Off-road racing
Encyclopedia
Off-road racing is a format of racing
where various classes of specially modified vehicles (including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buggies) compete in races through off-road environments.
(NORRA). The body was formed in 1967 by Ed Pearlman. The first event was a race across the Mexican desert. The event was first called the Mexican 1000, and it later became known as the Baja 1000
. The event is now sanctioned by SCORE International
.
In North America there are several other formats. There are races on a circuit of less than five miles (such as Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
), which are sanctioned by CORR (or its predecessor SODA
), and by World Series of Off Road Racing (WSORR). The races held by CORR and WSORR take place on short (1½ mile or less) tracks incorporating left and right turns of various radaii, and jumps and sometimes washboard runs and gravel pits. Another format made popular by the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
was called stadium racing, where offroad racing vehicles were used in a temporary offroad racetrack was constructed inside a stadium
. The general idea of "offroad racing" can also extend to include hillclimbing
or any other form of racing that does not occur on a specified, paved track.
A simpler, shorter track format is popular at many county fairs, and is called Tough (or Tuff) Truck competition. These tracks are ordinarily much shorter, and usually, competitors make individual, timed runs.
As of 2009 there are two major organizations promoting short course off road racing. The TORC Series
, owned and promoted by former motocross champion Rick Johnson, holds races from California to Wisconsin. The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
focuses on promoting events on the west coast. Both series feature professional off road drivers and race teams. There are also several grassroots organizations, one of the longest lived is the Mid America Off Road Association
that promotes short course off road racing in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
A popular type of off-road racing is what is also known as desert racing or Baja
-style racing. Most desert races are set up on government recreational land and have tracks that run anywhere from 25 to 50 miles. Various classes of vehicles run a different amount of laps depending on the size of the engine or the set up of the suspension system. Currently, there are several smaller organizations which are growing quite rapidly in this scene. One of the most popular is the Best in the Desert
series, which is known for the Vegas to Reno race (the longest off-road race in the US with the 2009 Vegas to Reno race measuring 1000 miles). Also popular is the Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast series. Started in 1997 as a small family oriented race series, it has grown to nearly 200 per race. MORE uses tracks set up on desert land in the Barstow
and Lucerne Valley regions of the Mojave Desert
in California. Mojave Desert Racing series has drawn many competitors from the now defunct CORR races.
On August 14, 2010, a modified Ford Ranger pickup truck, racing in the MDR sanctioned "California 200", careered off the track into a group of spectators, killing eight, and raising questions about the future of offroad racing on public lands.
In Europe, "off-road" refers to events such as autocross
or rallycross
, while desert races and rally-raids such as the Paris-Dakar, Master Rallye or European "bajas" are called Cross-Country Rallies.
In Scandinavia
n countries, "off-road" racing can refer to a type of motorsport known as Extreme Off-Road, which involves driving extensively modified vehicles through a difficult course up an uphill terrain.
Racing
A sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
where various classes of specially modified vehicles (including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buggies) compete in races through off-road environments.
North America
Off-road racing began in the early 20th century. An early racing sanctioning body in North America was the National Off-Road Racing AssociationNORRA - National Off-Road Racing Association
The National Off-Road Racing Association is a desert off-road racing association.-History:It was founded in 1966 by Ed Pearlman and Don Francisco . At the time it was the first racing sanctioning body devoted solely to off-road racing. The first event, the Mexican 1000 , began in Tijuana, went...
(NORRA). The body was formed in 1967 by Ed Pearlman. The first event was a race across the Mexican desert. The event was first called the Mexican 1000, and it later became known as the Baja 1000
Baja 1000
SCORE Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300 which had...
. The event is now sanctioned by SCORE International
SCORE International
SCORE International is an off-road sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing and is famous for its flagship event, the Baja 1000 as well as the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. SCORE races are held in United States and Mexico...
.
In North America there are several other formats. There are races on a circuit of less than five miles (such as Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
The Crandon International Off-Road Raceway is an off-road racing racetrack that has hosts the "World Championship Off-Road Races".-Location:The track is located west of Crandon, Wisconsin on U.S. Route 8.-Track layout:...
), which are sanctioned by CORR (or its predecessor SODA
SODA (series)
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was an off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.-History:...
