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 Zack Allen (10) skillfully pilots his low-flying Kawasaki. |
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 Man, Machine, and Dirt: Motocross Robert LiVolsi, Reporter What do you get when fire-breathing machines are raced over terrain so rough that it makes even grown men wet their pants? Motocross. Motocross is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Although it doesn’t seem like it (C’mon! There’s a motor!), it is extremely difficult to master, as it requires man and machine to be in complete sync with each other over some of the most evil piles of dirt ever known to man kind. Motocross originated in France in 1924 when the motorcycle was first being introduced, but it wasn’t until 1966 when the sport of motocross became known to America. The sport debuted in California, where it caught on like wild fire. The first American race took place in the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972. Although it has spread across the country, Southern California remains the motocross Mecca. Any average-joe who can ride a motorcycle knows that riding a machine takes a lot of hand-eye coordination. In motocross, the ride is completely different. There are so many factors in this sport, ranging from the compound of the dirt, to the insanity of the rider, to the beastliness of the motorcycle, and many more. The rider makes everything happen, from the piling of dirt to the maintenance of the bike, to the crossing of the finish line. Motocross athletes have to be in top physical form to race with high intensity for an extensive period of time. Enthusiasts around the world yearn to be as fast and as skilled as some of the top riders in the motocross world. The top riders are strong, as they not only have to muscle around the bike around, but to be able to pick themselves together after wiping out. Stamina and endurance is also key in this sport. The average heart rate is roughly 68bpm (beats per minute). After a short moto (race) the heart rate is at 130 bpm. Of course, that’s a conditioned athlete who can keep that rate up for a full 20 minutes and not let off. Top men these athletes are! Local track heroes try to muscle for rank every weekend to show how fast they can go, and to possibly show how close they can be to the pro level. The bikes are what the athletes have to be really strong for. The bikes are fire-breathing iron ponies that could rip the arms off any wannabe stud who dares to try and go full throttle. The bikes have evolved from small-bore engines to advanced formula one technology race bikes. The modern bikes that compete in the world today are 250cc (cc stands for cubic centimeter and the size of the cylinder in the engine.) and 450cc. Both of these bikes are supreme in their class. Each season of racing, the companies of these bikes compete to build the fastest bike for the pros. Bikes that are capable of successfully bringing the racers victory on the battlefield. Of course, the battlefield is the true testing of the machine and rider's ability to work together. The testing ground for the ultimate racers is the motocross track. A course full of evil and treacherous piles of earth. Devil dwelling jumps that will fling riders into the blue. Mile deep ruts that will swallow up bike and rider. A technical section called the whoops will ultimately cause the rider to say, “whoops!” Of course, these are exaggerations, but who doesn’t need a little drama? But really, the tracks are technical, but extremely fun if they are navigated with skill and speed. 
Yes! The sport of motocross is extremely tough and challenging, but yet for all those who are dedicated supercross star wannabes, this sport is entirely fun. Each rider has their stories of wins and loses, success’ and crashes. But they all come back to ride again. Those who haven’t experienced the thrill of riding, there is only one thing to do: get out and ride! |
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