Isle of Man TT
Racers from across the world come to the island, aiming to put down the fastest time and average speed on the ultimate stage. The racing event has claimed the lives of 146 people since it was first run in 1907. Yet, every year, for two weeks mid-year, the sleepy island between England and Ireland hosts one of the biggest sporting spectacles where racers compete on closed public two-lane country roads at speeds exceeding 320kmph. Despite the high number of fatalities every year, the event has only become bigger, faster and more popular. Dates: May 26-June 8
Dakar Rally
Formerly known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, the annual off-road endurance event is the brainchild of French motorcycle racer Thierry Sabine, who got lost in the desert during another rally, and couldn’t get over its beauty. Since its inception in 1978, most Dakar rallies started from Paris and ended 10,000 kilometres away in Dakar, Senegal, lasting for roughly 16 days. However, due to the threat of terrorism in North Africa, the event has relocated to South America since 2009. Dates: January 2019
Erzberg Rodeo
The Erzberg Rodeo is an annual motorcycle enduro (cross-country) event that takes place in Austria and started back in 1995. It is a part of the Red Bull Hard Enduro Series and is considered one of the most challenging and toughest enduro competitions on the planet. Approximately five hundred motorcycle racers compete every year in this race that takes place in an old Austrian iron mine, and rarely do more than 30 racers manage to cross the finish line in the race. Dates: May 31-June 3
American Flat Track Series
The inception of flat-track racing can be traced back to the 1920s, when the form of auto racing performed on clay or dirt-surfaced oval tracks became hugely popular in the United States. It is also the only type of motorcycle racing that originated in the United States, and two of America’s oldest brands dominate the sport: Indian and Harley-Davidson. Motorcycle racers slide and drift at breakneck speeds on the flat dirt track, barely inches away from one another. Events held every month at different locations across the US
Baja 1000
This event began more than 50 years ago in northern Mexico. It is the longest non-stop point-to-point race in the world, covering over 2,000km, over some of the most remote, rocky, treacherous terrains. It starts in Ensenada and finishes in La Paz, both in Mexico. Competing vehicles take off one after another in one-minute intervals from the starting line. Even legendary Hollywood actor Steve McQueen once raced in the event. Dates: November 14-18
International Six Days Enduro
This is the world’s oldest and largest off-road motorcycle-racing championship for national teams, with the first edition held in 1913 at Carlisle, England. Although the rules and conditions have changed over the years, riders have to follow a set route at a set pace over six days and clock close to 1,600km. The event has attracted national teams from as many as 32 different countries in recent years, with more than 500 racers competing in the event. Dates: November 12-17, Chile
