Sprint Car racing – Daring Deeds on the Dirt Track

Sprint Car racing traces its auto racing history back to the impromptu races that were held on tiny unpaved tracks at early 20th century county fairs, horseracing ovals and traveling shows. Time was, sprint car racing was seen as a ticket to the Indianapolis 500 if a driver was good enough to win on a consistent basis. While that isn’t the case anymore, it’s good to know that some things haven’t changed much and Sprint Car racing is a fine example of that.

Fans accustomed to the polished, professional look of modern Formula One and Indy cars may get a shock when they first set eyes on a sprint car. They appear to be little more than four-wheeled cages with barely enough room inside for the driver and the engine. Stick a wing that resembles 2 or 3 front doors cobbled together on top, and you’ve got yourself a sprint car. Now imagine a fleet of these buzzing cages roaring around a dirt track at speeds 100 miles per hour or more… are you smiling yet?

There is not one overriding authority that sanctions sprint car racing and sets down the rules of the sport, but the World of Outlaws is at this time the most well known of several competing organizations. World of Outlaws sprint car racing is for winged cars but there are other series that feature non-winged cars. Sprint car racing hasn’t succeeded in dislodging stock car racing from the hearts of loyal southerners, but it has made itself very popular in the northeast, Midwest, and in California. The advent of televised race coverage in the 1980s has proved to be a huge boost for the sport and has also provided a lucrative source of advertising dollars. Those big wings not only look like billboards, they’re used that way!

Auto Racing – The Return of Retro

Car styling through the years has gravitated between racing influences and tributes to the great automobiles of the past. Sometimes it’s both, a case in point being the 1990s Chrysler Concorde with its wide oval grill reminiscent of early 1960s Ferraris. The Prancing Horse has been evoked by other makes as well, such as the 1955 Chevrolet and its Ferrari-inspired grill. The current styling theme seems to be retro – with a vengeance. Some examples of the trend include the Chrysler PT Cruiser that recalls the 1930s, the Chevrolet HHR with its 1940s look and the new Ford Mustang that pays homage to the Mustangs of the late 1960s.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that the big American automakers have embraced the retro theme. Note that very few, if any, overseas carmakers have done the same (BMW, with its line of roadsters may be an exception). Could it be that domestic manufacturers long for the days when they ruled the automotive roost? It’s debatable whether car buyers share this nostalgia for the past, but then again nostalgia is a prime motivator when middle-aged buyers make costly purchases. Ford cleverly played the “mid-life crisis” card with their latest version of the Thunderbird. The car was styled with one eye on the classic two-seat T-Birds of the 1950s. It didn’t handle especially well, nor did its engine provide much power or excitement, but the Thunderbird wasn’t designed to be a seat-of-the-pants performer – it was aimed straight for the heart.

The Ford Mustang, on the other hand, was purposely planned to hit the emotional and physical targets. It could be optioned with Cobra style stripes and other “go fast” accessories, plus the under hood pieces to enable it to keep its promises. The Mustang has been an unqualified success, and everyone has noticed. Chrysler is planning to release an updated Dodge Challenger in 2007 that bears more than a passing resemblance to its early 1970s namesake, down to the “Plum Crazy” paint job.

Even GM, troubled giant though it may be, has announced plans to reissue the Chevrolet Camarro. The Camarro also promises to feature retro styling, this time based on the memorable 1969 edition. It goes to show you: in the world of automobiles, everything old is new again!

Auto Racing: Rally Racing, A Sport of Time

Rally Racing is a sport where the driver is more focused on navigation and time than speed. Generally, a team of two, one driver and one navigator, compete in a series of stages. These stages take place in all driving conditions from extreme off road to friendly highways. Those who complete the stages most accurately will achieve the best time, thus winning the competition.

In many of these rallies, these teams participate in a reconnaissance run. During this run, the team will become familiar with the course and note any and all situations throughout the course. Things such as sharp turns, jumps, and hazards will be noted and referred to from navigator to driver during the race.

The largest rally is the World Rally Championships. These competitions are a series of stages throughout Europe, and in the past stages have taken place in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia. The race is over off-road courses and street avenues and features a trophy for team and manufacture performance. Since there are two awards a team can win there can be different winners for each category. Although this is rare, it has happened. In 2003 the team from Subaru won the team competition while Citroen won the trophy for the manufacture category.

One of the more interesting rallies is the Mongol Rally. Participants of all levels meet in London, England in a car of limited power and function. Each team is given the choice of various routes to make it to Mongolia. The race travels through Russia and the Middle East. It makes for a very challenging and exciting time for each team.

For those who love the open road or a challenging course, check with a local car club. Many of these rallies are organized by grass roots car clubs and are more than willing to welcome you to their society.

Auto Racing: 24 Hours of Le Mans

For many car enthusiasts the true test of endurance is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Run every year since 1923, except 1936 for economic reasons and 1940-48 during the Second World War, this race has become the true test of a driver‘s ability and determination. The race takes place at Cirque de la Sarthe in the town of Le Mans and is considered by some to be the most famous automobile race in the world.

Encompassing a track that is 8.5 miles long and runs through the country roads of the region, this course is both challenging and scenic. Racers run their cars for the 24 hours to accumulate as many miles as possible. The driver that can endure the longest and collect the most miles driven wins.

Over the years, most of the major manufactures of Europe have participated in the event. The teams from Porsche have dominated the race with sixteen wins. Although, the European teams have held a large presence, the team from American carmaker Ford, has been impressive with six wins over the years.

Held in June annually, the 24 Hours of Le Mans attracts some of the world’s best drivers. From the team of Andre Lagache and Rene Leonard, winners of the first race, to Olivier Gendeien the race’s first four-time winner and the team that has included Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro winners of four of the last eight races. This endurance race creates legends out of its drivers.

Book your rooms early. Pack a sleeping bag and comfortable chair. Stake out your race side seats and witness what has become the pinnacle of racing success. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a true testament of the human will.

Junior Johnson: From Moonshiner to NASCAR Legend – Auto Racing

In the early days of American auto racing, a majority of racers gained their skills as drivers from running moonshine. Moonshine is an illegal form of whiskey and was a main source of income for some people who lived in the southern U.S. One man whose name is synonymous with NASCAR and moonshine runners is Robert “Junior” Johnson.

Born in Wilkes County North Carolina, Junior Johnson honed his driving skills as a runner for his daddy’s business. After a few years running and racing in the small dirt track circuit, Junior Johnson tried his hand at NASCAR. In his first year, he won five races and finished sixth in the points total. His legend was born that first year.

Over the course of his 11-year NASCAR career as a driver, Junior won 50 races. In 1960, he won the coveted Daytona 500. For those who follow NASCAR, Junior Johnson is considered one of the greatest short track racers and most consider him the best dirt track driver to ever sit behind the wheel.

In 1973 a movie based on his life, The Last American Hero, was filmed with Jeff Bridges playing Junior. The movie was taken from an article written by Tom Wolfe and represented Junior’s younger years as a moonshine runner and racer.

Junior Johnson has been inducted into every major racing hall of fame and as a car owner has built one the most successful racing enterprises in the sport. For those who love the sport of NASCAR you know the legend of this man, for those new to the sport you will be graced with the man who is a pioneer, legend, and icon of a true American Sport.