The following is a glossary of terminology used in
motorsport
Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...
, along with explanations of their meanings.
0–9
;1–2 finish: When two vehicles from the same team finish first and second in a race. Can be extended to 1–2–3 or 1–2–3–4, etc. depending on a combination of racing series and team size.
;
107% rule
The 107% rule is a sporting regulation affecting Formula One racing qualifying sessions. During the first phase of qualifying, if the circuit is dry, any driver who is eliminated in the first qualifying session and fails to set a lap within 107 p ...
: Often used in
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
or other racing series, it is a rule where the driver must qualify the car within 107% of the polesitter's time to be allowed to compete. Variations of this may be used to monitor drivers and warn them to reach the required pace or be parked (disqualified). Similarly, the
IndyCar Series
The IndyCar Series, currently known as the NTT IndyCar Series under sponsorship, is the highest class of regional North American open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars in the United States, which has been conducted under the auspices of ...
uses a 105% rule, and
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...
has a 115% rule, mainly for performance on track, though IndyCar and NASCAR often adjust the threshold for tracks with very abrasive surfaces (such as
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway (formerly known Atlanta International Raceway from 1960 to 1990) is a 1.54-mile entertainment facility in Hampton, Georgia, United States, 20 miles (32 km) south of Atlanta. It has annually hosted NASCAR Cup Series ...
) where lap times can be considerably faster with less worn tires.
;200 MPH Club: A lifetime "membership" awarded by the
SCTA or another sanctioning body or circuit to any driver who drives over a specified distance at a minimum speed of , while also breaking a record. Membership can stretch over from the more exclusive
300
__NOTOC__
Year 300 (Roman numerals, CCC) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Valerius (or, less frequently, ...
to the elite 400. Also known as the ''2 Club'' or ''Dirty Two Club'' for records taking place at
El Mirage Lake
El Mirage Lake is a dry lake bed in the northwestern Victor Valley of the central Mojave Desert, within San Bernardino County, California.
The lake is located about west-northwest of the town of Adelanto and north of Highway 18 in San Bernardi ...
.
;60-foot time: In
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most c ...
, the time taken for a vehicle to travel the first of the drag strip.
A
![Race Action 2012 Geico 400 Chicagoland](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Race_Action_2012_Geico_400_Chicagoland.jpg)
;aero cover: See ''
wheel shroud.''
;
air jacks:
Pneumatic cylinders strategically mounted to the frame near the wheels of a racing car, which project downwards to lift the car off the ground during a
pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is a pause for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. These stops occur in an area called the pits, most commonly accessed via a pit la ...
to allow for quick tire changes or provide mechanics access to the underside of the car for repairs.
;alphabet soup: In
midget car
Midget cars, also speedcars in Australia, is a class of racing cars. The cars are very small with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four cylinder engines. They originated in the United States in the 1930s and are raced on most ...
and
sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New ...
, and on many short tracks, ''alphabet soup'' denotes the various preliminary races drivers will race through to advance to the feature event. Such is named for the heat race format, from the O main at the
Chili Bowl Nationals
The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is an indoor midget car race that takes place in January on a 1/4 mile dirt oval track at the Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. NASCAR calls it the "biggest Midget race of the year". It is nic ...
to the N, M, L, K, J, I, H, G, F, E, D, C, B, and finally A main. A driver who runs through the alphabet soup is a driver who has advanced from the lowest feature of the day and advanced to the A main.
;
apex
The apex is the highest point of something. The word may also refer to:
Arts and media Fictional entities
* Apex (comics), a teenaged super villainess in the Marvel Universe
* Ape-X, a super-intelligent ape in the Squadron Supreme universe
*Apex ...
:The part of a corner where the racing line is nearest the inside of the bend.
;apron: An area of asphalt or concrete that separates the racing surface from the infield.
;
auto racing
Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition.
Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...
: Alternative term for motorsport, largely American, although referring specifically to circuit and oval racing for cars, and excluding sports such as motorcycle racing, rallying and drifting.
;
autotesting
Autotesting involves a series of tests, generally around traffic cones, to measure precision driving skill. The tests often include stopping with the front and rear wheels straddling a line, and always end stopping in a garage (usually marked o ...
: See ''
gymkhana
Gymkhana () ( ur, جِمخانہ, sd, جمخانه, hi, जिमख़ाना, as, জিমখানা, bn, জিমখানা) is a British Raj term which originally referred to a place of assembly. The meaning then altered to den ...
.''
B
;B main: See ''
semi-feature.''
;B-team: See ''
satellite team
In motorsport, a satellite team is a team related to a larger, better-funded team. This relation may involve ownership, technical support and staff sharing, including drivers. Current examples include NASCAR outfit Wood Brothers Racing, which is c ...
.''
;back half: In
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most c ...
, referring to distance from the 1/8-mile mark to the 1/4-mile mark of the track.
;backmarker: A slower car, usually in the process of being lapped by the leaders.
;backup car: See ''
spare car.''
;bag of donuts: In drag racing, a perfect reaction time of .000 seconds.
;beam: In drag racing, the
electric eye
An electric eye is a photodetector used for detecting obstruction of a light beam. An example is the door safety system used on garage door openers that use a light transmitter and receiver at the bottom of the door to prevent closing if there is ...
controlling the pre-stage and stage lights at the starting line.
;banking: The angle at which a track inclines towards the outside of a corner (or from the lower to the higher side of a straight). Also referred to as camber (see below), more commonly when modest or negative (i.e. "off-camber").
;
The Big One: A large pileup during a
stock car race
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing run on oval tracks and road courses measuring approximately . It originally used production-model cars, hence the name "stock car", but is now run using cars specifically built for racing. It or ...
involving up to 30 cars. The term is largely reserved for
restrictor plate
A restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. This kind of system is occasionally used in road vehicles (e.g., motorcycles) for insurance purposes, but mainly in automobile racing, to li ...
racing at
Daytona Daytona refers to the city of Daytona Beach, Florida, or things named after it.
Daytona may also refer to:
Locations
* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
* South Daytona, Florida
* The Daytona Beach metropolitan area
* Halifax area, also known as Da ...
and
Talladega.
;black-flagged: To be ordered to the pits or penalty box, due to a violation of the rules or an unsafe car (loose parts, smoking, leaking fluid, etc.). A black flag is shown to the car that has to stop. Also known as being "''posted''".
;blend line: A painted line defining the area where the pit lane rejoins the race track, and prevents cars exiting the pit from driving into race traffic travelling past the pits, or vice versa. Competitors are penalised for crossing the blend line, ensuring that exiting cars have reached sufficient speed before rejoining the race.
;bleach box: In drag racing, an area where
bleach
Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially or domestically to remove color (whitening) from a fabric or fiber or to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching. It often refers specifically, to ...
is deposited for cars to perform burnouts at the start of most drag races. Gasoline (since discontinued for safety reasons), water, and
TrackBite are also used; most organisations only permit water.
;blow: See ''
blown.''
;blower: A
supercharger
In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.
The current categorisation is that a supercharger is a form of forced induct ...
; in the 1990s, these were generally labelled as "power adders" alongside
turbochargers
In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pro ...
and
nitrous
A Nitrous Oxide Engine, or Nitrous Oxide System commonly referred to and known as NOS, is an internal combustion engine in which oxygen for burning the fuel comes from the decomposition of nitrous oxide, N2O, rather than air. The system incre ...
.
;blown: An engine that is supercharged (i.e. a blown engine). Alternatively, an engine that has suffered catastrophic failure, is no longer running, or has sustained irreparable damage.
;blowover: Flipping of a car or boat, due to excessive air under the chassis or hull, respectively.
;bottle: In drag racing, the
gas cylinder
A gas cylinder is a pressure vessel for storage and containment of gases at above atmospheric pressure. High-pressure gas cylinders are also called ''bottles''. Inside the cylinder the stored contents may be in a state of compressed gas, vapor ...
containing nitrous. Also called a ''jug''.
;bottoming / bottoming out: When the bottom of the
chassis
A chassis (, ; plural ''chassis'' from French châssis ) is the load-bearing framework of an artificial object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is a vehicle frame, the underpart ...
touches the track.
;box: A mostly European term used by people at the pit wall to tell a driver to perform a pit stop. In NASCAR, it is rarely mentioned outside of earning a penalty for conducting work on the car while not within the bounds of the team's pit stall.
;breakout: In
bracket racing
Bracket racing is a form of drag racing that allows for a handicap between predicted elapsed time of the two cars over a standard distance, typically within the three standard distances (1/8 mile, 1,000 foot, or 1/4 mile) of drag racing.
Goal
...
, a run quicker than the projected "dial-in" time (see
''dial-in'' below). Grounds for disqualification if opponent does not commit a foul start or cross boundary lines. Also known as a ''bustout''.
;
bump and run: A move with origins in stock car racing, where a trailing car intentionally bumps the car in front in an attempt to pass.
;burnout: The act of spinning the driven wheels in place to heat the tires up for better traction. It is also used in stock car racing, typically to celebrate a race win.
;
Buschwhacker
Buschwhacker (alternatively spelled Buschwacker) is a term for NASCAR drivers who are regulars in the top-level NASCAR Cup Series but who also compete on a regular basis in the second-tier Xfinity Series. The original coinage of the term "Buschw ...
/ claim jumper (2008–14) / signal pirate (2015–) / Cup leech: In
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...
, a driver who regularly races in the first-tier NASCAR Cup Series, but makes guest or semi-regular appearances racing in the second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series. The term was named originally for the then-sponsor of the second-tier series, the
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC is an American brewing company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 2008, it has been wholly owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev), now the world's largest brewing company, which owns multiple glo ...
brewery. ''Claim jumper'' was a reference to second-tier sponsor
Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies, commonly shortened to Nationwide, is a group of large U.S. insurance and financial services companies based in Columbus, Ohio. The company also operates regional headquarters in Scotts ...
(2008–14), and ''signal pirate'' references current second-tier sponsor
Comcast
Comcast Corporation (formerly known as American Cable Systems and Comcast Holdings),Before the AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corpora ...
Xfinity
Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, doing business as Xfinity, is an American telecommunications company and division of Comcast Corporation used to market consumer cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services provided by the com ...
, with ''Cup leech'' used as a sponsor-neutral term.
C
![DirtTrackRacingLateModels](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/DirtTrackRacingLateModels.jpg)
;
camber
Camber may refer to a variety of curvatures and angles:
* Camber angle, the angle made by the wheels of a vehicle
* Camber beam, an upward curvature of a joist to compensate for load deflection due in buildings
* Camber thrust in bike technology
* ...
: A.) The angle at which wheels are set up to tilt in or out, measured in degrees in or out from 90 degrees. Positive camber means the top of the tyre is angled outwards from the car; negative camber means that the top tilts inwards. Negative camber assists cornering performance, as the outside tires lean into the corner (like on a motorcycle), which reduces lateral forces on the tire and causes less flex in the sidewall, although it does also have the effect of increasing tire wear.: B.) Banking (see above), the angle at which a corner inclines towards the outside (or a straight from its lower side to its higher side). Sometimes specified as positive camber and negative camber, the latter indicating a decline from the inside of a corner.
;: A fence made of
chain-link fencing
A chain-link fence (also referred to as wire netting, wire-mesh fence, chain-wire fence, cyclone fence, hurricane fence, or diamond-mesh fence) is a type of woven fence usually made from galvanized or linear low-density polyethylene-coated ste ...
, welded grid fencing, and/or cables used to slow or stop out-of-control cars and prevent debris from hitting the crowd. They are common on short tracks,
street circuits, and permanent circuits.
; / catch can: A receptacle placed in a
go-kart
A go-kart, also written as go-cart (often referred to as simply a kart), is a type of sports car, close wheeled car, open-wheel car or quadracycle. Go-karts come in all shapes and forms, from non-motorised models to high-performance Kart rac ...
to capture liquids, like water and oil, that would otherwise drop onto the track. Also known as a ''recovery tank''.
;caution / caution period: See ''
full-course yellow
Racing flags are traditionally used in auto racing and similar motorsports to indicate track condition and to communicate important messages to drivers. Typically, the starter, sometimes the grand marshal of a race, waves the flags atop a flag s ...
.''
;chase vehicle: In off-road racing, a non-competitive vehicle that follows a competing vehicle to assist with repairs.
