Motorcross

After WWII when motorcylce racing resumed US racing remained focused on "flat track" racing the same as it had before the war. Many races where being held on dirt oval tracks and horse tracks across the country. Meanwhile in Europe a new type of racing was taking place, Motorcross.

In 1947 the FIM created the Motocross des Nations an event to determine the World Team Motocross Champions. In 1957 they also created a series of World Motocross Championships. Compared to today's motocross bikes, the machines at this time where very primitive. These bikes where heavy, underpowered, and had only the basic of suspensions. The goals at this time where to offer an affordable and highly challenging sport, and offered up-close action for spectators.

In the late 60's many European racers and businesses where bringing motocross across the seas to the US. By 1972 American racers had been bitten with motocross fever. Later that year a US version of the National Championship Motocross series was created. At this time European racers dominated the sport led by Belgium's Roger DeCoster. By the 80's American racers had become their equals. The first main track to be used for motocross was at Daytona International Speedway in 1971, bringing motocross out of rural dirt tracks and into the mainstream.

One year later this was taken a step further and motocross was brought into major urban sports stadiums the first of which was the Los Angeles Coliseum. The term "Supercross" was created at this time. This helped to promote AMA National Motocross series and caused continual growth.