"Auto race", "Racing cars", and "Race driver" redirect here. For other uses, seeAuto race (disambiguation). For the Welsh pop band, seeRacing Cars. For the racing simulation video game series, seeTOCA Race Driver.
Auto racing (also known ascar racing,motor racing,[1] orautomobile racing) is amotorsport involving theracing ofautomobiles for competition. In North America, the term is commonly used to describe all forms of automobile sport including non-racing disciplines.
Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various types were organized, with the first recorded as early as 1867. Many of the earliest events were effectivelyreliability trials, aimed at proving these new machines were a practical mode of transport, but soon became an important way for automobile makers to demonstrate their machines. By the 1930s, specialist racing cars had developed.
There are now numerous different categories, each with different rules and regulations.
The first prearranged match race of two self-powered road vehicles over a prescribed route occurred at 4:30 A.M. on August 30, 1867, betweenAshton-under-Lyne andOld Trafford, England, a distance of 8 mi (13 km). It was won by the carriage ofIsaac Watt Boulton.[2]
Internal combustion auto racing events began soon after the construction of the first successfulgasoline-fueled automobiles. The first organized contest was on April 28, 1887, by the chief editor of Paris publicationLe Vélocipède, Monsieur Fossier.[3] It ran 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Neuilly Bridge to the Bois de Boulogne.
On July 22,[4] 1894, the Parisian magazineLe Petit Journal organized what is considered to be the world's first motoring competition, from Paris to Rouen. One hundred and two competitors paid a 10-franc entrance fee.[3]
The first American automobile race is generally considered to be the Thanksgiving DayChicago Times-Herald race of November 28, 1895.[5] Press coverage of the event first aroused significant American interest in the automobile.[5]
With auto construction and racing dominated by France, the French automobile club ACF staged a number of major international races, usually from or to Paris, connecting with another major city, in France or elsewhere in Europe.
Aspendale Racecourse, in Australia, was the world'sfirst purpose-built motor racing circuit, opening in January 1906. The pear-shaped track was close to a mile in length, with slightly banked curves and a gravel surface of crushed cement.
Brooklands, in Surrey, England, was the first purpose-built 'banked' motor racing venue, opening in June 1907.[6] It featured a 4.43 km (2.75 mi) concrete track with high-speed banked corners.
One of the oldest existing purpose-built and still in use automobile race course in the United States is the 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km)Indianapolis Motor Speedway inSpeedway, Indiana. It is the largest capacity sports venue of any variety worldwide, with a top capacity of some 257,000+ seated spectators.[7]
From 1962, sports cars temporarily took a back seat toGT cars, with theFédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) replacing the World Championship for Sports Cars with the International Championship for GT Manufacturers.[8]
From 1962 through 2003, NASCAR's premier series was called the Winston Cup Series, sponsored byR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company cigarette brandWinston. The changes that resulted from RJR's involvement, as well as the reduction of the schedule from 56 to 34 races a year, established 1972 as the beginning of NASCAR's "modern era".
Turismo Carretera (TC) is a popular touring car racing series in Argentina, and one of the oldest car racing series still active in the world. The first TC competition took place in 1931 with 12 races, each in a different province. Future Formula One starJuan Manuel Fangio (Chevrolet) won the 1940 and 1941 editions of the TC. It was during this time that the series' Chevrolet-Ford rivalry began, with Ford acquiring most of its historical victories.
Over the last few years, auto racing has seen atransformative shift, echoing past pivots.[citation needed] The industry, much like thecars itchampions, has had to navigate through a globalpandemic and a persistent chip shortage, each threatening to derailproduction schedules.[citation needed] At the same time, a new course is being charted towards an electric future, a dramatic change in direction that is challenging the old guard of gasoline engines. There is also a growing number of events for electric racing cars, such as theFormula E, theEco Grand Prix or theElectric GT Championship.[10][citation needed]
In single-seater (open-wheel) racing, the wheels are not covered, and the cars often have aerofoil wings front and rear to producedownforce and enhance adhesion to the track. The most popular varieties of open-wheelroad racing areFormula One,IndyCar Series andSuper Formula. In Europe and Asia, open-wheeled racing is commonly referred to as 'Formula', with appropriate hierarchical suffixes. In North America, the 'Formula' terminology is not followed (with the exception of Formula One). The sport is usually arranged to follow an international format (such as Formula One), a regional format (such as the Formula 3 Euro Series), and/or a domestic, or country-specific, format (such as the German Formula 3 championship, or the British Formula Ford).
