A group of bikers rolling into any city spelled trouble in the past, but now it’s a recipe for fun. Nothing is more exciting than talking about motorcycles with other riders who love these competitions. The motorcycle competition world has everything for everyone, ranging from track racing to road racing.
These competitions are categorised based on the terrain and motorcycle. However, one thing they have in common is that they bring . Instead of driving or taking a flight, you can ride your motorcycle to these events.
Motorcycle riding laws vary with state, and knowing these laws can protect you from fines or even losing your license. You should do your research and carry the right papers to an event that’s held in your home country. Here are some of the world’s most prominent bike competitions you can visit yearly.
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Dakar Rally
First held in 1978, the Dakar is an exceptional tournament loved by off-road riders worldwide. The is an off-road endurance rally, and the terrain is tougher than the ones used in conventional rallies. Initially, the competition was held from Dakar to Paris, but the fear of insecurities happening in Mauritius forced the organisers to cancel the event in 2008. Then they moved it to , where they held this race between 2009 and 2019.
During the race, riders must traverse rocks, camel grass, mud, and even cross dunes. The race is split into various stages, with each stage involving riders covering 500 to 560 miles per day. This rough terrain and driver fatigue have resulted in several accidents and severe injuries.
North West 200 Annual Tournament
Attracting over 100,000 fans, the North West 200 is a top annual sporting event held in Northern Ireland. It’s ranked among the globe’s fastest tracks, with riders attaining a speed of about 200 mph. Since its inception in 1929, this event has been canceled in 2020 and 2021.
Despite the top speeds, this circuit has claimed fewer fatalities than most courses. The event takes place on an 8,970-mile triangular street circuit (Portrush-Coleraine-Portstewart). Only 19 riders have lost their lives on this track, with the black Saturday of 1979 being this event’s darkest day.
During that event, motorcycle crashes claimed the lives of Frank Kennedy, Brian Hamilton, and Tom Herron. Other than affecting riders, some races have resulted in the death of some spectators. The debris from the crashes can fly into the stand and injure you. You should visit if injured. Your attorney will help you file your claim and ensure that you get compensated. Despite the danger associated with this track, fans from all over the globe never miss this 3-day event.
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Isle of Man
Another top competition that has been held in Europe for over a century is the Isle of Man. It’s the world’s oldest and most popular race held on the Isle of Man, which is between England and Ireland. Since its inception in 1907, the event has been held in May and June every year. This event runs for 13 days and starts on the United Kingdom Spring Bank Holiday.
Considering the number of riders who have lost their lives, the Isle of Man is one of the world’s most dangerous events. Statistically speaking, the Snake Falls Mountain Course is the most dangerous event. Statistically, the Snake Falls Mountain Course is the most dangerous on the Island. This course is about 38 miles long and has caused the death of over 40 individuals. Currently, it features six events that paralyze every activity on the island.
The different motorcycle categories include engine-sized motorcycles, sidecar racing, and electric motorbikes. The riders go through the villages and towns at a top speed of about 130 mph. The huge number of fatalities hasn’t stopped riders from taking part in this race. The event lasts for two weeks; the qualifying sessions are held during the first week, and then the race is held during the second week.
Pike’s Peak
Another dangerous terrain that’s loved by riders worldwide is Pike’s Peak. This track is about 12.42 miles long, and riders must climb 4,720 ft. The race starts at Pikes Peak Highway and has more than 156 turns. This self-sanctioned race began in 1916, with the first winner being Floyd Clymer. Floyd finished the course at 21:58.41.
Currently, the record holder of the course is Carlin Dune who climbed the course in nine minutes and 52 seconds. Carlin attained a top speed of 121.4 kph when he won the race. This course is quite dangerous, and parts of it don’t have barriers; a simple mistake can result in fatalities. Despite being very dangerous, the course has only caused the death of two riders since 1916.
Le Mans
Le Mans is an exceptional endurance race held at the Bugatti Circuit in France. Organized by ACO(Automobile Club de I’Quest), this 24-hour event began in 1978. ACO created this tournament after BoI d’Or relocated to Circuit Paul Ricard from Bugatti Circuit.
Currently, Suzuki holds the record for the most wins; in fact, they won the 2024 Le Mans motorcycle race while driving a Suzuki GSXR 1000. The second top brands that have won it 14 times are Honda and Kawasaki. On the other hand, Gregory Leblanc and Alex Vieira have won 5 times in the last few decades. The race starts on Thursday, with the practice sessions followed by the first qualifying session. The second qualifying practice session takes place on Friday before the race on Saturday.
During the race, riders can attain a top speed of 250 mph on a terrain that becomes arduous as they progress. Le Mans is a tough terrain that has caused the death of 80 riders due to the many crashes that occur during these races.
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Endnote
Every rider, particularly the super biker lovers, rarely misses these competitions. If you love endurance track races, you should try the Le Mans. However, if you love off-road events, you shouldn’t miss the North West 200 and the Dakar. These races have claimed lives in the past and can be quite dangerous. The adrenaline rush associated with watching these riders ride their bikes at 250 mph is unbelievable. The races present a unique opportunity for bike lovers to see riders competing using some of the best superbikes.
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