Motorsports make use of vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Professional drivers drive these vehicles during different types of racing. The sport relies on the survival of the fittest, meaning that only one driver can claim victory at a time and thus is removed from the race.
Different types of Motorsports:
Formula One or the FIA Formula One World Championship is a professional racing class that employs open-wheeled, open-cockpit formula-style race cars. The “formula” in the name refers to a set of rules with which all participants’ cars must comply.
The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships: one for drivers and one for constructors.
Formula One cars race at high speeds, up to 360 km/h (220 mph) in some cases; these cars’ cornering forces can reach 5–6 times that of a regular car.
The average F1 race in 2015 had more than 130 pit stops. For the first time, there were 7 teams who fielded three cars each to compensate for the number of pull-outs from this racing sport due to injuries and other accidents during races.
Drag racing
Here vehicles compete to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most commonly ¼ mile (400 m), with shorter competitions called “street drag” racing that covers only a ¼ mile (400 m).
Drag races are usually one of the three types:
-Heads up match race. -A handicap race in which faster cars give some distance to slower opponents at the start, also called ‘giving them the dial’ or rolling starts. -An index or bracket race in which vehicles compete against others of the same estimated capability.
Off-road racing
This is off-road racing with one or more classes of vehicles competing in races through off-road environments.
An example would be the Paris Dakar Rally, which takes place in various types of terrain (such as dunes, desert, and forests) across different countries.
Professional races are organized by the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), while clubs or privateers organize other races.
Motocross
This is a motorcycle sport held on enclosed off-road circuits.
The sport requires excellent bike handling ability and strategy, as well as physical strength to withstand the enormous strains of standing up on their bikes for hours at a time.
Motocross has become an annual event that takes place during the summer months at places throughout the world. Typically held over weekends, the events are sometimes called “carnivals.”
Just remember, though, new dirtbikes may need license plates or temporary tags and permits before you can ride them in competitions.
Motorcycle speedway
This motorcycle sport involves four motorcycles: Solo machines (commonly referred to as ‘speedway bikes’), pairs, sidecars, and quad-bikes. The solo class is the most prestigious, where each rider races for themselves against the clock. They lap a dirt track in the quickest time, which is usually less than 4 minutes.
Motorcycle speedway bikes are purpose-built racing machines with no road-going counterpart. They reach top speeds of over 70 mph (none have been clocked at more than 160 mph). Speedway competitions are held at purpose-built venues or as a part of `rounds’ of larger track racing events.
The tracks range from between 260 and 425 meters in length with an asphalt surface and wide, banked corners that help the riders to keep their speed up during races.
Snowcross
Snowcross is winter motorsport defined by racing in snow on vehicles such as snowmobiles, ATVs, and snowboards. This is a form of off-road racing held on frozen lakes and rivers. The races take place on frozen water surfaces that range from about 1/5 mile to 2 miles in length. Ice cross downhill (or downhill ice racing) is a winter sport and a professional tour.
The riders must race down a steep, icy track while gaining speed and steering clear of obstacles such as trees and other racers. Ice cross downhill races are held on artificial courses (built inside sports arenas) and natural ice courses in Canada, China, Norway, Switzerland, and the USA.
Rallying
This is a form of auto racing (cars and/or motorcycles) involving regular production or specially built road-legal sports cars. It differs from circuit racing in that it takes place on open roads and not dedicated race tracks.
The rally winner is the first competitor to reach the end of a course (normally parts of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and New Zealand) under a pre-determined time.
Rallies can be won outright by drivers who are first across the finish line at the end of the event. But this is not always so, as it is common for rally races to be won by manufacturers or teams that accumulate points throughout a season. Rally racing is an expensive sport, with some events having prize money over $1 million.
Motorsports are a great way of participating in a range of adrenaline rush activities, all under one umbrella. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or just something to do on the weekends, there’s something out there that will keep you interested.
Remember that there are rules and regulations for each of these activities, so be sure to do your homework. Also, remember to contact the local law enforcement agencies in your area for more information on safety precautions and legal issues involved with these sports.