;
chicane
A chicane () is a serpentine curve in a road, added by design rather than dictated by geography. Chicanes add extra turns and are used both in motor racing and on roads and streets to slow traffic for safety. For example, one form of chicane is ...
: An artificial corner or set of corners added to the natural course of a track to slow cars or create a passing zone.
![Tree counting down](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Tree_counting_down.JPG)
;
Christmas tree
A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. The custom was further developed in early modern ...
: The series of lights in drag racing that signal the approach and start of a race, in addition to showing starting violations.
;clean air: Air that has not been affected by turbulence from other cars.
The opposite of ''dirty air''.
;
clerk of the course A clerk of the course is an official in various types of racing.
Horse racing
In horse racing, the clerk of the course is the person responsible for track management and raceday preparation at a racecourse. Important tasks of the role include:
...
: The official responsible for all on-track activities, including demonstrations and parades. They oversee track conditions, supervise
marshals
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
and emergency services, control the deployment of the
safety car, and decide upon suspending a session. If a race director is appointed, the clerk is junior and the race director has ultimate authority; if not, they are often the most senior official at a racing event.
;closing/shutting the door: An early defensive
racing line
In motorsport, the racing line is the optimal path around a race course. In most cases, the line makes use of the entire width of the track to lengthen the radius of a turn: entering at the outside edge, touching the "apex"—a point on the inside ...
taken into a corner to block the car behind from overtaking along the preferred line.
;
co-driver
A co-driver is the navigator of a rally car in the sport of rallying, who sits in the front passenger seat. The co-driver's job is to navigate, commonly by reading off a set of pacenotes to the driver (what lies ahead, where to turn, the severity ...
: In
rally racing
Rally or rallye may refer to:
Gatherings
* Demonstration (political), a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade
* Pep rally
A pep rally or pep assembly is a gathering of people, typically students ...
, a co-driver directs the driver through the course by reading
pacenotes
In rallying, pacenotes are a commonly used method of accurately describing a rallying route to be driven in extreme detail. As well as dictating the general route to be taken, in terms of turnings, junctions, etc., all notable features of the rout ...
which describe the turns and obstacles ahead. Also historically called a ''navigator'', when the reading of maps played a larger part in rallies prior to the widespread adoption of pacenoting. The term is also used in long-distance
sports car
A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by ...
and
touring car racing
Touring car racing is a motorsport road racing competition with heavily modified road-going cars. It has both similarities to and significant differences from stock car racing, which is popular in the United States.
While the cars do not move ...
(particularly
endurance racing), where multiple drivers share the same vehicle.
;competition caution: A preplanned full-course yellow, mandated by the sanctioning body, where drivers bring their vehicles into the pits. Frequently done to change tires because of excessive tire wear, or to prevent teams from having to hire specialised pit crews (see ''
controlled caution''). In some cases, the safety car only is applied after a set number of consecutive green-flag laps or time has been run without a safety car (typically 50-100 laps). A cash or points bonus may be paid to the team leading at the time of the period (such as end-of-stage competition cautions in NASCAR's national series).
;control: Where series organisers specify that all competitors in the race must use an identical part; as in ''control tire'' or ''control engine''.
;controlled caution: During a safety car period, teams can change tires and refuel within a limited time window (2-5 laps or five minutes) to make adjustments. Depending on the series, teams will either not lose any track position (if it is an interval break) or will not lose their position relative to the cars that pitted during the caution (for example, if the third-, fourth-, and eighth-place cars pit during the caution, they will be the first-, second-, and third-place cars exiting the pit lane, and will start behind lead-lap cars that did not pit, in the same relative order as before the safety car).
;
crate motor
A replacement automobile engine is an engine or a major part of one that is sold individually without any other parts required to make a functional car (for example a drivetrain). These engines are produced either as aftermarket parts or as repr ...
: An engine that is ready-built and sealed by an independent company. Crate motors are sometimes mandated and sometimes optional. They are commonly used in regional touring series down to local tracks, and in divisions from
late model
A late model car is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. (An early model car or classic car is a car old enough to be of historical interest; there is no usual intermediate term.)
The precise definition ...
s on down. Crate motors are implemented to limit costs and ensure that the entire field has the same equipment. The
ARCA Racing Series
The ARCA Menards Series is an American stock car series, the premier division of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). It is considered a minor, semi-professional league of stock car racing, used as a feeder series into the three national ...
and
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, and is the only series in NASCAR to race production pickup truck based stock cars. The series is one of thr ...
have an optional crate
small-block engine option.
;crossed sticks: Two curled up flags held out in the form of a cross that signal the halfway mark in many American racing series.
;curb: A dirt oval cushion (see below) that has formed into a harder dirt ledge with a similar shape to a sidewalk
curb
A curb (North American English), or kerb (Commonwealth English except Canada; see spelling differences), is the edge where a raised sidewalk or road median/central reservation meets a street or other roadway.
History
Although curbs have ...
. Often, curbs are harder and more treacherous to run across than the softer cushions, and can easily flip improperly approaching cars over.
;cushion: In dirt racing, when dirt is kicked up and lands near the edges of the track after cars drift through the corners. The dirt builds up after time and can slow a driver down if they slide too deep into it while drifting through the turn. In dirt oval racing, when dirt is kicked towards the wall, it builds into a short mound that cars will lean on in order to gain speed and momentum.
;customer car: A car externally sourced by a racing team, either from another team or from a specialist racing chassis manufacturer. Primarily a Formula One term, where the majority of teams built their own cars; customer cars have since been banned from F1. In some short track late model and modified series, customer cars are standard, while the opposite is the ''house car'', which is the works cars built by a chassis builder.
D
![IMCA Modifieds doing Delaware Style restart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/IMCA_Modifieds_doing_Delaware_Style_restart.jpg)
;deep braking: Applying the brakes later than normal when entering a turn.
;deep staging: In drag racing, when a dragster pulls so far forward that they leave the pre-stage area and turn off the pre-stage lights on the Christmas tree, but not far enough to leave the staged area. This may give the driver a few inches of advantage, and is legal in drag racing.
;Delaware start: A style of restart where the race leader starts in the first row by themselves and the other drivers start two-wide. The leader can choose which lane they want for the restart, which can offer a clear advantage over second place.
;delta time: The entire time it generally takes a driver to enter the pit lane, make a full pit stop, and exit the pit area to resume racing at optimum pace. Also referred to as the ''pit-stop delta''.
;density altitude (DA): A term in drag racing which often refers to atmospheric air pressure decreasing as altitude above sea level increases. All supercharged internal combustion engines produce less power as air pressure drops, as each intake stroke draws in less air per volume than normally. This may require the engine to be "tuned" to optimize power. Because a supercharger pressurizes intake air at a fixed mechanical ratio to engine speed, the engine suffers a proportionate loss in power, but not as severe as a naturally aspirated engine does. Turbocharged engines are largely unaffected, as the lower density of the intake air is offset by the lower
backpressure
Back pressure (or backpressure) is a resistance or force opposing the desired flow of fluid through pipes, leading to friction loss and pressure drop. The term ''back pressure'' is a misnomer, as pressure is a scalar quantity, so it has a magnitu ...
resisting exhaust flow through the turbo.
;dial-in: In bracket racing, drivers must estimate or "dial in" the time in which they expect to run, allowing two unmatched cars in weight and power to compete via a handicap system. If one runs a faster time than is dialed in, it is called a breakout.
;did not attend (DNA): Denotes a driver who was entered for a race but did not attend the circuit. Sometimes referred to as ''did not arrive'' or simply a ''no-show''.
;
did not finish
In racing, did not finish (DNF) denotes a result of a participant who does not finish a given race, either because of a mechanical failure, injury, or involvement in an accident.
The term is used in:
* Automotive racing such as Formula One; NASCA ...
(DNF): A driver who did not finish the race. Some sanctioning bodies do not classify a driver in the final results if they did not complete a certain number of laps; for example, in Formula One, a driver must complete 90% of the winner's completed laps to be classified as a finisher.
; / did not pre-qualify (DNQ / DNPQ): A failure to qualify or pre-qualify for a race, most often because the driver was too slow to make it into a limited number of grid positions, or was slower than the 107% rule.
; (DNS): A driver who attended but did not attempt to compete in a race, even though they may have competed in practice sessions or qualifying.
;digger: A non-bodied
dragster, as distinct from a ''
funny car
Funny Car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. Funny cars are characterized by having tilt-up fiberglass or carbon fiber automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them an appea ...
'' or ''flopper'' (a drag car with a doorless single-piece body) or other bodied dragster. May also be referred to as a ''rail'' (see below).
;dirty air: The disrupted air left in a car's
wake when it moves at speed, which can cause aerodynamic difficulties for a car following closely behind. The opposite of ''clean air''.
;dogleg: A shallow-angle turn or kink on a racing circuit, usually associated with road courses, but also present on oval tracks (an example being
Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually including the final championship race since 2020. P ...
). On road courses, a dogleg may be present on a long straightaway, curving the straight slightly, but usually not enough to require drivers to slow down much for the turn. On an oval, a dogleg can be located on the front stretch, creating an oblong shape, adding a challenge, increasing sightlines for fans, and again, usually not requiring drivers to slow down for the extra curve. A
quad-oval
Oval track racing is a form of closed-circuit motorsport that is contested on an oval-shaped race track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, and the direction of traffic ...
is also referred to as a "double dogleg". Some tracks classify the dogleg as a numbered turn while others do not
;doped / dope: In drag racing, a
diesel
Diesel may refer to:
* Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression
* Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines
* Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...
-powered car using nitrous or propane injection. Commonly used in the
southern United States
The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
.
;door-slammer: A drag racing term used to group vehicles, usually
sedans
A sedan or saloon (British English) is a passenger car in a three-box configuration with separate compartments for an engine, passengers, and cargo.
The first recorded use of the word "sedan" in reference to an automobile body occurred in 19 ...
, that still have functional doors for driver access to the vehicle, as opposed to ''funny cars'' or ''floppers'' (see below), which have a lightweight single-piece body draped over a racing chassis.
;
downforce
Downforce is a downwards lift force created by the aerodynamic features of a vehicle. If the vehicle is a car, the purpose of downforce is to allow the car to travel faster by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip. ...
: Increased grip created by the aerodynamics of a vehicle via an upside-down
lift
Lift or LIFT may refer to:
Physical devices
* Elevator, or lift, a device used for raising and lowering people or goods
** Paternoster lift, a type of lift using a continuous chain of cars which do not stop
** Patient lift, or Hoyer lift, mobile ...
effect. Downforce allows a vehicle to travel faster through corners at the cost of a reduced top speed on straights due to
drag.
;
drafting: A technique where multiple vehicles align end to end, reducing the overall effect of
drag due to exploiting the lead vehicle's
slipstream
A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid (typically air or mustard) is moving at velocities comparable to that of the moving fluid, relative to the ambient fluid through which the object is churning. The term slip ...
. See also ''
slipstreaming
Drafting or slipstreaming is an aerodynamic technique where two vehicles or other moving objects are caused to align in a close group, reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object's slipstream. Especially when high spee ...
''.
;
Drag Reduction System
In motor racing, the drag reduction system (DRS) is a form of driver-adjustable bodywork aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag in order to increase top speed and promote overtaking. It is an adjustable rear wing of the car, which moves in response ...
(DRS): A mechanically-activated element of the rear wing of modern Formula One cars, which can be used at specific areas on the circuit. The wing element rotates from steeply inclined to relatively flat, thus reducing the amount of drag generated by the rear wing and increasing top speed. DRS also makes cars less susceptible to dirty air.
![Team Drift](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Team_Drift.jpg)
;
drifting: Drifting is a form of motorsport in which drivers intentionally
oversteer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
their cars while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed. In motor racing, the ''four-wheel drift'' is a cornering technique where a car takes a high-speed corner held at an angle without major steering inputs, balancing natural understeer with power oversteer.
;: A penalty applied by race officials while the race is underway, where a competitor is directed to drive into the pit lane and travel its length at low speed (pit lanes are speed-limited to protect the pit crew and marshals), losing significant time in the process. When the driver is serving their drive-through penalty, they are not allowed to stop anywhere in the pits.
See also ''
stop-go penalty''.
![DriversMeetingMotocross2009](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/DriversMeetingMotocross2009.jpg)
;drivers' meeting: A meeting where drivers and officials meet before a race to discuss the upcoming event. Also referred to as a ''drivers' briefing'' or ''driver and crew chief meeting'', as in some series, the driver(s) and their crew chief must attend.
