Your Auto Racing Information Site!
Types of Racing
First of all, there are several forms of auto racing that we need to talk about first. Some involve a driver inside an automobile, some involve a driver riding on an automobile, and some involve a driver who operates an automobile from a distance. Confusing yet? Well, we'll get you straightened out.
Most racing consist of drivers controlling some sort of automobile on some type of track or course. It may be a dirt track, paved track, flat track, banked track, oval track, tri-oval track, super speedway, city streets, desert trails. salt flats, mountains, swaps, highways, or on graphics produced on your computer screen.
Here we will try to list and define a small number of all the different types of racing for you:
1. Closed Course Racing on a Road Course - Usually held on a "Road Course Track" meaning that the track has both left and right hand turns, hills, switchback turns, and high speed straight-a-ways. All types of racecars and street cars usually race each other through the course to the finish line.
2. Track Racing - This type of racing is done on tracks designed especially for auto racing. Some tracks are oval or tri-oval shaped and go from 1/2 mile to almost 3 miles in length. Stock cars, stock trucks, formula type, and Indy type cars, and even motorcycles race in these type races.
3. Street Course Racing - This type of racing is literally held on city streets. The race course is blocked off and all types of race cars race in these type of races.
4. Endurance Racing - The 24 hours of Daytona is a good example of this type of racing. Teams consisting of up to 3 drivers who take turns at racing a car on a course for an exact period of time. This type of racing is done on fixed tracks or on open courses such as through the desert.
5. Drag Racing - Drag racing consist of two cars who race side by side on a straight track to see who can reach the finish line first. They use starting lights called a Christmas Tree to start the races. There are several different lengths of tracks and numerous divisions or classes of cars, but the object is to get to the finish line first!
6. Computer/Game Racing - These games are played on computers or gaming components and are played in homes and offices all over the world. There are literally thousands of racing games available. See our list of racing games in our store!
7. Land Speed Record Racing - Land speed records are set in places like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. There is always someone trying to beat the current worlds record of 406.60 miles per hour. In this form of racing, drivers and machines pit themselves against the clock and measuring devises to see who runs the fastest. Yes, they run on a bed of salt left over from an ocean that dried up long ago.
8. Baja Racing - Buggies, jeeps, trucks, motorcycles, even VW Beatles get in on the action. This type of racing is both for endurance and against the other teams. Baja races are usually over courses cut into the deserts and can include mountains, forest, and even swamps. These types of races usually last for several days.
9. Monster Truck Racing - The Monster Truck, Bigfoot comes to mind immediately. This type of racing is done in oversized 4 wheel drive trucks usually in stadiums or coliseums and the race course includes large ramps and plenty of cars to crush.
10. Swamp Buggy Racing - Vehicles specifically built to run under water with large thin wheels battle to be the fastest on courses built in swamps, lakes, and streams. There is usually a lot of sinking mud. These vehicles are as much boats as they are automobiles.
11. Hill Racing - In this form of racing drivers try to make their machines climb up almost impossible hills and be the fastest to the top. This form of racing involves a lot of rolling back down the hill and not necessarily on the wheels.
12. Drifting - Drifting is relatively new to the racing scene. Drifting involves putting a car into a power slide turn. Drivers are scored for the best slide, the more tire smoke, the better the score.
Back to the A2Z Auto Racing Article Index
Other Essentials Subjects
Auto Racing Defined Racing Objectives Questions & Answers Glossary General Racing Safety
If you need help finding a sponsor, contact J3 Racing Inc. Today!
Want your own customized Web Page? Go to the J3 Company Network.
Get Custom Graphics Pete "The Greek" Graphics
Credit Report Errors? A-1 Improved Credit can fix it fast!
Want your company listed here? Go to our Advertising Page for more information.
Your Logo goes here!
