Formula One Air Racing is an American

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 ...

that involves small aircraft using engines up to in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.

History

Formula One air racing is sanctioned by the International Aeronautics Federation. Formula One was first proposed in 1936 as "midget racing". The 190 Cubic in specification was set in 1946, and the first competition was set in 1947. Some 1930s air racers, like the

Chester Jeep The Chester Jeep aka the Chester Special #1 was an air racer built by Art Chester for the 1932 National Air Races. The aircraft once held the world's speed record for aircraft at . Design and development The Chester Jeep was named after "Eugene ...

and Loose Special were retrofitted with smaller engines to compete. With the introduction of the Continental O-200 engine, the maximum engine displacement was raised to 200 cubic inches in 1968. Aircraft must have a minimum wing area of , and an empty weight of 500 pounds or more. The aircraft must also have fixed landing gear, and a fixed pitch propeller. Racers compete in a Oval course.
Several aircraft were capable of meeting the specifications for Formula One at its creation. Specific designs were introduced shortly after that maximized speed for the configuration.

Aircraft

References

{{reflist

External links

International Formula One Air Racing websiteTechnical Design Rules for IF1 aircraft
Air racing