It is less than a month away from another installment of the 24-Hour Challenge at Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club in Maplesville.

This year will be the 17th annual running of the off-road endurance race that is scheduled June 9-10.

As the name implies, the race lasts an entire day from start to finish. Due to the unique length the race has become a destination for motorcycle racers and enthusiasts throughout the Southeast and the country.

One of the biggest changes heading into the 2018 event is the revamped class structure with the addition of a six-bike classification.

The new class will include six riders per team with a bike for each rider.

This differs from the elite, expert and sportsmen categories where each team is comprised of six riders who race one bike on a rotating basis.

According to the Perry Mountain website, the six-bike class was designed to encourage participation from competitors of various ages and skill levels.

The array of categories that riders can compete in includes open, novice, 30-plus, 45-plus and women.

Other options include a pair of riders each with a bike competing in the duo or duo family categories or taking a run at the ultimate test of endurance in the ironman class where one rider goes the distance.

In 2018 the ironman class is broken down into ironman open, ironman 40-plus and ironwoman.

While the overall winner is destined to come from a professional team in the elite category, where the speeds and pit stop precision is at another level, there are plenty of options to choose from for both riders and fans alike.

Riders can register online at perrymountainmotorcycleclub.com. An entry fee of $50 is required, and the deadline to sign up is June 2.