Road racing

{{main|History of auto racing}}

File:1906 French Grand Prix Szisz.jpg

The first organized automobile race was held on July 22, 1894, from Paris to Rouen, France.{{cite web | url=http://forix.autosport.com/8w/bdb.html | title=The cradle of motorsport | author=Rémi Paolozzi | date=May 28, 2003 | work=Welcome to Who? What? Where? When? Why? on the World Wide Web | publisher=Forix, Autosport, 8W}}{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprixhistory.org/story.htm |title=Dawn of Automobile Racing |date=November 2010 |publisher=grandprixhistory.org |access-date=17 September 2018 }} The first held in the United States was a 54-mile competition from Chicago to Evanston, Illinois and return, held on November 27, 1895.{{cite web |url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/duryea.htm |title=America's First Automobile Race, 1895 |publisher=eyewitnesstohistory.com |access-date=September 17, 2018 }} By 1905, the Gordon Bennett Cup, organized by the Automobile Club de France, was considered the most important race in the world.{{cite web |url=https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/category/68 |title=James Gordon Bennett Cup |publisher=firstsuperspeedway.com |access-date=17 September 2018 }} In 1904, the Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus was formed by several European automobile clubs.{{cite web |url=https://www.fia.com/organisation |title=About FIA |date=24 February 2015 |publisher=fia.com |access-date=September 17, 2018 }} In 1904 the FIM created the international cup for motorcycles.{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/motorcycle-racing |title=Motorcycle Racing |publisher=britannica.com |access-date=10 December 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rideumba.com/motorcycle-racing/ |title=The history about motorcycle racing |publisher=rideumba.com |access-date=September 17, 2018 }} The first international motorcycle road race took place in 1905 at Dourdan, France.

After disagreeing with Bennett Cup organizers over regulations limiting the number of entrants, the French automobile manufacturers responded in 1906 by organizing the first French Grand Prix race held at Le Mans.{{cite web |url=https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/first-french-grand-prix-1906 |title=The First French Grand Prix |publisher=firstsuperspeedway.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }} During the 1910s, the Elgin National Road Races held on public roads around Elgin, Illinois attracted competitors from around the country and drew large crowds of spectators.{{cite web |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=55454 |title=Elgin Road Races |publisher=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=25 January 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://elginhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Elgin-Road-Race.pdf |title=Elgin Road Race |publisher=elginhistory.org |access-date=25 January 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www2.illinois.gov/dnrhistoric/Research/IllinoisHistory/Documents/Apr041.pdf |title=The Elgin National Road Race |publisher=illinois.gov |access-date=15 December 2022 }} The first 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was held in 1923.{{cite web |url=http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/lemans.html |title=Le Mans History |publisher=silhouet.com |access-date=September 17, 2018 }} The Automobile Racing Club of America was founded in 1933 and became the Sports Car Club of America in 1944.

{{see also|Grand Prix motor racing}}

The great majority of road races were run over a lengthy circuit of closed public roads, not purpose-built racing circuits.{{cite web |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1955/21/sprint-events-1920s |title=The Sprint Events of the 1920s |publisher=motorsportmagazine.com |access-date=27 August 2018 }} This was true of the Le Mans circuit of the 1906 French Grand Prix, as well as the Targa Florio (run on {{convert|93|mi|km|0}} of Sicilian roads), the {{convert|75|mi|km|0}} German Kaiserpreis circuit in the Taunus mountains, the {{convert|48|mi|km}} French circuit at Dieppe, used for the 1907 Grand Prix and, the Isle of Man TT motorcycle road circuit first used in 1907.{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprixhistory.org/targaflorio1.htm |title=Targa Florio |date=8 August 2008 |publisher=grandprixhistory.org |access-date=16 August 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.iomtt.com/history |title=History of the Isle of Man TT |publisher=iomtt.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ttwebsite.com/history/ |title=History of the Isle of Man TT Races |publisher=ttwebsite.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }} The exceptions were the steeply banked egg-shaped near oval circuit of Brooklands in England, completed in 1906, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the oval, banked speedways constructed in Europe at Monza in 1922 and at Montlhéry in 1924.{{cite web |url=https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore/our-history/birth-brooklands |title=Brooklands History |publisher=brooklandsmuseum.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-indianapolis-500-held |title=First Indianapolis 500 held |publisher=history.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.racingcircuits.info/europe/italy/monza.html |title=Circuit History |publisher=racingcircuits.info |access-date=17 September 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.montlhery.com/autodrom_eng.htm |title=Montlhéry's motor-racing track |publisher=montlhery.com |access-date=17 September 2018 }}

