Motorcycle racing (also called moto racing and motorbike racing) is the motorcycle sport of racing motorcycles. Major varieties include motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials.

Historically, "road racing" meant a course on closed public roads. This was once commonplace but currently only a few such circuits have survived, mostly in Europe. Races take place on public roads which have been temporarily closed to the public by legal orders from the local legislature. Two championships exist, the first is the International Road Racing Championship[clarification needed], the other is the Duke Road Racing Rankings. The latter accounts for the majority of road races that take place each season, with an award for the highest placed rider. Ireland has many road racing circuits still in use. Other countries with road races are the Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain (Oliver's Mount), the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Indonesia and Macau.

If you’re a motorcycle fanatic, there’s nothing like getting out there and seeing top drivers push themselves to the limit in a prestigious racing event.

Motorcycle Grand Prix

MotoGP, the highest class of professional motorbike racing, includes many events throughout each year, at tracks all over the world. This year, the last two events are the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Selangor Malaysia and the Gran Premi de la Comunitat Valenciana de motociclisme in Valencia Spain.

MotoGP is the place to be if you want to see the greatest motorcycle riders in the world competing on famous professional circuits to win the world’s most prestigious motorbike racing trophies. The world’s fastest superbikes, tuned and pushed to the limit, will be exhibited at the MotoGP events.

The TT races

The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man that was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world and remains statistically the most dangerous race in the world.

The Isle of Man TT Races became part of the TT Formula 1 Championship from 1977 to 1990 to preserve the event's racing status. From 1989 the racing has been developed by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism as the Isle of Man TT Festival.

Carrera Panamericana

27 people died during the five years of the Carrera Panamericana, giving it one of the highest mortality rates per race in the history of motorsport.

After the Mexican section of the Pan-American Highway was completed in 1950, a nine-stage, six-day race across the country was organized by the Mexican government to celebrate and to attract international business.

During the 1952 event, German racing duo Kling and Klenk introduced innovative pre-prepared 'pace-notes' which allowed co-driver to relay direction to the driver at rapid speed. This system was so revoultionary that it is used in all motorsports involving a navigator today.

Dakar Rally

The annual Dakar Rally, open to trucks, cars, quads and motorbikes, is one of the most gruelling rally events in the world. Forget trophies and podiums; simply making it to the end of the track in one piece is enough for most Dakar drivers. Originally held in Dakar, Senegal, the rally has now been moved to South America due to terrorist threats.

Most of the drivers are amateurs, who find themselves having to traverse endless mud, sand and rocks in punishing heat. Dakar is for those who eschew the shiny flat tarmac and high tech precision of the MotoGP for something a lot more tough and gritty. See riders pit themselves against nature in the world’s most physically punishing off road motorcycle event.