View Full Version : Desert Racing vs. Motorcross Racing
O.K. boys and girls what do you think?
I love to race both, but I especially love Desert Racing.
I understand this is a trail riding web site, but we all have competiton blood in us somewhere. Even the sunday pleasure riders.
I've seen you guys race back to the truck. Kinda like a pack horse hurring to get back to the stable.
What is more Dangerous in your minds?
What do you like or dislike about each?
I think casing a 3 foot deep wash out at 100mph can be just as bad as casing a 100 foot triple jump.
You know the triple is comming, you may not know the wash out is there.
You're on your own when you go down in the desert for the most part. On a motorcross track there is medics just a few feet away.
I think desert racing is more dangerous.
Agree, or not?
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El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I think that the MX track CAN be more dangerous in the "I've run this track hundreds of times" sense, and complacency sets in. Desert racing is usually different each time OR its been a while since you've ridden it and your probably paying more attention to what is going on.
That said, I've had my a$$ handed to me more on a track, but I've been injured worse in the desert.
That's my take...
/forum/uploaded/wpfontenot/images.jpg (http://members.cox.net/wpfontenot/)
"You sure are fast, you where flyin' when I passed you"
Motorcross tracks do change from the beginning of the day to the end, but usualy at a gradual rate. Each time you come around you know what to expect for the most part.
I've done desert racers where the first lap was smooth and fast and awesome, and come around on the second lap to find a turn up mess.
I usually start on the first few rows. There could be (like at Snowflake) 100-200 riders lined up behind me. When we all get around the loop, it's not the same track anymore.
Whenever they seperate the races because of the amount of racers, the Pros always race LAST.
Kinda of a grand finale.
After a few hundred bikes and quads and sometimes trucks and buggies tear the place up we're not left with much to race on.
Usually all the course markings (if there were any) are knocked down and the silt bed ruts are deeper than the foot pegs.
It is not out of the norm to compare pro times to nonpro times, that raced earlier in the day, and have the nonpros as fast or faster (on the clock) as the Pros.
I won the Open Pro class and got second overall in the Gila Bend race last year. When they put the times of ALL the races together I was at like 9th overall on time.
The track was like the surface of the moon by the time we got to it.
Either venue, you never know what to expect from lap to lap, but desert tracks don't get groomed or watered between races.
As far as slowing down to check out the track each lap in a desert race. Do that against my competitors and YOU WILL LOSE!
Don't slow down and you WILL get hurt.
There's a fine line. It's a mind game sometimes.
It's all or nothing when green backs are on the table.
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El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
It's all or nothing when green backs are on the table.
Now when it's play riding or practicing, it's another story.
I think motorcross is more dangerous in that case.
When I trail ride, I am obviously more cautious. I don't "hang it out" like I might in a race.
This is one reason I sometimes don't like to trail ride with other people of my racing caliber. It always turns into a race, and that is dangerous.
In motocross, you ride pretty much the same speed practicing or racing. You have to or you won't clear those jumps. Of course the intensity level isn't quite so high.
/forum/uploaded/El-Gato/lion-2.JPG
El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Toadspode
06/26/02, 8:03 PM
I have never done a desert race(I was going to do snowflake until I heard the speeds!!),you guys are crazy!. I consider myself a vet novice mxer(OK a fast beginner)and in MX you pretty much know the track, arm pump is my problem the last couple of laps.Greeting prickly pears @ 100mph doesn't soungd fun! Anyway you guys rock!Hey EL-GATO what's a good desert for begiiners. Happy trails!
Body armor my man, body armor... and a really good othropedic doctor <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I have never done a desert race(I was going to do snowflake until I heard the speeds!!),you guys are crazy!. I consider myself a vet novice mxer(OK a fast beginner)and in MX you pretty much know the track, arm pump is my problem the last couple of laps.Greeting prickly pears @ 100mph doesn't soungd fun! Anyway you guys rock!Hey EL-GATO what's a good desert for begiiners. Happy trails!
/forum/uploaded/wpfontenot/images.jpg (http://members.cox.net/wpfontenot/)
"You sure are fast, you where flyin' when I passed you"
...Hey EL-GATO what's a good desert for begiiners. Happy trails!
Actually Snowflake is a good first time race.
First time racers race in the "first time racers" class. No pressure in that class. It's like an extra long trail ride where you don't have to stop and wait for you buddies.
You don't have to go 100mph if you don't want to. Most first timers won't be either.
The track is wide and long. You can see whats coming up for the most part. It's a fast race, but a fairly safe one to.
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El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
neWRiver
06/27/02, 9:10 AM
Well my first love is trailriding and singletrack. I've raced one enduro so am by no means a competitive racer, yet. I'd also like to try both MX (maybe just practice) and Open Desert competition.
I think there is sufficient potential for extreme danger in all forms of riding/racing (including trail riding) that it may be splitting hairs to try to quantify each.
With racing, there is an obvious motivation for maximum performance in a pressure situation and this formula will tend to raise the stakes as far as danger/risk decision making. On the other hand, competitive racing experience sharpens skills which makes a more competent rider overall.
Bottom line is that there are risks and each of us decides where to set the stakes. More important than anything else is the rider's awareness of what he is doing and how to manage those risks. Putting on a helmet is smart, but it doesn't automatically make you smart when it comes to riding safely. What's going on inside your helmet will save you much more grief than the plastic shell on the outside will.
