness and agility.<ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965"/>
A significant moment in motocross history occurred during the [[1963 FIM Motocross World Championship]] when ČZ factory rider Vlastimil Valek rode a 263cc two-stroke motorcycle to win the first moto of the 500cc Czechoslovakian Motocross Grand Prix ahead of a field of top-class, four stroke motorcycles. The victory marked a turning point in motocross history as, it was the first win by a two-stroke powered motorcycle in the premier division of the Motocross World Championships.<ref name="Motocross The Golden Years">{{Citation |first=David | last=Dewhurst |year=2022 |title=Motocross The Golden Years |publisher =Walsworth, Marceline, Missouri |isbn=978-0-578-29016-4 |quote=Battles between Hallman and Robert quickly became legend, but the most significant moment in the decade of the 1960s came when ČZ factory rider Vlastimil Valek rode a bike with a bored-out 250cc two stroke single and beat a full field of top-class, 500cc four stroke bikes to win the 1963 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix.}}</ref>
By the mid-1960s, advances in two-stroke engine technology meant that the heavier, [[four-stroke engine|four-stroke]] machines were relegated to niche competitions.<ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965"/> Riders from [[Belgium]] and [[Sweden]] began to dominate the sport during this period.<ref name="History of Individual Motocross World Championships"/><ref name="History of Motocross"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Bryan Stealey|title=The Powerhouse MX Nations: USA, Belgium, UK, Netherlands, France, and Germany|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9fjjTpuiYU8C&pg=PA14|year=2008|publisher=Crabtree Publishing Company|isbn=978-0-7787-3990-6|page=14}}</ref>
Motocross arrived in the United States in 1966 when Swedish champion, [[Torsten Hallman]] rode an exhibition event against the top American TT riders at the [[Ray "Crash" Corrigan#Corriganville|Corriganville Movie Ranch]] also known as Hopetown in [[Simi Valley, California]]. The following year Hallman was joined by other motocross stars including [[Roger DeCoster]], [[Joël Robert]], and [[Dave Bickers]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.earlyyearsofmx.com/edison-dye | title=Edison Dye: The Father of American Motocross | publisher=earlyyearsofmx.com | accessdate=2023-12-26 }}</ref> They dominated the event, placing their lightweight two-strokes into the top six finishing positions.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#edison_dye_and_his_flying_circus |title= Edison Dye and his Flying Circus |date= 17 September 2019 |publisher= pigtailpals.com |access-date= 19 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/corrigan/granprix.htm |title= Corriganville/Hopetown Motorcycle Races |publisher= employees.oxy.edu |access-date= 12 October 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031826/http://employees.oxy.edu/jerry/corrigan/granprix.htm |archive-date= 27 September 2011}}</ref> A motorcycle sales boom in the [[United States]] fueled by the [[Baby boomers|Baby Boomer]] generation, helped to spark a growth in the popularity of motocross among young Americans.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#boom_time_american_motocross_in_the_1970s |title= Boom Time: American Motocross in the 1970s |date= 17 September 2019 |publisher= pigtailpals.com |access-date= 18 October 2019 }}</ref>
Japanese motorcycle manufacturers began challenging the European factories for supremacy in the motocross world by the late 1960s. [[Suzuki]] claimed the first world championship for a Japanese factory when Joël Robert won the [[1970 FIM Motocross World Championship season|1970]] 250 cc crown.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=260 |title= Joël Robert at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher= motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date= 12 October 2011}}</ref> In [[1972 AMA Motocross National Championship season|1972]], the [[American Motorcyclist Association]] (AMA) inaugurated the [[AMA Motocross Championship]]s and, held its first stadium race at the [[Los Angeles Coliseum]], promoted by Mike Goodwin and Terry Tiernan, then-president of the AMA. The stadium event, won by 16-year-old [[Marty Tripes]], paved the way for constructed, stadium-based motocross events known as supercross.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0903_the_first_supercross/index.html|title= The First Supercross|publisher=motorcyclistonline.com|access-date= 12 October 2011}}</ref>
