Dirt track racing

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This article concerns auto racing; motorcycles, also race on dirt tracks.


Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South. While open wheel racecars are purpose-built racing vehicles, stock cars (also known as fendered cars) can be either purpose-built racecars or street vehicles that have been modified to varying degrees.

Dirt track racing is the single most common form of auto racing in the United States. There are hundreds of local and regional racetracks throughout the nation: some estimates range as high as 1500. The sport is popular in Australia and Canada also. Many of the cars may also race on asphalt short tracks during the racing season.

The racetrack

Dirt Late Model class drivers show how dirt track car drivers slide their car's backend around through a corner. The multiple drivers show the car angle at different points in a corner.

North America

Nearly all tracks are oval and less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) in length with most being ½ mile (804 m) or less. The most common increments in the U.S. are ½ mile, ⅜ mile (603 m), ⅓ mile (536 m), ¼ mile (402 m), and ⅛ mile (201 m). With the longer tracks, the racecars achieve higher speeds and the interval between cars increases. This decreases the chance of crashes but increases the damage and chance of injury when cars do crash.

The track surface may be composed of any soil, but most racers prefer a track with a clay base. The track operators usually try to keep the surface tacky and may sprinkle water on it if it begins to dry. Some operators build flat ovals, but many are highly banked.

United Kingdom

In Great Britain the oval tracks are normally on grass with lengths of 400 meters (¼ mile) to 800 meters (½ mile). The race consists of several qualifying heats, each lasting four laps of the track leading up to the final.

Grass Track is very much a family sport suitable for all ages and abilities. Boys and girls from as young as six can compete on automatic machines. The ages and capacity classes progress right through to adult status. There are also classes in youth grass track to run motocross machines on a grass track circuit. Youth events are carefully controlled to provide good racing for young competitors.

Rest of Europe

In mainland Europe Long Tracks can be used on grass, or sand and can be up to 1 kilometer (0.621 miles) long.

The race vehicle

A typical dirt track "street stock" car racing in Wisconsin, USA

Each racetrack or sponsoring organization maintains a rule book outlining each class of racecar; including dimensions, engine size, equipment requirements, prohibitions, etc. The requirements for each class are usually coordinated with other racetracks and associations to allow for the widest available venue for each type of car. This coordination allows the drivers to enter many different racetracks, increasing their chances of winning; allows the racetrack to field as many cars as possible; lets the racing associations develop a series of race events; and promotes fan interest.

Many fans prefer one or the other of the different type cars. Open wheel fans say, "Real racecars don't have fenders." Stock car (shown right and above) fans point out that even minimal contact between open wheel racers usually disables both cars. In reality, both types of vehicles have weak and strong points. Open wheel racers are usually lighter and nimbler. Stock cars can push and shove their way to advancement.

Many tracks support both types of racer in their programs. Both types range from powerful V8 engines to small, still powerful, 4-cylinder engines. Some of the smaller open wheel racers even have classes for single-cylinder powerplants. Depending on the class, the cars may have wings to aid in handling at higher speeds.

Open wheel cars

Dirt Sprint cars

Open wheel cars are generally manufactured with tubular frames and a body purchased for that particular class. Classes include:

The sanctioning bodies include:

Modified cars

IMCA Modified car

Modified cars are a hybrid of open wheel cars and stock cars - this class of car has the racing characteristics of a stock with the rear wheels covered by fenders and the front wheels open. There are sanctioning bodies that control the rules for this class at most tracks. Each Sanctioning body has their own set of guidelines provided in an annual rule book and their own registration fees. Sanctioning bodies include:

Stock cars

Stock cars are generally automobiles manufactured by the major automakers with certain modifications as allowed for each class. There are several general types:

Non-production cars

These are stock cars custom built for racing, usually with welded tubular frames and custom built or purchased bodies.

The most popular type of dirt stock cars are late models. They are categorized depending on what track and series that is running. The racetrack dictates what type of late model is raced, but most fall in to one of three categories:

Super late Model
2006 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee Pete Parker's #10 WISSOTA Dirt Late Model car

Today’s current dirt super late models feature steel constructed tube frame chassis with aluminum bodies that give them a sleek aerodynamic appearance of a stock appearing race car but there is nothing stock about these 2300 pound machines. The cars are powered by an 800hp motor than can turn in excess of 9,000 RPMs. The engines are based on V-8 Chevrolet, Ford and MOPAR power plants.

