Motocross And Its UK Origins

MX, as it’s commonly known within the motorsport industry, is a sport in which motorbikes are raced off-road, with riders setting off in daring pursuit of the finish line on a closed circuit, as opposed to a road. Circuits are designed with motocross specifically in mind, and are often made with surfaces of dirt, sand or mud, making the race even more thrilling! Along with the non-tarmac surface, are artificial or natural ramps and other elevations to mix things up and send riders flying into the air at speed. Sound dangerous? Well, as with most motorsports, it is! However, for those involved in sports such as motocross, the danger is merely a thrill, and provided they have adequate motocross injury insurance, there is little to dissuade them from taking part in the sport they love.

With a long history in the United Kingdom in particular, the country is where motocross first originated. Now having developed into a popular worldwide sport, however, it’s enjoyed by global audiences and taken part in by riders from all four corners of the globe.

Lets’ take a closer look at the early days of motocross:

From its humble time trial beginnings, to featuring in the world renowned X Games today, the extreme sport of motocross is now enjoyed all over the world, which is pretty incredible considering where it all began. Back in the 1920s, timed trials with riders who had just come back from serving in the First World War, began to take place all over the UK, but these had actually evolved from the Auto-Cycle Clubs First Quarterly Trial way back in 1906. In 1924, that’s when races of a ‘scrambling’ nature began to take place, and the first ‘scramble’ race was carried out in Camberley, Surrey.

Then, as time progressed, the sport gradually began to be known officially as ‘motocross’, and in the 1930s, its’ popularity grew and grew. By the time the 1950s had come around, the very first championship was founded; initially named the European Championship, in 1957 it was given the title of World Motocross Championship, and the sport hasn’t looked back since.

Moving on to the 70s

This was the era in which motocross really grew in popularity, and thanks to European television coverage, it soon spread not just around the continent, but to the U.S. too. In the 80s, however, television coverage of the sport waned, and as a result, its popularity took a nosedive.

Technological advances in the sport

Back when motocross was in its infancy, the bikes used were not dissimilar to those being used on the roads, but they were woefully inadequate for enabling riders to truly excel at the sport. Despite its popularity having taken a hit in the 80s, there were still plenty of sports fans interested in motocross, and interested in improving the bikes. With the onset of technology, came faster, nimbler, more powerful bikes, such as those we see being used within the sport today, and with features such as single shock, and with engines that were built with water cooling systems to enhance their efficiency.

Bikes like these were being designed and built by Japanese giants of the industry who are just as active today: Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha, names we’ve all heard of, even if we don’t follow motorsports.

Having come a considerable distance since its inception more than a century ago, the sport of motocross remains a popular one in the UK and beyond, and provided riders have invested in appropriate Motocross Sports Injury Insurance Policies, the dirt is truly their oyster!

Recent Post