;dry line: On a drying circuit, the racing line that becomes dry first as the cars displace water from it.
;due time: The time that a rally crew is due at the next time control. If the crew arrive on or before their due time, they will incur no time penalty. In practice, because determining a winner depends on being able to sort finishers in order of accrued penalty points (those with the fewest wins), due times are often set to be very difficult if not impossible to attain.
E
![Road atlanta esses](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Road_atlanta_esses.JPG)
;esses: A sequence of alternating turns on a road course, resembling the letter
S.
;E.T. (elapsed time): In drag racing, the total time a run has taken from start to finish.
;E.T. slip: In drag racing, a slip of paper turned in by the race timer which denotes elapsed time for both drivers, and who won the race; it may also include reaction time and
60-foot time. This is an official document used for timekeeping. Also known as a ''timeslip''.
;excluded (EXC / EXCL): Removed from competition before the race has started, generally due to an infringement during practice or qualifying.
;ERS (energy recovery system): Part of the
hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
powertrain systems used in Formula One since 2014, that recovers energy from the brakes and heat and stores it in batteries, which is then used to boost power. It combines both a
kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), known officially as the ''motor generator unit – kinetic'' (MGU-K), and a system recovering heat from the turbocharger, officially known as the ''motor generator unit – heat'' (MGU-H).
F
;
factory-backed
In motorsports, a factory-backed racing team or driver is one sponsored by a vehicle manufacturer in official competitions. As motorsport competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is desired and often necessary for suc ...
: A racing team or driver that competes with official sanction and financial support from a manufacturer. See also ''
works team
A works team (sometimes factory team, company team) is a sports team that is financed and run by a manufacturer or other business. Sometimes, works teams contain or are entirely made up of employees of the supporting company.
Association footb ...
''.
;factory team: A more specific version of ''factory-backed'', referring to racing teams run directly from the factory of the vehicle manufacturer.
;
fan car: The placement of a large fan at the rear of the chassis driven either independently or by the engine with the purpose of creating negative air-pressure underneath the car to create additional
downforce
Downforce is a downwards lift force created by the aerodynamic features of a vehicle. If the vehicle is a car, the purpose of downforce is to allow the car to travel faster by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip. ...
for increased cornering speed. Usually refers specifically to the
Brabham BT46B Formula One car, although the concept was actually pioneered by the
Chaparral 2J
Chaparral Cars was a pioneering American automobile racing team and race car developer that engineered, built, and raced cars from 1963 through 1970. Founded in 1962 by American Formula One racers Hap Sharp and Jim Hall, it was named after the ro ...
.
;
fastest lap
In motorsport, the fastest lap is the quickest lap run during a race. Some racing series, like Formula One, Formula 2 and Formula E award championship points for a driver or team that set the fastest lap.
In Grand Prix motorcycle racing no point i ...
: Fastest time in which a lap was completed by a driver during a race. Sometimes rewarded with bonus championship points.
;field: The competing cars in an event.
;field-filler: A driver or team usually slower than the majority of the field that only participates if there are open spots.
See also ''
start and park
Start and park is a term used in auto racing, particularly in NASCAR-sanctioned races, to describe the practice of racing teams starting races but pulling the car off the track after just a few laps in order to collect prize money while avoiding e ...
''.
;first or worse: In drag racing, if both drivers commit a foul, the driver who commits a foul first loses (unless it is two separate fouls, where the loser is the driver who committed the worse foul).
;flag-to-flag coverage: Television or radio coverage that consists of the ''entire'' race start-to-finish rather than highlights,
tape delayed, "packaged" coverage, or highlights of the first portion of the race before broadcasting the final portion of the race live. Derives from green ''flag'' (start) ''to'' checkered ''flag'' (finish). Instituted largely in the late 1970s, with the
1979 Daytona 500
The 1979 Daytona 500, the 21st annual event, was the second race of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. It was held on February 18, 1979. Sports pundits consider the 1979 Daytona 500 to be the most important race in stock car history.
Th ...
being the first major 500-mile race with live, flag-to-flag coverage.
;flying lap: A lap, usually in qualifying, started by a competitor at optimum speed, as opposed to a lap from a standing start.
;flying start: See ''
rolling start
A rolling start is one of two modes of initiating or restarting an auto race; the other mode is the standing start. In a rolling start, the cars are ordered on the track and are led on a certain number of laps (parade or caution laps) at a pre-de ...
''.
;formation lap: The lap cars make before forming up on the grid for the start.
;
formula racing
Formula racing (known as open-wheel racing in North America) is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single- ...
: A type of racing, generally open-wheeled, where the conditions of technical entry comply with strict rules or formulae.
;free practice: When drivers or riders learn the circuit and teams experiment with race settings for the track.
;
fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requ ...
: A fuel tank with a flexible inner liner to minimize the potential for punctures in the event of a collision or other mishap resulting in serious damage to the vehicle. Mandatory in most forms of motorsport.
;fueler: In drag racing, any car running
specialized fuel or in a "fuel" class (most often,
Top Fuel Dragsters or Top Fuel
Funny Cars).
;full-course yellow: When yellow flags are deployed at every flag point around a race circuit and a ''safety car'' (see below) leads the field until a hazard is cleared.
![MickeyThompson1971dragster](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/MickeyThompson1971dragster.jpg)
;
funny car
Funny Car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. Funny cars are characterized by having tilt-up fiberglass or carbon fiber automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them an appea ...
: In drag racing, a vehicle with a single-piece body on the chassis, which is lifted off or rear-hinged to allow the driver access to the cabin, or a race class for such cars. May also be referred to as a ''flopper''.
G
;gap: In drag racing, beating an opponent in a heads-up drag race with a visible distance between the two competitors. Outside of drag racing, the distance in time between two drivers.
;
garagiste
The garagistes refers to a group of winemakers in the Bordeaux region, producing ''"vins de garage"'', "garage wine". A group emerged in the mid-1990s in reaction to the traditional style of red Bordeaux wine, which is highly tannic and requires l ...
/ garagista: A disparaging term used by
Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari (; 20 February 1898 – 14 August 1988) was an Italians, Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari ...
to describe the new wave of British racing cars (such as
Cooper
Cooper, Cooper's, Coopers and similar may refer to:
* Cooper (profession), a maker of wooden casks and other staved vessels
Arts and entertainment
* Cooper (producers), alias of Dutch producers Klubbheads
* Cooper (video game character), in ...
and
Lotus) challenging his team with a smaller budget.
;
gasser: A bodied
drag car running on gasoline, from before the
pro stock class was introduced.
;gentleman driver: In
sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of motorsport road racing which utilises sports cars that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built prototypes or grand tourers based on road-going models. Broadly speaking, sports car racing is ...
, typically refers to a driver who is not a professional racing driver.
;: When small grains of rubber start coming off a tyre.
See also ''
marbles
A marble is a small spherical object often made from glass, clay, steel, plastic, or agate. They vary in size, and most commonly are about in diameter. These toys can be used for a variety of games called ''marbles'', as well being placed in mar ...
''.
;grand chelem / grand slam: To qualify on pole, set the fastest lap, win, and lead every lap of a
Grand Prix
Grand Prix ( , meaning ''Grand Prize''; plural Grands Prix), is a name sometimes used for competitions or sport events, alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour
Grand Prix or grand prix may refer to:
Arts and entertainment ...
race.
;grand marshal: Ceremonial marshalling role at a race meeting. Largely held by celebrities or retired notable drivers, with no actual duties or responsibilities beyond the waving of a flag to commence activity or to announce the traditional "start your engines" prior to some races.
;
gravel trap: Track
run-off area
A run-off area is an area on a motorsport race track used for racer safety. Run-off areas are usually located along a road racing circuit where racers are most likely to unintentionally depart from the prescribed course. There are different type ...
usually positioned on the outside of corners and filled with gravel, intended to slow down and stop cars that have left the track at speed. Generally, there are tyre barriers between a gravel trap and the catch fencing, in order to protect spectators.
Sometimes nicknamed "
kitty litter
A litter box, also known as a sandbox, cat box, litter tray, cat pan, potty, pot or litter pan, is an indoor feces and urine collection box for cats, as well as rabbits, ferrets, miniature pigs, small dogs, and other pets that instinctively ...
" for its visual resemblance.
;green track: A paved race course that is clean from rubber buildup, oil and grease,
''marbles'', and debris, typically cleansed by means of a recent
rain shower
__NOTOC__
"Rain Shower", also "Shower" or "Sonagi," (소나기) is a Korean short story written by Korean writer Hwang Sun-won in 1952. A sonagi is a brief but heavy rain shower that starts suddenly, usually on a hot afternoon. In Hwang’s story, ...
. Depending on the track and/or racing series, a green track may be favorable or unfavorable. Track crews may use jet blowers to remove marbles and debris from the surface and mimic favorable green track conditions. However, a green track may be unfavorable due to reduced traction.
;
green-white-checker finish: When a full-course caution occurs right before the end of a race, the race is extended beyond its scheduled distance. Depending on the sanctioning body, there may be either one or multiple attempts at a restart, between one and five laps, before the race is declared officially over. NASCAR's national series will have a maximum of three attempts if only the penultimate lap is under caution, while some short track races have unlimited attempts at a span between one and five consecutive green-flag laps. In
British Superbike Championship
The British Superbike Championship (BSB), currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, is the leading road racing superbike championship in the United Kingdom, and was once widely acknowledged as the p ...
motorcycle racing, if a caution is called in the final third of the race, three additional laps will be added on the ensuing restart in a green-white-checker style finish.
;grenade: To wreck an engine so violently that internal parts of the engine break through the block and/or bolted-on parts (cylinder heads, oil pan, etc.), blowing up the engine. Distinct from
''popping the blower''. A ''
hand grenade
A grenade is an explosive weapon typically thrown by hand (also called hand grenade), but can also refer to a shell (explosive projectile) shot from the muzzle of a rifle (as a rifle grenade) or a grenade launcher. A modern hand grenade genera ...
engine'' is a usually derogatory term for an engine tuned to maximise engine power at the cost of low mechanical reliability, or an engine design that is known for failing on a regular basis.
;grid: The starting formation of a race, generally in rows of two for cars and three or four for bikes. The
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500, formally known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, and commonly called the Indy 500, is an annual automobile race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indi ...
traditionally has a unique grid of three cars per row.
;grip: The total cornering
envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin, flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card.
Traditional envelopes are made from sheets of paper cut to one of three shapes: a rhombus, a shor ...
of a race car by the friction component of the tire, the mass of the machine and the downforce generated.:
![Grooving Off Road Racing Tires Crandon 2012](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Grooving_Off_Road_Racing_Tires_Crandon_2012.jpg)
;groove: The optimal path around the track for the lowest lap time. In drag racing, it refers to the center portion of the lane, where cars can gain traction quicker.
;grooving: The process of cutting grooves into a tire to adjust traction.
;
ground effect: A method of creating
downforce
Downforce is a downwards lift force created by the aerodynamic features of a vehicle. If the vehicle is a car, the purpose of downforce is to allow the car to travel faster by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip. ...
using the shape of a car's body, notably by shaping the underbody to speed up airflow between it and the ground and effectively turn the entire car into an
airfoil
An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of an object whose motion through a gas is capable of generating significant lift, such as a wing, a sail, or the blades of propeller, rotor, or turbine.
...
.
;
Gurney flap
The Gurney flap (or wickerbill) is a small tab projecting from the trailing edge of a wing. Typically it is set at a right angle to the pressure-side surface of the airfoil
and projects 1% to 2% of the wing chord.
This trailing edge device can i ...
/ Gurney: A small lip placed at the trailing edge of a race car's wing. Despite its relative size, often only millimetres tall, it can double the downforce achieved by the wing, although at the premium of increasing drag, hence the small size. Named for the man commonly attributed to its proliferation,
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
driver and constructor
Dan Gurney
Daniel Sexton Gurney (April 13, 1931 – January 14, 2018) was an American racing driver, race car constructor, and team owner who reached racing's highest levels starting in 1958. Gurney won races in the Formula One, Indy Car, NASCAR, Can-Am, ...
. Also known as a ''wickerbill''.