Most racing series and special events offer three motor options with the use of weight breaks to create an even playing field:

  1. Open Motor - There is no displacement limit with this type of motor. Most Open motors exceed 400 cubic inches but the 380 small block is a common open motor. These motors utilize aluminum blocks and heads and often have specially welded cams. The cars which run this motor option must weigh at least 2300lb.
  2. Spec Motor (Big 10 Motor) - the two most popular are the SAS (Southern All Stars) and SURR (Southern United Professional Racing) Spec motors are built to the series' specifications. The motor can be either all steel all aluminum or a combination of both. Cars using this motor option weigh in at 2200 pounds and run a SAS or SUPR 10 or 12in spoiler. Spec Motors cannot exceed 358 Cubic Inches.
  3. All Steel Motor - steel block and heads, a maximum of 362 cubic inches, and weigh in at either 2200 or 2150 pounds depending on the series. Cars with an all steel motor must run an 8 or 10in spoiler.
Late Model Stock/Limited Late Model

Late Model Stocks/Limited Late Models have the same body rules as Super Late Models. The main difference in the two classes is the motor options, especially displacement.

Engine Options: 1. Engines: Chevrolet 350, Chrysler 360, Ford 351 engines. Must be all steel except intake. 2. Engine maximum displacement of 362 cubic inches. 3. Engines cannot be modified in anyway except for aftermarket carburetor, intake manifold and exhaust headers.

Crate engines are sealed at the intake manifold, cylinder head, front cover, and oil pan with special twist off bolts. Crate engines must not be altered, modified, of changed in any way from factory specification.

Many tracks have variations on these rules in which the standard spec motor is the only option; however, the above rules are becoming more popular with the advent of the crate motor.

Crate Late Models
A Fastrak Late Model

Use GM or Ford sealed crate motors and have two of their own national touring series: the Stormpay.com Dirt Late Model Series and the Fastrak Crate Late Model Series. Currently, Chrysler has no plans to enter the Stormpay.com or Fastrak Late Model Series.

Popular Racing Series
World of Outlaws late model
  • World of Outlaws
  • Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts Southern All Stars
  • World Dirt Racing League
  • United Midwestern Promoters
  • Advance Auto Parts Super Dirt Series
  • Southern Regional Racing Seres
  • Advanced Auto Parts Thunder Series
  • O Reilly Auto Parts Southern United Professional Racing

There are literally hundreds of additional unsanctioned regional and national special events run through out the year.

Other Major yearly events include:

Modified production cars

A 4 cylinder modified production car with limited modifications (left), and a highly modified 8 cylinder car (right)

These cars are modified manufactured automobiles. There is a high degree of variability between classes of modified cars. The lowest divisions of modified production cars may be completely stock except for having their interior or windshields removed. The highest divisions of modified production cars may have only a few original stock parts, and may be nearly as fast as late model racecars. Most cars have their glass windshields removed and their interiors stripped out. The original seat may be allowed to be used in the lowest classes, but a racing seat and roll cage is required to be installed in higher divisions. Other safety and performance features are added to higher division cars. The engines in lower divisions are completely stock, and higher divisions are highly modified and enhanced. Most modified production cars use full exhaust systems. Engines vary from unmodified 4 cylinders to highly modified V8. Cars in lower divisions use stock tires, and higher division cars use purpose-built specified racing tires.

Common names of modified production car divisions:

  • Factory Stocks
  • Mini Stocks
  • Hornets
  • Bombers
  • Cruisers
  • Hobby Stocks
  • Stock Cars
  • Pure Streets
  • Pure Stocks
  • Street Stocks
  • Super Streets
  • Super Stocks
  • Pro Stocks
  • Renegades

Unmodified production cars

These cars are automobiles just as driven on the street; including the original interiors. The engines may be modified as allowed under different rules:

  • Saloon

Motorcycles

Main article motorcycles

flat track motorcycles

Dirt and Grass Track bikes have capacities of 250, 350 and 500 cc in the solo classes and can reach speeds of up to 80mi/h on the straights and with no brakes fitted to the machine the racing is both fast and furious. There are three sidecar classes. The continental class has a 500 cc single cylinder engine, also in Great Britain there are left and right-handed sidecar machines with the engines up to 1000 cc. Sidecar races are some of the most exciting in Grass Track sport with the driver and passenger working together to obtain the best grip and speed around the corners.

