Motorsport

The first prearranged match race of self-powered road vehicles occurred on August 30, 1867, between Ashton-under-Lyne and Old Trafford, Manchester, England, a distance of eight miles. Isaac Watt Boulton’s locomotive won against Daniel Adamson’s carriage. In 1878, a 200-mile race was held in Wisconsin, from Green Bay to Appleton, Oshkosh, Waupon, Watertown, Fort Atkinson and Janesville, then turning north and ending in Madison, between vehicles referred to by their towns of origin, Oshkosh and Green Bay. In 1894, the French newspaper Le Petit Journal organised a contest for horseless carriages from Paris to Rouen, widely accepted as the world’s first motorsport event. The Chicago Times-Herald race, a 60-mile course from Chicago to Evanston and back, was held in 1895, believed to be the first motorsport event in the United States of America. The Gordon Bennett Cup was established in 1900.

Motorsport was a demonstration event at the 1900 Summer Olympics. Following World War I, Grand Prix races were organised in Europe, while dirt track racing became popular in the United States. After World War II, the Grand Prix circuit became more formally organised, and stock car and drag racing became firmly established in the United States.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), formed in 1904, is the oldest and most prominent international governing body, claiming authority over automobiles and other four-wheeled vehicles. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) governs vehicles with one to three wheels. Both the FIA and FIM are recognised as international sports federations by the International Olympic Committee.

Within the FIA’s structure, each affiliated National Sporting Authority (ASN) holds sole authority in its nation. Permission from ASNs must be obtained to organise events using their rules, and their licenses must be held by participants. ASNs organise motorsport events, which collectively form a series, and groupings of competitions form a championship, cup, or trophy.

Circuit racing takes place on sealed-surface courses, either at permanent autodromes or on temporary street) circuits. Competitors race over a set number of laps or for a set time, with the winner being the first to finish or having completed the highest number of laps. Aspendale Racecourse in Australia, in 1906, was the first purpose-built motor racing track. Single-seater racing involves cars with minimal bodywork, also known as open-wheel cars.

Formula racing encompasses series with specific rules for race car design, with Formula One and Formula Two being the most prevalent international series. Formula One is an international championship governed by the FIA. Formula E is a championship of open-wheel racing using only electric-powered cars, conceived in 2012 and starting in Beijing in 2014. The IndyCar Series originated in 1909, with its premier race being the Indianapolis 500, which began in 1911.

Sports car racing includes production-based grand touring and sports cars, as well as racing prototypes. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, held annually in France, is the flagship race. Stock car racing originally used production cars but now uses purpose-built prototypes, with NASCAR being the most prominent series. Touring car racing involves modified production cars with a minimum production quota and four seats.

Off-road racing takes place on open terrain or on unsealed circuits. Notable races include the Baja 1000, and the FIA-authorised Extreme E electric off-road series. Rallying involves driving to a set itinerary, following a prescribed route, and arriving at control points at set times. Rally raid or cross-country rallies, such as the Dakar Rally, involve routes that cover terrain off-road.

Drag racing is an acceleration contest along a short, straight course, often between two vehicles. Kart racing uses small, low vehicles known as go-karts and is regulated by the FIA. Hillclimbing involves completing an uphill course individually against the clock. Sprints are time trials on courses that do not climb a hill. Rallysprints combine elements of rallying and sprints.

Other forms of automobile sport include autoball, demolition derby, land speed record attempts, monster truck events, rock crawling, tractor pulling, and trials. Motorcycle sport includes enduro, freestyle motocross, motorcycle racing, motorcycle rally, and motorcycle trials. Powerboating includes motorboat racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). Air sports, governed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), include air racing and drone racing.