I’d BRAP that....
What’s Your Off-Roading Style? BY MELISSA SULIVAN
O
ff roading has long been a popular hobby but over the last few years the sport has gained a lot of traction. In addition to plenty of opportunities to hit the trails off road racing events are popping up all over the state bringing a different type of excitement for both spectators and drivers. You do not have to be a race professional to enjoy a day at the racetrack, that is part of what makes the sport so thrilling. Speed is not always the key to winning, driving skills, style and the track conditions play a big role in how your race plays out. There are many different types of off-road races to try from drag races to hill climbs, each one providing its own challenges and thrills. My husband and I have raced in all types of races with our SXS and even developed our own racing series. There are a lot of important things to know if you want to get into racing your SXS, but I feel Knowing what style of racing you and your vehicle are most suited for is a great place to get started. There really is something for everyone, I have raced alongside professionals, amateurs, kids and even raced with a guy who was left paralyzed from the waist down after an ATV accident. No matter the level of experience I always notice the drivers always seem to have the same amount of fun!
WHAT ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFF-ROAD RACES: There are many different types of off-road racing and each one is unique. Each type of racing has set standards for the way they conduct and score the race. Depending on the race you may compete in some types of races with a variety of vehicles or be restricted to specific types. The great thing about amateur or outlaw races is the opportunity to try out racing without the requirement to build a race specific vehicle. We have raced with a range from the casual participant who uses the same car that they trail ride to the hard-core driver who has a dedicated competition car, special tires, and uses lots of shop time tweaking and making it faster. In my experience all types of off-road racing are fun but there are some styles that you will love and some that you will not enjoy as much. Below I’ve listed some types of SXS off road races that you will see popping up in Michigan this summer. AUTOCROSS: A short flat track with multiple rightand left-hand turns make a “mini-road course”. The races could be a ‘One Lap Wonder’ style where one driver at a time runs the course to see who can
get the fastest lap time without going off course. You may also see this type of course run single or double elimination style with multiple drivers on the course. This type of race features usually a ¼ - ½ mile long track with multiple tight turns, meaning you can expect slower race speeds. Despite the low overall speeds during competition, it’s still one of the most intense forms of off-road racing you can enter, especially on ice! This type of track usually will not have jumps on the course and the barriers to entry are low so many drivers are able to be quite competitive at it, regardless of their level of experience. HILL CLIMBING Hill-climbing is a course that is mostly uphill. Drivers race against the clock rather than each other, with the goal of having the fastest time up the course. Sometimes the hills are so steep, speed alone doesn’t determine the winner. Some vehicles will not be able to make it to the top of the course, so they’re not eligible to win. If it comes down to it distance can also be the determining factor for a win. This type of race happens year-round and is a popular type of race at ski hills at the end of the season. This type of track could snake through a few turns or be ran where two drivers are taking a pass continued on page 20
MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER + ORV • JULY • 2022
| 19
