Erzberg Rodeo (hard enduro)
The Erzberg Rodeo is the most prestigious competition on the hard enduro calendar, with over 1,500 riders from all over the world competing to challenge the Iron Giant. The venue is a former open-pit mine in Austria. There's no doubt about it: it's one of the toughest races in the world, no matter how you look at it.
In central Austria, on the grounds of a former open-pit mine where iron was extracted. That's precisely what the name of the nearest town, Eisenerz, means: "iron ore." A place steeped in mining tradition: when work began on the mine, the most sophisticated tool they had was a sturdy pole.
Pikes Peak
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in the United States, behind only the Indianapolis 500. Founded in 1916, the legendary Pikes Peak Hill Climb has become the most spectacular motorsports event in the U.S. An extreme climb that tirelessly ascends to the peak of the same name. Many say it's the most dangerous race in the world, with 156 corners without barriers and where mistakes are costly. The weather is always a mystery, and in many editions, there have been surprises in the form of snow despite being held in the middle of summer.
It's estimated that engines can lose up to 30% of their performance during the climb due to the difference in pressure between the start, located at 2,686 m, and the finish, at 4,301 m. That's why the Pikes Peak Hill Climb is also known as "the race to the clouds." It features everything from cars, motorcycles, and sidecars. It features true motorsport monsters with over 1,000 hp in the Unlimited category, the true stars of the event, capable of averaging speeds above 215 km/h.
Isle of Man TT
The Isle of Man TT, Tourist Trophy, International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man TT, and/or Manx TT is an international motorcycle competition held since 1907 on the Isle of Man, on roads closed to traffic (the Snaefel Mountain Route). The race is held in a time trial format.
It is considered one of the most dangerous motorsports competitions in the world, with more than 250 fatalities.
The top-class race is called the Senior TT. Grand Prix motorcycles up to 500 cc were competed in it until the Formula 1 TT regulations were adopted in 1985, and Superbikes of 1000–1200 cc were introduced in 2005. The Senior TT has featured Mike Hailwood with seven wins, John McGuinness with six, and Giacomo Agostini with five.
Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally, formerly the Paris-Dakar Rally, is an annual rally raid competition organized by the ASO (Association of Autonomous Regions of the Aegean Sea) since December 26, 1978, and held during the first weeks of January or, in some editions, starting in the last week of December and finishing the following year. It is considered one of the toughest and most famous rallies in the world. Until 2008, during the duration of the event, it took racers from a European city to Dakar, the capital of Senegal. For many years, the race started in Paris; however, since 1995, its starting location has changed to other European cities such as Granada, Lisbon, and Barcelona, mainly for publicity or political reasons, since the real competition did not begin until entering Africa. Likewise, the end of the event has not always been Dakar. In 1992, the race crossed the entire African continent to finish in Cape Town (South Africa). In 2000 and 2003, the race ended in the Egyptian cities of Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh, respectively, with the pyramids as a backdrop.
Baja 1000
The Baja 1000, formerly known as the Mexican 1000, is an off-road vehicle, motorcycle, and ATV race held in the desert of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico since 1967. It is the world's longest running single-stage off-road race. It traditionally starts in the port city of Ensenada and ends in the port city of La Paz. The race is a little over 1,050 miles (1,700 km), hence its name. Cars (including Bugs and Trucks as well as other off-road vehicles and pickup trucks), motorcycles, and ATVs participate in the event.