Road racing on public roads was banned in Great Britain in 1925 when a spectator was injured at the Kop Hill Climb event. The Royal Automobile Club (R.A.C.) and the Auto-Cycle Union (A.C.U.) stopped issuing permits for races on public roads, a policy that has not changed to this day. Donington Park was the first permanent park circuit in the United Kingdom and held its first motorcycle race in 1931.{{cite web |url=http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/gp3317.htm |title=Donington Park Trophy |publisher=kolumbus.fi |access-date=20 September 2018 }} As automobile and motorcycle technology improved, racers began to achieve higher speeds that caused an increasing number of accidents on roads not designed for motorized vehicles.{{cite web |url=http://www.fim-live.com/en/article/a-short-history-of-endurance/ |title=A Short History of Endurance |publisher=fim-live.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }} Public safety concerns ultimately caused the number of road racing events on public roads in Europe to decrease over the years. Notable exceptions are the Mille Miglia which was allowed to continue until 1957 and, the Pau Grand Prix which has been held on the city streets of Pau, France since 1933.{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprixhistory.org/mille_miglia_history.htm |title=Mille Miglia |date=November 2007 |publisher=grandprixhistory.org |access-date=16 August 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.racingcircuits.info/europe/france/pau.html#.X5nS6C9h160 |title=Pau Circuit history |publisher=racingcircuits.info |access-date=28 October 2020 }}

After the First World War, automobile and motorcycle road racing competitions in Europe and in North America went in different directions.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q25p0M_Zm7QC&q=buddy+parriot+daytona&pg=PA12 |title=Grand Prix Motorcycle Racers: The American Heroes |author=DeWitt, Norman L. |year=2010 |isbn=9781610600453 |access-date=19 August 2018 }} Automobile and motorcycle racing in the United States was typically oval track racing on paved tracks such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Milwaukee Mile track, or on dirt tracks using widely available horse racing circuits. Automobile dirt track racing would develop into stock car racing. American racing also branched out into drag racing.

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Road racing traditions in Europe, South America, Great Britain and the British Commonwealth nations grew around races held on paved, public roads such as the Circuit de la Sarthe circuit near the town of Le Mans, France, the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium and the Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia. Certain European race circuits were situated in mountainous regions where the topography meant that the roads featured numerous curves and elevation changes, allowing the creation of sinuous and undulating race courses such as the Nürburgring in the Eifel mountains of Germany and the Circuit de Charade in the Chaîne des Puys in the Massif Central of France.{{cite web|url=http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/08/the-volcanic-rush-of-clermont-ferrand/ |title=The Volcanic Rush of Clermont Ferrand |date=August 2013 |publisher=speedhunters.com |access-date=25 August 2018}} These circuits presented such a challenge that they were both feared and respected by racers. The {{convert|20.8|km|abbr=on}} long Nurburgring with more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) of elevation change from its lowest to highest points, was nicknamed "The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart, due to its challenging nature.{{cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a13092/hidden-glory-at-the-green-hell/ |title=Hidden Glory at the Green Hell |date=11 May 2007 |publisher=roadandtrack.com |access-date=25 August 2018}} The sinuous track layout of the Charade circuit caused some drivers like Jochen Rindt in the 1969 French Grand Prix to complain of motion sickness, and wear open face helmets just in case.

{{See also|History of Formula One}}

File:Vlak na de start, Brabham, Moss, Surtees, Taylor, Hermann, Bestanddeelnr 912-5054.jpg]]

In 1949 the FIM introduced the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship with the 1949 Isle of Man TT being the inaugural event.{{cite web |url=http://www.motogp.com/en/Inside+MotoGP/History |title=MotoGP History |publisher=motogp.com |access-date=16 August 2018 }} With the exception of the Monza circuit, all the Grand Prix races were held on street circuits. The Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus was renamed the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile in 1946 and, plans were developed for a road racing world championship. In 1950, the FIA created the Formula One world championship, a competition of seven rounds that included the Indianapolis 500.{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/3831.html |title=A Brief History of Formula One |publisher=espn.co.uk |access-date=16 August 2018 }}World Championship of Drivers, 1974 FIA Yearbook, Grey section, pages 118 & 119 A Formula I manufacturers' championship was begun in 1955.

