ATV Racing
Competitive driving for ATV owners
While all-terrain vehicles may have originally been built and used as either sports or recreation vehicles, it didn't take long before people started racing them. This, of course, led to modifications in the machines that enabled them to go faster. ATV racing is popular in many parts of the world and it can often be seen on television. The rules and regulations concerning ATV racing may differ from area to area, so it's important that you know all of the guidelines.
There are several different kinds of ATV racing and these include:
Short Track
This is basically dirt track racing for ATVs. These races take place on dirt ovals that are about 3/8 of a mile long.
TT (Tourist Trophy)
Tourist Trophy racing takes place on a dirt track with turns and jumps. Most of these races consist of qualifying heats to determine which riders make the main event, as well as their starting positions. The main event decides the overall winner.
Motocross
These races are held on closed courses which use natural terrain and several artificial obstacles to test the racers' speed and skill. Motocross has a class system for participants, which is generally based on age. Children as young as five years old may race against each other and it's not uncommon to see 50-year-olds racing in the adult divisions. Most of these races consist of two or more heats called motos. The heats run for a certain length of time or a specific number of laps. You can earn points in each heat based on what position you finish in. The racer with the top score overall is the winner.
Ice Racing
This type of racing takes place on ice or snow. The events are generally held on short ovals, but there are some ice tourist trophy races that include turns on the track.
Cross Country and Hare Scrambles
These races take place on marked courses over natural terrain. The competition runs for a specific number of laps or there's a time limit, often an hour or two.
To race in sanctioned events, you need to join a club. These groups will then provide you with a rulebook and it's up to you to learn and abide by them. Most race organizers will ask you to sign a liability waiver that releases them from any responsibility, should an accident take place. Some organizers charge participants and spectators an admission fee and most riders must also pay a registration fee. Although rules may differ from organization to organization, most regulations state you must wear eye protection, gloves, long-sleeve shirt, protective pants and boots. All racing bodies will make you wear a helmet or you can't race.
If you do join a racing club, most organizations run the season on a point system where you earn points for each competition. This will determine an overall winner at the end of the competitive year. There are many ATV-related websites that can help you find a racing club near you.
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