Civilized societies have used personal competition as a means of determining leadership throughout history. We see examples of this competitive spirit in the origins of the Olympics in Greece as well as chariot racing in ancient Rome and horse races in Mongolia and later in early American society. Sprint car dirt track racing is an example of this same competitive drive in humans.
Fans love the fast action of these short track races because they are able to experience the excitement generated by drivers while watching the action from the stands. Tracks vary in size from location to location starting with those measuring an eighth of a mile with the larger tracks being a mile oval. The cars can reach speeds of up to one hundred forty miles per hour during the race.
Each driver must register himself and his car immediately prior to any race. The driver and car are considered as a team and once registered there can be no changes in the team. If the car or the driver becomes unable to participate the registration fee is forfeited and they are disqualified. The car must pass inspection to determine that it has all regulation parts and safety equipment in place.
In 1958 Jim Cushman designed what he called wings for these cars. This concept was to place scoop shaped wings on the top and rear of the vehicle to create stronger down force, or drafts, for them which helps to keep the cars from becoming air born during the race. This aide in preventing the cars from flipping over while they race. Side wings were then devised to help with steering them during the frequent turns on tracks. These wings became common place during the early 1970s and added extra safety features by protecting a driver should his vehicle actually flip over during the race.
Many other safety measures have been adopted in the past few years to prevent injuries. The industry has implemented roll cages inside the cars along with six or seven point seat belt harnesses that must be less than two years old. Other improvements that are required include double layered driving suits and driving gloves that are fire proof and designed to protect hands and fingers during any collision. Neck braces and head rests as well as metal netting to cover roll cage openings have also become mandatory equipment for the cars.
Sprint racing is the origin of many NASCAR drivers' careers. They create their reputations as drivers and eventually make the transition to the larger vehicles and tracks. It is not uncommon for them to retain their licenses for short track racing after making the initial change.
The sanctioning bodies that help sponsor these races require that drivers have membership in their series. There is a fee that is paid for each series as well as fees for each race when the team registers. Drivers receive cash prizes for winning and placing in the top three places as well as points that accumulate over the season to determine the best driver overall.
There has been spotty television of these races over the past thirty years. Some stations have signed contracts with specific sanctioned race organizations and for various reasons either not finished the seasons or not continued the contracts for following seasons. These races can currently be seen on Speed TV using tape delayed replay.
Fans love the fast action of these short track races because they are able to experience the excitement generated by drivers while watching the action from the stands. Tracks vary in size from location to location starting with those measuring an eighth of a mile with the larger tracks being a mile oval. The cars can reach speeds of up to one hundred forty miles per hour during the race.
Each driver must register himself and his car immediately prior to any race. The driver and car are considered as a team and once registered there can be no changes in the team. If the car or the driver becomes unable to participate the registration fee is forfeited and they are disqualified. The car must pass inspection to determine that it has all regulation parts and safety equipment in place.
In 1958 Jim Cushman designed what he called wings for these cars. This concept was to place scoop shaped wings on the top and rear of the vehicle to create stronger down force, or drafts, for them which helps to keep the cars from becoming air born during the race. This aide in preventing the cars from flipping over while they race. Side wings were then devised to help with steering them during the frequent turns on tracks. These wings became common place during the early 1970s and added extra safety features by protecting a driver should his vehicle actually flip over during the race.
Many other safety measures have been adopted in the past few years to prevent injuries. The industry has implemented roll cages inside the cars along with six or seven point seat belt harnesses that must be less than two years old. Other improvements that are required include double layered driving suits and driving gloves that are fire proof and designed to protect hands and fingers during any collision. Neck braces and head rests as well as metal netting to cover roll cage openings have also become mandatory equipment for the cars.
Sprint racing is the origin of many NASCAR drivers' careers. They create their reputations as drivers and eventually make the transition to the larger vehicles and tracks. It is not uncommon for them to retain their licenses for short track racing after making the initial change.
The sanctioning bodies that help sponsor these races require that drivers have membership in their series. There is a fee that is paid for each series as well as fees for each race when the team registers. Drivers receive cash prizes for winning and placing in the top three places as well as points that accumulate over the season to determine the best driver overall.
There has been spotty television of these races over the past thirty years. Some stations have signed contracts with specific sanctioned race organizations and for various reasons either not finished the seasons or not continued the contracts for following seasons. These races can currently be seen on Speed TV using tape delayed replay.
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