fasterz
08-20-2003, 03:35 AM
this was a projest i wrote in 10th grade. its got some good info in it.
ATV racing, also known as quad racing, is growing rapidly in popularity. It used to be uncommon to see someone just riding a quad, but now they are showing up more and more. There are many types of quad riding, there’s trail riding where the rider rides through trails in the woods or where ever. There’s dune riding which is becoming very popular. Over the Thanksgiving weekend over 200,000 riders migrate to Glamis dunes in California . There’s drag racing. There are the very exciting hill climb races where riders race to the top of a very steep hill, even though most of them end up tumbling down to the bottom of the hill. The most growing part of quad riding right now is motocross racing. The motocross tracks are made up of huge jumps, hairpin turns, woops, and other obstacles where acceleration and suspension is key. This essay will be based on the motocross part of quad racing.
There are many things that racers should bring to the race. One of the most important things is safety equipment. Some of the safety equipment that should be brought with you is a helmet, goggles, gloves, roost protector, protective race pants, jersey, motorcycle boots, and some riders choose to wear shin guards. The rider would need a DOT or Snell approved helmet, as this proves it is a good helmet. The rider would need goggles that have anti fog technology, the one of the worst things that happens during a race is the rider’s goggles fog up and you can’t see. A silicone-coated strap is also very helpful in keeping the goggle strap from sliding on the helmet. The goggles should also be comfortable. For gloves, the racer would want gloves that fit snug and are comfortable. Racer’s want a roost protector so that when you are behind someone you don’t get hit with roost. Roost (roost is dirt shot out of the tires) can bruise the rider really bad and even cause the rider to have to come to a stop due to the pain of it. The rider will want motorcycle race boots so that injuries to the leg or ankle happen.
Other things that racers should bring are different tires. Different track conditions call for different tires. In hard packed dirt, racers would want to run a turf tamer rear and a grooved radial front. In loose dirt conditions, racers would want to run a tire with an open tred, like fast trekkers, front and back. In muddy track conditions, racers would want to run a tire like the razr or holeshot that has an H pattern tred.
For any sport, the rider would want to be prepared in case something breaks or there is a problem. This is true in quad racing too. The rider would need to bring many tools, carburetor jets, sparkplugs, chain lube, cable lube, oil, gas, money, handlebars, and extra set of comfy clothes. Racers should have a tool for every size bolt on the quad. Racers would want to bring many carburetor jets, so if there is an altitude change or the weather is different from where the quad last raced, it can be changed. Bad jetting can cause many problems from very poor performance to engine seizure. Another very important thing to bring is extra spark plugs; a fouled plug can end a race for you causing you to come is last which will hurt your points drastically. Racers should also bring the plugs so jetting can be checked. In addition, bring chain and cable lube and lube all of your cables and chain before the race. Make sure to bring oil along with an oil filter, due to so much stress from racing you want to change the oil and oil filter after every race. One of the worst things to do is forget to bring gas, you travel all the time to get to the race and you go to fuel up and you have no gas. Just from a stupid mistake like this you will be left unable to race. Riders will need money for an entry fee and just in case there is a need to buy a part from someone. Racers always want to have an extra set of handlebars, in case the quad flips and bends the bars. Also bring a set of comfortable clothes to change into after the race.
During the racing season and the off-season you want to keep your body in good shape. During the racing season racers need to drink lots of water, especially at the track, no one wants to get dehydrated. Many riders choose to drink Gatorade over water at the race because it has more vitamins and minerals in it. Also don’t forget to eat, don’t starve yourself. Many racers don’t eat because they are nervous, but then when the race starts they are aching for food. Racers also should stay away from junk food and eat a healthy diet. Before every race racers want to stretch before they get on the quad. Keeping loose is very important, it makes sure the body doesn’t get hurt. Many riders also take aspirin right before the race so that they don’t get arm pump.
