{{about, the element of a track, , Straight (disambiguation)
In many forms of
racing
In sport, racing is a competition of speed, in which competitors try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific go ...
, a straight or stretch is a part of the
race track
A race track (racetrack, racing track or racing circuit) is a facility built for racing of vehicles, athletes, or animals (e.g. horse racing or greyhound racing). A race track also may feature grandstands or concourses. Race tracks are also use ...
in which the competitors travel in a straight line for any significant time, as opposed to a bend or curve. The term is used in
horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...
,
motor racing
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 t ...
and
track and field athletics
Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping eve ...
.
In athletics, a typical 400 m track features two straights and two bends. The final straight before the
finish line is known as the home straight, or the pit straight 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, ...
, while the other is known as the back straight.
In motor racing, both the
pit lane and finish line are often located on the longest straight on the circuit. A notable exception is the 6 km
Mulsanne Straight
The Mulsanne Straight (''Ligne Droite des Hunaudières'' in French) is the name used in English for a formerly long straight of the Circuit de la Sarthe around which the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race takes place. Since 1990, the straight is inte ...
at Le Mans, which is at the opposite side of the circuit.
In the United States the home straight in athletics, and also the straight part of a motor racing track, is sometimes referred to as a ''straightaway''. The final straight is sometimes known as the ''home stretch''.
Racing