OFFROAD RACING

form of motor racing conducted over rough, unmarked, often desert terrain. An outgrowth of the post-World War II popularity of motorcycle trail racing, offroad racing involves contestants racing from checkpoint to checkpoint along routes improvised by the drivers. Some offroad racessuch as the Mexican 1000, run annually in the deserts of Baja California and boasting a first prize of $10,000are open to both motorcycles and automobiles, grouped in different classes. The automobiles that run in offroad competition are often specially designed, with light chassis of tubular metal, and able to achieve speeds of up to 150 mph. Not normally a sport well suited for paying spectators, some U.S. races, notably the Mint 400 in Nevada, are run on courses that allow spectators to view the event. Still primarily an American sport, offroad racing has also become popular in Japan and Australia.