Monster Energy Supercross Motorcycle Competition

Competitors race on a man-made course using 1.5 million pounds of dirt at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. They soar up to three stories high for distances as far as 70 feet as they careen the hairpin turns and jockey for position.

And with its fast-growing fan base, a chance to see the Monster Energy Supercross–a stadium version of motocross–has become one of the hottest tickets in town.

If you’re not yet familiar with Monster Energy Supercross, the following primer can help bring you up to speed. It looks at the ins and outs of the sport, its stars, its season and how you can see a race.

What Is Supercross?

The sport is a 17-race FIM World Championship indoor, off-road motorcycle racing tour produced inside the world’s premier stadiums. Riders speed across manmade tracks and hit multiple jumps known as “triples.” The speed and challenging nature of the competitions attract the world’s top riders, and the intensity of the races has earned Monster Energy Supercross the moniker “the NASCAR of motocross.”

Star Power

Reigning AMA Supercross class champion James Stewart, former AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed, Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey are among the most recognizable names in the sport. Stewart became the first African-American to win a major motorsports championship. Most of the riders are between the ages of 18 and 28, but professional eligibility starts at 17.

Scheduling Excitement

The sport’s 17-race 2010 competition runs from January 9 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., through May 8 at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium, when the champion will be decided. Monster Energy Supercross visits the top stadiums across America. The events, which sometimes have more than 150 riders competing for a spot in the finals, are family friendly with tickets available for as low as $10. You can learn more about the sport at www.supercrossonline.com.