In [[1975 FIM Motocross World Championship|1975]], the FIM introduced a 125 cc world championship.<ref name="History of Individual Motocross World Championships"/> European riders continued to dominate international motocross competitions throughout the 1970s with Belgian or Swedish riders winning ten [[Motocross des Nations]] (MXDN) events between 1969 and 1980 but, by the 1980s, American riders had caught up with American teams winning a string of 13 consecutive MXDN victories between 1981 and 1993.<ref name="The young Americans">{{cite web |url= https://pigtailpals.com/blog/the-history-of-motocross/#the_young_americans |title= The young Americans |date= 17 September 2019 |publisher= pigtailpals.com |access-date= 18 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hof.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=311 |title=U.S. Trophee and MX des Nations Team, 1981 |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |accessdate=4 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mxgp.com/news/mxon-history |title=MXDN History |publisher=mxgp.com |access-date=4 November 2022 }}</ref> In [[1978 FIM Motocross World Championship|1978]], [[Akira Watanabe (motorcyclist)|Akira Watanabe]] became the first non-European competitor to win a motocross world championship and, in 1982 [[Brad Lackey]] became the first individual American motocross world champion.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S_sDAAAAMBAJ&q=American+Motorcyclist+brad+lackey&pg=PA4 |title=It's Lackey, At Last |author=Amick, Bill |date=October 1982 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=5 November 2022 }}</ref>
From the late 1970s to early 1990s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers presided over a boom period in motocross technology. The typical air-cooled two-strokes with twin-shock rear suspension and telescopic front forks gave way to [[Water cooling#Automotive usage|water-cooled]] engines and single-shock absorber rear suspension and "upside-down" (or inverted) front forks. Although the advancement of two-stroke engine technology was the primary focus of the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers well into the mid 1990s, a rekindled interest in engineering a competitive, lightweight four-stroke motocross race bike was expressed among several brands, including [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] Motor Corporation and [[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Facing tightening federal emissions regulations in the United States, the AMA increased the allowable displacement capacity for [[four-stroke]] engines in 1997, in an effort to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally friendlier four-stroke machines.<ref name="Counting Strokes">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_YDAAAAMBAJ&dq=american+motorcyclist+motocross+history&pg=PA28 |title=Counting Strokes |date=June 1997 |work=American Motorcyclist |accessdate=2 October 2010 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> Due to the low relative power output of a four-stroke engine compared to the then-dominating two-stroke design, the displacement limit of a four-stroke power motocross bike was raised to 250cc in the 125 class and 550cc in the 250 class.<ref name="Counting Strokes"/>
The new regulations resulted in competitors aboard four-strokes made by smaller European manufacturers, with Husqvarna, [[Husaberg]], and [[KTM]] winning world championships on four-stroke machinery. In 1997, Yamaha unveiled a prototype 400cc four-stroke motorcycle, the YZM 400, which was debuted in the [[FIM Motocross World Championship]]. The motorcycle made its U.S. debut in 1997, where Yamaha Factory Racing rider Doug Henry led every lap of the main event at the 1997 AMA Supercross Finale and became the first person to win an AMA Supercross race on a four-stroke powered motorcycle.<ref>{{cite web|website=revzilla.com |author=Brett Smith|title=First shot in the four-stroke revolution: Doug Henry's SX win 20 years ago in Vegas|url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/doug-henrys-first-four-stroke-supercross-win|date=May 2017}}</ref> Following Yamaha's release of the production model [[Yamaha YZ450F#First generation: YZ400F 1998–2000|YZ400F]] in 1998, Henry won the 250 AMA Motocross Championship and became the first person to win a major AMA Motocross title on a four-stroke powered motorcycle. This success motivated the remaining major manufacturers, [[Honda]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine#Kawasaki|Kawasaki]], and [[Suzuki]], to develop their own four-stroke motocross race bikes. By [[2006 FIM Motocross World Championship|2006]], every manufacturer had begun competing with four-stroke machines in the AMA 125 (FIM MX2) and 250 (MX1) classes.
