Auto Racing (Part One) By P B Gill

Auto racing , if you take in to consideration , all the different types of races , vehicles and competitions in the world , is very likely the most popular sport and the #1 top live entertainment on earth . There are so many different styles of vehicles , and so many tracks and competition venues that they could not all be covered in any one article . To give an example of the popularity of auto racing ! Southern Ontario is not noted as a large stockcar racing market . Yet there are over ten stock car tracks , with in 150 miles of Toronto ? These tracks attract over 1000 people each , on a bad Saturday night and over 3000 people on a good night . It is likely similar to this , anywhere in North America , and for race tracks in many areas through out the world .

If you check around the area were you live in U.S A. , or Canada , and likely Mexico too , you will likely find , at least , the same popularity for auto racing , and automotive competitions of all kinds .

If you have never been to an auto race or competition , check it out , you WILL have fun .

Your small local tracks normally run at least three different classes of cars (or vehicles ). You might even see some one you know , a neighbor or a friend , running in a race ? Some race tracks also run novelty races such as school bus races , demolition races , spectators racing their street driven vehicles etc .

If any one tells you that auto racing is just cars going in circles , don’t listen to them , as they don’t know what they are talking about !

The people who race at the local tracks spend most of their spare time and cash to build their cars and then maintain the cars . And if the car is involved in a wreck they have to spend even more time and money to repair the car and must have the car ready to race again on Saturday night . Why do they do it ? Because they love the sport . They have to love it , because the prize money would not come close to paying the bills . The result of the racer’s hard work is great entertainment for you .

Your small local tracks , set rules and regulations for each class of race cars . All race cars that race in each class must be built within those rules and regulations . The cars must all have what is call a roll cage . This cage is built of steel tubing , and must be built in such a manner as to protect the driver from harm , in case of any accident of any kind . The cars must be equipped with a proper safety harness , to keep the driver secure in the seat at all times . The fuel tank and fuel lines , must be mounted securely and in a place were they will not be ruptured in case or an accident . Fire prevention is #1 to a race car driver , so safety regulation are very strict to keep the possibility of fire to an absolute minimum .

All safety systems such as brakes and steering must work properly . Exhaust systems must be positioned in a manner that will not allow fumes to enter the car . The cars must not have any fluid leaks , as fluid on the track can cause accidents .

Regulation control the size of the engine that can be used in each class of racing . Also fuel intake systems and carburetor sizes are regulated to keep all the cars competitive with each other . Tire regulations keep all cars using the same type of tires in there class .

The beginners classes of race cars are the entry level cars . They often have 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder engine that are usually regulated to be , factory stock . Some tracks may even have a claims policy to limit the money spent on a car and to keep the cost to run a competitive car , affordable .

These cars are normally very much like the cars on the street ,in appearance.

Though the entry level cars are the least expensive to run , they are still an expensive hobby to maintain , and do require most of the drivers spare time to keep the car up . And if the car gets damaged in a race , (which is common) there is even more work as the car must be repaired and ready to go again the next week .

Likely all stock car drivers start here , or move up from go-carts to this level.

The next class up are a faster class of car . Normally they run V8 engines . These cars are often full body cars much the same as cars on the street . These cars can very in the amount of modification , to the cars , according to the regulation set by the race tracks they run at . These cars are commonly called , street stocks , factory stocks , challengers , or street modified , etc . the amount of modification to these cars may every greatly , from track to track . These cars are more expensive to run and to maintain than the entry level cars . They are also much faster and require more experienced drivers to race them .

The top class at many stock car tracks is the late models . There is a great range of power in late model stock cars , from 350 hp to 450 hp , at the local short tracks , to over 700 hp in the top class and super speed way cars .

The normal local track late models at 350 to 450 horse power , are faster than the mid-class cars . They are also more expensive to build , maintain and operate . They are a steel tube chassis and roll cage assemble with the body metal added , over the tubing . They are built very strong to keep the driver safe , at the much faster speeds that they run

From the first stock car race and up to the late 80s or early 90s stock cars

were all full body cars , with role cages and safety equipment add to them . There had to be a number of the model sold for use on the street , before they could be raced , in the big league racing circuits . These cars with their big 400 cid + big block engine were getting so fast that , safety became a very big issue .

