Racing Information

Motocross Lingo:

Back-marker - A slow rider marking the back of the pack.

Berm - Built-up dirt on the outside of a turn, either created with a bulldozer or as riders continually go through the turn. A berm helps a rider take the turn much faster because it acts as banking.

Block pass - Going into a turn, a rider attempting a block pass will accelerate before the apex and slip his motorcycle on the inside of the leader, then quickly pivot and make the turn directly in front of the other rider. The rider being passed must brake because his line is now blocked.

Brake check - Going into a turn, a rider will suddenly brake hard, forcing the often startled rider directly behind him do the same thing. This brake check allows the rider in front to gain a bit of distance while the following rider recovers.

Can-Can - A Can-Can is when the rider quickly flings one of his legs over the fuel tank to one side of the bike while airborne over a large jump. The rider must return his leg to the normal riding position in time for the landing.

Casing it - Coming up short on a double or triple jump and landing on the top of the last jump instead of clearing it.  Casing refers to landing on the frame rails and engine cases. "He cased it hard over that triple."

Clicker - A stylish trick a rider does while airborne. He lays the motorcycle flat while bringing the back of the bike around.

Doubles / Triples - Doubles and triples are large multiple jumps that allow riders to fly through the air rather than traversing each jump one at a time. Triple jumps are the signature obstacle of Supercross, requiring cool nerves and precise throttle control.

DQ'ed - Disqualified. "I thought I won, but I got DQ'ed."

Endo - To go head first over the handlebar.

Holeshot - Being the first guy through the first turn after the starting gate drops and the race begins. "He got the holeshot and led to the finish."

Knobbies - The type of tires used by Supercross and motocross racers. These tires have large square knobs of rubber tread that are designed and arranged in various ways to best grab the dirt. Sometimes mechanics take knobby tires and carve them even more with a hot tire cutter -- in order to help the tire pattern best match the terrain.

Lapper - A slow rider who is being lapped by the leaders.

Line - This describes the path of the motorcycle as a rider goes through a section of track or around a turn. Riders think hard about the best lines to take, lines that can be used for passing, and lines to be used later in a race when the track surface has changed. "I found a fast line over the whoop section and managed to pass him."

Loop it or Loop out - When a rider lets the front of the motorcycle get too high over a jump and he lands vertically, or when the front end comes over backward. "I was doing great until I looped it over that last double jump."

Nac-Nac - Supercross racers do this trick to show off their jumping prowess over triple jumps or large doubles. A Nac-Nac is when a rider quickly brings his leg from one side of the motorcycle across the back of the bike to the opposite side. The rider must return to a normal riding position before landing.

No-hander - When the rider takes both hands off the handlebar while in midair over a jump.

On the pipe - When a rider or bike is going very fast. This expression refers to when a dirt bike's two-stroke engine is operating at optimum rpm. Exhaust pipes for these motorcycles are designed to work best at certain engine speeds. When a motorcycle is on the pipe, it is running at the rpm that gives maximum horsepower. "He was really on the pipe during the first five laps."

Pit board - A large sign a mechanic writes on and shows to his rider as he goes past. Pit board signs can be used to show a rider's position, how far he's ahead or behind, or to encourage him or even to remind him to breathe.

Ruts - When the terrain is soft or damp, deep channels or ruts can be formed when the rear tires dig through the dirt. Ruts can force riders to take certain lines through a corner, or limit them to only one line, making passing difficult. Ruts can get deep enough to completely stop a motorcycle. "There were so many bad ruts, I couldn't pass."

Superman - When a rider takes his feet off the foot pegs and throws them to the back of the motorcycle while it's airborne over a large jump. This makes the rider resemble Superman while flying.

Table-top jump - A jump similar to a double jump, except the void between the jumps is filled in with dirt, creating the table-top.

Wash out - When cornering, having the front wheel break loose due to a loss of traction. This usually results in a
crash.

Whoops or Whoop section - Also known as whoop-de-doos. A section of track with a row of dirt mounds or moguls. Whoops are one of the most difficult obstacles on a Supercross track, as timing, throttle control and body positioning are crucial. Whoops are usually good places for fast riders to pass. "I was having a bad race until I figured out the fast line through the whoops."

The Flags:

Checkered Flag - First across wins, everyone else: race over.

Black Flag - Rider disqualified.

Blue Flag, Yellow Stripe - Shown to a rider who must move over as he is being lapped by a faster rider.

Green Flag - Signals the start of a race, and a race in progress when everything's a "go."

Red Flag - Race stopped.

White Flag - One lap left to race.

Waving Yellow Flag - Extreme caution, slow down. Could be a pack of riders down on the track.

Yellow Flag - Caution, slow down.