The sport has further evolved into a sub-discipline similar to [[supercross]] known as [[AMA Supercross Championship#Arenacross|arenacross]], which is held in small indoor arenas. Classes were also formed for [[all-terrain vehicle]]s. [[Freestyle motocross]] (FMX) events where riders are judged on their jumping and aerial acrobatic skills have gained popularity, as has [[supermoto]], where motocross machines race both on [[Asphalt concrete|tarmac]] and off-road. Vintage motocross (VMX) events take place – usually{{quantify|date=October 2017}} for motorcycles predating the 1975 model year.<ref>
{{cite web
|title = Vintage Motocross
|url = http://dev.ahrma.org/?page_id=45
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110924192123/http://dev.ahrma.org/?page_id=45
|url-status = dead
|archive-date = 24 September 2011
|work = American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association
|access-date = 18 April 2013
}}
</ref>
Many VMX races also include a "Post Vintage" portion, which usually includes bikes dating until 1983.
== Major competitions ==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2009}}
===FIM Motocross World Championship===
[[File:Antonio Cairoli ITA FMI Yamaha FIM MX Mallory Park 2008 R6a.jpg|thumb|FIM Motocross World Championship]]
{{Main|FIM Motocross World Championship}}
The [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] Grand Prix Motocross World Championship is predominantly held in Europe, but also includes events in [[North America]], [[South America]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]], and [[Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mxgp.com/|title = 2016 MXGP Race Schedule}}</ref> It is the major Motocross series worldwide. There are three classes: [[MXGP]] for 450cc machines, [[MX2 (/motocross class)|MX2]] for 250cc machines, and Women's MX. Competitions consist of two races which are called ''motos'' with a duration of 30 minutes plus two laps.
===AMA Motocross Championship===
{{Main|AMA Motocross Championship}}
The AMA Motocross Championship begins in mid May and continues until late [[August]]. The championship consists of eleven rounds at eleven major tracks all over the continental United States. There are three classes:<ref>{{cite web| url= http://admin.amaproracing.com/assets/MX_Rules_2009.pdf| title= Motocross Rule Book| publisher= AMA| access-date= 15 March 2010| archive-date= 7 July 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110707121919/http://admin.amaproracing.com/assets/MX_Rules_2009.pdf| url-status= dead}}</ref> the 250cc Motocross Class for 150–250 cc 4-stroke machines, the 450cc Motocross Class for 251–450 cc 4-stroke machines and a 250cc Women's Class, using the same rules as men's 250cc. Race events take place over two motos of 30 minutes plus two laps each.
===Motocross des Nations===
[[File:RickyCarmichaelMay2007.jpg|thumb|Motocross des Nations]]
{{Main|Motocross des Nations}}
The annual Motocross des Nations is held at the end of the year when National and World Championship series have ended.<ref name="Motocross goes International 1947 through 1965"/> The competition involves teams of three riders representing their nations.<ref name="History of Individual Motocross World Championships"/> Each rider competes in a different class (MX1, MX2, and "Open"). There are three motos with two classes competing per moto. The ___location of the event changes from year to year. The United States, Belgium and Great Britain have had the greatest success.<ref name="The young Americans"/>
===British Motocross Championship===
{{main|British Motocross Championship}}
Th British Motocross Championship is the main UK off-road competition and organised into classes of MX1 and MX2. MX1 is for 250 cc to 450 cc (fourstroke) and MX2 for 175 cc to 250 cc fourstroke motorcycles.<ref name="ACU">{{cite web|url=http://www.acu.org.uk/uploaded/documents/ACU-HANDBOOK_2010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929155911/http://www.acu.org.uk/uploaded/documents/ACU-HANDBOOK_2010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2011|title=ACU Handbook 2010|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> In 2007 an additional youth class, the MXY2 class, was added to the programme at selected rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonbikers.com/articles/3597/sun-shines-on-maxxis-british-motocross-championship-opener|title=Sun Shines on Maxxis British Motocross Championship Opener|last=Paetow|first=Stefan|date=10 March 2008|access-date=9 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202112625/http://londonbikers.com/articles/3597/sun-shines-on-maxxis-british-motocross-championship-opener|archive-date=2 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A "Veterans" series was introduced in 2009 with just two rounds but the demand for places was so high that from 2011 the Veterans series will have three rounds, held over six races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mxgb.co.uk/article.php?id=130|title=Veterans Class as hot as MX1 and MX2!|date=27 September 2010|access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>
==Sports derived from motocross==
A number of other types of motorcycle sport have been derived from Motocross.