), and by World Series of Off Road Racing (WSORR). The races held by CORR and WSORR take place on short (1½ mile or less) tracks incorporating left and right turns of various radaii, and jumps and sometimes washboard runs and gravel pits. Another format made popular by the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group was a sanctioning body for an American off-road racing series that took place inside stadiums. Some events were televised, including on TNN and ESPN. -History:...
was called stadium racing, where offroad racing vehicles were used in a temporary offroad racetrack was constructed inside a stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
. The general idea of "offroad racing" can also extend to include hillclimbing
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
or any other form of racing that does not occur on a specified, paved track.
A simpler, shorter track format is popular at many county fairs, and is called Tough (or Tuff) Truck competition. These tracks are ordinarily much shorter, and usually, competitors make individual, timed runs.
As of 2009 there are two major organizations promoting short course off road racing. The TORC Series
Traxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC Series is an American national short course off-road racing series that races primarily in the Midwestern United States. It was sanctioned and officiated by the United States Auto Club in 2009 and was managed by Rick Johnson; USAC took over total management starting in 2010...
, owned and promoted by former motocross champion Rick Johnson, holds races from California to Wisconsin. The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is a short course off-road racing series in the United States. The series features events on the West Coast of the United States. The title sponsor for the series is Lucas Oil. it replaced the CORR and WSORR series....
focuses on promoting events on the west coast. Both series feature professional off road drivers and race teams. There are also several grassroots organizations, one of the longest lived is the Mid America Off Road Association
Mid America Off Road Association
The Mid America Off Road Association is an American off road racing sanctioning body based in Illinois. It has sanctioned off road racing, mud drags, and various other motorsports events since 1972.-History:...
that promotes short course off road racing in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
A popular type of off-road racing is what is also known as desert racing or Baja
Baja 1000
SCORE Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300 which had...
-style racing. Most desert races are set up on government recreational land and have tracks that run anywhere from 25 to 50 miles. Various classes of vehicles run a different amount of laps depending on the size of the engine or the set up of the suspension system. Currently, there are several smaller organizations which are growing quite rapidly in this scene. One of the most popular is the Best in the Desert
Best In The Desert
The Best In The Desert Racing Association is an American desert off-road racing association. It is operated by Casey Folks and it is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada.-Events:It has 10 events scheduled for the 2009 season ....
series, which is known for the Vegas to Reno race (the longest off-road race in the US with the 2009 Vegas to Reno race measuring 1000 miles). Also popular is the Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast series. Started in 1997 as a small family oriented race series, it has grown to nearly 200 per race. MORE uses tracks set up on desert land in the Barstow
Barstow
-Places:In the United States:*Barstow, California, a city in San Bernadino County*Barstow, Fresno County, California, an unincorporated community*Barstow, Illinois*Barstow, Maryland*Barstow, Texas-People:...
and Lucerne Valley regions of the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
in California. Mojave Desert Racing series has drawn many competitors from the now defunct CORR races.
On August 14, 2010, a modified Ford Ranger pickup truck, racing in the MDR sanctioned "California 200", careered off the track into a group of spectators, killing eight, and raising questions about the future of offroad racing on public lands.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, offroad racing runs its own class structure and has a multiple-round national championship. Its flagship event, the two day, 1000 km Taupo 1000, is a stand-alone international endurance race which is currently held every two years. The most successful racer in the sport's history is multiple outright and class national champion Tony McCall of Manukau in Auckland. The sport is about to enter its 30th year. Images and information about offroad racing in New Zealand are available at the sport's official web site, www.oranz.co.nzEurope
Autocross
Autocross is a form of motorsports that emphasizes safe competition and active participation. An autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course on either sealed or unsealed surfaces...
or rallycross
Rallycross
Rallycross is a form of sprint style automobile racing, held on a closed mixed-surface racing circuit, with modified production or specially built road cars, similar to the World Rally Cars, although usually with about stronger engines, due to e.g. their 45 mm turbo restrictor plates. It is...
, while desert races and rally-raids such as the Paris-Dakar, Master Rallye or European "bajas" are called Cross-Country Rallies.
In Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n countries, "off-road" racing can refer to a type of motorsport known as Extreme Off-Road, which involves driving extensively modified vehicles through a difficult course up an uphill terrain.
External links
- http://www.norra.com
- http://www.wsorr.com
- Official SCORE International website
- http://www.euro-offroad-challenge.com
- http://www.snoreracing.net