Boardercross (SBX) and Skicross (SX) are not like NASCAR

No matter how many TV ‘talking heads’, newspaper/magazine articles, or random chairlift conversations make mention of it, Boarder/Skicross is not like NASCAR.  This comparison is inaccurate and using the reference as a talking point demonstrates a limited understanding of our sports and shows a complete lack of any research done before one assumes their role as ‘expert commentator’. 

Ever See This in a NASCAR Race?

One might argue that the two sports are alike in that they both are races, sometimes have crashes/collisions during the events and there’s a lot of sponsor logos floating around on equipment.  This is a flimsy line of reasoning as most motorsports are races, have occasional crashes and almost all gear is covered with lots of sponsor logos.  Not nearly enough unique similarities to declare an official ‘match’.

NASCAR racing is generally tested on semi-elliptical shaped tracks (though they are termed ovals, tri-ovals or quad-ovals) over a smooth surface, with banked turns.  All oval racing goes counter-clockwise, which means all left turns.  Races begin with a rolling start.  Cars never get in the air (on purpose).

Did Someone Say Sponsor Logo's?

SBX/SX competitions are on courses with multiple left and right banked turns of varying size and radius along with unique man-made obstacles including, but not limited to: rollers, whoops, jumps, tables, step-down’s and other creative features, especially in the start sections.  Races begin with a start gate drop and competitors can experience significant air-time over some features.

Not so similar, eh?

Drop Gate Start

There are a few motorsports (and a non motor-sport) that are almost identical to our competitions and would be a truer analogy to use when trying to describe the action one would experience watching SBX/SX races.

Motocross/Supercross – Dirt Bikes

         -               Similar course design compared to SBX/SX

         -               Start gate drop to start race

         -               Competition progresses through several ‘heats’ to get to the Big Final

         -               Tons of sponsor logos and some crashes

         -               Some significant air-time over features

ShortCourse Off-Road Racing – Cars/Trucks/Buggies

         -               Similar course design compared to SBX/SX

         -               Rolling start to races

         -               Tons of sponsor logos and some crashes

         -               Some significant air-time over features

BMX – Pedal Bikes

         -               Similar course design compared to SBX/SX

         -               Start gate drop to start race

         -               Competition progresses through several ‘heats’ to get to the Big Final

         -               Tons of sponsor logos and some crashes

         -               Some significant air-time over features

Clearly the best 2 comparisons are BMX and Moto/Supercross with the SC Off-Road Racing coming in second.  NASCAR is not even close.  On a side note, when checking out SC Off-Road Racing videos I was reminded of spending many hours in the arcade playing this video game as a kid.