In the United States, this racing series is known as showroom stock, and it is one of the more affordable and straightforward ways for enthusiasts to get into racing. In this series, cars that have been lightly modified or that have not been modified at all compete against cars that have been similarly outfitted. The suspension, tyres, wheels, aerodynamics, brakes, and performance vehicles that can be fitted to the production-based road cars in this series are strictly limited. This is done to ensure that racing vehicles are as similar as possible in order to stay competitive. Professional and amateur drivers alike can participate in this series.
Professional and gentleman racers can benefit from “one-make” series, in which automakers offer a selection of vehicles that meet the required specifications right out of the factory. Unfortunately, many of these automaker-sponsored series are only available to exotic car manufacturers. Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Ferrari Challenge, and Porsche Supercup are just a few of the more well-known series.
The Manual/Miles Branman
The SCAA and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) both have production car racing series for amateur drivers to compete in. These series are divided into four groups based on the vehicle’s age, engine displacement, weight, and level of modification. Because of its ease of entry and cost-effectiveness, this is the most popular style of amateur racing among enthusiasts. A few safety features, such as a harness, roll cage, and fire suppression system, are required on the majority of production vehicles that race in a series. Racing shoes, gloves, a helmet, and a suit are also required of drivers. Here’s what to expect if you’re thinking of running your first race.
Stock Vehicle
You could be scratching your brain, trying to figure out what stock car racing is all about. You’ve most likely heard of NASCAR, which has been America’s most popular racing series since its inception in 1948. The storey of how NASCAR came to be is one worth learning about. During the Prohibition era, moonshine runners modified their automobiles to outrun the cops while preserving a “stock” appearance. A new racing series arose when moonshiners began to enter national events with their automobiles.
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In 1948, a technician called William France established the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR), which brought the drivers together in a single championship. Modern NASCAR automobiles, despite their hefty sponsorships, wacky paint schemes, and huge numbers, still look like the stock cars they’re built on. All NASCAR races are held on oval courses, and all cars are based on a steel tube chassis with a 5.8-liter V8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission.
The oval layout of NASCAR may not be as entertaining as road racing circuits, but there is plenty of action. The races can run up to 500 miles, the cars can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour, and the race cars are only inches apart. This is a disaster waiting to happen, which is why NASCAR has so many spectacular collisions.
Amateur stock car racing does exist, although it is largely limited to smaller oval tracks and shorter events.
Rallying, sometimes known as “stage” rallying, is a type of car racing that takes place mostly on tough terrain such as mud, sand, and dirt. Rallying also takes place all year, so drivers have to race in the snow and rain, which makes for some thrilling racing. A few paved sections exist, however they are mostly used to connect off-road sections.
Rallying is also distinct from other racing series in that teams must complete timed parts in which the passenger serves as a co-driver, providing the driver instructions on the course. These instructions are known as “pace notes,” and they’re a shorter code that the co-driver reads out loud to the driver to let them know what’s coming up next.
When it comes to rallying, the World Rally Championship is the most well-known championship (WRC). WRX is made up of 13 three-day races held over the course of a year. WRC race cars are modified production cars with heavily modified 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, sequential manual transmissions, high-tech all-wheel-drive systems, and aggressive body packages for maximal assault. Rally vehicles may appear little, but they have a lot of power, with around 600 horsepower.
There are a variety of grassroots rallying events that enthusiasts can participate in, but you’ll need a car that you don’t mind getting dirty and bashed up. Rallycross is the most popular type of amateur rallying. Rallycross is basically autocross on dirt, and it can be done in almost any car without modification. This racing series is available all around the country, and all you need is a helmet to participate. Rallysprint is the next level up, which is a one-day event in which racers tackle a few brief stages. To compete in Rallysprint, vehicles must be equipped with safety features like as a roll cage.
Drag
Drag racing is one of the most traditional types of motorsport. Drivers have traditionally raced against one another in short drag races between the lights, even if it wasn’t official. Drag racing may appear to be simple: rev the engine, wait for the light to turn green, and then floor it, but modern drag racing is significantly more complex. Everything comes down to timing, aerodynamic drag, and grip. Brakes and stopping ability are particularly important because cars are travelling at incredible speeds over short distances and must come to a rapid stop.
Few vehicle racing series are as straightforward as drag racing for enthusiasts looking for something new to try. Two or more automobiles are parked side by side with an eight- or quarter-mile length of asphalt in front of them. When a “tree,” which looks like a stoplight, travels from red to a series of yellow lights before turning green, it indicates the start of the race. The automobile that crosses the finish line first wins. Crossing the starting line before the tree turns green is a penalty, while crossing one of the side lines is a disqualification or a cancelled run.
