Editing Auto racing (section)

==Categories==
===Open-wheel racing===
{{Main|Formula racing|Open-wheel car}}
[[File:Fernando_Alonso_2011_Malaysia_FP1.jpg|thumb|[[Fernando Alonso]] driving the [[Ferrari 150º Italia]] at [[Sepang International Circuit]]]]
[[File:2019 IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (47966333303).jpg|thumb|The [[Dallara DW12]] IndyCar driven by [[Pippa Mann]] during practice for the [[2019 Indianapolis 500]]]]
[[File:Formel3 racing car amk.jpg|thumb|[[Formula Three]] car racing at the [[Hockenheimring]], 2008]]
[[File:DUT17.jpg|thumb|The 2017 [[Formula Student]] electric race-car of the [[Delft University of Technology]]]]
[[File:In Car Micheal Fitzgerald Cork Racing.jpg|thumb|Racing driver's view]]

In single-seater ([[open-wheel]]) racing, the wheels are not covered, and the cars often have aerofoil wings front and rear to produce [[downforce]] and enhance adhesion to the track. The most popular varieties of open-wheel [[road racing]] are [[Formula One]], [[IndyCar Series]] and [[Super Formula]]. In Europe and Asia, open-wheeled racing is commonly referred to as 'Formula', with appropriate hierarchical suffixes. In North America, the 'Formula' terminology is not followed (with the exception of Formula One). The sport is usually arranged to follow an international format (such as Formula One), a regional format (such as the Formula 3 Euro Series), and/or a domestic, or country-specific, format (such as the German Formula 3 championship, or the British Formula Ford).

Formula One is a worldwide series that runs only [[street circuit]] and [[race track]]s. These cars are heavily based on technology and their aerodynamics. The speed record was set in 2005 by [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] hitting 373&nbsp;km/h (232&nbsp;mph).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.redbull.com/au-en/fastest-f1-records|title=Blink and you'll miss these F1 records|work=Red Bull|access-date=2018-08-08|language=en}}</ref> Some of the most prominent races are the Monaco Grand Prix, the [[Italian Grand Prix]], and the [[British Grand Prix]]. The season ends with the crowning of the World Championship for drivers and constructors.

In the United States, the most popular series is the [[IndyCar Series]]. The cars have traditionally been similar to, though less technologically sophisticated than, [[F1 cars]], with more restrictions on technology aimed at controlling costs. While these cars are not as technologically advanced, they are faster, in part due to their lower downforce compared to Formula One cars, and also because they compete on oval race tracks, being able to average a lap at 388&nbsp;km/h (241&nbsp;mph). The series' biggest race is the [[Indianapolis 500]], which is commonly referred to as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" due to being the longest continuously run race in the series and having the largest crowd for a single-day sporting event (350,000+).

The other major international single-seater racing series is [[Formula Two|Formula 2]] (formerly known as [[Formula 3000]] and [[GP2 Series]]). Regional series include [[Super Formula]] and [[Formula V6 Asia]] (specifically in Asia), [[Formula Renault 3.5]] (also known as the World Series by Renault, succession series of [[World Series by Nissan]]), [[Formula Three]], [[Formula Palmer Audi]] and [[Formula Atlantic]]. In 2009, the [[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]] brought about the revival of the F2 series. Domestic, or country-specific, series include Formula Three and Formula Renault, with the leading introductory series being [[Formula Ford]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Formula Ford |url=https://www.formulaford.org.au/about}}</ref>

Single-seater racing is not limited merely to professional teams and drivers. There exist many amateur racing clubs. In the UK, the major club series are the [[Monoposto Racing Club]], BRSCC F3 (formerly ClubF3, formerly ARP F3), Formula Vee and Club Formula Ford. Each series caters to a section of the market, with some primarily providing low-cost racing, while others aim for an authentic experience using the same regulations as the professional series (BRSCC F3). The SCCA is also responsible for sanctioning single-seater racing in much of North America.

There are other categories of single-seater racing, including [[kart racing]], which employs a small, low-cost machine on small tracks. Many of the current top drivers began their careers in karts. [[Formula Ford]] represents the most popular first open-wheel category for up-and-coming drivers stepping up from karts. The series is still the preferred option, as it has introduced an aero package and slicks, allowing the junior drivers to gain experience in a race car with dynamics closer to Formula One. The [[Star Mazda Series]] is another entry-level series. [[Indy Lights]] represent the last step on the [[Road to Indy]], being less powerful and lighter than an [[IndyCar]] racer.

