When Did ATV Racing Begin?
ATVs have proliferated different markets at different times, and have not had official standing as a motor sport for most of their history. This means unofficial racing and even leagues could have gone on for years without attracting attention. Also, ATVs come in different varieties and not everyone involved in the field agrees on what constitutes an ATV. The inference is that some early races may not count in the reckoning of some authorities.
-
Beginnings
-
One thing is agreed on--ATVs, or All-Terrain Vehicles, are a Japanese invention. Originally designed to serve low-income farmers in remote areas that were too tough and rough for normal cars and trucks, ATVs appeared in rural Japan as early as the late 1930s, although mainstream manufacturing didn't commence until much later.
It's quite possible racing occurred during those early years, although no official record exists.
Varieties
-
The first ATVs were tricycles, or three-wheelers. The basic design was that of a motorcycle powertrain, bolted on to a larger chassis. This concept proved popular, later becoming the notorious "tuk tuk" known the world over from countries such as Thailand and the Philippines.
However, the type that U.S consumers embraced was the four-wheel, or quad, which evolved from simpler three-wheel builds and became possible after those proved successful.
-
Emergence in the U.S.
-
In 1970, Honda was the first official distributor of three-wheel ATVs in the U.S, with its famous US90 model, which sold for around $600 back then. Yamaha and Suzuki soon followed Honda's example and began exporting to the U.S and other Western markets. These were all three-wheel models with next to no suspension, manual gearboxes and often no floorboards.
Growing Scene
-
Word of mouth made ATVs a sensation in the 1970s and early 1980s, proving a lucrative niche--off road fanatics, hunters and various outdoors proponents soon picked up on the value of ATVs and the access they afforded. In 1982, Suzuki came out with the first four-wheel ATV, and other manufacturers soon replied in kind. These models had automatic transmissions, good suspensions and even intact floors.
Getting Organized
-
While unsanctioned ATV racing probably started as soon as they became available, it wasn't until 1985 that the American All-Terrain Vehicle Association banded to promote ATVs as a viable motor sport. The AATVA held regular meetings and tournaments, and lobbied various groups for support.
Setbacks and Comeback
-
From the beginning, ATVs were met with suspicion and apprehension due to their reputation of being unsafe and prone to accidents. ATV fans were seen as reckless thrill-seekers rather than serious motorists, and so in 1986 the Consumer Product Safety Commission looked into banning them outright. While this never happened, insurance companies decided to stop covering three-wheel ATVs in 1988, and so these were phased out. The scene declined for most of the 1990s, but appeared again in 2001-2002 with more powerful quads and a rejuvenated national organization, now called the ATVA--All-Terrain Vehicle Association.
Current Status
-
The ATVA is the main organizer of ATV racing in America, closely associated with the American Motorcycling Association, or AMA. They have local chapters and regular tournaments, and work hard to promote ATVs as an "extreme" sport. Another promoter of ATVs is ATV.com, which has its own event calendar and membership arrangements.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Honda ATV/Hitching Post