The success of American racers such as Phil Hill and Dan Gurney in Formula One in the late 1950s sparked to a renewal of interest in road racing in the United States and, led to the construction of new road racing circuits such as Riverside International Raceway, Road America and Laguna Seca. The 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix was held at the Daytona International Speedway and led to increased international prominence for the Daytona 200 road race which peaked in 1974 with the victory by 15-time world champion Giacomo Agostini.{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/daytona-200-celebrates-75th-running-of-once-prestigious-race/ |title=Daytona 200 celebrates 75th running of once-prestigious race |author=Schelzig, Erik |publisher=seattletimes.com |access-date=27 September 2018 }}

The dangers associated with the increasing speeds at road races were highlighted by the 1955 Le Mans disaster.{{cite web|last1=Spurgeon|first1=Brad|title=On Auto Racing's Deadliest Day|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/12/sports/autoracing/on-auto-racings-deadliest-day.html?_r=0|publisher=The New York Times Company, Inc.|access-date=19 August 2018|date=11 June 2015}} With spectators seated near the edges of the circuit, two race cars came into contact causing one of the vehicles to crash into the embankment, where it exploded in a ball of flames and then plowed through the crowd of spectators. In addition to the driver of the race car, 83 spectators were killed and 120 were injured. Auto racing was temporarily banned in several countries after the Le Mans disaster until safety was improved for spectators. Switzerland would not allow circuit racing until the Zürich ePrix in 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/formula-e-zurich-eprix-announced/ |title=Formula E brings racing back to Switzerland after 60 years |date=22 September 2017 |publisher=digitaltrends.com |access-date=28 October 2020 }}

The Formula One championship experienced its worst tragedy during the 1961 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, when driver Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his Ferrari and crashed into a stand full of spectators, killing 15 and himself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/09/10/1961-italian-grand-prix/|title=50 years ago today: F1's worst tragedy at Monza|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=2011-09-10|website=www.f1fanatic.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-08-19}} In 1970, Jochen Rindt won the Formula One drivers' championship posthumously, the only man to do so, underlining the continuing risks associated with road racing. The tragedies highlighted the need for improved safety standards for both drivers and spectators; safety would continue to be an issue throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

When motorcycle racer Gilberto Parlotti was killed while competing in the 1972 Isle of Man TT, it sparked a rider's boycott of the event led by multi-time world champion, Giacomo Agostini, a close friend of Parlotti.{{Citation |first1=Dennis | last1=Noyes |year=1999 |first2= Michael |last2=Scott |title=Motocourse: 50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix |publisher =Hazleton Publishing Ltd |isbn=1-874557-83-7 }} Once the most prestigious race of the year, the event was increasingly boycotted by the top riders, and in 1976, the Isle of Man TT finally succumbed to pressure for increased safety in racing events and had its world championship status revoked by the FIM.

File:TemporadaRiccione 1969WP.JPG street circuit in Italy. Notice the rudimentary safety barrier of hay bales placed among trees and telephone poles lining the circuit.]]

Another motorcycle racing incident occurred at Monza during the 1973 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix when a racing accident claimed the lives of world champion Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini.{{cite news | url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2013/24/mat-oxley | title=The darkest day | publisher=motorsportmagazine.com | access-date=2018-08-20 }} After the von Trips accident in 1961, the Monza Circuit had been lined with steel barriers as a result of demands by automobile racers. Most auto racers believed steel barriers would improve safety for auto racers and spectators, but they had the opposite effect for motorcyclists and proved fatal for Saarinen and Pasolini.{{cite web | url=https://www.monzanet.it/en/autodromo/history/#5 | title=Monza history | publisher=monzanet.it | access-date=2017-05-04 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011131936/https://www.monzanet.it/en/autodromo/history/#5 | archive-date=2016-10-11 }}

The dangers of street circuits was further exposed at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix held on the twisty, tree-lined Montjuich circuit in Barcelona.{{cite news | url=http://en.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/47594.html | title=Protests in the Park | publisher=espn.co.uk | access-date=2018-08-20 }} The racing drivers found that the circuit's safety barriers had been shoddily installed and threatened to strike if the barriers were not brought up to standard. Under pressure from race organizers, the race was started only to be stopped after 29 laps when the car of Rolf Stommelen plowed into the crowd, killing four spectators.

