Sprint cars have very high power-to-weight ratios, with weights of approximately 1,400 pounds (640 kg) (including the driver) and power outputs of over 900 horsepower (670 kW). This gives them a power-to-weight ratio besting that of contemporary F1 cars. Typically, they are powered by a naturally aspirated, methanol-injected overhead valve American V8 engine with a displacement of 410 cubic inches (6.7L) and capable of engine speeds of 9000 rpm. Depending on the mechanical setup and track layout, these cars can achieve speeds in excess of 160 miles per hour (260 km/h). A lower-budget and very popular class of sprint cars uses 360-cubic-inch (5.9L) engines that produce up to 775 horsepower. Sprint cars do not utilize a transmission but have an in-or-out gearbox and quick-change rear differentials for occasional gearing changes. As a result, they do not have electric starters (or even electrical systems other than an ignition magneto) and require a push to be started.
The safety record of sprint car racing in recent years has been greatly improved by the use of roll cages, and, especially on dirt tracks, wings, which increase surface traction to protect the drivers. The added downforce from wings lessens the likelihood of going airborne. When cars do go airborne, the wings contact the ground first and break off or crumple upon hitting the ground, lessening the impact on the driver and the car. For these reasons, winged cars are safer to drive. Common safety requirements include an emergency shut-off switch, a quick-detach steering wheel, aluminum seats with high impact head rests, fire resistant suits, and a full face helmet.
The world's first small-track winged race car was driven by Jim Cushman at the Columbus Motor Speedway in 1958. In the early 1970s, many sprint car drivers began to put wings with sideboards on both the front and top of their cars. The added wings increase the downforce generated on the car, with the opposite direction of the sideboards helping to turn the car in the corners. The increased traction makes the car faster and easier to control.
In 1978, Ted Johnson formed the promotional body for winged sprint cars called the World of Outlaws. Racing throughout the United States from February to November, the World of Outlaws is the premier dirt sprint car racing series. Famous tracks featured in the series included the Eldora Speedway, the Lernerville Speedway, the Knoxville Raceway, and Williams Grove Speedway. Each August, the Knoxville Raceway holds the Knoxville Nationals.
In 1987, Australia followed suit with its own national series for winged sprint cars called the World Series Sprintcars, founded by John Hughes. The Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool is the largest sprint car meeting in the world.
Wingless sprint cars are considered the traditional sprint cars, dating back to the first sprint cars in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, traditional and winged sprint cars are essentially the same vehicle, with many wingless cars having "stub outs" in the frame for attaching wings. They generally use the same 410 cubic inches (6,700 cc) and 360 cubic inches (5,900 cc) aluminum engines as their winged counterparts. While they do not have the same top speed as a winged car because they lack downforce for improved traction, traditional cars are thought by many to be more entertaining to watch. Their relative lack of grip creates different driving characteristics than their winged counterparts, causing them to be more difficult to control through the corners. This, and the lack of roll-over protection a wing provides, makes them more prone to spectacular accidents.
Many IndyCar Series and NASCAR drivers used sprint car racing as an intermediate stepping stone on their way to more high-profile divisions. These include Indianapolis 500 winners A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Johnnie Parsons, Al Unser Sr., and Al Unser Jr., as well as NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson.
The NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws (WoO) is a division of 410ci (6.7L) winged sprint cars that run all over the United States and have a few events in Canada. The All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) is an American motorsports sanctioning body of winged sprint car racing founded in 1970. The United States Automobile Club (USAC) National Sprint Car Championship is a division of wingless 410 cubic inch sprint cars that run throughout the United States on asphalt and dirt tracks. The United Racing Company (URC) is a division for winged sprint cars that run mainly in the northeastern part of the United States. The American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) sanctions both winged and wingless sprint car racing within the United States. The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) was organized in 1915, and is currently the oldest active auto racing sanctioning body in the United States. In Australia, sprint car racing is controlled by the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA).
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