==
{{Main|AMA Supercross Championship}}
{{See also|FIM Supercross World Championship|Australian Supercross Championship}}
[[Image: JeremyMcGrathCrandon2009 (cropped2).jpg|thumb|[[Jeremy McGrath]] won 7 Premier Class AMA Supercross titles, earning him the nickname the "King of Supercross"]]
'''Supercross''' is a cycle racing sport involving specialized high-performance off-road motorcycles on constructed dirt tracks with steep jumps and obstacles. Compared to regular motocross, supercross tracks generally have much shorter straights and tighter turns. Professional supercross races, held as the [[AMA Supercross Championship]] in the [[United States]], are held almost exclusively in professional baseball and football stadiums.
The supercross season takes place during the winter and spring months, with races in a different city every weekend. There are 17 races in the [[AMA Supercross Championship]] schedule, normally beginning in Anaheim, California, and ending in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 250 cc class is split into two series, east and west. The 450 cc class has one large series with events across the US and Canada.
In 2022, the World Supercross Championship was demerged from the AMA Supercross Championship, to be held as a standalone series once more. The series previously ran from 2003 to 2008. Supercross events are also held in [[Australia]], known as the [[Australian Supercross Championship]] promoted by [[Motorcycling Australia]]. Along with the SX Open held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], the country's biggest event the Aus X-Open forms part of the Oceania Supercross Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australiansupercross.com.au/ |title=Home |website=australiansupercross.com.au}}</ref>
=== Freestyle ===
{{Main|Freestyle Motocross}}
[[Image:MikeAdair2.jpg|thumb|"superman seat-grab"]]
Freestyle Motocross (FMX), a relatively new variation of supercross started by the South African champion, Marco Urzi, does not involve racing and instead it concentrates on performing acrobatic stunts while jumping motocross bikes. The winner is chosen by a group of judges. The riders are scored on style, level of trick difficulty, best use of the course, and frequently, crowd reactions. FMX was introduced to the [[X Games]] and mainstream audiences in 1999.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
=== SuperMoto ===
{{Main|Supermoto}}
[[File:Supermoto2012.jpg|thumb|A [[Supermoto]] rider on the track]]
[[Supermoto]] uses motocross bikes converted for racing on tracks consisting of three sections: flat dirt, dirt obstacles, and paved road. The bikes have special road-racing tires with grooved [[tire tread|tread]] to grip both the pavement and dirt. Some tracks for these race events have jumps, berms, and whoops like motocross tracks. For special events, the Supermoto track may incorporate metal ramps for jumps that can be disassembled and taken to other locations. Supermoto races may take place at modified go-kart tracks, road racing tracks, or even street racing tracks. There are also classes for children, such as the 85 cc class.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Supermoto began in the US the late 1970s when TV journalist [[Gavin Trippe]] envisioned a racing event that would prove who the best motorcycle racer was. From 1980 to 1985, he organized a yearly event called "The Superbikers", which pitted the top riders from three disciplines, [[Track racing|flat track]], [[road racing]], and motocross against one another on modified bikes raced on special tracks on the television show. Its first exposure to a wide audience came on the American television program ABC's ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' in 1979. After 1985, the sport declined and received little exposure in the US, but in Europe, it started gaining popularity, and in 2003 it was revived in the US, when the name became Supermoto.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
=== ATV/Quad Motocross ===
{{Main|All-terrain vehicle}}
[[Image:Tim Farr at Glen Helen GNC MX National 2006.jpg|thumb|Professional ATV racer [[Tim Farr]] at the 2006 Glen Helen MX national]]
