Hare scrambles — also called cross country racing — are a hugely popular form of off-road competition.
Unlike enduros, where riders set off solo or in small groups and are timed separately, hare scrambles are mass-start races with all riders in a single class starting on the same row and then racing all-out to the finish.
Hare scrambles courses are typically several miles through woods or desert and over rugged natural terrain, including tight single track, long climbs and descents, and high-speed open fields. Racers keep turning laps until the leader either completes a pre-determined number of laps or has raced for a pre-determined amount of time — usually an hour or two. Riding skill is just one part of the equation to be a successful here; you also need the physical fitness to complete such a long and demanding event at race pace.
Grand prix races are a variation of the hare scrambles format. These are usually shorter races held on more open, faster courses. Most grand prix races run for 45 minutes and run different sessions for similar classes, which allows riders to compete in multiple classes —unlike hare scrambles events, where all classes run simultaneously.
Claim: Injured motorcyclists are uninsured and disproportionately rely upon the public to pay for their injuries.
Response: Motorcyclists are just as likely to be privately insured as any other road user.
A medical center study1 reported that injured motorcyclists in the trauma center relied on public funds a lower percentage of the time than did automobile drivers to pay their hospital bills during the same time period.
A university study2 reported that automobile drivers and motorcyclists have their medical costs covered by insurance at a nearly identical rate.
Conclusion: Injured motorcyclists are less likely than the general population to use public funds to pay for injuries sustained in crashes, and no more likely to be uninsured than other vehicle operators.
The country’s top cross-country championship is the AMA-sanctioned Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series. GNCCs are major events that attract top local talent alongside the fastest off-road racers in the country. The courses are challenging, fast and fun, while the events themselves are known for exceptional organization that keeps riders coming back year after year. Riders who win their class in the GNCC series win an AMA National No. 1 plate, with the top riders earning the right to call themselves the fastest cross-country racers in America.
To learn more about GNCC racing, to find an event near you and to sign up to race, visit www.gnccracing.com.
The AMA West and East Region Hare Scrambles Championship Series crown the best cross-country racers in each half of the country.
The AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series is an 11-round series throughout the East Coast and the Midwest that is managed internally by the AMA, with individual events run by local promoters. Click on this link to view the series website for the schedule, series standings and additional information: amaeastharescrambles.com
The AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series is an 8-round series throughout California and Nevada that is promoted by the AMA’s organizational partner, the National Hare and Hound Association. You can find more information about that series here: www.westharescramble.com
Cross Country and Hare Scramble rules are included in the AMA Amateur Competition Rulebook.
AMA-Sanctioned Events
Cross country or hare scrambles races are off-road competition events. Unlike an enduro, all riders in a single class start on the same row, and the event is an all-out race to the finish. They are conducted on several-mile-long marked courses through woods or desert and over rugged natural terrain. The racers keep doing laps on the course until the leader either completes a pre-determined number of laps or has raced for a pre-determined amount of time, usually two hours. Competitive riders not only need to be fast but also physically fit enough to maintain a race pace for hours.
Cross country or hare scrambles races can include tight woods, big hills, and field sections. Although similar in terrain, in general, they are more open than a typical enduro.
Grand prix races are a variation on the cross country format. Popular in the Midwest, they are usually shorter, more open and faster than cross country races or hare scrambles. Most grand prix races run for 45 minutes and run different sessions for similar classes. This allows riders to compete in multiple classes, unlike cross country events, where all classes run simultaneously.
National Championship – Grand National Cross Country Series
The country’s top cross country championship is the AMA-sanctioned Grand National Cross Country, or GNCC, series. GNCCs are major events, with broad support from the motorcycle industry, fans, and racers. They attract not only top local talent, but the fastest off-road racers in the country. The courses are challenging, fast and fun, while the events themselves are known for the exceptional organizations that keep riders coming back year after year.
Riders who win their class in the GNCC series win an AMA National No. 1 plate, with the top riders earning the right to call themselves the fastest cross country racers in America.
Grand Championship – AMA Vintage Hare Scrambles Grand Championship
Regional Championships – AMA East and West Regional Hare Scrambles Championship Series
The AMA East and West Regional Hare Scrambles Championship Series crown the best cross country racers in each half of the country. Each series features the best hare scrambles courses in its region. The AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series is promoted by the AMA’s organizational partner, the National Hare and Hound Association. The AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series is managed internally by the AMA with individual events run by local promoters.
AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series
The AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series is an 11-round series throughout the East Coast and the Mid West that includes youth and amateur racing. Visit the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series website for the schedule, series standings and additional information.
AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series
The AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series is an 8-round series throughout California and Nevada that includes youth, ATV and amateur racing. Visit the AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series the series website for the schedule and additional information.
New York Off-Road Association Championship
The New York Off-Road Association Championship is an AMA Featured Series. The NYOA won the 2017 AMA ATV Promoter of the Year award and is known for its professionally organized events and stacked competition. The NYOA series features bikes, ATV’s and Youth classes in some of the best racing in the Northeast Region.
Mid East Racing
The Mid East Racing Series is an AMA Featured Series. Its two-day event format feature hare scrambles varying from one to three hours in length at venues in the Carolinas. Its events feature classes for bikes, ATVs, and youth.
Amateur Competition Rules
AMA-sanctioned events run according to the rules developed and written by AMA Congress, the rules-making body of the AMA composed of AMA organizers. The AMA Amateur Competition Rulebook is for the exclusive use of AMA-chartered clubs and promoters running AMA-sanctioned events. The rulebook applies to all AMA-sanctioned competition. Supplemental regulations are additions to the rulebook based on the needs of a specific series. All supplemental regulations are approved by the AMA.
Cross Country and Hare Scramble rules are included in the AMA Amateur Competition Rulebook.