Students at colleges and universities can also take part in single-seater racing through the [[Formula SAE]] competition, which involves designing and building a single-seater car in a multidisciplinary team and racing it at the competition. This also develops other soft skills, such as teamwork, while promoting motorsport and engineering.

The world's first all-female Formula racing team was created in 2006. The group was an assemblage of drivers from different racing disciplines and formed for an MTV reality pilot, which was shot at [[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca]].

In December 2005, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] gave approval to [[Superleague Formula]] racing, which debuted in 2008, whereby the racing teams are owned and run by prominent sports clubs such as [[A.C. Milan]] and [[Liverpool F.C.]]

After 25 years away from the sport, former [[Formula 2]] champion [[Jonathan Palmer]] reopened the F2 category again; most drivers have graduated from the [[Formula Palmer Audi]] series. The category is officially registered as the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] Formula Two championship. Most rounds have two races and are support races to the [[FIA World Touring Car Championship]].

===Touring car racing===
{{Main|Touring car racing}}
[[File:2012 WTCC Race of Japan (Race 1) opening lap.jpg|thumb|Opening lap of [[2012 WTCC season|2012 WTCC]] Race of Japan]]

Touring car racing is a style of road racing that is run with production-derived four-seat race cars. The lesser use of aerodynamics means following cars have a much easier time following and passing than in [[open-wheel racing]]. It often features full-contact racing with subtle bumping and nudging due to the small speed differentials and large grids.

The major touring car championships conducted worldwide are the [[Supercars Championship]] (Australia), [[British Touring Car Championship]], [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] (DTM), [[World Touring Car Championship]] and the [[World Touring Car Cup]]. The [[European Touring Car Cup]] is a one-day event open to [[Super 2000]] specification touring cars from Europe's many national championships. While [[Super GT]] traces its lineage to the now-defunct [[JGTC]], the cars are much more similar to [[Group GT3|GT3]] race cars than proper touring cars, and also have much more aggressive aerodynamics.

The [[Sports Car Club of America]]'s [[SPEED World Challenge]] Touring Car and GT championships are dominant in North America. America's historic [[Trans-Am Series]] is undergoing a period of transition, but is still the longest-running road racing series in the U.S. The [[National Auto Sport Association]] also provides a venue for amateurs to compete in home-built factory-derived vehicles on various local circuits.

===Sports car racing===
{{Main|Sports car racing}}

[[File:2011 FIA GT1 Silverstone 2.jpg|thumb|[[FIA GT1 World Championship|FIA GT1]] at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]] in [[2011 FIA GT1 World Championship season|2011]]]]
[[File:Audi R18 e-tron quattro at 2013 Le Mans.jpg|thumb|The [[Audi R18]], a [[Le Mans Prototype]] car, during an [[endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance race]]]]

In sports car racing, production-derived versions of two-seat [[sports car]]s, also known as [[grand tourer]]s (GTs), and purpose-built [[sports prototype]] cars compete within their respective classes on closed circuits. The premier championship series of sports car racing is the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]]. The main series for GT car racing is the [[GT World Challenge Europe]], divided into two separate championships: the [[GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup]] and the [[GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup]]. This series has formed after the folding of the various FIA GT championships.

The prevailing classes of GT cars are [[Group GT3|GT3]], [[SRO GT4|GT4]] and [[SRO GT2|GT2]] class cars. GT2 cars have powerful engines, often exceeding 600 horsepower. However, they have less downforce than GT3 cars and also have less driver aids. GT3 cars are far and away the most popular class of GT cars, with premier racing series such as the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]] and [[IMSA]] both using GT3 as their top class of GT car. GT3 cars have more significant aero than a GT2 car, but also have less horsepower, typically falling in between 500 and 550 horsepower. GT4 class cars have very little aerodynamics and less horsepower than GT3 machinery, typically around 450 horsepower. GT4 typically serves as the last step up to premier GT-class racing.

Other major GT championships include the [[GT World Challenge America]], [[GT World Challenge Asia]], [[Super GT]], and the [[International GT Open]]. There are minor regional and national GT series using mainly GT4 and GT3 cars featuring both amateur and professional drivers.