;
gymkhana
Gymkhana () ( ur, جِمخانہ, sd, جمخانه, hi, जिमख़ाना, as, জিমখানা, bn, জিমখানা) is a British Raj term which originally referred to a place of assembly. The meaning then altered to den ...
: A form of motorsport which consists largely of an obstacle course of tight turns, spins and reversing. The winner is the one who completes all prescribed manoeuvrers in the shortest possible time. The course is usually marked out with traffic cones or similar devices, and hitting them with the car usually acquiries a time penalty. Also known as ''autotesting'' or ''motorkhana''.
H
![Haarspeldbocht](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Haarspeldbocht.jpg)
;
halo: A driver crash protection structure used in open-wheel racing series, which consists of a curved bar around the driver's head.
;
hairpin
A hairpin or hair pin is a long device used to hold a person's hair in place. It may be used simply to secure long hair out of the way for convenience or as part of an elaborate hairstyle or coiffure. The earliest evidence for dressing the hai ...
: A tight, approximately 180-degree corner that twists back on itself.
;handicap: Where cars start a race in the reverse order of qualifying, or perceived race pace, usually with timed gaps between cars starting a race. More common in racing's early days than today, the effect was to produce a race result in which all cars would arrive at the race finish together, regardless of the performance of the race vehicle. Another form of handicapping is success ballast, where more successful cars are assessed a weight penalty for every win, and ''balance of power'' in sportscar racing.
;Handford device: A vertical spoiler piece attached across the back of the rear wing that pushes air down, increasing drag and creating a larger slipstream for the car behind. Used in the
CART FedEx series to slow cars down and improve passing on superspeedways.
;
HANS (head and neck support) device: A safety item compulsory in many auto racing series. It reduces the likelihood of head and/or neck injuries, such as a
basilar skull fracture
A basilar skull fracture is a break of a bone in the base of the skull. Symptoms may include bruising behind the ears, bruising around the eyes, or blood behind the ear drum. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs in about 20% of cases and m ...
, in the event of a crash.
;heads-up racing: In drag racing, where both drivers leave at the same time; used in all professional classes.
;heat: A shorter preliminary race which decides the participants of the main race, and sometimes starting order as well. Usually, there are more heats in which only a segment of drivers from the entry list take part. Can also refer to a part of the main race, when it consists of two or more parts.
;heavy: Opposite of ''slick'' - used to describe a dirt-oval trackstate in which the surface is wet and fast.
;happy hour: the last practice before a
NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, ...
race.
;
holeshot
The holeshot is a term used in motocross to describe or reference the first racer to get through the apex of the first turn. Getting the holeshot gives the rider a huge competitive advantage and some level of control in the race. In most cases, t ...
: In motorcycle, off-road, and powerboat racing, the driver or rider who is first through the first turn at the start of a race, following a standing start. In drag racing, getting a starting line advantage due to a quicker
reaction time
Mental chronometry is the scientific study of processing speed or reaction time on cognitive tasks to infer the content, duration, and temporal sequencing of mental operations. Reaction time (RT; sometimes referred to as "response time") is meas ...
. The other driver gets "holeshotted", "welded to the line", or "left at the tree." A "holeshot win" is any win in a heads-up class where a car wins because of better reaction time, despite having a slower elapsed time.
;
homologation
Homologation (Greek ''homologeo'', ὁμολογέω, "to agree") is the granting of approval by an official authority. This may be a court of law, a government department, or an academic or professional body, any of which would normally work fr ...
: The process by which a new vehicle or part of a vehicle is approved by organizers for usage in racing. It also refers to the majority of the world's road racing sanctioning bodies having a racing class following the FIA's
Group GT3
Group GT3, known technically as Cup Grand Touring Cars and commonly referred to as simply GT3, is a set of regulations maintained by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for grand tourer racing cars designed for use in various au ...
formula. This was done to allow a car to be raced in multiple series with no changes.
;hook-up / hooking up: In drag racing, good traction between the tires and the track, resulting in increased acceleration and reduced
wheelspin
A wheelspin occurs when the force delivered to the tire tread exceeds that of available tread-to-surface friction and one or more tires lose traction.This leads the wheels to "spin" and causes the driver to lose control over the tires that no lo ...
.
;hot lap: See ''
flying lap''.
;hot laps: A series of practice laps, common on oval tracks, before heat races. Used to help drivers with their cars and improve the track's condition before racing.
;house car: A chassis manufacturer's
research and development
Research and development (R&D or R+D), known in Europe as research and technological development (RTD), is the set of innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products, and improving existi ...
car.
;
hydrolocking: Excessive fuel entering ("flooding") one or more cylinders due to abnormal operating conditions. Being liquid, the fuel cannot be compressed, causing damage to the motor and possibly
''grenading'' it. Most common in drag racing. May also happen if a motor ingests water through the air intake.
I
;IHRA: An acronym referring to the
International Hot Rod Association
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is the second-largest drag racing sanctioning body after the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
The Carrier Era 1971-1987
The IHRA was formed in November 1970 by businessman Larry Carrier. Througho ...
.
;impound rule: General term for ''
parc fermé
''Parc fermé'', literally meaning "closed park" in French, is a secure area at a motor racing circuit wherein the cars are driven back to the pits post- and sometimes pre-race.
Area
For example, according to the FIA Formula One regulations, th ...
'', used at certain tracks where teams are not allowed to work on cars between qualifying and the beginning of the race. See also ''
Impound race (NASCAR)'' and ''
parc fermé
''Parc fermé'', literally meaning "closed park" in French, is a secure area at a motor racing circuit wherein the cars are driven back to the pits post- and sometimes pre-race.
Area
For example, according to the FIA Formula One regulations, th ...
''.
;in-lap: Any lap which concludes with a visit to the pits, especially a pre-arranged pit stop, either during a race or during practice or qualifying. Often drivers push hard to drive fast on their in-lap (despite perhaps having worn out tires) in order to gain time lost during the pit stop. See also ''
delta time''.
;incident officer (IO or I/O): A marshal who is in charge of other marshals on the track, allocating duties to them. Second in rank to observer. In
hillclimb events, they are responsible for radio communication.
;independent: A competitor (team or driver) taking part with very little backing from a manufacturer or none at all. They have their own championship within the
World Touring Car Championship
The FIA World Touring Car Championship was an international touring car championship promoted by Eurosport Events and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It has had several different incarnations, including a sin ...
, where there is a strong manufacturer presence.
;inspector: See ''
scrutineer
A scrutineer (also called a poll-watcher or a challenger in the United States) is a person who observes any process which requires rigorous oversight. Scrutineers have the tasks of preventing the occurrence of corruption and of detecting genuine ...
''.
;installation lap: A lap which can take place in practice or qualifying, intended simply to gain data and
telemetry
Telemetry is the in situ data collection, collection of measurements or other data at remote points and their automatic data transmission, transmission to receiving equipment (telecommunication) for monitoring. The word is derived from the Gr ...
for the driver or team, rather than setting a competitive time.
;intermediate: A tire with lighter grooving than a ''
wet weather tire'' (see below). Sometimes an intermediate is a slick tyre with grooves cut into it. It is used for conditions between fully dry and fully wet, most often when the track is wet but it is not actually raining.
;International season: In Australia and New Zealand
midget
Midget (from ''midge'', a tiny biting insect) is a term for a person of unusually short stature that is considered by some to be pejorative due to its etymology. While not a medical term like "dwarfism", a medical condition with a number of ca ...
and
sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New ...
, the time generally between December and February. Because of Australia being in the Southern Hemisphere, some drivers in North America will fly down to Australia during the time and participate in various meetings before the
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws (often abbreviated WoO) is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late ...
season starts in Barberville, Florida, in February. The recognised International Season typically runs from Christmas Day (because of the time difference, it usually is Christmas night in the United States where the international drivers are based, when the Boxing Day races start), until the week before the Barberville meeting. The most notable races on the international season there include Australian Speedweek at various Australian tracks starting on Boxing Day and the
Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic
The Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is an Australian dirt Sprint car racing meet that takes place at the Sungold Stadium Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria every year in late January. The classic traditionally takes place one week before ...
in January.
;invert: The portion of the field which becomes ordered by reverse qualifying speed. With an ''invert'' of five, for example, the fifth-fastest qualifier starts first and the fastest qualifier starts fifth. The rest of the field starts by their qualifying speed (sixth-fastest starts sixth). The invert is often not announced before qualifying, or a
die
Die, as a verb, refers to death, the cessation of life.
Die may also refer to:
Games
* Die, singular of dice, small throwable objects used for producing random numbers
Manufacturing
* Die (integrated circuit), a rectangular piece of a semicondu ...
roll happens after qualifying.
J
;
James Bond
The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...
/ James Bond red: When a driver's reaction time is .007 seconds. A James Bond red is -.007 seconds (a red light foul), resulting in a loss unless the opponent commits a worse foul.
![JetDryerTruckMountedRoadAmerica2010b](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/JetDryerTruckMountedRoadAmerica2010b.jpg)
;jet dryer: A helicopter turbine engine or small airplane jet engine mounted on a pickup truck or trailer. The exhaust from the engine is used to blow debris or evaporate moisture from the racing surface.
;joker lap: In
rallycross events, each vehicle must run a lap with a detour once during each single race. In events overseen by the FIA, such as the
FIA World Rallycross Championship
The FIA World Rallycross Championship (official abbreviation is World RX) is a rallycross series organised by the FIA in conjunction with series promoter Rallycross Promoter GmbH (founded by Red Bull and KW25). From the inaugural season in 2014 ...
, this ''joker lap'' must be at least two seconds slower; therefore, the alternative route makes the lap longer. In the American
Global Rallycross
The TitansRX International Series (formerly known as Red Bull Global Rallycross or Global Rallycross) is a group of rallycross series, currently organised by racing driver Max Pucher and businessman Chip Pankow. The initial series was series ru ...
series, the joker lap is usually a bit shorter than a lap on the original track. The joker lap was thought up as a tactical component by Svend Hansen, the father of 14-times FIA European Rallycross champion
Kenneth Hansen, to increase the competition.
;jump start: In a ''
standing start
A standing start is a type of start in auto racing events, in which cars are stationary when the race begins (different to the rolling start, where cars are paced).
Procedure
In a standing start, cars are completely still but with their engines ...
'', when a vehicle moves from its grid slot before the start of a race is signaled. In a ''
rolling start
A rolling start is one of two modes of initiating or restarting an auto race; the other mode is the standing start. In a rolling start, the cars are ordered on the track and are led on a certain number of laps (parade or caution laps) at a pre-de ...
'', when a car passes before they cross the start-finish line or the restart line. When this is done, a penalty is usually imposed. In drag racing, a jump start is signalled by a red light in the offending driver's lane, and they lose unless a more serious foul (boundary line or failure to report to post-race inspection after a round win) occurs.
K
;
KERS (kinetic energy recovery system): A device which recovers energy when brakes are applied and stores it until required to add power. In 2008 KERS systems started to appear in the
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship (abbreviated as WRC) is the highest level of global competition in the motorsport discipline of rallying, owned and governed by the FIA. There are separate championships for drivers, co-drivers, manufacturers and t ...
.
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
followed soon after; its application is limited to a ''push to pass'' system.
;kit: In drag racing, refers to a turbo kit or a nitrous kit. Using nitrous oxide in professional drag racing categories is illegal.
;kitty litter: Informal term with two possible meanings. It is either a nickname for a ''gravel trap'', or for a material applied to the track surface to clean up a fluid leakage or spill.
L
![Racing line](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Racing_line.svg)
;ladder series: Generally refers to a category or series of lesser importance which, in most cases, will race at the same race meeting as a senior category. Cars will be generally characteristically similar to drive but will be smaller, less powerful, and/or slower. Competitors will generally be younger emerging drivers, who are climbing an apprenticeship "ladder" towards entry into the senior series.
;
lambda
Lambda (}, ''lám(b)da'') is the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the voiced alveolar lateral approximant . In the system of Greek numerals, lambda has a value of 30. Lambda is derived from the Phoenician Lamed . Lambda gave rise ...
reading: Fuel to air ratio readings, used to determine how much fuel is pushed through the fuel injectors into the cylinders for combustion.
;lap of honour: A non-competitive lap taken before or after the race by a driver in celebration. Also known as a ''victory lap'' (see below).
