Motocross

In international competitions, organized by the Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM), three categories exist: MX1, MX2 and MX3. The MX1 motorcycle engines are 2-stroke 250 cc engine and 4-stroke 450 cc. Used in the MX2 motos are motor 2-stroke 125 cc 4-stroke and 250 cc. In MX3 motorcycles motor 2-stroke 500 cc and 4-stroke over 450 cc are used.

The growing environmental constraints phased out the two-stroke engine, which was mostly used at the highest level. The Austrian manufacturer KTM motorcycle produced a two-stroke engine of 150cc to compete with the 250 four-stroke. The motorcycle 2-stroke engines of 150 cc are now legal for competition in Canada in MX2. Although more common in the class of women, their use by professionals remains marginal.

The younger drivers use smaller displacement bikes, usually 50 cc, 65 cc or 85 cc, and most often 2-stroke. However, the Japanese manufacturer Honda now produces a motor bike 150 cc 4-stroke high performance, using technology similar to that of the 250 cc and 450 cc of the same manufacturer, designed to run in the class of 85 cc, the CRF150R.

The types of obstacles are: single jumps; double; triple and quadruple; but the table (jump with a flat part between the call and reception), the camel jump (hump appeal is smaller than the bump reception) and whoops (series of small bumps encountered mainly on supercross circuits). The circuits are motocross dirt or sand.

The bikes designed specifically for motocross are devoid of any superfluous accessory. The suspension and frame strength are very important, and the lightness. In effect the handling and stability of the chassis allows the best use of engine performance. The short-run transmission and gearbox associated with the power to weight ratio allows incredible acceleration impressive before any obstacle.

The motocross rider protects himself by wearing a helmet, gloves, goggles, boots, reinforced knee pads, elbow pads and a stone guard protecting the torso.

A shift in motocross

The Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM) is organizing a World Championship Motocross. Set mainly in Europe, three championships are: MX1, MX2 and MX3. Tests of MX1 and MX2 take place the same weekend and on the same circuit in the form of two races, each race being recorded in the final standings at the end of the season.
Article: World Championships of motocross.

In the United States, the season is marked by two championships organized by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Supercross Championship (SX) and the AMA championship motocross (MX). The interest of these disciplines, especially the SX, with the American public is important. The teams can then have large budgets and those championships are often preferred by different manufacturers. Because of their notoriety and the money they drain, the U.S. Championships include the best American drivers. Most drivers of other countries use the World Championship motocross as a springboard to reach the United States.

One of the major competitions is the Motocross of Nations. This one, fought in late season, brings together the best drivers from each nation. The best American drivers are also often present. Each nation has three drivers in different displacements (250 cc, 450 cc and Open).

Personalities motocross

Stefan Everts (Belgium), ten times world champion is the person most emblematic of the discipline. The Belgians were the great rulers of motocross in Europe. Among these, one can also mention: Joel Smets; 5 times world champion Georges Jobe; 5 times World Champion Harry Everts; 4 times world champion (and father of Stefan) Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster.

France is today a major country in this discipline: Jacky Vimond is the first French driver to become motocross world champion, then followed by Jean-Michel Bayle, Sebastien Tortelli, World Champion 125 cc and 250 cc, Mickael Pichon, 2 times world champion in 250, Frederic Bolley double world champion 250 cc, Mickael Maschio World Champion 125 in 2002, Sebastien Pourcel is now a major player in the premier class (MX1). His younger brother, Christophe Pourcel won the MX2 title in 2006 before suffering a serious injury the following year. Marvin Musquin wins MX2 title in 2009.

Italy also has several world champions Antonio Cairoli double World Champion MX2 and MX1 champion in 2009, Alessio Chiodi, triple world champion 125 cc and David Philippaerts MX1 champion 2008. On the American circuits, the American Ricky Carmichael was the best driver in the history of motocross (6 league titles 11 U.S Supercross Championship titles in U.S motocross), who stopped in late 2007, due to Chronic Fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Others include Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath (whose real specialty was supercross), Ricky Johnson and James Stewart. Other non-American drivers who won the U.S MX titles: the South African Greg Albertyn, Grant Langston fellow (2007) and Australia’s Chad Reed (2009) L’equipement driver motocross.

The equipment is essential to ensure the safety of the driver: The boots are very rigid and is an essential protection against stone-throwing or falling. Knee pads, integrated into the trousers are usually removable and made of rigid and light material, avoiding rigidity to provide support as sharp stones, in the projections or fall.

Levels of kidney belts are available in elastic and hardening at the lower back around to support the back of the driver. The upper body is protected by a stone barrier: a set of rigid material forming a kind of armor protecting the chest, back, shoulders and elbows. Sometimes the stone barrier is built into a vest. Often, the driver adds a T-shirt suitable for motocross. The helmet is essential for this type of practice, sometimes associated with a neck brace (or Leatt Brace Neck Brace System) or simple neck foam to prevent cervical fracture during a fall. This helmet has a different form than a road helmet, the chin is more prominent and the absence of the peak requires glasses or mask.