Sports prototypes, unlike GT cars, do not rely on road-legal cars as a base. They are closed-wheel and often closed-cockpit purpose-built race cars intended mainly for endurance racing. They have much lower weight, more horsepower and more downforce compared to GT cars, making them much faster. They are raced in the 24 hours of Le Mans (held annually since 1923) and in the (European) [[Le Mans series]], [[Asian Le Mans Series]] and the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]]. These cars are referred to as [[Le Mans Prototype|LMP]] (Le Mans prototype) cars with [[Le Mans Hypercar|LMH]] and [[LMDh]] cars being run mainly by manufacturers and the slightly less powerful LMP2 cars run by privateer teams. All three Le Mans Series run GT cars in addition to Le Mans Prototypes; these cars have different restrictions than the FIA GT cars.

Another prototype and GT racing championship exists in the United States; the [[Grand American Road Racing Association|Grand-Am]], which began in 2000, sanctions its own endurance series, the [[Rolex Sports Car Series]], which consists of slower and lower-cost [[Daytona Prototype]] race cars compared to LMP and FIA GT cars. The [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] and [[American Le Mans Series]] announced a merger between the two series forming the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]] starting in 2014.

These races are often conducted over long distances, at least {{convert|1000|km|0|abbr=on}}, and cars are driven by teams of two or more drivers, switching every few hours. Due to the performance difference between production-based sports cars and purpose-built sports prototypes, one race usually involves several racing classes, each fighting for its own championship.

Famous sports car races include the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the [[Rolex 24 at Daytona]], [[Spa 24 Hours|24 Hours of Spa]]-Franchorchamps, the [[12 Hours of Sebring]], the [[6 Hours of Watkins Glen]], and the {{convert|1000|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Petit Le Mans]] at [[Road Atlanta]]. There is also the [[Nürburgring 24 Hours|24 Hours of the Nürburgring]] on the famed Nordschleife track and the [[Dubai 24 Hour]], which is aimed at GT3 and below cars with a mixture of professional and pro-am drivers.

===Production-car racing===
{{Main|Production car racing}}

Production-car racing, otherwise known as "showroom stock" in the US, is an economical and rules-restricted version of touring-car racing, mainly used to restrict costs. Numerous production racing categories are based on particular makes of cars.

Most series, with a few exceptions, follow the [[Group N]] regulation. There are several different series that are run all over the world, most notably, Japan's Super Taikyu and [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]]'s Firehawk Series, which ran in the 1980s and 1990s all over the United States.

===Stock car racing===
{{Main|Stock car racing}}
[[File:Green flag at Daytona.JPG|thumb|NASCAR green flag start at [[Daytona International Speedway]] for the [[2015 Daytona 500]]]]
[[File:Three-wide multiple row back.JPG|thumb|[[Jimmie Johnson]] leads the field racing three-wide multiple rows back at [[Daytona International Speedway]] in the [[2015 Daytona 500]].]]
[[File:BrettSontag2010LateModelRockfordSpeedway.jpg|thumb|An [[ASA Late Model Series]] stock car on an asphalt track]]
In North America, [[stock car racing]] is the most popular form of auto racing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fryer |first=Jenna |title=Addition of IndyCar champ Hornish will give Penske third Cup team|url= https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=3099978&seriesId=2 |access-date=February 8, 2009|work=ESPN News Services |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=November 8, 2007|location=Charlotte, North Carolina}}</ref> Primarily raced on [[Oval track racing|oval tracks]], stock cars vaguely resemble production cars, but are in fact purpose-built racing machines that are built to tight specifications and, together with touring cars, also called [[Silhouette racing car]]s.

The largest stock car racing governing body is [[NASCAR]] (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). NASCAR's premier series is the [[NASCAR Cup Series]], its most famous races being the [[Daytona 500]], the [[Bojangles Southern 500|Southern 500]], the [[Coca-Cola 600]], and the [[Brickyard 400]]. NASCAR also runs several feeder series, including the [[Xfinity Series]] and [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|Craftsman Truck Series]] (a [[pickup truck]] racing series). The series conduct races across the entire [[continental United States]]. NASCAR also sanctions series outside of the United States, including the [[NASCAR Canada Series]], [[NASCAR Mexico Series]], [[NASCAR Whelen Euro Series]], and [[NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race]].

NASCAR also governs several smaller regional series, such as the [[Whelen Modified Tour]]. Modified cars are best described as open-wheel cars. Modified cars have no parts related to the stock vehicle for which they are named after. A number of modified cars display a "manufacturer's" logo and "vehicle name", yet use components produced by another automobile manufacturer.

There are also other stock car governing bodies, most notably the [[Automobile Racing Club of America]] (ARCA).