;lap record: Fastest race lap recorded at a circuit for a category of race car. The circumstances allowed vary significantly, but practice laps are generally not considered official records. Laps recorded in qualifying may or may not contribute but are sometimes referred together with practice laps as ''qualifying lap records''. The ''outright lap record'' is the fastest race lap ever recorded at any particular circuit, regardless of category of vehicle being raced.
;
Le Mans car: A phrase used by the general public to describe a
sports prototype
A sports prototype, sometimes referred to as simply a prototype, is a type of race car that is used in the highest-level categories of sports car racing. These purpose-built racing cars, unlike street-legal and production-based racing cars, are n ...
racing car, commonly a
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype (LMP) is the type of sports prototype race car used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. Le Mans Prototypes were create ...
or its predecessors and successors (including
Group C
Group C was a category of sports car racing introduced by the FIA in 1982 and continuing until 1993, with ''Group A'' for touring cars and ''Group B'' for GTs.
It was designed to replace both Group 5 special production cars (closed top touri ...
,
Group 6 Group 6 may refer to:
*Group 6 element, chemical element classification
*Group 6 (racing), FIA classification for sports car racing
*Group 6 Rugby League
The Macarthur Division Rugby League is a senior Rugby league competition in New South Wale ...
,
Group 5 Group 5 may refer to:
*Group 5 element, chemical element classification
*Group 5 (racing)
Group 5 was an FIA motor racing classification which was applied to four distinct categories during the years 1966 to 1982. Initially Group 5 regulations defi ...
,
LMH, and
LMDh
An LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) is a type of sports prototype race car that will compete alongside Le Mans Hypercar entries in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship from 2023. It also competes in the Hypercar cl ...
), regardless of whether it is competing at
Le Mans
Le Mans (, ) is a city in northwestern France on the Sarthe River where it meets the Huisne. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Man ...
or not.
;lead trophy: See ''
success ballast''
;leg: In rallying, a leg is usually each day of the event. A leg can be further broken up into ''sections'', and ''loops'' consist of repeated sections.
;
livery
A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery will often have elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...
: The paint and/or decals applied to a vehicle to mark its sponsorship or team identity.
;lollipop: A sign on a stick used in pit stops, which is held in front of the car and raised when the pit stop is completed.
Though the same basic device is utilized in NASCAR and IndyCar, generic terms such as ''pit board'' or ''sign board'' are preferred as the sign is not round, but sometimes square, and often is in a specific design unique to the driver or team. In addition, in NASCAR and IndyCar, the sign is usually only used for the driver to locate their pit box, and is pulled back (not normally being used to signal departure as it is in Formula One).
;long lap: The ''long lap'' penalty was introduced to motorcycle racing in 2019 and involves a rider taking a detour on a pre-designated route, usually an extended corner. This is intended to increase a rider's lap time as a penalty for an infringement during a race, and is intended as a lighter penalty than a ride-through penalty (see ''drive-through penalty'' above).
;loose: See ''
oversteer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
''
M
![TrackWorker](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/TrackWorker.jpg)
;marbles: Pieces of rubber from tires that accumulate on the racing surface outside of the racing line, that are slippery like
toy marbles.
;
marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
: A person responsible for signaling track conditions to drivers (through use of flags), extinguishing fires, removing damaged cars from the track, and sometimes providing emergency
first aid
First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery. It includes initial in ...
.
;meatball: A specific
racing flag
Racing flags are traditionally used in auto racing and similar motorsports to indicate track condition and to communicate important messages to drivers. Typically, the starter, sometimes the grand marshal of a race, waves the flags atop a flag s ...
used in some countries to indicate to a driver that there is a defect with their car that carries a safety risk to them or to another driver. Most usually applied to trailing smoke or loose bodywork. The flag is black with a large orange dot in the centre of the flag, looking vaguely like a
meatball
A meatball is ground meat rolled into a ball, sometimes along with other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, minced onion, egg (food), eggs, butter, and seasoning. Meatballs are cooked by frying, baking, steaming, or braising in sauce. There are ...
. Some racing series use this flag to indicate the car being flagged is no longer being scored, due to ignoring orders to pit because of a rules infraction.
;
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is an animated cartoon Character (arts), character co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The longtime mascot of The Walt Disney Company, Mickey is an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red sho ...
corner: A pejorative term for a corner or series of corners on a circuit that are thought to be poorly designed, slow, uncompetitive, uninteresting, and usually difficult or near impossible to overtake through, which detract from the overall challenge of the course. In some cases where the entire course is deemed poorly designed, it can be referred to as a "
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is an animated cartoon Character (arts), character co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The longtime mascot of The Walt Disney Company, Mickey is an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red sho ...
track".
;
mill
Mill may refer to:
Science and technology
*
* Mill (grinding)
* Milling (machining)
* Millwork
* Textile mill
* Steel mill, a factory for the manufacture of steel
* List of types of mill
* Mill, the arithmetic unit of the Analytical Engine early ...
: Any
internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal combus ...
used in a race car (inherited from
hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimised for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and made ...
ding slang).
;
missing man formation
The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flypast of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot, a well-known military service member or veteran, or a well-known political figure. T ...
: The driver in
pole position
In a motorsports race, the pole position is usually the best and "statistically the most advantageous" starting position on the track. The pole position is usually earned by the driver with the best qualifying times in the trials before the rac ...
drops back a row during a pace lap (leaving the front row empty) to salute a deceased motorsport personality.
;mobile
chicane
A chicane () is a serpentine curve in a road, added by design rather than dictated by geography. Chicanes add extra turns and are used both in motor racing and on roads and streets to slow traffic for safety. For example, one form of chicane is ...
: Disparaging slang for a competitor noticeably slower than the front-running pace.
;
motorkhana
{{Refimprove, date=August 2008
Motorkhana is a low-cost form of motorsport, unique to Australia and New Zealand but similar to autotesting in the UK and Ireland and gymkhana in the US. It involves manoeuvring a car through tight tests as quickly as ...
: See ''
gymkhana
Gymkhana () ( ur, جِمخانہ, sd, جمخانه, hi, जिमख़ाना, as, জিমখানা, bn, জিমখানা) is a British Raj term which originally referred to a place of assembly. The meaning then altered to den ...
''.
;Motorsport Valley: A tag given to the mid-south of England by the ''Motorsport Industry Association'', where a high concentration of activities within the motorsport industry occur.
;mountain motor: A mainly North American term for large-displacement engines, often used in
hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimised for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and made ...
s and
drag racer
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most c ...
s. Named for their size (around , the limit in some sanctioning bodies), and for sometimes being constructed in the mountains of
Tennessee
Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
and
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
.
;Murrayism: A humorous term or phrase originally uttered during a broadcast, by and named in honour of veteran
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
broadcaster,
Murray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker (10 October 1923 – 13 March 2021) was an English motorsport commentator and journalist. He provided television commentary of live Formula One coverage for the BBC between 1976 and 1996, and for ITV between 1997 and 2001 ...
.
;mystery caution: An unknown condition caution in the closing laps of a race.
N
;
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...
: Acronym for National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.
;NHRA: Acronym for
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and hosts events all over the United States and Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims to be the largest motorspo ...
, one of two sanctioning bodies in drag racing located within the United States.
;navigator: See ''
co-driver
A co-driver is the navigator of a rally car in the sport of rallying, who sits in the front passenger seat. The co-driver's job is to navigate, commonly by reading off a set of pacenotes to the driver (what lies ahead, where to turn, the severity ...
''.
;
nationals: Most NHRA events are called ''nationals'', referring to the first nationwide NHRA drag race held at the
Great Bend Municipal Airport in
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
, called simply "the Nationals".
;
nitrous
A Nitrous Oxide Engine, or Nitrous Oxide System commonly referred to and known as NOS, is an internal combustion engine in which oxygen for burning the fuel comes from the decomposition of nitrous oxide, N2O, rather than air. The system incre ...
: In drag racing, refers to the use of a nitrous oxide system to boost power.
;not classified (NC): A driver who was racing at the end of the race, but did not complete the required distance to be classified.
O
;observer: The highest ranking trackside
marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
within the post and the main decision-maker at the event of an incident, who relays information to race control. Can be seen standing in the marshal post. Second to chief marshal.
;official: See ''
steward''
;oildown: In drag racing, when a car's engine or lubrication system breaks during a run, leaving a streak of oil and/or other fluids on the track. This is punishable by fines, point penalties, and/or suspension.
;
open-wheel car
An open-wheel single-seater (often known as formula car) is a car with the wheels outside the car's main body, and usually having only one seat. Open-wheel cars contrast with street cars, sports cars, stock cars, and touring cars, which have thei ...
:A specific type of racing car whose wheels are not enclosed by bodywork, e.g.
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
.
![FormulaMazda2010SCCANationalRunoffsWinner02DarrylWills](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/FormulaMazda2010SCCANationalRunoffsWinner02DarrylWills.jpg)
;
one-make racing: Racing equipment that must be identical for all competitors, usually to cut down on costs or for business purposes by car manufacturers. Known in North America as ''spec'', specific parts can be spec, as in the
IndyCar Series
The IndyCar Series, currently known as the NTT IndyCar Series under sponsorship, is the highest class of regional North American open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars in the United States, which has been conducted under the auspices of ...
' spec engine, or the entire car can be spec, as in
spec racing series such as
Spec Miata
Spec Miata is a class of racing car used in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), National Auto Sport Association (NASA), and Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs (MCSCC) road racing events.
The Spec Miata (SM) class is intended to provide t ...
.
;out-brake: To gain time or position by braking harder and deeper in a corner.
;out lap: The first lap to be completed after exiting the pit lane, either during a race or during practice or qualifying.
;outright lap record: Fastest lap recorded at a circuit of any category of race car. Most often, this does not include qualifying and practice laps, but confusingly, some sources occasionally include laps not recorded during races.
;overcut: Delaying a pit stop to gain time on competitors. Rarely seen in modern
Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
, but usable there when fresh tyres are not at the best operating temperature and take time to warm up. The opposite of an
''undercut''.
;
oversteer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
: Cornering behaviour where the rear wheels do not track behind the front wheels, but instead move out toward the outside of the turn.
[ The opposite of ''understeer''.
]
P
;pace car: See '' safety car''.
;pacenotes
In rallying, pacenotes are a commonly used method of accurately describing a rallying route to be driven in extreme detail. As well as dictating the general route to be taken, in terms of turnings, junctions, etc., all notable features of the rout ...
: In rally racing
Rally or rallye may refer to:
Gatherings
* Demonstration (political), a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade
* Pep rally
A pep rally or pep assembly is a gathering of people, typically students ...
, notes that describe the course in detail.
;paddock
A paddock is a small enclosure for horses. In the United Kingdom, this term also applies to a field for a general automobile racing competition, particularly Formula 1.
Description
In Canada and the United States of America, a paddock is a small ...
: An enclosure at a track used by team support personnel and vehicles, and other officials and VIPs.
;paint scheme: See ''livery
A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery will often have elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...
''.
;parade lap
A parade lap, also known as a pace lap, formation lap or warm-up lap, is a lap before a motorsport race begins, in which the drivers go around the track at a slow speed (usually between ), and, in some cases, behind the safety car.
Purpose
The ...
: A lap before a motorsport race begins, where the drivers go around the track at a slow speed, also known as a ''formation lap''.
;parc fermé
''Parc fermé'', literally meaning "closed park" in French, is a secure area at a motor racing circuit wherein the cars are driven back to the pits post- and sometimes pre-race.
Area
For example, according to the FIA Formula One regulations, th ...
: An area which cars enter after they have qualified for the race, where they are not allowed to be worked upon by mechanics unless under strict supervision by the stewards. Some motorsports series other than Formula One refer to this as the ''impound''.
;pay driver
A pay driver is a driver for a professional auto racing team who, instead of being paid by the owner of their car, drives for free and brings with them either personal sponsorship or personal or family funding to finance the team's operations. Th ...
: A driver who pays for their race seat rather than receiving a salary from the team. Generally has a negative connotation. Sometimes known as a ''ride buyer''.
;pedalling: In drag racing, working the throttle to avoid wheelspin or as a way to sandbag
A sandbag or dirtbag is a bag or sack made of hessian (burlap), polypropylene or other sturdy materials that is filled with sand or soil and used for such purposes as flood control, military fortification in trenches and bunkers, shielding gl ...
.
