The anticipation sitting on the line is intense. But when that gate drops, it’s on. Your local race track will have levels of classes from beginner to pro, so there will be a class just for you. Racing is a great way to stay in shape, fine tune your riding skills, and above all else, have fun while doing it.
Have you ever had that nervous feeling in your belly just before you play your buddy in a game of ping pong? Of course you have. It’s that nervous feeling that derives from competition. Why? Because you are about to test your skills and abilities against someone else, and the result could be success or failure. Of course, the “nervous” level can vary a great deal, but nonetheless, it is a built in mechanism that prepares us for the task. Motocross is the epitome of competition; you and your bike pitted against 25 others are battling to get to the checkered flag first. It’s called competition, and the benefits you receive from it are worth every penny.
If you are leading a race, there is no adrenaline rush more intense than trying to hold off the pack. Your senses are on full, and you do everything you can to get away. However, everybody behind you is doing everything they can to catch and pass you. But, if the person behind is faster, they will most likely get around you. Notice the rocks and bumps.
How can racing improve duning? Let’s take a look:
1. Competition. Let’s face the facts, you can say you are the best at anything, but until you test your abilities against someone else, you are doing nothing except blowing smoke. Whether you race two wheelers or four, racing brings your alert level to its highest peak; concentration, stamina, strength, and all around mental focus are raised to meet what competition demands. There is no way you can ever reach that level when play riding. But your play riding will improve drastically due to these challenges you put on yourself through competition, guaranteed.
Racing only enhances your play riding. The level that you reach while racing will never be reached when in play. However, competing against others allows you to feel more comfortable when you do plan on playing.
2. Your bike handling skills such as jumping, turning, balance, braking, and speed will all improve. Let’s say you get the holeshot when the gate drops. You weren’t expecting this at all, but now all eyes are on you because you are the leader, and there are a host of hungry riders behind you that want to take over the lead. Your heart is racing faster as you race to the second turn. During practice you handled this turn with no problems, but during practice you weren’t leading a race. Now you are. You find yourself going into the turns faster than you ever have, hoping that nobody slips under you to take over the lead. At the same time you are doing everything you can not to fall over; that internal balancing mechanism located just behind the stomach is working at full power. Yet, you are still in the lead, and the flat top jump is just ahead of you. You decide to give it a little more gas this time. WOW, you cleared it, what a rush. Looking like McGrath doing a nac nac (well, let’s not go too far), you never knew, nor did your girlfriend know, that you were capable of such body English on the motorcycle.
No matter what kind of riding we do, we will eventually have to turn. On a motocross track there are lots of turns; off camber, steep, bumpy, flat, and some even have jumps in the middle of them. Your balance on the bike comes into play a great deal when racing, just as it does in the dunes.
Whether you race a quad or a two wheeler, 8 years old or 60, get out there and do it. You can be rest assured you that there is a local track nearby that allows for both. At the end of the day you will feel a sense of accomplishment even if you didn’t win. So don’t be afraid to sign up and race, you will be happy you did.
3. Your physical fitness will improve drastically. There is no doubt that motocross is one of the top three most physically demanding sports in the world. If you doubt that, then get out on the track and you will find out. Your entire body will be pushed to the limit. As someone once said, “It’s like riding a wild rattlesnake.” Your arms will pump, your lungs will feel like they are about to explode, and every muscle in your body will be working at 100 percent. Why? Because you are trying to hold onto a 220 lb motorcycle (or a 350 lb quad) as you travel at a high rate of speed through turns, straights, uphills, downhills, and jumps. But keep in mind that through all of this, there are square edge bumps and huge whoops. Oh, don’t forget that you’ll be eating roosts of dirt and rocks from the guy in front of you. It is a physical sport matched by few others.
Southern California has great racing. The terreain varies a great deal. This is one of the downhills at Glen Helens REM racetrack. Notice the steepness. Speeds can get quite fast on this hill, and the braking bumps at the bottom can make your arms pump up like the Michelin man.
Sounds like fun huh? You bet. Not only your play riding in the dunes improve, but so will your trail riding. Handling the ridges, bowls, and technical terrain in Glamis will seem like a cakewalk, and instead of fearing that steep ridge, you will look at it and feel much more confident when transitioning through it. And, instead of just riding around a bowl, you’ll be trying to see how far you can shoot your roost over the top. And if you’re a hill shooter, you will be surprised how your starts, balance, and speed through the whoops have gotten better.
Is it worth going out and getting sweaty, dirty, tired, and physically beat up? No question about it, it’s worth every penny. So, don’t be afraid, get out to your local motocross track and join the fun. You’ll be amazed how your bike handling skills will be much sharper in the dunes. Then, when smoking your buddies a few dozen times, they’ll probably ask what you did different during the off-season. All you need to tell them is, “I’ve been eating my Slappy Snacks.”
Taking the checkered flag is a sign of success. You realize that you’ve completed a moto, something that only a small percentage of the worlds population will ever do. You are dirty, tired, and completely drenched in sweat. Is it worth it? Oh yes. You smile because you know you still have one more moto to go.
Heading to the gate is even worse 
....Breath Breath Relax.....pin it 
RIGHT ON, DEZDOGS!