Formula One is a worldwide series that runs onlystreet circuit andrace tracks. These cars are heavily based on technology and their aerodynamics. The speed record was set in 2005 byJuan Pablo Montoya hitting 373 km/h (232 mph).[11] Some of the most prominent races are the Monaco Grand Prix, theItalian Grand Prix, and theBritish Grand Prix. The season ends with the crowning of the World Championship for drivers and constructors.
In the United States, the most popular series is theIndyCar Series. The cars have traditionally been similar to, though less technologically sophisticated than,F1 cars, with more restrictions on technology aimed at controlling costs. While these cars are not as technologically advanced, they are faster, in part due to their lower downforce compared to Formula One cars, and also because they compete on oval race tracks, being able to average a lap at 388 km/h (241 mph). The series' biggest race is theIndianapolis 500, which is commonly referred to as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" due to being the longest continuously run race in the series and having the largest crowd for a single-day sporting event (350,000+).
Single-seater racing is not limited merely to professional teams and drivers. There exist many amateur racing clubs. In the UK, the major club series are theMonoposto Racing Club, BRSCC F3 (formerly ClubF3, formerly ARP F3), Formula Vee and Club Formula Ford. Each series caters to a section of the market, with some primarily providing low-cost racing, while others aim for an authentic experience using the same regulations as the professional series (BRSCC F3). The SCCA is also responsible for sanctioning single-seater racing in much of North America.
There are other categories of single-seater racing, includingkart racing, which employs a small, low-cost machine on small tracks. Many of the current top drivers began their careers in karts.Formula Ford represents the most popular first open-wheel category for up-and-coming drivers stepping up from karts. The series is still the preferred option, as it has introduced an aero package and slicks, allowing the junior drivers to gain experience in a race car with dynamics closer to Formula One. TheStar Mazda Series is another entry-level series.Indy Lights represent the last step on theRoad to Indy, being less powerful and lighter than anIndyCar racer.
Students at colleges and universities can also take part in single-seater racing through theFormula SAE competition, which involves designing and building a single-seater car in a multidisciplinary team and racing it at the competition. This also develops other soft skills, such as teamwork, while promoting motorsport and engineering.
The world's first all-female Formula racing team was created in 2006. The group was an assemblage of drivers from different racing disciplines and formed for an MTV reality pilot, which was shot atMazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
In December 2005, theFIA gave approval toSuperleague Formula racing, which debuted in 2008, whereby the racing teams are owned and run by prominent sports clubs such asA.C. Milan andLiverpool F.C.
After 25 years away from the sport, formerFormula 2 championJonathan Palmer reopened the F2 category again; most drivers have graduated from theFormula Palmer Audi series. The category is officially registered as theFIA Formula Two championship. Most rounds have two races and are support races to theFIA World Touring Car Championship.
Touring car racing is a style of road racing that is run with production-derived four-seat race cars. The lesser use of aerodynamics means following cars have a much easier time following and passing than inopen-wheel racing. It often features full-contact racing with subtle bumping and nudging due to the small speed differentials and large grids.
TheSports Car Club of America'sSPEED World Challenge Touring Car and GT championships are dominant in North America. America's historicTrans-Am Series is undergoing a period of transition, but is still the longest-running road racing series in the U.S. TheNational Auto Sport Association also provides a venue for amateurs to compete in home-built factory-derived vehicles on various local circuits.
The prevailing classes of GT cars areGT3,GT4 andGT2 class cars. GT2 cars have powerful engines, often exceeding 600 horsepower. However, they have less downforce than GT3 cars and also have less driver aids. GT3 cars are far and away the most popular class of GT cars, with premier racing series such as theFIA World Endurance Championship andIMSA both using GT3 as their top class of GT car. GT3 cars have more significant aero than a GT2 car, but also have less horsepower, typically falling in between 500 and 550 horsepower. GT4 class cars have very little aerodynamics and less horsepower than GT3 machinery, typically around 450 horsepower. GT4 typically serves as the last step up to premier GT-class racing.
Sports prototypes, unlike GT cars, do not rely on road-legal cars as a base. They are closed-wheel and often closed-cockpit purpose-built race cars intended mainly for endurance racing. They have much lower weight, more horsepower and more downforce compared to GT cars, making them much faster. They are raced in the 24 hours of Le Mans (held annually since 1923) and in the (European)Le Mans series,Asian Le Mans Series and theWeatherTech SportsCar Championship. These cars are referred to asLMP (Le Mans prototype) cars withLMH andLMDh cars being run mainly by manufacturers and the slightly less powerful LMP2 cars run by privateer teams. All three Le Mans Series run GT cars in addition to Le Mans Prototypes; these cars have different restrictions than the FIA GT cars.
