The ADAC MX Masters is one of the most popular motocross racing series in Europe. Contestants in four classes battle for championship points on seven race weekends during the campaign, pulling in large crowds of spectators. Here is an alphabetical guide to the ADAC MX Masters, from A for ADAC to Z for Zuschauer (spectators).

A for ADAC: The ADAC not only runs the ADAC MX Masters as series promoter but also acts as organiser or co-organiser with its regional clubs for various individual races.

B for Bielstein: The Bielstein Waldkurs in North Rhine-Westphalia has a very special character, because the motocross track not only has some forest sections but also some challenging topography.

C for Camping: Still the most popular accommodation option for riders contesting the ADAC MX Masters. The majority of those actively involved in the event spend the night in a camper van or tent adjacent to the track. And of course, there is also the possibility for fans to camp in the immediate vicinity of the event.

D for Durchhaltevermögen (staying power): A character trait that distinguishes every successful motocross rider. If you want to get to the top, you have to apply yourself with tremendous discipline over many years and be resilient enough to take the occasional setback.

E for Ehrenamt (volunteers): It would be hard to get any ADAC MX Masters race organised without the local clubs and their volunteers who serve as track marshals, as parking attendants or in various other background capacities. The club members and volunteers make an extremely worthwhile and vital contribution to the success of each event. A big thank you to all of them for their tireless efforts!

F for Fürstlich Drehna: The race in the Spreewald area south of Berlin has traditionally launched the new ADAC MX Masters season for many years now and is one of the best-attended weekends on the calendar. With its deep sandy surface, the 1,650-metre track places high demands on rider skills.

G for Gaildorf: This tradition-steeped track in Baden-Württemberg has been the scene of many memorable motocross moments and once again appears on the calendar for the 2019 ADAC MX Masters. The riders and the fans love the circuit mainly because of its spectacular jumps. The event has won the ADAC MX Masters Best Track and Best Organiser awards on many occasions.

H for Holzgerlingen: The Schützenbühlring operated by the KFV Kalteneck club has staged the ADAC MX Masters grand finale on several occasions, and the championship trophies are due to be awarded there again at the end of the 2019 season. Last year’s contestants were so impressed by the grassy circuit with its high level of grip that they voted it runner-up in the 2018 Best Track award. The geography is also very favourable for spectators, as the action takes place on two facing slopes and is therefore visible from most vantage points.

I for International: The ADAC MX Masters not only enjoys high international status but also attracts riders from around the world. The line-up for the 2018 season included riders from 23 different countries. For example, the overall winner of last year’s ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 came from South Africa and the winner of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup from Australia.

J for Junior Cup: Since 2018, there have been not one but two twin-stroke classes giving optimum support to budding motocross talent, namely the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 and the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. Both junior series enjoy a high reputation worldwide and feature a strong international line-up. The Junior Cup 85 has been contested since 1996; previous winners include Jeffrey Herlings, Ken Roczen, Paul Jonass and Kevin Strijbos.

K for Klasse (class): There are four classes in which riders can compete. The ADAC MX Junior Cup 85 is for youngsters aged 10 to 15, while the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 is restricted to the 13 to 18 age bracket. The ADAC MX Youngster Cup is open to riders aged 14 to 21 years, while the fastest pros and amateurs aged 15 and over compete in the ADAC MX Masters class.

L for Leistung (performance): Motocross is a sport that not only tests motorcycles to the limit but also places very high demands on the fitness of the riders. Only those who have a regular schedule at the gym can hope to compete at the very top.

M for Mölln: The first of two visits to the far north of Germany in 2019. It is a track that presents riders with very special challenge in terms of its habitually muddy surface. The venue has a stadium character, which means that practically the entire circuit can be viewed from almost all spectator areas.

N for Newcomers: Bringing on talented youngsters is a top priority of the ADAC MX Masters. In order to best encourage the progress of young talents from the introductory level to the Masters class, it was decided early on that the series needed strong, graduated junior classes. In 2018, the youth development programme was further consolidated with the inauguration of the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. As a result, children (as young as ten) and teenagers can work their way up to international grade in four consecutive performance classes culminating in the ADAC MX Masters.

O for Organisation: The ADAC sends a team of more than ten staff members and the dedicated ADAC MX Masters truck to every event. Their job is to assist the local organiser in ensuring that the race weekend goes off smoothly. The excellent functioning of the central organisation, the volunteer preparations over the preceding weeks and the organisational work on site are what guarantees the success of the series.

Ö for Österreich (Austria): In 2019, the series will again be venturing outside the borders of Germany to Möggers in Austria. It is a fixture that has become a tradition on the ADAC MX Masters calendar. Möggers is a beautifully located (though also quite challenging) track on a hillside 1,000 metres above Lake Constance.

P for Paddock: It is the area where the trucks and other support vehicles of the teams are parked. In the ADAC MX Masters, the paddock is freely accessible to the spectators. This gives fans the opportunity to get up close to their idols and to watch the mechanics as they work on the motorcycles.

Q for Quality: Whether it’s the field of riders, the host venues, the overall organisation or the conduct of the races, the ADAC MX Masters insists on the highest level of quality in all areas. A level of dedication that has secured an excellent reputation for the series right from its inception, not least because of the presence of star contestants with international pedigree in the ADAC MX Masters starting line-up.

R for Racing: Even though there is an attractive support programme at every race, the main attraction for the many fans is always going to be the spectacular competition on the track. The actual racing gets underway on Saturday with the ADAC MX Junior Cup 85. This is followed by the two ‘Last Chance’ races in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup and ADAC MX Masters classes. Sunday is then very busy, with seven races in all classes providing non-stop action for the fans at the track.

S for Series Winner: Dennis Ullrich has had more success than any other contestant in the ADAC MX Masters so far. Now 25 years old, he won the title four times – in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

T for Tensfeld: This track in northern Germany is regarded with trepidation by many of the riders for its deep sandy soil. On the other hand, it’s the fixture on the calendar that soft ground specialists really look forward to.

U for Uhr (clock): The only day when ADAC MX Masters riders race against the clock is Saturday. It’s when they are looking to set fastest lap times to secure the best places at the start of the two races in each class. The fastest qualifiers choose their spot at the starting gate.

V for Veranstalter (organisers): The organisers of the races are either local clubs or an ADAC regional club. In each case, they will already have extensive experience, excellent organisational skills and a strong team of willing and able helpers.

W for Weather: This is one of the few factors that is not under human control. However, motocrossers will happily ride in any weather and are usually not bothered by driving rain and soggy ground. As long as safety is not compromised, competitive riding can take place in almost any conditions.

X for MotoX: The standard abbreviation for motocross. It is surely one of the most fascinating motor sports. Anyone who has ever caught the MotoX bug will be unable to shrug it off for the rest of their lives and will always be inspired by the thrill of the track. In addition, motocross is a hands-on, personal type of sport. The paddock is freely accessible, and spectators get very close to the action.

Y for Youngster Cup: The ADAC MX Youngster Cup is open to riders aged 14 - 21 years. Most contestants ride machines with four-stroke 250cc engines. The rider field for the ADAC MX Youngster Cup includes top-class young talents, which is why it enjoys an international reputation as one of the best junior classes in the world. Among previous winners are Ken Roczen, Jeremy Seewer and Thomas Kjer Olsen.

Z for Zuschauer (spectators): The ADAC MX Masters pulls in big crowds for every fixture. In 2018, no fewer than 68,800 fans turned out to marvel at the breathtaking action in the four race classes. The seven weekends on the ADAC MX Masters calendar also offer a great social programme for the whole family, with concerts, a children’s quad bike track, autograph sessions and various other attractions.