By the late 1970s, the popularity of Grand Prix road racing attracted corporate sponsors and lucrative television contracts which, led to an increased level of professionalism. Road racers organized to demand that stricter safety regulations be adopted by sanctioning bodies in relation to race track safety and race organizers requirements. Race circuits that had originally been public roads were widened and modified to include chicanes and run-off areas while, some circuits were shortened to reduce the number of safety personnel required. These changes saw a dramatic decrease in deaths and accidents.

By the 1980s, motorcycle Grand Prix and the Formula One races were held on purpose built race circuits with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix held on the city streets of Monaco. Street circuits such as the Montjuïc circuit and the Opatija Circuit with their numerous unmovable roadside obstacles, such as trees, stone walls, lampposts and buildings, were gradually removed from world championship competition.{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasf1.com/news/safety.html |title=Safety Improvements in Formula One Since 1963 |publisher=atlasf1.com |access-date=20 August 2018 }}

Although events held on closed public roads such as the Isle of Man TT, lost their world championship status due to their considerable safety risk, their popularity continued to flourish leading to a branch of road racing known as Traditional Road Racing.{{cite web |url=https://www.cycleworld.com/2014/05/30/historical-perspective-of-the-isle-of-man-tt-races |title=Historical perspective of the Isle of Man TT |publisher=cycleworld.com |access-date=19 August 2018 }} Traditional road racing on closed public roads is popular in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and parts of Europe. The Duke Road Racing Rankings was established in 2002 to establish rider classifications in traditional road racing events such as the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix.

In Formula One, street circuits have made a comeback with the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the Baku City Circuit joining the Circuit de Monaco as part of the world championship. There are no street circuits being used in MotoGP racing.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}. In North America, racing on public streets takes place at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Detroit Grand Prix, and the Honda Indy Toronto.

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The popularity of Formula One and motorcycle Grand Prix racing led to the formation of road racing world championships for other types of vehicles. In 1953, the FIA sanctioned a world championship for sports car racing which combined the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Mille Miglia, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Spa and the 1000km of the Nurburgring.{{cite web |url=https://wec-magazin.com/features/history-of-the-wec/ |title=History of WEC |publisher=wec-magazin.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }} NASCAR held its first road race in 1957 at the Watkins Glen International circuit with Buddy Baker as the winner.{{cite web |url=http://www.theglen.com/Information/History-of-The-Glen/Track-History.aspx |title=Watkins Glen Track History |publisher=theglen.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }} The FIA launched the European Touring Car Championship in 1963.{{cite web |url=http://www.touringcarracing.net/index_normal.html |title=History of Touring Car Racing 1952-1993 |publisher=touringcarracing.net |access-date=16 September 2018 }}

The FIA created the International Karting Commission (CIK) in 1962 and, in 1964, the first CIK Karting World Championship was won by Guido Sala.{{cite web |url=http://www.cikfia.com/inside-cikfia/history/our-history/view/article/1962.html |title=1962 |publisher=cikfia.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.cikfia.com/inside-cikfia/history/our-history/view/article/1964.html |title=1964 |publisher=cikfia.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }} Karting has become a significant step in the development of road racers including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. The European Truck Racing Championship was founded in 1985.{{cite web |url=https://www.fia.com/events/european-truck-racing-championship/season-2018/european-truck-racing-championship |title=European Truck Racing Championship |publisher=fia.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }} A Superbike World Championship for road-going production motorcycles was created in 1988.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsbk.com/en/results%20statistics/champions |title=Superbike World Champions |publisher=worldsbk.com |access-date=16 September 2018 }}

As road racing grew in popularity it eventually expanded across the globe with Grand Prix road races having been held on six continents.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/11/ship-f1-car-across-globe-36-hours/ |title=This Is How You Ship An F1 Car Across The Globe In 36 Hours |magazine=Wired |publisher=wired.com |access-date=20 August 2018 |last1=Davies |first1=Alex }} Expansion of the Formula One and MotoGP series has resulted in many dedicated tracks being built, like in Qatar in the Middle East, Sepang in Malaysia, and Shanghai in China.

• Drag racing
• Formula racing
• Hillclimbing
• Isle of Man TT
• List of Formula One circuits
• List of Grand Prix motorcycle circuits
• Oval track racing
• Street circuit
• Superkart
• Traditional Road Racing
• World Superbike Championship

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Category:Auto racing by type

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