Throughout the United States and the United Kingdom there are many quad racing clubs with [[enduro]] and quadcross sections. [[Grand National Cross Country|GNCC Racing]] began around 1980 and includes hare scramble and enduro type races. To date, events are mainly held in the eastern part of the United States. GNCC racing features many types of obstacles such as, hill climbing, creek and log crossings, dirt roads and wooded trails.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
The ATV National Motocross Championship was formed around 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atvmotocross.com |title=ATV Motocross |publisher=ATV Motocross |date=1 January 2013 |access-date=6 February 2013}}</ref> ATVMX events are hosted at motocross racetracks throughout the United States. ATVMX consists of several groups, including the Pro (AMA Pro) and Amateur (ATVA) series. Championship mud racing (CMR)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.championshipmudracing.com |title=Championship Mud Racing |publisher=Championship Mud Racing |date=29 October 2012 |access-date=6 February 2013}}</ref> saw its infancy in 2006 as leaders of the ATV industry recognized a need for uniformity of classes and rules of various local mud bog events. Providing standardized rules created the need for a governing body that both racers and event promoters could turn to and CMR was born. Once unified, a true points series was established and lead to a national championship for what was once nothing more than a hobby for most. In 2007 the finalized board of directors was established and the first races were held in 2008. Currently, the CMR schedule includes eight competition dates spanning from March to November. Points are awarded throughout the season in several different competition classes of ATV and SxS Mud Racing. The 2008 year included Mud Bog and Mudda-Cross competitions, but the 2009 and future seasons will only have Mudda-Cross competitions. Classes range from 0 to 499 cc, to a Super-Modified class which will allow any size ATV in competition.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
=== Sidecarcross ===
{{Main|Sidecarcross}}
[[Image:July mx 2004 no003 martin guilford and colin dunkley 01 jamie clarke.jpg|thumb|A [[Zabel (engine)|Zabel]]-engined sidecar outfit]]
[[Sidecar]] racing, known as [[Sidecarcross]] has been around since the 1950s but has declined in popularity since the mid‑1980s. This variant is common in Europe, with a few followers in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The premier competition, the [[Sidecarcross World Championship]], is contested on European tracks only and almost exclusively by Europeans.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Motocross sidecars are purpose built frames that resemble an ordinary motocross-cycle with a flat platform to stand on attached to either side and a handlebar at waist height to hold on to. The side of the "chair" (slang for the platform) usually follows the side of the road the nation in question drives upon, but not always. The passenger balances the bike by being a counterweight, especially in corners and on jumps. It is driven on ordinary crosstracks.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
It is very physically demanding, especially for the passenger. This is reflected in most in the Swedish term for passenger, ''burkslav'', roughly translated as trunk/barrel-slave. This name comes from the early sidecars which resembled road motorcycle sidecars and not today's platform.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
The major frame builders today are VMC, BSU, AYR, EML and Woodenleg. Ordinary engines can be used, but size matters and two engines purpose built for sidecars exist, [[Zabel (engine)|Zabel]] (Germany) and [[MTH Racing engines|MTH]] (Austria) are most common. Four-strokes are becoming more common, usually [[KTM]] (Austria).{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
=== Pit bikes and mini-motocross ===
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2009}}
[[Image:Pitbike riders.jpg|thumb|Two riders go into a corner at a mini-motocross event in [[West Virginia]].]]