These races are often conducted over long distances, at least 1,000 km (621 mi), and cars are driven by teams of two or more drivers, switching every few hours. Due to the performance difference between production-based sports cars and purpose-built sports prototypes, one race usually involves several racing classes, each fighting for its own championship.
Production-car racing, otherwise known as "showroom stock" in the US, is an economical and rules-restricted version of touring-car racing, mainly used to restrict costs. Numerous production racing categories are based on particular makes of cars.
Most series, with a few exceptions, follow theGroup N regulation. There are several different series that are run all over the world, most notably, Japan's Super Taikyu andIMSA's Firehawk Series, which ran in the 1980s and 1990s all over the United States.
In North America,stock car racing is the most popular form of auto racing.[13] Primarily raced onoval tracks, stock cars vaguely resemble production cars, but are in fact purpose-built racing machines that are built to tight specifications and, together with touring cars, also calledSilhouette racing cars.
NASCAR also governs several smaller regional series, such as theWhelen Modified Tour. Modified cars are best described as open-wheel cars. Modified cars have no parts related to the stock vehicle for which they are named after. A number of modified cars display a "manufacturer's" logo and "vehicle name", yet use components produced by another automobile manufacturer.
In the UK,British Stock car racing is also referred to as "Short Circuit Racing". UK Stock car racing started in the 1950s and grew rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s. Events take place on shale or tarmac tracks – usually around 1/4 mile long. There are around 35 tracks in the UK and upwards of 7000 active drivers. The sport is split into three basic divisions – distinguished by the rules regarding car contact during racing. The most famous championship are theBriSCA F1 Stock Cars.
Full-contact formulas includeBangers, Bombers, and Rookie Bangers – and racing features Demolition Derbies, Figure of Eight, and Oval Racing.
Semi Contact Formulas include BriSCA F1, F2, and Superstox – where bumpers are used tactically.
Non-contact formulas include National Hot Rods, Stock Rods, and Lightning Rods.
One-make, or single marque, championships often employ production-based cars from a single manufacturer or even a single model from a manufacturer's range. There are numerous notable one-make formulae from various countries and regions, some of which – such as thePorsche Supercup and, previously,IROC – have fostered many distinct national championships. Single marque series are often found at the club level, to which the production-based cars, limited modifications, and close parity in performance are very well suited. Some of the better-known single-make series are the Mini 7 Championship (Europe's longest-running one-make championship), theRadical European Masters, John Cooper Mini Challenge,Clio Cup,Ginettas,Caterhams,BMWs, andMX5s. There are also single-chassissingle seater formulae, such asFormula Renault andFormula BMW, usually as "feeder" series for "senior" race formula (in the fashion offarm teams).
Jet-propelleddragster in Tarlton, Gauteng, South AfricaTwo modifiedAMCs launching at adragstrip
In drag racing, the objective is to complete a given straight-line distance, from a standing start, ahead of a vehicle in a parallel lane. This distance is traditionally1⁄4 mile (400 m), though 1,000 feet (300 m) and1⁄8 mile (200 m) are also common. The vehicles may or may not be given the signal to start at the same time, depending on the class of racing. Vehicles range from the everyday car to the purpose-builtdragster. Speeds and elapsed time differ from class to class. Average street cars cover the1⁄4 mile in 12 to 16 seconds, whereas atop fuel dragster takes 4.5 seconds or less, reaching speeds of up to 530 km/h (329 mph). Drag racing was organized as a sport byWally Parks in the early 1950s through theNational Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The NHRA was formed to discouragestreet racing.
When launching, a top fuel dragster will accelerate at 3.4g (33 m/s2), and when braking parachutes are deployed the deceleration is 4 g (39 m/s2), more than theSpace Shuttle experiences. A top fuel car can be heard over 8 miles (13 km) away and can generate a reading from 1.5 to 3.9 on theRichter scale.[14]
Drag racing is two cars head-to-head, the winner proceeding to the next round. Professional classes are all first to the finish line wins. Sportsman racing is handicapped (slower car getting ahead start) using an index (a lowest e.t. allowed), and cars running under (quicker than) their index "break out" and lose. The slowest cars, bracket racers, are also handicapped, but rather than an index, they use adial-in.
In Europe, "offroad" refers to events such as autocross or rallycross, while desert races and rally-raids such as theParis-Dakar, Master Rallye or European "bajas" are called "cross-country rallies".
