Post
by Snakeoil » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:46 pm
I was pretty sure Motocross is a European idea that was later imported to the States. I believe Supercross is our spin on motocross. Desert races are our thing, too. I looked it up and Motocross' origin is given as the UK as an offshot of their scrambles and trials events. But it says when those were imported to Europe, the word Moto, as short for motocyclette (and I'm sure motocicleta in Spanish and whatever other Euro languages) and cross for Cross country were combined and the name stuck. The early events in the UK were in the 20's and 30's.
I remember ISDT being a Euro-event. I also remember an IoM Six Days Trials and for years thought the I in ISDT was for Isle of Man. So, I just went and looked and the 1965 ISDT was held on the IoM and again in '71. I was 13 in '65 and had a paper route and mowed lawns. So I had money for bike magazines. Probably where that memory comes from.
My comments about scrambles and such in Europe and UK not being common was not referring to competition. But rather to just going out and tearing thru the local woods or fields. If that is an incorrect impression, then by all means say so. I've always understood that being able to hunt in the UK is next to impossible because all the hunting land is private. And guns are pretty much outlawed nowadays over there. Criminals have to love that. You can rob somebody with a rolled up magazine now.
regards,
Rob