In the UK, [[British Stock car racing]] is also referred to as "Short Circuit Racing". UK Stock car racing started in the 1950s and grew rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s. Events take place on shale or tarmac tracks&nbsp;– usually around 1/4&nbsp;mile long. There are around 35 tracks in the UK and upwards of 7000 active drivers. The sport is split into three basic divisions&nbsp;– distinguished by the rules regarding car contact during racing. The most famous championship are the [[BriSCA F1 Stock Cars]].

Full-contact formulas include [[Banger racing|Bangers]], Bombers, and Rookie Bangers&nbsp;– and racing features Demolition Derbies, Figure of Eight, and Oval Racing.

Semi Contact Formulas include BriSCA F1, F2, and Superstox&nbsp;– where bumpers are used tactically.

Non-contact formulas include National Hot Rods, Stock Rods, and Lightning Rods.

===One-make racing===
{{See also|One-Design|Spec racing}}

One-make, or single marque, championships often employ production-based cars from a single manufacturer or even a single model from a manufacturer's range. There are numerous notable one-make formulae from various countries and regions, some of which&nbsp;– such as the [[Porsche Supercup]] and, previously, [[International Race of Champions|IROC]]&nbsp;– have fostered many distinct national championships. Single marque series are often found at the club level, to which the production-based cars, limited modifications, and close parity in performance are very well suited. Some of the better-known single-make series are the Mini 7 Championship (Europe's longest-running one-make championship), the [[Radical European Masters]], John Cooper Mini Challenge, [[Renault Clio Cup|Clio Cup]], [[Ginetta Cars|Ginettas]], [[Caterham Racing|Caterhams]], [[Kumho BMW Championship|BMWs]], and [[MaX5 Racing Championship|MX5s]]. There are also single-chassis [[open-wheel car|single seater]] formulae, such as [[Formula Renault]] and [[Formula BMW]], usually as "feeder" series for "senior" race formula (in the fashion of [[farm team]]s).

===Drag racing===
{{Main|Drag racing}}
[[File:Tarlton-Drag racing-004.jpg|thumb|Jet-propelled [[drag racing|dragster]] in Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa]]
[[File:1970 AMC Javelin dragstrip car-r.jpg|thumb|Two modified [[American Motors Corporation|AMCs]] launching at a [[dragstrip]]]]

In drag racing, the objective is to complete a given straight-line distance, from a standing start, ahead of a vehicle in a parallel lane. This distance is traditionally {{convert|1/4|mi|m}}, though {{convert|1000|ft|m}} and {{convert|1/8|mi|m}} are also common. The vehicles may or may not be given the signal to start at the same time, depending on the class of racing. Vehicles range from the everyday car to the purpose-built [[drag racing|dragster]]. Speeds and elapsed time differ from class to class. Average street cars cover the {{frac|4}} mile in 12 to 16&nbsp;seconds, whereas a [[top fuel dragster]] takes 4.5&nbsp;seconds or less, reaching speeds of up to {{convert|530|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. Drag racing was organized as a sport by [[Wally Parks]] in the early 1950s through the [[National Hot Rod Association]] (NHRA). The NHRA was formed to discourage [[street racing]].

When launching, a top fuel dragster will accelerate at 3.4 [[g-force|g]] (33&nbsp;m/s<sup>2</sup>), and when braking parachutes are deployed the deceleration is 4&nbsp;g (39&nbsp;m/s<sup>2</sup>), more than the [[Space Shuttle]] experiences. A top fuel car can be heard over {{convert|8|mi|km}} away and can generate a reading from 1.5 to 3.9 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://topfuel.nhra.com/blog/nhra-notebook/2007/07/26/22660/ | title=Herbert's engine thunders to 3.9 on Richter scale | date=July 26, 2007 | work=NHRA.com | access-date=August 11, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<!-- Need more details to verify this reference:<ref>NHRA Mile High Nationals 2001, and 2002 testing from the National Seismology Center.</ref> -->

Drag racing is two cars head-to-head, the winner proceeding to the next round. Professional classes are all first to the finish line wins. Sportsman racing is handicapped (slower car getting a [[Head start (positioning)|head start]]) using an index (a lowest e.t. allowed), and cars running under (quicker than) their index "break out" and lose. The slowest cars, bracket racers, are also handicapped, but rather than an index, they use a [[Drag racing#Dial-in|dial-in]].

