Races are exciting. Whether you are an observer or a participant races incite the competitive nature in all people. They have done so for centuries and races can be traced through history back to ancient Greece and Rome by historians. Chariot races, foot races and horse races have been a part of every civilization all over the world. The competitive drive today also includes other activities such as sprint car dirt track racing.
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.
Once the car and driver have registered to participate in a race there can be no substitutions of either. They are a team and if either component cannot perform they will be disqualified from the race. This rule includes the vehicle meeting all directives required by the vehicle specifications division of track and sanctioning bodies of each race.
The concept of winged cars was developed in 1958 by Jim Cushman. These additions to the front and tops of the vehicles helps to generate a down force that keeps the wheels from leaving the ground. Air born vehicles can flip during the race and injure drivers, Side wings help to stabilize the cars while executing turns on the race tracks. The drivers started using the wings in earnest during the early 1970s. Wings located on the top of the vehicle have the added advantage of providing extra safety for the driver by cushioning the impact should the vehicle flip during the race.
In an effort to protect drivers several safety upgrades have been initiated in last ten years. Roll cages have become mandatory for these racers. There is also a seven point safety harness that is recommended and it must be less than two years old. Head rests, neck and head braces and full cover helmets have also been installed. The driving suits and gloves must be double strength and fire retardant. A special metal netting is required over the roll cage openings to prevent rocks and debris from entering the cab and striking the driver.
NASCAR drivers many times begin their race car careers in Sprint cars. The drivers can many times acquire sponsors and backing to finance the transition to larger tracks by being successful on smaller tracks. Some even continue running small tracks afterwards because it appeals to their taste for excitement and uninhibited speed.
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.
Once the car and driver have registered to participate in a race there can be no substitutions of either. They are a team and if either component cannot perform they will be disqualified from the race. This rule includes the vehicle meeting all directives required by the vehicle specifications division of track and sanctioning bodies of each race.
The concept of winged cars was developed in 1958 by Jim Cushman. These additions to the front and tops of the vehicles helps to generate a down force that keeps the wheels from leaving the ground. Air born vehicles can flip during the race and injure drivers, Side wings help to stabilize the cars while executing turns on the race tracks. The drivers started using the wings in earnest during the early 1970s. Wings located on the top of the vehicle have the added advantage of providing extra safety for the driver by cushioning the impact should the vehicle flip during the race.
In an effort to protect drivers several safety upgrades have been initiated in last ten years. Roll cages have become mandatory for these racers. There is also a seven point safety harness that is recommended and it must be less than two years old. Head rests, neck and head braces and full cover helmets have also been installed. The driving suits and gloves must be double strength and fire retardant. A special metal netting is required over the roll cage openings to prevent rocks and debris from entering the cab and striking the driver.
NASCAR drivers many times begin their race car careers in Sprint cars. The drivers can many times acquire sponsors and backing to finance the transition to larger tracks by being successful on smaller tracks. Some even continue running small tracks afterwards because it appeals to their taste for excitement and uninhibited speed.
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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