Racing – A Rich Sport
Racing is considered as a sport. A sport race usually is a competition of speed against an objective standard. Usually, the criterion could be time or to a specific point.
The most basic form of racing is actually running a distance, and it can also be conducted in vehicles, such as boats, aircraft and cars.
The most common and probably the most engaged into this is automobile racing. Specially designed automobiles are raced by drivers over tracks or courses differing in lengths, designs and construction. Automobile racing is practiced in a wide range of forms on roads, tracks or closed circuits.
This sport originated in France in 1894. The year after, automobile racing appeared in the United States. Originally, automobile racing was occasional challenges among wealthy individuals, but it has then evolved into an international year-round professional sport. The auto racing is considered a motor sport, which involves racing cars. These professional sport race runs before millions of spectators at events with wide television coverage. It is definitely one of the most-watched television sports in the world.
Of the many categories of this sport, the most esteemed have traditionally involved Formula One (Grand Prix) automobiles. These cars have low-slung bodies and are capable of speeds greater than 230 mph (370 kph). Their design and maintenance require very large investments. Grand Prix races are so prestigious that a number of countries sponsor these races, which then contributes to the title of a world champion driver. The best known are: Grand Prix of Monaco, Great Britain, France, Canada and Australia.
Other categories include: single-seater racing, touring car racing, stock-car racing, drag racing and off-road racing among others.
In single-seater racing, it is termed as open-wheel since the wheels are uncovered. Oftentimes, the cars have aerofoil wings front and rear to produce down force and intensify adhesion to the track.
The best-known variety of single-seater racing is Formula One. Single-seater racing is actually not for professionals only, there is amateur “club racing” who serves for those who just want to race single-seater against similar enthusiasts around the world.
The Touring car racing, on the other hand, is road racing style. It is run with production derived race cars. Oftentimes, due to small speed differentials and large grids, it features exciting, full-contact racing. Some of the major touring car racing championships are: V8 Supercars, British Touring Car Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and the World Touring Car.
Another category is the stock car racing. In the United States, this is the most popular form of racing. Stock cars may resemble production cars, but they are purposely-built as racing machines. They are built to tight specifications. Stock car racing is usually raced on oval tracks. NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing), the largest governing body of stock car racing, has Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 as the most famous races.
Another category that is quite popular is drag racing. With drag racing, from a standing start, with a given straight-line distance, in a parallel lane, vehicles will complete the run. Traditionally, the distance is ¼ mile (400 m), but since 1990’s, 1/8 mile (200 m) became famous. Vehicles used range from the common car to the specifically-built dragster.
Drag racing, in the early 1950s through the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), Wally Parks organized it as a sport. Since drag racing has been popular in the street, the NHRA was actually organized to dissuade street racing.
Off-road racing is another category of automobile racing. Off-road racing is raced through off-road environments. Various classes of specially modified vehicles, including cars compete in the race. In North America, these races usually take place in deserts.
The skills of the drivers as well as the speed capabilities of the vehicles are tested. Moreover, the endurance of both is challenged as well.