[[Pit bike]]s are small motorbikes that participants in powersports events use to ride around the pits, which are the staging areas where team support vehicles are located. More recently, they have been used in races held on either supercross or motocross tracks. Numerous performance and aesthetic upgrades are often applied to pit bikes.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Originally, there was only one way to acquire a pit bike. A rider would buy a child's minibike, usually a [[Honda]] CRF110 or [[Kawasaki motorcycles|Kawasaki]] KLX110, and apply all the necessary upgrades and modifications to build a competitive pit bike. Of course, a rider could also buy a used bike. Since 2004, manufacturers like [[Thumpstar]] have begun designing, manufacturing, importing, and selling already complete pit bikes. These bikes are less expensive, and require less time to complete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thumpstar.com.au/|title=Thumpstar Australia|website=thumpstar.com.au}}</ref>
Pit bikes are powered by 4-stroke, horizontal, single-cylinder engines ranging anywhere in displacement from 49 cc to 195 cc. A typical pit bike is usually a small dirt bike, but it has become common to be able to buy pit bikes with street-style wheels and tires. Pit bikes with street tires, as opposed to [[knobby tires]], are used in Mini Supermoto Racing.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Pit bikes are frequently heavily customized with decorative add-ons and performance-enhancing parts. Many riders and mechanics bore-out or replace engines in order to increase displacement and therefore power output. Heavy duty suspension systems are often a necessary addition, since the stock mini-bike suspension was designed for a small child. Wheel, brake, and tire upgrades are sometimes performed to improve handling.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Pit bikes also have their own separate competitions held with classes generally corresponding to wheel size. This is a notable difference from Motocross and Supercross competition, where classes are separated by engine displacement. Pit bike racing is a relatively new niche of motocross, and as such, there is no official governing body similar to the AMA.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
==
;Major manufacturers
{|cellspacing=10
|-
| valign=top |
* [[Gas Gas]] (Spain/Austria)
*[[Honda]] (Japan)
*[[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]] (Austria)
| valign=top |
*[[Kawasaki motorcycles|Kawasaki]] (Japan)
*[[KTM]] (Austria)
| valign=top |
*[[Suzuki]] (Japan)
*[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] (Japan)
|}
;Minor
{|cellspacing=10
|-
| valign=top |
*[[Beta (motorcycle manufacturer)|Beta]] (Italy)
| valign=top |
*[[Sherco]] (France & Spain)
|}
*[[:fi:TM Racing|TM]] (Italy), TM holds the largest market share for motocross bikes, outside the major seven.
*[[Fantic]] (Italy), well known for there models XX and XXF that are the same as the YZ and the YZF from [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] but with changes in esthetic and motorparts.
;Niche market manufactures
{|cellspacing=10
|-
| valign=top |
*[[AJP Motos|AJP]] (Portugal)
*[[Aprilia]] (Italy)
*[[Benelli (motorcycles)|Benelli]] (Italy) 2008 first 450 cc dirt bike
*[[BMW Motorrad]] (Germany)
*[[Cagiva]] (Italy)
*[[ATK motorcycles|ATK]] (USA)
*[[Clews Competition Motorcycles|CCM]] (UK)
| valign=top |
*Cobra (USA)
*[[Demak (company)|Demak]] (Malaysia)
*[[Derbi]] (Spain)
*[[GPX Racing]] (Thailand)
*[[Minsk (motorcycle)|Minsk]] (Belarus)
*Mojo Motorcycles (Australia)
*[[Montesa Honda|Montesa]] (Spain)
| valign=top |
*[[Ossa (motorcycle)|Ossa]] (Spain)
*[[Polini]] (Italy)
*Pitster Pro (United States)
*[[Stallions (motorcycles)|Stallions]] (Thailand)
*Stark Future (Spain) Electric MX1
*[[Thumpstar]] (Australia)
*[[Viar (motorcycle)|Viar]] (Indonesia)
|}
;Chinese manufacturers:
{|cellspacing=10
|-
| valign=top |
*Apollo (China)
*[[SSR Motorsports]] (China)
| valign=top |
*[[TaoTao]] (China)
*[[Coolster]] (China)
|}
Manufacturers that have ceased production
{|cellspacing=10
|-
| valign=top |
*[[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] (UK) – off-road became [[Clews Competition Motorcycles|CCM]]
*[[Bultaco]] (Spain)
*[[Can-Am motorcycles|Can-Am]] (Canada)
* [[ATK motorcycles#Cannondale|Cannondale]]
*[[Casal]] (Portugal)
*[[Clews Competition Motorcycles|CCM]] (UK)
*[[Cooper (motorcycles)|Cooper]] (Mexico)
*[[Česká Zbrojovka Strakonice|CZ]] (Czechoslovakia)
| valign=top |
*[[DKW]] (East Germany)
*[[FAMEL]] (Portugal)
*[[FN (motorcycle)|Fabrique Nationale]] (Belgium)
*[[Greeves (motorcycles)|Greeves]] (UK)
*[[Hodaka (motorcycle)|Hodaka]] (Japan)
*[[Harley-Davidson]] (USA)
*[[Husaberg]] (Sweden)
*[[Maico]] (Germany)
| valign=top |
*[[Monark]] (Sweden)
*[[Penton]] (USA)
*[[Puch]] (Austria)
*[[Rickman Motorcycles|Rickman]] (UK)
*[[Zündapp]] (Germany)
*[[Wilcomoto]] (UK)
|}
== Governing bodies ==
{{abbreviations|section|date=November 2011}}
Motocross is governed worldwide by the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme]] (FIM), with federations in many nations.
