(Redirected from Motorsports)


"Follow You, Follow Me", Qualfying Part 3, 2019 Italian Grand Prix, Monza, 7th September.jpg
A modern-day Formula One race
Highest governing bodyFIA (four- or more wheeled)
FIM (two-wheeled)
UIM (powerboats)
FAI (Air racing)
First competitive race1894
GlossaryGlossary of motorsport terms
Country or regionWorldwide
Olympic1900 (demonstration only)

Four- (or more) wheeled motorsport competition is globally governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA); and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) governs two-wheeled competition. Likewise, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) governs powerboat racing while the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) governs air sports; including aeroplane racing.


Postcard picture of the Brighton Motor Trials – July 1905


Aspendale Racecourse in Australia in 1906 was the first dedicated motor racing track in the world.[2]






Open wheel racingEdit

Mercedes-Benz holds the record for the most consecutive constructor's championships in Formula One. Pictured: the Mercedes W11

Formula racingEdit

Formula racing is a set of classes of motor vehicles, with their wheels outside, and not contained by, any bodywork of their vehicle. These have been globally classified as specific 'Formula' series - the most common being Formula One, and Formula Two. Many others include the likes of Formula 3, Formula Ford, Formula Renault and Formula Palmer Audi. However, in North America, the IndyCar series is the most followed open-wheeled racing series. Former 'Formula' series include Formula 5000, GP2 and GP3.

Formula OneEdit

Formula One is a class of single-seat and open-wheel Grand Prix closed course racing, governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and currently organized by the privately owned company Formula One Group. The formula regulations contain a very strict set of rules which govern vehicle power, weight, size, and design. The rules do allow for some variation, however.[6]

A 2020 Formula E car, driven by Felipe Massa
Formula EEdit


IndyCar SeriesEdit

A series originated on June 12, 1909 in Portland, Oregon[9] at its first race. Shortly after, Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909 and held races that ranged from 50 to 200 miles. Its premier race is the Indianapolis 500 which began on May 11, 1911 and a tradition was born. Today, Indycar operates a full schedule with over 20 teams and 40 different drivers. The current schedule includes 15 tracks over the course of 17 races per season.[10] Josef Newgarden was crowned current champion of the Indycar Series in September 2019.

Enclosed wheel racingEdit


Sports car racingEdit

Sports car racing is a set of classes of vehicles, over a closed course track, including GT sports cars, and specialized racing prototypes. The premiere race is the 24 Hours of Le Mans which takes place annually in France during the month of June. Sports car racing rules and specifications differentiate in North America from established international sanctioning bodies.[11]

Stock car racingEdit

Cole Rouse driving in NASCAR in 2018


Touring car racingEdit


Off-road racingEdit

Off-road racing is a group of vehicles that specialize in off-road racing and are modified street cars that can race on close purpose-built off-road tracks and courses. Off-road racing is popular all over the world. Premier off-road events include the Dakar Rally and the Baja 1000 desert race.[20] Series like the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) which was founded in 1967, sanctions events utilizing off-road vehicles racing through the Baja Desert.[21] The first event sanctioned by the organization was the 1967 Mexican 1000 rally that began in Tijuana and ended in La Paz.

Other racingEdit

Motor sports which involve competitors racing against each other include:

Non-racing disciplinesEdit

Forms of motorsport which do not involve racing include drifting, demolition derby, regularity rally, motorcycle trials, gymkhana, Freestyle Motocross and tractor pulling.

Race organisationEdit

Racing events are governed by Race Officials. In preparation for the race, a Race Committee is formed, senior officials such as Race Director, Clerk of the Course, Chief Steward are established. Race Officials are typically members of the country's motorsport governing organization and represent its rules and regulations.

Throughout the racing event, Race Officials are responsible for logistics, supporting services, safety, participant scrutineering, race judging, arbitration, and any other decision making.

After the race, the Race Officials are responsible for resolving any issues that may have arisen during the race. Parties can appeal its decisions to the country's motorsport governing organization.


Motorsport was a demonstration event at the 1900 Summer Olympics.

See alsoEdit


  1. ^ Gifford, p. 7.
  2. ^ Gifford, p. 9.
  3. ^ Gifford, p. 10.
  4. ^ Gifford, p. 11.
  19. ^ "Car Facts | Pirelli World Challenge". Archived from the original on 2015-10-10. Retrieved 2015-10-09.


External linksEdit