Vintage Racing

Many obsolete race vehicles that were left in barns to rust are being restored to their former glory. The restored race vehicles are being displayed at car shows and sometimes raced. Cars that compete in vintage racing events are from the late 19th century to historic cars from a few years ago. There are more than 170 racing events in North America, and thousands of other vintage events sanctioned by hundreds of clubs.


The race program

Four car heat race of vintage open wheel cars common in Wisconsin (USA) from the 1950s to 1970s

The typical race program usually involves a number of classes, and many tracks offer both open wheel and stock car racing. There is a wide variety of event formats.

Qualifying

A qualifying session may happen before the start of the event. The session determines either the starting positions in the heat races or the starting positions in the feature event. There are other methods of selecting the starting positions in the heats or feature events, including random drawings and season points standings.

Heat races

Preliminary races for each class, called heat races, frequently open the schedule. The heat races may determine the starting race position in the main events and usually earn season championship points. The heat races are shorter than the feature races, and not as many cars race in each heat. There are numerous formats for qualifying for the feature event.

In "Progressive racing", the starting lineup for the heat races are randomly selected, and a pre-determined number of drivers qualify for the main event directly from each heat race.

There may be a "trophy dash" during the program to allow the heat winners or the season's top points-getters to compete for a trophy or reward. If the reward is monetary, the race may be called a "dash for the cash" or a "run for the money". Some tracks also use the qualifying dash in place of a heat race to determine where the top cars will start in the A feature.

Semi-Feature/B Main

There may be a semi-feature where unqualified racers may race their way into the remaining open starting positions in the feature event. Depending on the number of cars in each class, there may be more than one feature race (C feature; 3rd place heat winners, B feature; 2nd place heat winners, etc.) with the winners moving up through to the main feature (A feature). Other tracks utilize multiple semi-features with a predetermined number of cars from each semi-feature qualifying for the feature. Cars that qualify through the semi-feature usually start in the back of the feature in the order that they finished in the semi-feature.

Feature/Main

The A feature or main feature race is held for each division. The top cars from the event compete in the race. The starting positions may be determined by the season's point standings, or by a combination of the heat/trophy dash/semi-feature finishing positions. It is usually the longest race in the program. Points, a trophy, and frequently a purse are generally awarded, with the amount of each is determined by finishing position. The winner of the feature event is considered the winner of the event.

Special events

Many tracks have other special events. Occasionally, a track will sponsor a "powder-puff" race to allow women the opportunity to drive the racecars for a few laps of racing. If enough women drivers express an interest in a separate event for themselves, the track operator may put the powder puff into its regular race schedule; otherwise, most serious women racers compete in the same events as the men.

From time to time, the track may have a "bonus points" race to attract racers and fans from competing tracks. Many times the track operators also promise a larger purse for winning these races.

Also, many tracks contract with a touring racing association to schedule an association sanctioned event. The racers in these events earn points for ranking in the association. The associations also usually require a guaranteed purse from the tracks for the winners of sanctioned events.

Many tracks also have a "run-what-you-brung" contest (also "Spectator class/division"). The event features two drivers from the stands who, after signing waivers, can run their personal automobiles against each other in a one-on-one 1 or 2 lap shootout.

Championships

Both the racetracks and the racing associations award championships as determined by the guidelines of the associated rulebooks. Awards, usually for the top ten racers in each class, may include a trophy, a jacket, and a monetary amount.

Track championships are awarded according to the points earned during the season. A certain number of points may be awarded for participation in an event and additional points added depending on the finish position in each race. The points earned at one track do not generally count toward another track's championship.

Dirt tracks sanctioned by NASCAR will compete against other tracks, both paved and dirt, for the statewide Whelen All-American Series championship, and the best performer of the state champions will win the national championship, which includes a trip to New York City for the Nextel Cup Championship Banquet, and a photo opportunity with NASCAR's regional and national series champions. Dirt late model drivers won NASCAR's first such championship in 1982, and these drivers have frequently won regional and national championships in the 25-year history of NASCAR's short track championship.

The racing associations count points earned at the tracks for certain sponsored races similarly. Additionally they may promote the appearances of their drivers and winners at various other events.

See also


External links

Dirt track racing associations

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