*Australia – [[Motorcycling Australia]] (MA)
*Austria – Osterreichische Automobil, Motorrad und Touring Club (OAMTC)
*Belgium – Federation Motocycliste de Belgique (FMB)
*Brazil – Confederação Brasileira de Motociclismo (CBM)
*Canada – [[CMRC|Canadian Motorsport Racing Corp.(CMRC)]] and [[Canadian Motorcycle Association|Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA)]]
*Czech Republic – Autoklub České republiky (ACCR)
*Denmark – Danmarks Motor Union (DMU)
*Estonia – Eesti Motorrattaspordi Föderatsioon (EMF)
*Finland – Suomen Moottoriliitto (SML)
*France – Fédération Française de Motocyclisme (FFM)
*Germany – [[Deutscher Motor Sport Bund]] (DMSB)
*India – [[Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India]] (FMSCI)
*Ireland – Motorcycle Union of Ireland (MCUI) – NB covers the whole island
*Italy – Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI)
*Latvia – Latvijas Motosporta Federācija<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamsf.lv/|title=Jaunumi|website=LaMSF.lv}}</ref> (LaMSF)
*Lithuania – Lietuvos Motociklų Sporto Federacija (LMSF)
*The Netherlands – Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijdersvereniging (KNMV), Motorsport Organisatie Nederland (MON)
*New Zealand – [[Motorcycling New Zealand]] (MNZ) and [[New Zealand Dirt Bike Federation]]
*Norway – Norges Motorsportforbund (NMF)
*Poland – [[Polski Związek Motorowy]] (PZM)
*Portugal – Federação Motociclismo Portugal (FMP)
*Russia – Motorcycle Federation of Russia (MFR)
*South Africa – Motorsport South Africa (MSA)
*Spain – Real Federación Motociclista Española (RFME)
*Slovakia – Slovak motorcycle federation (SMF)
*Slovenia – Auto-Cycle Union of Slovenia (AMZS)
*Sweden – Svenska Motorsportförbundet (SVEMO)
*Switzerland – Federation Motocycliste Suisse (FMS)
*Thailand – Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of Thailand (FMSCT)
*United Kingdom – [[Auto-Cycle Union]] (ACU), with other separate bodies like the [[Amateur Motorcycling Association]] (AMCA), [[ORPA]], [[BSMA]], and [[YSMA]].
*United States – [[American Motorcyclist Association]] (AMA)
== See also ==
* [[Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling]]
* [[
* [[List of AMA Motocross Champions]]
* [[
* [[
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Motocross}}
* [http://www.motocrossmx1.com/ Official FIM World Motocross Championship]
* [https://dirtbikesam.com/dirt-bike-evolution-timeline/ Visual Interpretation of the Dirt Bike Evolution Timeline]
{{Extreme Sports}}
{{Types of motorcycles}}
{{Racing}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Motocross| ]]
[[Category:Motorcycle racing by type]]
[[Category:Off-road racing]]
[[Category:Dirt biking]]
[[Category:Sports originating in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Games and sports introduced in 1924]]
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