The quad needs a lot of preparation and don’t wait till the last minute, due to the long amount of time it takes to do it right. First, make sure the quad has the right type of tire for the track conditions and that the tire has the right tire pressure for the track conditions. Since suspension is so important in quad racing, racers want to make sure it is set up right for the track. Racers should have a good quality aftermarket shock like elka or axis. These shocks come valved for the riders weight and riding style. Another important procedure that has to be done to the quad is clean the air filter. A dirty air filter causes horsepower loss and can cause an engine seizure if any dust or dirt gets through the filter. The jetting on the quad should also be checked before the race to ensure maximum power. The chain is a key component in the drive chain and it should be checked for tightness. A loose chain can fly off and kill someone. Before the quad is even taken to the track, all the bolts on the quad should be tightened to the specified torque in the service manual. Also, be sure to check for any cracks in the frame. A cracked frame will eventually just spilt in half and can cause severe injury. All of the bearings and bushings on the quad should be checked and replaced if needed. The axle nut should be tightened; a loose axle nut will cause the entire axle to fall of the quad. The oil should be changed after every race and if the quad is a four-stroke motor then the oil filter should also be changed. The brakes should be checked prior to the race, if the brakes didn’t work and you started the race you could be seriously injured. The tether kill switch should also be checked to make sure it is working; this is a part that is required to race. The gearing should also be checked to see if it is right for the track, so that there is the right amount of acceleration and top speed. The coolant in the quad should be checked, you never know if it overheated at the last race, and if it did overheat then you need to add more coolant to the radiator. The spark plug should be replaced and it should be gapped before it is put in the motor, remember there is no such thing as a pre-gapped plug. The chain should be lubed. The best time to lube it is right after a race or ride because the chain is warm and the lube will penetrate better. Right before the race starts it is a good idea to spray PAM cooking spray on the plastics and on the rims. This will cause the mud and dirt to fall off the quad. No one wants an extra 10 pounds of dirt going for a free ride, all it does is make the quad heavier, causing it to slow down.
Racing quads is a very time consuming sport. Racing is lots of fun but the right precautions should always be used. No one wants to get hurt so safety gear should be the most important thing in racing. The rider also doesn’t want the quad to be falling apart during the race, that is why there is so many steps to get ready for a race. Just remember the next time before riding, check the safety gear and the quad itself. Remember, ride safe and ride smart!
ATV racing, also known as quad racing, is growing rapidly in popularity. It used to be uncommon to see someone just riding a quad, but now they are showing up more and more. There are many types of quad riding, there’s trail riding where the rider rides through trails in the woods or where ever. There’s dune riding which is becoming very popular. Over the Thanksgiving weekend over 200,000 riders migrate to Glamis dunes in California . There’s drag racing. There are the very exciting hill climb races where riders race to the top of a very steep hill, even though most of them end up tumbling down to the bottom of the hill. The most growing part of quad riding right now is motocross racing. The motocross tracks are made up of huge jumps, hairpin turns, woops, and other obstacles where acceleration and suspension is key. This essay will be based on the motocross part of quad racing.
There are many things that racers should bring to the race. One of the most important things is safety equipment. Some of the safety equipment that should be brought with you is a helmet, goggles, gloves, roost protector, protective race pants, jersey, motorcycle boots, and some riders choose to wear shin guards. The rider would need a DOT or Snell approved helmet, as this proves it is a good helmet. The rider would need goggles that have anti fog technology, the one of the worst things that happens during a race is the rider’s goggles fog up and you can’t see. A silicone-coated strap is also very helpful in keeping the goggle strap from sliding on the helmet. The goggles should also be comfortable. For gloves, the racer would want gloves that fit snug and are comfortable. Racer’s want a roost protector so that when you are behind someone you don’t get hit with roost. Roost (roost is dirt shot out of the tires) can bruise the rider really bad and even cause the rider to have to come to a stop due to the pain of it. The rider will want motorcycle race boots so that injuries to the leg or ankle happen.
Other things that racers should bring are different tires. Different track conditions call for different tires. In hard packed dirt, racers would want to run a turf tamer rear and a grooved radial front. In loose dirt conditions, racers would want to run a tire with an open tred, like fast trekkers, front and back. In muddy track conditions, racers would want to run a tire like the razr or holeshot that has an H pattern tred.