The modern kart was invented by Art Ingels, a fabricator at the Indianapolis-car manufacturer Kurtis-Kraft, in Southern California in 1956. Ingels took a small chainsaw engine and mounted it to a simple tube-frame chassis weighing less than 100 lb. Ingels, and everyone else who drove the kart, were startled at its performance capabilities. The sport soon blossomed in Southern California, and quickly spread around the world. Although often seen as the entry point for serious racers into the sport,kart racing, or karting, can be an economical way for amateurs to try racing and is also a fully-fledged international sport in its own right. A large proportion of professional racing drivers began in karts, often from a very young age, such asMichael Schumacher andFernando Alonso. Several former motorcycle champions have also taken up the sport, notablyWayne Rainey, who was paralysed in a racing accident and now races a hand-controlled kart. As one of the cheapest ways to race, karting is seeing its popularity grow worldwide.
Despite their diminutive size, karts of the most powerful class,superkart (assuming a weight of 205 kg (452 lb), and a power output of 100 hp (75 kW)), can have apower-to-weight ratio (including the driver) of 490 hp/tonne (0.22 hp/lb). Without the driver, this figure doubles, to almost 980 hp/tonne (0.44 hp/lb).
Historic motorsport or vintage motorsport uses vehicles limited to a particular era. Only safety precautions are modernized in these hobbyist races. A historical event can be of various types of motorsport disciplines, fromroad racing torallying. Because it is based on a particular era it is more hobbyist-oriented, reducing corporate sponsorship. The only modern equipment used is related to safety and timing. A historical event can be of a number of different motorsport disciplines.
Eachmotor racing series has a points system, and a set of rules and regulations that define how points are accrued. Nearly all series award points according to the finishing position of the competitors in eachrace. Some series only award points for a certain number of finishing positions. InFormula One, for example, only the top ten finishers get points. Drivers may be forced to finish the race or complete a certain number of the laps in order to score points.
In some series, points are also awarded based on lap leading, lap times,overtaking and qualifying positions (in particular by achievingpole positions andfastest laps). In NASCAR, for example, besides receiving points depending on the final standings, one point is awarded for leading a lap and one point for leading the most laps in the race. In other series, such as for theNational Hot Rod Association, points are awarded for attempting the race along with a podium finish in any of the four qualifying rounds, as an incentive to have drivers participate week after week to compete.
In many types of auto races, particularly those held on closed courses, flags are displayed to indicate the general status of the track and to communicate instructions to competitors. While individual series have different rules, and the flags have changed from the first years (e.g., red used to start a race), these are generally accepted.
Flag
Displayed from the start tower
Displayed from the observation post
The session has started or resumed after a full course caution or stop.
End of the hazardous section of the track.
Full course caution condition for ovals. On road courses, it means a local area of caution. Depending on the type of racing, either two yellow flags will be used for a full course caution or a sign with 'SC' (Safety car) will be used as the field follows thepace/safety car on track and no cars may pass. However, if the safety car gives a green light, then the cars behind can pass the safety car (lapped cars only).
Local caution condition —no cars may pass at the particular corner where being displayed. When Stationary indicates hazard off-course, when Waving indicates hazard on-course.
Debris, fluid, or other hazard on the track surface.
Debris, fluid, or other hazard on the track surface.
The car with the indicated number must pit for consultation.
The session is halted, all cars on the course must return to the pit lane. May also be seen combined with a green flag to indicate oil on the track, typically referred to as a 'pickle' flag combination.
The car with the indicated number has mechanical trouble and must pit.
The driver of the car with the indicated number has been penalized for misbehaviour.
The driver of the car with the indicated number is disqualified or will not be scored until they report to the pits.
The car should give way to faster traffic. This may be an advisory or an order depending on the series.
A car is being advised or ordered to give way to faster traffic approaching.
The session is stopped. All cars must halt on the track or return to the pit lane.
Depending on the series, either one lap remains or a slow vehicle is on the track.
In auto racing, theracing setup or car setup is the set of adjustments made to the vehicle to optimize its behaviour (performance,handling, reliability, etc.). Adjustments can occur insuspensions, brakes,transmissions, engines, tires, and many others.
