Off-road racing facts for kids
Johnny Greaves in an off-road truck at a 2007 race
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| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Outdoor, Motorsports racing |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | No |
| Paralympic | No |
Off-road racing is an exciting type of motor racing. It involves special vehicles like cars, trucks, motorbikes, and buggies. These vehicles race in wild, natural places, not on paved roads. Think of racing through snow, dirt, mud, or sand!
Contents
Off-Road Racing in North America
Desert Racing: Long and Tough Races
Desert racing is a big part of off-road sports. It started a long time ago, in the early 1900s. One of the first big races was the Mexican 1000 in 1967. This race went across the desert in Baja California, Mexico. Today, it's famous as the Baja 1000!
Most desert races happen on special government land. The tracks can be super long, from 25 to 1000 miles! Different types of vehicles race different numbers of laps. This depends on their engine size or how their suspension works.
One popular series is called Best in the Desert. They have a famous race called Vegas to Reno. In 2009, this race was 1000 miles long, making it the longest off-road race in the USA! Another series, Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast (MORE), started in 1997. They race in the Mojave Desert in California.
A very popular desert race is King of the Hammers. It began in 2007 and is known for being super challenging.
Short Course Racing: Fast and Fun Tracks
Short course off-road racing happens on smaller tracks, usually less than five miles long. These tracks have lots of turns, big jumps, and bumpy sections. Imagine racing around a track with gravel pits and washboards!
A different type of short course racing is called stadium racing. This is where off-road vehicles race on a special dirt track built inside a sports stadium. Robby Gordon started the Stadium Super Trucks in 2012. These trucks race in stadiums and on other tracks.
Many county fairs also have a simpler, shorter race called Tough Truck competition. In these races, vehicles do individual timed runs on a small track.
In the 2010s, two big groups organized short course races in the US. They were TORC: The Off Road Championship and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS). Both had professional drivers and race teams. There are also smaller, local groups like the Mid America Off Road Association. They host races in states like Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
Other Cool Off-Road Races
Off-road racing isn't just about flat tracks. It also includes hillclimbing. This is where vehicles race up a steep hill or mountain. The Frozen Rush is a unique race where off-road trucks race on snowy ski slopes!
One of the oldest and most famous hillclimbs in the USA is the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Drivers love to test their skills on this challenging mountain course.
Off-Road Racing in New Zealand
New Zealand has its own exciting off-road racing scene. They have a national championship with many rounds. Their biggest event is the Taupo 1000. This is a two-day, 1000 km (about 620 miles) endurance race. It happens every other year and brings in teams from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
The Taupo 1000 started in 1992. It was the first off-road endurance race in New Zealand to have international teams. A driver named Tony McCall is very famous in New Zealand off-road racing. He has won many championships and even had 21 wins in a row!
Off-Road Racing in Europe
In Europe, "off-road racing" often means events on unpaved tracks. These include autocross or rallycross. European "bajas" are like Cross-Country Rallies, which are long races over different terrains. Beach racing is also popular, especially in northern Europe.
In countries like Sweden and Norway, there's a type of off-road sport called Formula Off Road. This is super cool! Drivers steer specially changed vehicles through very tough courses, often going straight up steep hills.
Many Eastern European countries also have their own national off-road championships. They host many races, from one-day events to week-long adventures.
Off-Road Racing in Australia
Australian off-road racing is similar to North America. It has different types of vehicles with special rules for their engines and parts. Races can be anywhere from 20 to 600 kilometers (about 12 to 370 miles) long. They usually happen over a weekend.
Australia has national, state, and club-level races. Two main groups, Motorsport Australia and Australian Auto Sport Alliance, help organize these events. They handle things like licenses, permits, and timing.
Vehicle Classes in Australia
Off-road vehicles in Australia are put into different groups, called classes. This helps make the races fair and exciting. Here are a few examples:
- Pro or Unlimited Class: These are usually the fastest vehicles. They are buggies and trucks with big engines, up to 6000cc.
- Class 1 (Pro-Lites): These are buggies and trucks with slightly smaller engines, up to 3500cc.
- Class 2 (Super 1650's): These buggies and trucks have two crew members and smaller engines, up to 1650cc.
- There are many other classes, like Class 4 for Wild 2WD vehicles, Class 7 for Stock 4WD vehicles, and Class 8 for Super 4WD vehicles. Each class has specific rules about engine size and vehicle type.
Popular Races in Australia
The most popular off-road race in Australia is the Finke Desert Race. It takes place near Alice Springs. This race is 460 km (about 285 miles) long! Drivers race to a small town called Aptula (Finke) and then race back again. Part of the race follows an old railway line.
The Finke Desert Race started in 1976. Now, it's a huge event with media coverage. Many drivers compete to win the title of 'King of the Desert'.
See also
- Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame
- Desert racing
- Beach racing