For any sport, the rider would want to be prepared in case something breaks or there is a problem. This is true in quad racing too. The rider would need to bring many tools, carburetor jets, sparkplugs, chain lube, cable lube, oil, gas, money, handlebars, and extra set of comfy clothes. Racers should have a tool for every size bolt on the quad. Racers would want to bring many carburetor jets, so if there is an altitude change or the weather is different from where the quad last raced, it can be changed. Bad jetting can cause many problems from very poor performance to engine seizure. Another very important thing to bring is extra spark plugs; a fouled plug can end a race for you causing you to come is last which will hurt your points drastically. Racers should also bring the plugs so jetting can be checked. In addition, bring chain and cable lube and lube all of your cables and chain before the race. Make sure to bring oil along with an oil filter, due to so much stress from racing you want to change the oil and oil filter after every race. One of the worst things to do is forget to bring gas, you travel all the time to get to the race and you go to fuel up and you have no gas. Just from a stupid mistake like this you will be left unable to race. Riders will need money for an entry fee and just in case there is a need to buy a part from someone. Racers always want to have an extra set of handlebars, in case the quad flips and bends the bars. Also bring a set of comfortable clothes to change into after the race.
During the racing season and the off-season you want to keep your body in good shape. During the racing season racers need to drink lots of water, especially at the track, no one wants to get dehydrated. Many riders choose to drink Gatorade over water at the race because it has more vitamins and minerals in it. Also don’t forget to eat, don’t starve yourself. Many racers don’t eat because they are nervous, but then when the race starts they are aching for food. Racers also should stay away from junk food and eat a healthy diet. Before every race racers want to stretch before they get on the quad. Keeping loose is very important, it makes sure the body doesn’t get hurt. Many riders also take aspirin right before the race so that they don’t get arm pump.
The quad needs a lot of preparation and don’t wait till the last minute, due to the long amount of time it takes to do it right. First, make sure the quad has the right type of tire for the track conditions and that the tire has the right tire pressure for the track conditions. Since suspension is so important in quad racing, racers want to make sure it is set up right for the track. Racers should have a good quality aftermarket shock like elka or axis. These shocks come valved for the riders weight and riding style. Another important procedure that has to be done to the quad is clean the air filter. A dirty air filter causes horsepower loss and can cause an engine seizure if any dust or dirt gets through the filter. The jetting on the quad should also be checked before the race to ensure maximum power. The chain is a key component in the drive chain and it should be checked for tightness. A loose chain can fly off and kill someone. Before the quad is even taken to the track, all the bolts on the quad should be tightened to the specified torque in the service manual. Also, be sure to check for any cracks in the frame. A cracked frame will eventually just spilt in half and can cause severe injury. All of the bearings and bushings on the quad should be checked and replaced if needed. The axle nut should be tightened; a loose axle nut will cause the entire axle to fall of the quad. The oil should be changed after every race and if the quad is a four-stroke motor then the oil filter should also be changed. The brakes should be checked prior to the race, if the brakes didn’t work and you started the race you could be seriously injured. The tether kill switch should also be checked to make sure it is working; this is a part that is required to race. The gearing should also be checked to see if it is right for the track, so that there is the right amount of acceleration and top speed. The coolant in the quad should be checked, you never know if it overheated at the last race, and if it did overheat then you need to add more coolant to the radiator. The spark plug should be replaced and it should be gapped before it is put in the motor, remember there is no such thing as a pre-gapped plug. The chain should be lubed. The best time to lube it is right after a race or ride because the chain is warm and the lube will penetrate better. Right before the race starts it is a good idea to spray PAM cooking spray on the plastics and on the rims. This will cause the mud and dirt to fall off the quad. No one wants an extra 10 pounds of dirt going for a free ride, all it does is make the quad heavier, causing it to slow down.
Racing quads is a very time consuming sport. Racing is lots of fun but the right precautions should always be used. No one wants to get hurt so safety gear should be the most important thing in racing. The rider also doesn’t want the quad to be falling apart during the race, that is why there is so many steps to get ready for a race. Just remember the next time before riding, check the safety gear and the quad itself. Remember, ride safe and ride smart!