;photo finish: A finish in which two or more cars are so close that in times past, a photograph of the finishers crossing the finish line would need to be studied to determine the finishing order. While the practice has been mostly superseded by modern electronic timing systems, the location of the transponder in a vehicle is not located near the nose of the vehicle, so stewards often use video replays to detect where the nose (of a car) or wheel (of a motorcycle) crosses the finish line first.
;pill draw: A type of qualifying most common in oval racing, where drivers are assigned a number from 1 to 100. Subsequent races are lined up with the lowest pill-drawer of the field in the front and the highest at the back.
;pit board: A board that is held up from the pit wall to the side of the finishing straight when a driver goes past, to confirm their position in the race and the number of laps remaining. Before the introduction of radio communication, ''pit boards'' were also used to instruct drivers to pit for fuel and/or tires, or to comply with rules violations.
;pit lane
In motorsports, a pit stop is a pause for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. These stops occur in an area called the pits, most commonly accessed via a pit lan ...
: A lane, adjacent to the race track, where the garages are located.
;pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is a pause for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. These stops occur in an area called the pits, most commonly accessed via a pit la ...
: Stopping in the pit lane for repairs, refuelling, and/or new tires.
;pit wall: Where the team owners and managers sit to observe the race, opposite the garages in the pit lane.
;pole position
In a motorsports race, the pole position is usually the best and "statistically the most advantageous" starting position on the track. The pole position is usually earned by the driver with the best qualifying times in the trials before the rac ...
: The first grid position, placed closest to the starting line (in Formula One), nearest the inside of the first turn, or both. Usually reserved for the competitor who has recorded the fastest lap during ''qualifying''. A competitor who starts a race there is said to be ''on the pole''.
;Polish victory lap
A victory lap (also lap of honor) is a term used in motorsports to describe an extra lap of the race track after the conclusion of a race. This lap, driven at reduced speed, allows the winning driver to celebrate their victory and gives the sp ...
: A victory lap run by a winner in the reverse direction.
;pre-qualifying: A preliminary qualifying session held prior to a regular qualifying session in order to reduce the number of competitors taking part in the regular session, usually for safety reasons. An example of pre-qualifying is in Formula One in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
;privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship that engages in maritime warfare under a commission of war. Since robbery under arms was a common aspect of seaborne trade, until the early 19th century all merchant ships carried arms. A sovereign or deleg ...
: A competitor not directly supported by a sponsor or manufacturer, being privately funded instead.
;progressive grid: Where a category races multiple times at a meeting, the starting order for the grid is decided by the finishing order of the previous race.
;pro tree: In drag racing, timing lights which flash all three yellow lights simultaneously, and turn green after four tenths of a second.
;prototype
A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...
: A purpose-built sports racing car
Sports car racing is a form of motorsport road racing which utilises sports cars that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built prototypes or grand tourers based on road-going models. Broadly speaking, sports car racing is o ...
that does not noticeably resemble a standard production car.
;puke can: In drag racing, a radiator overflow tank. Sometimes, used beer cans are used as puke cans, although these types of modifications are sometimes considered illegal. A standard puke can is usually made of plastic and attached close to the radiator.
;push: See ''understeer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
''.
;push to pass: A system in which engine power is increased for short periods to create a short burst of extra speed. This can be done by increasing the boost pressure in a turbocharged car, increasing the maximum rpm, or using a separate (i.e. hybrid) system to provide power. Also see '' KERS''.
Q
;qualifying: The process of deciding the starting order of a race. See also '' pre-qualifying''.
quick 8 (Q8)
: In drag racing, the quickest eight cars in a defined race. Rules can differ per location or race.
R
;R.T.: Abbreviation for ''reaction time''. In drag racing, it refers to the time it takes for a driver to leave the starting line after the green light. This time can mean the difference between a win and loss, especially in closely matched races.
;race director: An official appointed by a series organiser who holds ultimate authority over race operations throughout every event of a championship. The race director is the senior official present, and controls the activities of the local clerk of the course and marshals and the other staff appointed by the series. When appointed, they hold the responsibility of deploying the safety car and starting and stopping sessions.
;racing line
In motorsport, the racing line is the optimal path around a race course. In most cases, the line makes use of the entire width of the track to lengthen the radius of a turn: entering at the outside edge, touching the "apex"—a point on the inside ...
: The fastest, most optimal path around a circuit.
;rail / rail job: A dragster (as distinct from a bodied car). The term is derived from the exposed frame rails of early cars, and as such usually refers to early short-wheelbase cars. May also be referred to as a ''digger''.
;ramp run: In a practice lap, to rev the engine as far as possible without changing gears, to allow engine management systems to take lambda readings of the fuel to air ratio across a smooth engine speed range.
;reactive suspension: A system by which the suspension is controlled by a computer to maintain an optimum distance above the racing surface, regardless of forces acting upon the car and changes in the racing surface, thus maximising the aerodynamic assistance that can be gained by running the car closer to the ground. Originally used by Lotus and later by Williams.
;relief driver: A driver who fills in for another driver in case of injury, or during a race because of exhaustion or pain.
;restart
:When a race is started again after a caution or other condition that stopped the race. In the case of a restart from a caution period on an oval track and most road courses, this is accomplished by the safety car pulling off the track, the green flag/light being displayed, and cars simply accelerating back to race speeds.
;reverse grid racing: When the starting order of a race is reversed, so that the driver in pole position starts last. Occasionally reverse grid is limited to only part of the grid; for example, just the top ten positions may be reversed. Often used to increase the entertainment value of a race, and mainly used when a category races several times over the course of a meeting. In midget
Midget (from ''midge'', a tiny biting insect) is a term for a person of unusually short stature that is considered by some to be pejorative due to its etymology. While not a medical term like "dwarfism", a medical condition with a number of ca ...
and sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New ...
, heat races may be run as reverse grid races with a points system that gives points for cars passed as well as finishing points. At the end of the heat races, the combined total of passing and finishing points are used to determine the starting grid for the A main, and which drivers are sent to lower events.
;riding mechanic: An early term for a co-driver.
;right-rear: A verb commonly used in sprint car and midget car racing to describe the action of one car hitting another car with their right-rear tire, an action that often ends in disaster for the car being hit.
;rim blanking: See '' wheel shroud.''
;ripple strip: A kerb
A curb (North American English), or kerb (Commonwealth English except Canada; see spelling differences), is the edge where a raised sidewalk or road median/central reservation meets a street or other roadway.
History
Although curbs have ...
on the edge of a track painted in alternating colours, often red and white.
;road course ringer
In NASCAR, a road course ringer, also known as road course specialist, road course expert, or a road runner, is a non-NASCAR driver who is hired by a NASCAR Cup Series or NASCAR Xfinity Series team to race specifically on road courses.
, current ...
: In NASCAR, a driver who generally competes only on road courses as a substitute for a team's primary driver. Such drivers are no longer used by top teams in the NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, ...
due to competition changes in the 21st century, but are still frequently used by lower-tier Cup teams and teams in other NASCAR series.
;roll cage
A roll cage is a specially engineered and constructed frame built in (or sometimes around, in which case it is known as an exo cage) the passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured or killed in an accident, pa ...
: A structure of metal bars installed into the interior of a production-based racing car. Originally created as a safety device, in more recent times it has also been used to substantially increase the torsional rigidity of a race car's frame.
;roll hoop
A roll cage is a specially engineered and constructed frame built in (or sometimes around, in which case it is known as an exo cage) the passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured or killed in an accident, pa ...
: A looped bar protruding above and behind the driver's helmet in open-wheel and prototype sports racing cars, placed so that in the event of a rollover, the car lands on the roll hoop rather than the driver's helmet. It may also serve as a convenient attachment point for cranes removing stopped cars from dangerous positions on the circuit.
;rolling start
A rolling start is one of two modes of initiating or restarting an auto race; the other mode is the standing start. In a rolling start, the cars are ordered on the track and are led on a certain number of laps (parade or caution laps) at a pre-de ...
: A starting method where moving cars start a race after the starter displays a green flag.
;roof flap
A roof flap is an aerodynamic feature on race cars, mainly stock cars, which functions as an emergency spoiler to prevent the vehicle from lifting off the ground. The flaps are stowed during normal vehicle operation; however, in certain situations ...
: An active aerodynamic element designed to keep a car on the ground when it is traveling in reverse.
;rumble strip
Rumble strips (also known as sleeper lines or alert strips) are a road safety feature to alert inattentive drivers of potential danger, by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling transmitted through the wheels into the vehicle interior. ...
: A kerb with angled kerbstones that transmit vibration through any car that passes over, allowing drivers to feel the kerb and discouraging competitors from cutting corners.
;roost: In off-road racing, the act of accelerating quickly in a corner to kick up dirt, dust, and rocks.
;run-off area
A run-off area is an area on a motorsport race track used for racer safety. Run-off areas are usually located along a road racing circuit where racers are most likely to unintentionally depart from the prescribed course. There are different type ...
: An area off the track put aside for vehicles to leave the track without causing an accident in case of an emergency.
S
; safety car: A car that limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of an accident or caution periods caused by obstruction/s on the track.
;sandbag
A sandbag or dirtbag is a bag or sack made of hessian (burlap), polypropylene or other sturdy materials that is filled with sand or soil and used for such purposes as flood control, military fortification in trenches and bunkers, shielding gl ...
: To gain a competitive advantage by deliberately underperforming at an event.
;sand trap: An area at the very end of a drag strip to slow down and stop vehicles that have gone off the track, as a safety measure. It is filled with, as the name implies, sand.
;satellite team
In motorsport, a satellite team is a team related to a larger, better-funded team. This relation may involve ownership, technical support and staff sharing, including drivers. Current examples include NASCAR outfit Wood Brothers Racing, which is c ...
: A second racing team either operated by or in partnership with a larger team, but maintaining a separate identity. The team may share vehicles and technology with the main operation, or may develop the careers of upcoming drivers, such as Scuderia AlphaTauri
Scuderia AlphaTauri, or simply AlphaTauri, is an Italian Formula One racing team and constructor. It is one of two Formula One constructors owned by Austrian beverage company Red Bull, the other being Red Bull Racing. The constructor was rebra ...
.
;scattershield: A bell housing
Bell housing or bellhousing is a colloquial/slang term for the portion of the transmission that covers the flywheel and the clutch or torque converter of the transmission on vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. This housing is bolted ...
, or external shield surrounding a bell housing, designed to contain metal fragments in the event of clutch, flywheel, and/or transmission failure.
;scrub: Also known as the ''Bubba
In American usage, "Bubba" is a term of endearment mainly given to boys. Being formed from the word "brother", it often indicates that someone is a "little brother".
Etymology and history
The linguist Ian Hancock has described similarities betw ...
Scrub''; a jump technique in motocross
Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom.
History
Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
in which the rider transfer their weight to the bike sideways at the face of the jump for a lower trajectory which decreases time spent in the air.
;scrutineer
A scrutineer (also called a poll-watcher or a challenger in the United States) is a person who observes any process which requires rigorous oversight. Scrutineers have the tasks of preventing the occurrence of corruption and of detecting genuine ...
: A qualified official who examines vehicles prior to a race for compliance with the rules of competition, usually in a scrutineering bay adjacent to the pit lane.
;scuffs: Tires which have been used to a limited extent, but are not completely worn out. Scuffs may be put on a car during a pit stop to improve handling. At times, brand new tires may be '' scuffed in'' before a race by practicing in them for a lap or two. See also '' sticker tires''.
;sector: A section of one complete lap of the circuit, used for timing purposes. In Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
, each circuit is split into three sectors.
;semi-automatic gearbox
A semi-automatic transmission is a "theoretical" multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated (typically the actuation of the clutch), but the driver's input would be required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to ...
: A specialized motorsport application, created initially by Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari Società per Azioni, S.p.A. () is the racing division of luxury Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari and the racing team that competes in Formula One racing. The team is also known by the nickname "The Prancing Horse", in refere ...
for Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
, in which the driver can change gears manually without having to manually activate the clutch. On open-wheel race cars and sports prototypes, it is usually activated by paddles immediately behind the steering wheel, although touring and rally cars
Rally or rallye may refer to:
Gatherings
* Demonstration (political), a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade
* Pep rally, an event held at a United States school or college sporting event
Sports ...
are usually equipped with a more conventional centre console-mounted gear stick
A gear stick (rarely spelled ''gearstick''), gear lever (both UK English), gearshift or shifter (both U.S. English), more formally known as a transmission lever, is a metal lever attached to the transmission of an automobile. The term ''gear sti ...
or a stalk connected to the steering column. When activated, the gearbox automatically disengages the clutch, changes gears, and re-engages the clutch without any further input from the driver.