Aerodynamics and airflow play big roles in the setup of a race car. Aerodynamic downforce improves the race car's handling by lowering the center of gravity and distributing the weight of the car equally on each tire.[16] Once this is achieved, fuel consumption decreases and the forces against the car are significantly lowered. Many aerodynamic experiments are conducted in wind tunnels, to simulate real-life situations while measuring the various drag forces on the car.[17] These "Rolling roads" produce many wind situations and direct air flow at certain speeds and angles.[18] When adiffuser is installed under the car, the amount of drag force is significantly lowered, and the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle is positively adjusted.[17] Wings and canards channel the airflow in the most efficient way to get the least amount of drag from the car. It is experimentally proven that downforce is gained and the vehicle's handling is considerably changed when aerodynamic wings on the front and rear of the vehicle are installed.[17]
Suspension plays a huge part in giving the race car the ability to be driven optimally. Shocks are mounted vertically or horizontally to prevent the body from rolling in the corners. The suspension is important because it makes the car stable and easier to control and keeps the tires on the road when driving on uneven terrain. It works in three different ways including vertically, longitudinally, and laterally to control movement when racing on various tracks.[16]
Tyres called R-Compounds are commonly used in motorsports for high amounts of traction. The soft rubber allows them to expand when they are heated up, making more surface area on the pavement, therefore producing the most traction.[16] These types of tyres do not have grooves on them. Tyre pressure is dependent on the temperature of the tyre and track when racing. Each time a driver pulls into the pits, the tyre pressure and temperature should be tested for optimal performance. When the tyres get too hot they will swell or inflate and need to be deflated to the correct pressure.[16] When the tyres are not warmed up they will not perform as well.
Brakes on a race car are imperative in slowing and stopping the car at precise times and wear quickly depending on the road or track on which the car is being raced, how many laps are being run, track conditions due to weather, and how many caution runs require more braking. There are three variables to consider in racing: brake pedal displacement, brake pedal force, and vehicle deceleration.[19] Various combinations of these variables work together to determine the stiffness, sensitivity, and pedal force of the brakes. When using the brakes effectively, the driver must go through a buildup phase and end with a modulating phase. These phases include attaining maximum deceleration and modulating the brake pressure.[19] Brake performance is measured in bite and consistency. Bite happens when the driver first applies the brakes and they have not warmed up to the correct temperature to operate efficiently. Consistency is measured in how consistent the friction is during the entire time of braking. These two measurements determine the wear of the brakes.[19]
The race car's engine needs a considerable amount of air to produce maximum power. The air intake manifold sucks the air from scoops on the hood and front bumper and feeds it into the engine. Many engine modifications to increase horsepower and efficiency are commonly used in many racing-sanctioning bodies.[16] Engines are tuned on a machine called a dynamometer, which is commonly known in the racing world as a DYNO. The car is driven onto the DYNO and many gauges and sensors are hooked up to the car that are controlled by an online program to test force, torque, or power. Through the testing, the car's engine maps can be changed to get the most horsepower and ultimately speed out of the vehicle.
Racing drivers, at the highest levels, can be paid by the team, or bysponsors, and can command substantial salaries. Drivers who pay for their positions, orseats, within racing teams are typically known aspay drivers, orgentleman drivers. Drivers may also enter events asprivateers.
Contrary to popular assumption, racing drivers as a group do not have unusually strong reflexes orperipheral response time.[20] During repeated physiological and psychological evaluations of professional racing drivers, the two characteristics that stand out are racers' near-obsessive need to control their surroundings—psychological—and an unusual ability to process fast-moving information —physiological. Researchers have noted a strong correlation between racing driver psychological profiles and those of fighter pilots. In tests comparing racing drivers to the general public, the greater the complexity of the information processing matrix, the greater the speed gap between the two groups.[21]
Due partly to the performance capabilities of modern racing cars, racing drivers require a high level offitness, focus, and the ability to concentrate at high levels for long periods in an inherently difficult environment. They often complain about injuries in the lumbar, shoulder, and neck regions.[22] Racing drivers experience largeg-forces due toformula cars andsports prototypes generating high levels ofdownforce, and being able to corner at high speeds.[23]Formula One drivers routinely experience lateral loads in excess of 4.5g (44 m/s2; 140 ft/s2), requiring drivers to commit to frequent neck training regimens.[24]
^abcde Groot, S., et al. "Car Racing In A Simulator: Validation And Assessment Of Brake Pedal Stiffness." Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments 20.1 (2011): 47–61. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
^Memmert, D.; Simons, DJ; Grimme, T. (October 2009). "The relationship between visual attention and expertise in sports".Psychol Sport Exerc.10:146–151.doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.06.002.
^Koutras C, Buecking B, Jaeger M, Ruchholtz S, Heep H (2014). "Musculoskeletal injuries in auto racing: a retrospective study of 137 drivers".Phys Sportsmed.42 (4):80–86.doi:10.3810/psm.2014.11.2094.PMID25419891.S2CID22425278.
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