Kevin
2001 WR250F
"Yeah, I meant to do that... well, except the crashing part."
I'm not a "go in circles" kind of guy so Desert racing would be my choice over MX.
I enjoy the challenge of seeing a course for the first time when I ride it and beating what Mother Nature throws at you. In my mind being able to walk a course is kind of like cheating. It removes the basic racing challenge of dealing with what you have never seen before.
MX may get more attention but desert racing rules! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Don Hood - "Rocks are my friend"
Co-Promoter OHV Fun Run Events
Vice President - Arizona Trail Riders.
MX may get more attention but desert racing rules! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
There isn't nearly as much money in desert racing.
In MX you can watch the whole thing. Flashy bikes with advertisement stickers all over them is what sells.
In desert racing you can only see the racers a few seconds every hour or so. Not a spectator sport.
Doesn't make as much money, so the big Corp dudes don't put any money into it.
Only the top 10-20 desrt racers in the country are making a living at it. Only the top few desert racers make a third of what the top 20 MXers do.
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El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Ride Red
07/02/02, 12:37 PM
I just started racing this past year and I enjoy Grand Prix races like Viewfinders.
Motocross is about timing and consistency. Once you get that rhythm down, you're only making minor adjustments on each progressive lap.
In a desert race, I think there is more likelihood of a major course change on each progressive lap due to the sheer number of riders out there.
ElGato, you're right about the course getting torn up! When I raced Laughlin, the pros went first and by the time the Ironmen started, a lot of the markers were knocked down or missing and the whoops in the sand washes were fairly large.
On the other hand, reality is that the Pros get paid to go fast and win, while the amateurs are in it for different reasons.
I like motocross more from the standpoint of being able to see more action, especially when you take the family along.
These are the folks that support me and I'd rather ride a course where they will see me for a more than a few minutes instead of only during a pit stop or passing through the main start/finish checkpoint.
1995 Honda CR250R
1997 Honda XR250/300R
"The suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth."
El Gato
07/02/02, 12:47 PM
...On the other hand, reality is that the Pros get paid to go fast and win, while the amateurs are in it for different reasons.
....
Usually only the top three pros get paid per class. As you probably noticed in Laughlin there are A LOT of pros riding.
Only the top 10-20 Pro's actually get paid by their sponsors.
Guys like me pretty much ride for the same reasons the amateurs do.
I may make enough money to pay for my gas home, and a hamburger if I rode REALLY, REALLY good.
THERE IS NO MONEY IN DESERT RACING!!!!!
Trust me.
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El-Gato #57
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Hey - I am going to try desert racing this fall - prob'ly Snowflake first. I love MX, but I cut my teeth on the trails and just the thrill of never knowing what's around the next turn or flying over the rocks and ruts makes me happy enough to know I'll enjoy a good desert race! I can do AMX and Whiplash - right? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>
Corry (2001 400EX)
I can do AMX and Whiplash - right? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>
Yes mam you can!! You can do anything you want when it comes to different race orginizations.
Welcome to the wonderful world of desert racing!!!!!!
We're a good group of people. No, really we are.
Come find me at the Snowflake race, and say hi. I may not be on my Yamaha (maybe a Kawy), but I will still be #57.
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David Gronlund #57,
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
unknown author.
A kawy, WTF!! You have decided it's time to win <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Come find me at the Snowflake race, and say hi. I may not be on my Yamaha (maybe a Kawy), but I will still be #57.
/forum/uploaded/big_kaw_huna/kx1.gif (http://members.cox.net/wpfontenot/)
"Let up for a second, and thats where you'll finish"
A kawy, WTF!! You have decided it's time to win <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
I never won a race on that POS Kawy, utill I went out and bought my Yamy.
As far as Snowflake, I am going to ride what ever is available. POS or not.
/forum/uploaded/El-Gato/lion-2.JPG
David Gronlund #57,
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
unknown author.
imported_n/a
07/11/02, 10:31 AM
It's easier to twist the throttle when ya ain't skeered! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I never won a race on that POS Kawy, utill I went out and bought my Yamy.
Oh $h!t, someones gonna get a a$$ rippin' <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
It's easier to twist the throttle when ya ain't skeered! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I never won a race on that POS Kawy, utill I went out and bought my Yamy.
/forum/uploaded/big_kaw_huna/kx1.gif (http://members.cox.net/wpfontenot/)
"Let up for a second, and thats where you'll finish"
El Gato
07/11/02, 10:58 AM
Oh crap, they're ganging up on me!!!
It's the invasion of the big green bugger pilots.
/forum/uploaded/El-Gato/lion-2.JPG
David Gronlund #57,
"It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people THINK your stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
unknown author.
Fistfull
07/11/02, 3:43 PM
I'd jump in there and help ya but you do ride one of those silly blue things.
http://ridingarizona.com/forum/uploaded/brp/650a.jpg
2000 XR650R
#724
af-freak
07/11/02, 4:49 PM
Oh d@mn, they all want a piece of ya! Like the man said, "I'd help but..."
I'd jump in there and help ya but you do ride one of those silly blue things.
Don't hurt 'til the bone shows