;semi-feature / B-main / qualifier
:A qualifying race before the main event, where non-qualified cars compete for a predetermined number of spots in the main event. Some races have a ''C-main'' where the top finishers qualify for the B-main. At those events, the main event is known as the ''A-main''.
;setup
Setup (the noun) or set up (the verb) may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Set Up'' (2005 film), a 2005 Hong Kong horror film
* ''Setup'' (2011 film), a 2011 action thriller heist film
Music
* ''Setup'' (album), a 1994 album by ...
: A set of adjustments made to the vehicle in order to optimize its behaviour.
;shakedown: The first test of a new vehicle
;shootout: See ''superpole
In a motorsports race, the pole position is usually the best and "statistically the most advantageous" starting position on the track. The pole position is usually earned by the driver with the best qualifying times in the trials before the rac ...
''
;short shifting
Short shifting is a driving technique in which the gear is changed up before reaching maximum engine RPM or, more precisely, the acceleration optimized RPM shift-point. By short shifting, the engine does not reach its power band, and therefore m ...
: A technique used, primarily in motorsport, to regain control of a car through a high speed corner. Involves the driver shifting up a gear earlier than usual.
;shunt: A collision, usually involving side-to-side contact.
;shutdown area: In drag racing, the stretch from the finish line to the sand trap, where cars decelerate and exit the drag strip.
;: An aerodynamic device, positioned on either side of an open-wheel racing car or modern sports prototype, to improve airflow between the front and rear wheels, and to usually also feed air to a radiator housed inside it.
;silly season: The period near and after the conclusion of the racing season during which teams and drivers may begin preparing to make changes for the upcoming season. Potential changes at a team may be new or different drivers, sponsors, engines/chassis, team personnel, and cars. Rumours often run rampant during the early stages of silly season. In some rare cases, teams may actually implement the planned changes during silly season rather than wait until the start of the new season. Such a move may give them a head start on the upcoming season, or may alleviate " lame duck" situations.
; siping: The process of cutting fine grooves into a tire to improve traction and thermal characteristics.
;skid plate: A metal plate, most commonly titanium, fixed to the bottom of flat-bottomed racing cars to protect the undertray from damage from the ground. Less common today, as racing cars are usually mandated to have a ground clearance that decrases the risk of bottoming out.
;slapper bars: See '' traction bars.''
;sled: In truck and tractor pulling, an implement pulled behind the machine whose friction with the ground must be overcome by the machine.
;slick (clay oval): A phenomenon caused by the drying out of the clay surface on short circuit oval tracks. If a minimum percentage of moisture on the track surface is not maintained, the clay will dry out, causing the rubber of the specialized clay circuit tires to prematurely wear the same way as on paved circuits, giving the track surface a noticeably black shade.
;slick tyre
A racing slick or slick tyre is a type of tyre that has a smooth tread used mostly in auto racing. The first production slick tyre was developed by M&H Tires in the early 1950s for use in drag racing. By eliminating any grooves cut into the tre ...
: A tyre with no tread pattern, maximising the amount of rubber in contact with the racing surface. A specialist motor racing application, as in wet weather conditions these tyres have little resistance to aquaplaning
Aquaplaning or hydroplaning by the tires of a road vehicle, aircraft or other wheeled vehicle occurs when a layer of water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle fr ...
.
;slide job: Especially in dirt
Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty.
Common types of dirt include:
* Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains
* Dust: a genera ...
oval racing, when a car overtakes another car on the inside of a corner and deliberately oversteers in front of the vehicle being passed in an attempt to slow their momentum. The vehicle being passed often attempts to pass back by steering low coming out of the corner down the following straightaway.
;slingshot: Front-engined dragster, named for the driving position behind the rear wheels (erroneously attributed to launch speed).
;: A pass using drafting.
;slipstreaming
Drafting or slipstreaming is an aerodynamic technique where two vehicles or other moving objects are caused to align in a close group, reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object's slipstream. Especially when high spee ...
: When a car following close behind another uses the slipstream
A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid (typically air or mustard) is moving at velocities comparable to that of the moving fluid, relative to the ambient fluid through which the object is churning. The term slip ...
created by the lead car to close the gap between them or overtake. Also referred to as ''drafting''.
;smoking the tires: A term used mostly in drag racing, referring to when a loss of traction causes the rear tires to smoke profusely. This usually happens off the starting line. When this happens during a race, it usually results in a loss, unless the opponent also loses traction as well.
;: A car used by a driver if they have damaged their main car. It may or may not have the same setup as the primary car. Now banned in Formula One for cost-cutting reasons, though teams in many other major racing series have a spare car available at the track. At Indianapolis
Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
, it is traditionally called a ''T-car'' (a loose abbreviation of "training"). Also referred to as a ''backup car''.
;spec: See '' one-make racing''.
; special stage: A closed-off section of road or track, used for timed runs in rallying. A rally is made up of a number of special stages.
;spin turn: A semi-doughnut
A doughnut or donut () is a type of food made from leavened fried dough. It is popular in many countries and is prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franc ...
maneuver which a driver may perform to turn themselves around in a tight space without using the reverse gear.
;splash and dash / splash and go: A pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is a pause for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. These stops occur in an area called the pits, most commonly accessed via a pit la ...
which only involves refueling the car, often less than a full tank.
; splitter: Also referred to as the ''front spoiler'', ''air dam'', or ''front diffuser
Diffuser may refer to:
Aerodynamics
* Diffuser (automotive), a shaped section of a car's underbody which improves the car's aerodynamic properties
* Part of a jet engine air intake, especially when operated at supersonic speeds
* The channel betw ...
'', an aerodynamic device placed on the nose of some touring car
Touring car and tourer are both terms for open cars (i.e. cars without a fixed roof).
"Touring car" is a style of open car built in the United States which seats four or more people. The style was popular from the early 1900s to the 1930s.
Th ...
s and grand tourers
A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either ...
to improve airflow around the nose of the car, and sometimes create front downforce to aid in steering. It is prominent on NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...
's Cars of Tomorrow, as well as second-generation Class 1 Touring Cars Class 1 Touring Cars refers to two generations of prototype silhouette-style touring car regulations employed by the FIA.
First generation (1993-1996)
The first generation was a production-based formula introduced in 1993 along with Class 2 Tourin ...
.
;spoiler
Spoiler is a security vulnerability on modern computer central processing units that use speculative execution. It exploits side-effects of speculative execution to improve the efficiency of Rowhammer and other related memory and cache attacks. Ac ...
: An aerodynamic device attached to the trailing edge of a race car to increase its rear downforce. The difference between a spoiler and a wing is that air passes both over and under the aerodynamic surface of a wing, but only passes over a spoiler.
; spotter: A person, positioned high above the circuit, who communicates what happens on the track to the driver.
;: A single-car event against the clock. Can be held over a stretch of road similar to hillclimbing
Hillclimbing, also known as hill climbing, speed hillclimbing, or speed hill climbing, is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course. It is one of the oldest forms of motorsport, since the fir ...
, or may be held over one or more laps of a circuit, similar to time attack
Time attack is a type of motorsport in which the racers compete for the best lap time. Each vehicle is timed through numerous circuits of the track. The racers make a preliminary circuit, then run the timed laps, and then finish with a cool-dow ...
. The term may also refer to relatively short races, to distinguish from endurance races.
;sprint car
Sprint cars are high-powered open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New ...
: High-powered racing cars generally raced on short dirt
Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty.
Common types of dirt include:
* Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains
* Dust: a genera ...
or asphalt ovals.
;stagger: In stock car racing, the difference in circumference between the left and right tires, used to improve handling on oval tracks.
;standard tree: In drag racing, timing lights which flash in sequence five tenths of a second between each yellow light before turning green. Traditional form, before introduction of pro tree.
;standing start
A standing start is a type of start in auto racing events, in which cars are stationary when the race begins (different to the rolling start, where cars are paced).
Procedure
In a standing start, cars are completely still but with their engines ...
: A starting method where the race vehicles are stationary on the grid.
;start and park
Start and park is a term used in auto racing, particularly in NASCAR-sanctioned races, to describe the practice of racing teams starting races but pulling the car off the track after just a few laps in order to collect prize money while avoiding e ...
: A team or driver who qualifies and starts a race but only runs a small number of laps to avoid using up resources (tires, parts, pit crew effort, etc.). The team or driver will intentionally drop out of the race, placing last or near to last, but will still collect the corresponding prize money and championship points.
;steward: The adjudicator or referee at a race meeting who interprets incidents and decides whether penalties or fines should be issued.
;sticker tires: Brand new tires put on a race car. Nicknamed "sticker tires" because the manufacturer's labels are still visible.
;stint: A part of the race between two pit stops.
;stop-go penalty / stop and go penalty: A penalty given to a driver for an on-track infraction that requires them to enter their pit box (or in some cases a special penalty pit box) and come to a complete stop before resuming. No work is allowed to be done on the car during the penalty, even if it is being served in the driver's own pit box. Doing work on the car would negate the serving of the penalty, and the penalty would have to be re-served the next time around. In some cases, the car is held in the box for a specified number of seconds before being allowed to resume. Since the early/mid-1990s, this penalty has seen less use, replaced in most cases by the drive-through penalty.
;stripe: The start-finish line.
;success ballast: A method used to level performance between competitors by adding weight to cars that win races or are successful. Sometimes referred to as a ''lead trophy'', as the usage of lead
Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb (from the Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Lead is soft and malleable, and also has a relatively low melting point. When freshly cu ...
bars is most popular in applying the additional weight.
;superpole / shootout: A selection procedure in which the ten or 15 fastest qualifiers compete for grid positions in a single-lap effort without other vehicles on the track. While not specifically referenced, most NASCAR races will use this style of qualifying for all cars.
; support race: Race(s) that takes place before or after the main event race. It may also be held during a qualifying day, and is often used to provide a fuller weekend of track activity. It is normally a race from a lower or "ladder" series, is usually shorter in duration, and in some cases might feature some moonlighting drivers from the main event. It is analogous to an undercard
In sports, a card lists the matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card, according to ...
in other sports.
;super rally: When a rally driver retires on any day, except the last, they can continue the next day incurring penalties for the stages they did not drive, including the one they retired on. Currently, in World Rally Championship, a driver will be given the time of the fastest driver of their class, plus a five-minute-penalty for each missed stage.
;super special: A timed special stage in a rally on a purpose-built track, often in a stadium. Usually, two cars will set off at the same time in separate lanes, and at the halfway point of the stage they will swap lanes, usually via a crossover involving a bridge. A similar format is used in the Race of Champions
The Race of Champions (ROC) is an international motorsport event held at the end/start of each year, featuring some of the world's best racing and rally drivers. It is the only competition in the world where stars from Formula One, World Rall ...
.
;sweeper: A large-radius medium- or high-speed corner on a circuit. Examples of sweepers include the Rabbit's Ear corner at Willow Springs, the area between Turns 10 and 11 at Albert Park Circuit
The Albert Park Circuit is a motorsport street circuit around Albert Park Lake, three kilometres south of central Melbourne. It is used annually as a circuit for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the supporting Supercars Championship Melbo ...
, and the 200R corner and Dunlop Curve at Suzuka Circuit
The , more famously known as the , is a long motorsport race track located in Ino, Suzuka, Mie, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by Honda Mobilityland, a subsidiary of Honda, Honda Motor Co, Ltd. It has a capacity of 155,000.
Int ...
.
;swinger: (from sidecar racing
Motorcycle racing (also called moto racing and motorbike racing) is the motorcycle sport of racing motorcycles. Major varieties include motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Oth ...
) A passenger on a racing motorcycle sidecar who athletically moves from one side of the sidecar to the other, altering a sidecar's weight distribution to assist in cornering speed and in some corners to prevent the sidecar from tipping over.
T
;T-bone
The T-bone and porterhouse are steaks of beef cut from the short loin (called the sirloin in Commonwealth countries and Ireland). Both steaks include a "T"-shaped lumbar vertebra with sections of abdominal internal oblique muscle on each side ...