These cars are now built from the ground up completely by the race teams .

They are an integrated frame and role cage , which is much stronger and safer for the driver than the full body factory models , when you consider the speeds involved in stock car racing . The suspension , safety equipment , brakes , wheels and tires and power trains etc are added . Also the appropriate engine body panels and decals are installed , for the make of race car it represents .

The main objective in all classes or race cars at any race track or in any race series is that all the cars must be built and run within the same regulations for that class . This keeps the cars competitive with each other in that class .

If all the cars are built to the same regulations , the same engine sizes , the same carburetor size . The same tire type etc , then the question arises . Why do some cars and drivers seem to win a lot more than others ? The answer to that is , car set up and driver ability . The set up of the car involves many things . Suspension , steering , alignment , braking systems , transmission and differential ratios , and aerodynamics are all involve in the set up of race cars . And the main factor of course is the people behind the fame and fortune . The men and women involved in the race team to build the cars prepair and set the car up to be raced .

Racers

The people involved in racing at your local race track ,or many race series are normal people who live in your area . Most I have met , like a beer after work , but not on race day until after the race , and NONE use drugs, ever . Drugs and auto racing don’t mix . No race driver anywhere , wants to race against a Spaced out Idiot ANY WERE EVER . Anyone caught using drugs around a race track or race car is dealt with severely . Usually band for life . Auto racing is a Good Clean Sport and those involved in it want to keep the Sport that way .

And then as to the question is auto racing a sport ? The answer is a very definite Yes . The physical pressure on the drivers body must withstand during a race , requires that the drivers must be in top physical condition .

The people who tend to the car , the pit crew , must be very agile and work very fast and accurately to tend to the car during the race . To change 4 tires and install 40 gallons or so , of fuel in the car , and make all the needed adjustments in less than 14 seconds they must stay in excellent physical condition .

The racers that run at your local track , spend most of there spare time and money , building or working on their car , because they love racing . The wife (or husband ) and kids are most often part of the team , and the #1 fans.

At many tracks , only the winner , the top 3 , or top few more , win any money , and not much at that . The racers at your local track spend their own money to build and repair their cars , because their love is racing . Some get lucky and find some sponsors to help with the cost , but never any where near all the expenses .

The track owners spend a lot of your admission money to build and maintain the race facility and pay workers . The owners must make some profit in only one day a week and a limited season , for the tracks to exist . Often most of the prize money is put up by local merchants in your area .

Race cars involve much more than many people realize ! Even the slowest race series vehicle , must meet safety regulations , before it can even get on to any race track . Role cages and other safety features are a must on any race car , or race vehicle of any kind .

The faster the cars go , the more money it cost to build and run them .

Many small local tracks run a class for beginners that is the lowest expense series . But it isn’t really cheep (nothing is these days). They also run a middle series , that run faster , and cost more to build and keep up . And then the fastest cars at any track , are the many entertainment and are even more expensive to build and maintain .

Many drivers who run in the top series at your local track , will spend their driving life at your track entertaining you because they love doing that . Some other drivers advance to faster cars and faster tracks . The best of the best will make it to a major race team , were they drive a race car and actually get a paid to do want they love doing .

The top auto racing in North America is stock car racing . The top stock car racing league in NASCAR , auto racing , which involves three top series , and many associated series‘. Two car series and one truck series are the top NASCAR features .

When a driver make it to a NASCAR racing in most cases , they are hired as a driver , and become part of a race team . There are some small teams were the driver owns the team and in some cases even works on the race cars , but they are few , as the expense to run in the top racing league is very pricy . As much as $10, 000,000.oo a car per year or even more ?

A Common Question

Why don’t stock cars race in the rain ?

How many people want to sit in the rain to watch a race , in the first place anyway ?

The main reason that stock cars don’t race in the rain is the safety factor . Racing on a wet slippery track would result in serious destruction of cars and possible injuries to the drivers . The weight of the stock car is much higher than the open wheel cars that run in the rain . More than double the weight ! It would be impossible to keep the cars on the track at any kind of speed . The fans want to see stock cars running full out in every race . A race car that may be capable of 200 mph on a dry track , would be unsafe at 50 mph or so on a wet track .

This is only the first chapter of many planed for your viewing on this website . Check back from time to time to see more !