Events
The staff at MCR is actively involved in a diverse range of
motorcycling activities and events including track days, off-road
events and motorcycle rallies. MCR also supports a variety of
local events and local riders through sponsorship.
Listed below is a description of some of the different
disciplines in motorcycling. Many of these events happen
throughout the year or are annual. Follow our events calendar
to see what's coming up in the greater Otago and Southland
regions.
Road racing
 Road racing
is the racing of motorcycles on tarmac. Races can take place either
on purpose-built racing circuits or on closed public roads.
Motorcycle Grand Prix
 Grand
Prix motorcycle racing refers to the premier category of motorcycle
road racing. It is divided into three distinct classes:
- 125 cc - Engines in this class are
two-stroke. This class is also restricted by rider age, with an
upper limit of 25 for newly signed riders and wild card entries and
an absolute upper limit of 28 for all riders.
- Moto2 - Introduced by Dorna Sports, the commercial rights
holder of the competition, in 2010 as a 600 cc four-stroke
class. Prior to that season, the intermediate class was 250 cc
with two-stroke engines. Moto2 races in the 2010 season will allow
both engine types; from 2011 on, only the four-stroke Moto2
machines will be allowed in this class.
- MotoGP - 800 cc four-stroke.
Grand prix motorcycles are prototype machines not based on any
production motorcycle.Superbike racing
Superbike racing
 Superbike racing is a category of motorcycle road
racing that employs modified production motorcycles. Superbike
racing motorcycles must have four stroke engines of between
800 cc and 1200 cc for twins, and
between 750 cc and 1000 cc for four cylindermachines. The
motorcycles must maintain the same profile as their road going
counterparts. The overall appearance, seen from the front, rear and
sides, must correspond to that of the bike homologated for use on
public roads.Supersport racing
Supersport racing
For example: AMA Supersport Championship, British Supersport
Championship and Supersport World Championship
Supersport racing is another category of motorcycle road racing
that employs modified production motorcycles. To be eligible for
Supersport racing, a motorcycle must have a four stroke engine of
between 400 and 600 cc forafour cylinder machines, and between
600 and 750 cc for twins and must satisfy the FIM homologation
requirements. Supersport regulations are much tighter than
Superbikes. Supersport machines must remain largely as standard,
while engine tuning is possible but tightly regulated.
Endurance racing
 Endurance racing is a category of motorcycle road
racing which is meant to test the durability of equipment and
endurance of the riders. Teams of multiple riders attempt to cover
a large distance in a single event. Riders are given the ability to
change during the race. Endurance races can be run either to cover
a set distance in laps as quickly as possible, or to cover as much
distance as possible over a preset amount of time.
Motocross
 Motocross (or MX) is the direct equivalent of road
racing, but off road, a number of bikes racing on a closed circuit.
Motocross circuits are constructed on a variety of non-tarmac
surfaces such as dirt, sand, mud, grass, etc., and tend to
incorporate elevation changes either natural or artificial.
Advances in motorcycle technology, especially suspension, have led
to the predominance of circuits with added "jumps" on which bikes
can get airborne. Motocross has another noticeable difference from
road racing, in that starts are done en masse, with the riders
alongside each other. Up to 40 riders race into the first corner.
The winner is the first rider across the finish line, generally
after a given amount of time or laps or a
combination.Supercross
Supercross riders
Supercross (or SX) is simply indoor motocross. Supercross is
more technical and rhythm like to riders. Typically situated in a
variety of stadiums and open or closed arenas, it is notable for
its numerous jumps.
Supermoto
Supermoto is a racing category that is a crossover between
road-racing and motocross. The motorcycles are mainly motocross
types with road-racing tyres. The racetrack is a mixture of road
and dirt courses (in different proportions) and can take place
either on closed circuits or in temporary venues (such as urban
locations).
The riding style on the tarmac section is noticeably different
from other forms of tarmac-based racing, with a different line in
corners, sliding of the back wheel around the corner, and using the
leg straight out to corner (as opposed to the noticeable touching
of the bent knee to the tarmac of road racers).
Enduro and Cross-country
 Enduro is a form of off road motorcycle sport that
primarily focuses on the endurance of the competitor. In the most
traditional sense ("Time Card Enduros"), competitors complete a 10+
mile lap, of predominately off road going, often through forestry.
The lap is made up of different stages, each with a target time to
complete that stage in exactly, there are penalties for being early
and late, thus the goal is to be exactly "on time". Some stages are
deliberately "tight", others are lax allowing the competitor to
recuperate. There are also a variety of special tests, on variety
of terrain to further aid classification, these are speed stages
where the fastest time is desired. A normal event lasts for 3 to 4
hours, although longer events are not uncommon. Some events,
particularly national and world championship events take place over
several days, requiring the competitors motorcycles to kept
securely and thus any maintenance work has to be carried out within
a very limited window of time or during the event.
In addition to traditional Time Card Enduros held over a long
lap, a variety of other forms of sport have been taken up; notably
"Short Course Enduros", a shorter (in lap length) form of Time Card
Enduros,Hare Scrambles and "Hare and Hounds".
Hare Scramble
Hare scramble is the name given to a particular form of off-road
motorcycle racing. Traditionally a hare scramble can vary in length
and time with the contestants completing multiple laps around a
marked course through wooded or other rugged natural terrain. The
overall winner is awarded to the contestant who maintains the
highest speed throughout the event.
Cross-Country Rally
Cross-Country Rallies are much bigger than enduros. Typically
using larger bikes than other off road sports, these events take
place over many days, travelling hundreds of miles across primarily
open off road terrain. The most famous example is the Dakar
rally
Motorcycle Rallies
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle
enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small and one-time or
re-occurring. Some rallies are ride-in events whereas others
involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of
the ride. The majority of rallies provide the opportunity for
motorcycle enthusiasts to camp on-site spending a social encounter
sharing camaraderie and a love for motorcycles.
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Riders
Become more familiar with local riders, as well as national and
international representatives in a variety of motorcycling
disciplines. Some sponsored by MCR, some sponsored by Yamaha,
we aim to keep you update with their progress and results. We
will also profile some unsponsored riders who just enjoy
motorcycling as a past-time.
Local riders
We aim to feature riders who are actively involved in local
events which may be competitive or non-competitive. Some of
these riders are sponsored locally and some are motorcycle
enthusiasts who just enjoy the participation in their sport.
This feature gives you the opportunity to share your stories so
take some photos and email us your experience, we want to share
it.
National riders
New Zealand is a great country for motorcycling with its diverse
landscape and fantastic riding road. Become more familiar with our
National motorcycling representatives. New Zealand boasts
great success in motorcycling nationally and internationally.
Follow the progress of our National riders, in a variety of
motorcycling disciplines and national events.
International riders
The experience rider's gain in New Zealand prepares them well
for the competitive circuits internationally. We have a great
deal of talented riders who are at the top of their fields in the
world circuits. Follow the progress of our International
motorcycling representatives in their chosen disciplines and watch
New Zealand motorcycling make its mark on the world. We will
also bring you updates on the big names of motorcycling around the
world and championship results.
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