: A collision in which the front of a car crashes into the side of another car, forming a "T" shape. This is one of the more dangerous types of crash due to the relative vulnerability of side impacts where there is much less deformable structure on the side of a car to protect the driver. Also, to crash into another car in such a fashion; the victim is "T-boned".
;T-car: Alternative term for a spare car.
;tank-slapper
Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics is the science of the Motion (physics), motion of bicycles and motorcycles and their components, due to the forces acting on them. Multibody dynamics, Dynamics falls under a branch of physics known as classical m ...
: When the front wheel of a motorcycle oscillates rapidly at speed, causing the handlebars to slap against the fuel tank. It is increasingly being used to refer to a vehicle that loses traction at the rear, regains traction and loses it again, causing the rear to weave side to side independently of the front of the car. This is more often referred to as ''fish-tailing''.
;: In drifting, a Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture
** Japanese diaspor ...
term for individual passes where drivers are observed by judges in an attempt for the top spot.
;team orders
In motor racing, team orders is the practice of teams issuing instructions to drivers to deviate from the normal practice of racing against each other as they would against other teams' drivers. This can be accomplished either in advance, simply ...
: The practice of one driver letting another from the same team or manufacturer gain a higher finish at the direction of the team management. Often employed to prevent the risk of an accident resulting in damage to both of a team's cars. The practice was briefly forbidden in Formula One
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
as a consequence of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix
The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix (formally the Grosser A1 Preis von Österreich 2002) was a Formula One motor race held on 12 May 2002 at the Red Bull Ring, A1-Ring in Spielberg, Styria, Austria. It was the sixth round of the 2002 Formula One World ...
controversy. U.S.-based series (NASCAR, IndyCar, etc.) have rarely used team orders, and the practice is widely frowned upon due to sportsmanship issues and fan backlash.
;team principal: A management position within many series responsible for overall management of the team, including its drivers, production, strategy, and operations.
;tear-offs: Thin plastic sheets layered over a driver's visor or windshield for visibility. Drivers (or pit crews) tear one off after it becomes dirty.
;template
Template may refer to:
Tools
* Die (manufacturing), used to cut or shape material
* Mold, in a molding process
* Stencil, a pattern or overlay used in graphic arts (drawing, painting, etc.) and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs
Co ...
: A device used by sanctioning body officials to check the shape and dimensions of parts of racing vehicles.
;: Refers to when a vehicle is driven to its absolute potential.
;throttleman: In offshore powerboat racing
Offshore powerboat racing is a type of racing by ocean-going powerboats, typically point-to-point racing.
In most of the world, offshore powerboat racing is led by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) regulated Class 1 and Powerboat P1. ...
, the boat's second occupant who works alongside the driver, whose role is to steer the boat. The throttleman's position is to adjust the trim tab
Trim tabs are small surfaces connected to the trailing edge of a larger control surface on a boat or aircraft, used to control the trim of the controls, i.e. to counteract hydro- or aerodynamic forces and stabilise the boat or aircraft in a pa ...
whilst observing water conditions, and extract as much speed out of the boat by controlling the hand throttle during a race whilst it hops over tides. The latter prevents the propellers from spinning wildly whilst the boat is airborne, causing the engine to overrev and possibly leading to engine damage.
;throw a belt: In drag racing, to lose the drive belt connecting the engine's crankshaft to the supercharger.
;tight: See ''understeer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
.''
;time attack
Time attack is a type of motorsport in which the racers compete for the best lap time. Each vehicle is timed through numerous circuits of the track. The racers make a preliminary circuit, then run the timed laps, and then finish with a cool-dow ...
: A competition which involves cars running around the circuit one at a time in pursuit of the fastest lap time.
;timed race: Instead of running a predetermined number of laps, a race runs for a predetermined amount of time (i.e. 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans (french: link=no, 24 Heures du Mans) is an endurance-focused Sports car racing, sports car race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It is the world's oldest active Endurance racing (motorsport), endurance r ...
). This is common in endurance racing, although series such as Formula 1
Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...
have a limit on how long a race can be run (usually two hours), which means that a race may be ended after the time limit expires but before the predetermined number of laps is run.
;tin-top: Road car-derived vehicles with a roof, mainly in touring car racing
Touring car racing is a motorsport road racing competition with heavily modified road-going cars. It has both similarities to and significant differences from stock car racing, which is popular in the United States.
While the cars do not move ...
.
;tire shake: In drag racing, when the engine is putting out more horsepower than the drive axle can handle, causing the rear tires to shake violently. This results in a loss of speed and sometimes steering, and occasionally leads to on track accidents. Sometimes referred to in other disciplines as ''axle tramp''.
;top end: The part of an engine's power curve at higher engine speeds; in drag racing, the end of the drag strip where the finish line is.
;traction bars: In drag racing, struts fixed to the driven axle to keep it from twisting, which causes ''wheel hop'' (see below) and loss of traction.
;traction control
A traction control system (TCS), also known as ASR (from german: Antriebsschlupfregelung, lit=drive slippage regulation), is typically (but not necessarily) a secondary function of the electronic stability control (ESC) on production motor vehicle ...
: An electronic system that regulates power supplied to the driven wheels to prevent wheelspin. It is banned in many forms of motor racing.
;trap: In drag racing, the timing lights at the top end of the drag strip to measure speed & E.T.
;trap speed: In drag racing, speed as measured by the speed trap near the finish line, indicative of the maximum speed reached on a pass.
;: In drifting, a Japanese term for tandem passes, where two cars are paired against each other over two passes within a heat, with each driver taking a turn to lead.
U
;undercut:Making an earlier pit stop in an attempt to gain time on other competitors. The opposite of an '' overcut''.
;understeer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than the amount commanded by the driver. Conversely, understeer is what occu ...
: Cornering behaviour where the front wheels do not follow the steered course, but instead push out toward the outside of the turn. Known as ''push'' in NASCAR and other stock car racing. The opposite of ''oversteer''.
;undertray: Flat or stepped flat surface on the bottom of ''open wheel'' and sports ''prototype'' racing cars. Theory has varied along with aerodynamic developments and regulations, from the sidepod tunnels of ''ground effect'' to the flat undertrays of the 1980s in various attempts to use aerodynamics to suck the cars closer to the bitumen, minimising the air underneath the car that could slow its progress. Today most such categories feature a stepped undertray with sidepods siting higher in the air than the centre of the car, usually mandated by series organisers in an attempt to limit vehicle performance. Also refers to flat surfaces extending behind ''splitters'' in sedan and GT based racing cars.
V
;victory lane: Also ''winner's circle'', because of early motorsport's roots at horse racing tracks, the American term for the place where the winner of a race goes to celebrate victory after winning an event.
;victory lap
A victory lap (also lap of honor) is a term used in motorsports to describe an extra lap of the race track after the conclusion of a race. This lap, driven at reduced speed, allows the winning driver to celebrate their victory and gives the sp ...
: A lap, after the conclusion of the race, where the winning racer drives at reduced speed to celebrate their victory.
W
;The Wally: In the NHRA, ''The Wally'' is the nickname of the trophy that is earned by the winner of an event. The nickname refers to the founder of the NHRA, Wally Parks
Wallace Gordon Parks (January 23, 1913 – September 28, 2007) was an American writer. He was the founder, president, and chairman of the National Hot Rod Association, better known as NHRA. He was instrumental in establishing drag racing as a le ...
.
;wastegate
A wastegate is a valve that controls the flow of exhaust gases to the turbine wheel in a turbocharged engine system.Robson, D. (2018). Aircraft General Knowledge. Aviation Theory Centre Pty Ltd. .
Diversion of exhaust gases regulates the turbine ...
: A device attached to a turbocharger
In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to pro ...
, used to limit the additional horsepower it produces. It consists chiefly of a valve that is opened when sufficient turbocharger pressure is reached, preventing further boost pressure from accumulating and protecting the engine and turbocharger system from damage.
;weight shifting: A technique used to reduce understeer. This involves the driver decelerating through a corner to shift the weight of the car from the back to the front, increasing front grip.
;wet (or wet-weather) tyre: A racing tyre with deep grooves designed to displace standing water, allowing the tyre to obtain grip in conditions where dry weather tyres (''slicks'') would aquaplane.
;wheel banging: When the wheels of two different race cars slightly collide during an overtaking manoeuvre.
;wheel hop: In drag racing, when a car violently shakes as the tires lose and regain traction in quick succession.
; wheel shroud: A wheel cover designed to distribute airflow to the brakes, assisting with cooling. Saw common use in Group C
Group C was a category of sports car racing introduced by the FIA in 1982 and continuing until 1993, with ''Group A'' for touring cars and ''Group B'' for GTs.
It was designed to replace both Group 5 special production cars (closed top touri ...
, in IndyCar until banned in 1993, and in F1 between 2006 and 2009.
;wheelie
In vehicle acrobatics, a wheelie, or wheelstand, is a vehicle maneuver in which the front wheel or wheels come off the ground due to sufficient torque being applied to the rear wheel or wheels, or rider motion relative to the vehicle. Whe ...
: When a vehicle's front wheel(s) leave the ground under hard acceleration.
;wheelie bars: In drag racing, struts fixed to the rear of the car which protrude rearward to prevent a car's front from raising too high or flipping over on launch.
;wheelspin
A wheelspin occurs when the force delivered to the tire tread exceeds that of available tread-to-surface friction and one or more tires lose traction.This leads the wheels to "spin" and causes the driver to lose control over the tires that no lo ...
: When the rear tyres (or front tyres in the case of a front wheel drive vehicle) break traction with the racing surface under acceleration, spinning the wheels faster than they move across the surface. On higher traction surfaces like bitumen the tyre will begin to shred and melt from the friction, producing white smoke.
;wheelstand: In drag racing, a severe wheelie where the car is pitched nearly vertically.
;whip: A motocross
Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom.
History
Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...
technique in which the rider pitches their bike sideways and repositions themselves for the landing whilst airborne.
;wickerbill: See ''Gurney flap
The Gurney flap (or wickerbill) is a small tab projecting from the trailing edge of a wing. Typically it is set at a right angle to the pressure-side surface of the airfoil
and projects 1% to 2% of the wing chord.
This trailing edge device can i ...
.''
;wing: An aerodynamic device on many racing cars. The principle is the same as with an airfoil
An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of an object whose motion through a gas is capable of generating significant lift, such as a wing, a sail, or the blades of propeller, rotor, or turbine.
...
, except that in motor racing applications, the wing is inverted to create downforce instead of lift, pressing the car onto the road surface to increase traction.
;wishbone: A suspension control arm with three points, shaped roughly like a chicken wishbone
Wishbone commonly refers to:
* Furcula, a fork-shaped bone in birds and some dinosaurs
Wishbone may also refer to:
* Wish-Bone, an American salad dressing and condiment company
* Wishbone formation, a type of offense in American football
* Wish ...
.
;works team
A works team (sometimes factory team, company team) is a sports team that is financed and run by a manufacturer or other business. Sometimes, works teams contain or are entirely made up of employees of the supporting company.
Association footb ...
: A motor racing team supported by a vehicle manufacturer, usually run in-house at the manufacturer's premises. A ''works driver'' is a driver who drives for the works team.
Y
;yellow checker: A term derived when the final lap in a race is completed during a full course yellow while the field is under the control of the safety car. In this instance, the yellow and checkered flags are waved together, and the race is declared finished with the order the same as when the full course yellow began. IndyCar has a yellow checker rule, and NASCAR allows it if a race is shortened because of a curfew or darkness, if the race is already on its final lap when the yellow must be waved, or if there is a yellow implemented after the leader crosses the finish line during a valid green-white-checker finish once the race has restarted. In Formula One, when there is a yellow checker, the safety car will not lead the leader to the finish line.
Z
;zero car
A zero car (or opening car) is a car used in rallying to open the road for the competing cars.
The zero car has two main purposes:
* so that the public is not surprised by the first car and
* so that its driver can warn the organization if ther ...
: In rallying, the official vehicles (numbered 000, 00, and 0) that run through a special stage at near rallying speeds to check for road conditions, obstructions, and safety risks (such as spectators or animals) prior to the rally cars running through the course, as well as to notify the public of the rally event.
References
External links
Formula One glossary
World Rally Championship glossary
Moto GP glossary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glossary Of Motorsport Terms
Motorsport
Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...