===Off-road racing===
{{Main|Off-road racing}}

[[File:Stockmini.jpg|thumb|[[Rod Hall (racer)|Rod Hall]] in a [[Hummer H3]] during a [[Best in the Desert]] race]]

In [[off-road racing]], various classes of specially modified vehicles, including cars, compete in races through off-road environments. In North America these races often take place in the [[desert]], such as the famous [[Baja 1000]]. Another format for off-road racing happens on closed-course [[Short course off-road racing|short course tracks]] such as [[Crandon International Off-Road Raceway]]. In the 1980s and 1990s, the short course was extended to racing inside stadiums in the [[Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group]]; this format was revived by [[Robby Gordon]] in 2013 with his [[Stadium Super Trucks]] series.

In Europe, "offroad" refers to events such as autocross or rallycross, while desert races and rally-raids such as the [[Paris-Dakar Rally|Paris-Dakar]], Master Rallye or European "bajas" are called "cross-country rallies".

===Kart racing===
[[File:AtwaterSat394.jpg|thumb|A sprint kart race in Atwater California hosted by the International Karting Federation]]

{{Main|Kart racing}}
The modern kart was invented by Art Ingels, a fabricator at the Indianapolis-car manufacturer Kurtis-Kraft, in Southern California in 1956. Ingels took a small chainsaw engine and mounted it to a simple tube-frame chassis weighing less than 100&nbsp;lb. Ingels, and everyone else who drove the kart, were startled at its performance capabilities. The sport soon blossomed in Southern California, and quickly spread around the world. Although often seen as the entry point for serious racers into the sport, [[kart racing]], or karting, can be an economical way for amateurs to try racing and is also a fully-fledged international sport in its own right. A large proportion of professional racing drivers began in karts, often from a very young age, such as [[Michael Schumacher]] and [[Fernando Alonso]]. Several former motorcycle champions have also taken up the sport, notably [[Wayne Rainey]], who was paralysed in a racing accident and now races a hand-controlled kart. As one of the cheapest ways to race, karting is seeing its popularity grow worldwide.

Despite their diminutive size, karts of the most powerful class, [[superkart]] (assuming a weight of 205&nbsp;kg (452&nbsp;lb), and a power output of 100&nbsp;hp (75&nbsp;kW)), can have a [[power-to-weight ratio]] (including the driver) of 490&nbsp;hp/tonne (0.22&nbsp;hp/lb). Without the driver, this figure doubles, to almost 980&nbsp;hp/tonne (0.44&nbsp;hp/lb).

===Historical racing===
[[File:Monterey Historic.jpg|thumb|[[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca]], [[Monterey]], 2008]]

{{Main|Historic motorsport}}
Historic motorsport or vintage motorsport uses vehicles limited to a particular era. Only safety precautions are modernized in these hobbyist races. A historical event can be of various types of motorsport disciplines, from [[road racing]] to [[rallying]]. Because it is based on a particular era it is more hobbyist-oriented, reducing corporate sponsorship. The only modern equipment used is related to safety and timing. A historical event can be of a number of different motorsport disciplines.

Some of the most famous events include the [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]] and [[Goodwood Revival]] in Britain and [[Monterey Historic]] in the United States. Championships range from "grass root" [[Austin 7|Austin Seven]] racing to the [[FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship]] for classic [[Formula One]] chassis. While there are several professional teams and drivers in historical racing, this branch of [[auto sport]] tends to be contested by wealthy car owners and is thus more amateur and less competitive in its approach.

===Other categories===
{{see also|Category:Auto racing by type}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Autocross]]
* [[Autograss]]
* [[Banger racing]]
* [[Board track racing]]
* [[Demolition derby]]
* [[Dirt speedway racing]]
* [[Dirt track racing]]
* [[Drifting (motorsport)]]
* [[Eco-Marathon]]
* [[Electric drag racing]]
* [[Folkrace]]
* [[High Performance Drivers Education]]
* [[Hillclimbing]]
* [[Ice racing]]
* [[Legends car racing]]
* [[Midget car racing]]
* [[Mini sprint|Mini Sprint]]
* [[Monster truck]]
* [[Mud bogging]]
* [[Power Racing Series|Power Wheels Racing]]
* [[Pickup truck racing]]
* [[Rallycross]]
* [[Road racing]]
* [[Short track motor racing]]
* [[Autocross|Slalom]]
* [[Solar car racing]]
* [[Sprint car racing]]
* [[Swamp buggy|Swamp Buggy racing]]
* [[Truck racing]]
* [[Wheelstand Competition]]
}}