About

Motocross racing (MX or MotoX) is a form of all-terrain motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits and is one of the most visually appealing forms of motor sports - with riders performing challenging leaps and turns. Aerial acrobatics are commonly seen in performances and competitions, where riders can take on jumps and stunts ranging from 25 to 45 meters in length. Some of these events include freestyle events such as big air, freestyle motocross, and free riding.

Origins

Many believe that motocross started out after The World War 2, but it actually established its name back in the 1920s in England. During the 1930’s, motocross gained popularity across the country and sparked off a motorcycle production arms race. Many popular companies competed with one another to build the ultimate motorcycle for the sport. Even today, it is without a doubt that such races were big advertisements to testify the extraordinary abilities of their bikes.

What attracts them

The most impressive thing about the sport is often the jumps, where the audience witnesses a 200 pound two-wheeled machine elevating itself off the ramp and for a split second, time seems to slow down as all eyes are on the rider and his bike before landing. Such events are also known as freestyle motocross, which are held at popular events such as the X-Games. Many champions have emerged through this competition, each time inventing and inspiring us with new and daring stunts. Psychologically what these riders go through is an immense adrenaline and according to research, these riders can achieve heart rates from around 180 to 190 beats per minute throughout the duration of the race.

Implications

Motocross is a high risk sport, and thanks to technology and safety advancements, we have tried to make it a lot safer. But occasionally, unforeseen accidents do happen and cannot be avoided; hence it is not advisable to attempt it without the guided supervision of a professional. It would be very dangerous to take on the sport without the in-depth knowledge of basic protective gears like helmets, chest protectors, elbow jackets, kidney belts, slam shots and knee/shin guards. Perhaps it is this element of danger that excites the audiences as they look at these ‘flying superheroes’ performing these dare-devil acts.