Sports car racing

Sports car racing is a form of motorsportroad racing that involves sports cars with two seats and enclosed wheels. The cars used may be either purpose-built sports prototypes, which represent the highest level of sports car racing – or grand tourer (GT) cars, which are based on road-going production models and are more common but generally slower than prototypes.

Sports car races are often endurance races held over long distances or extended periods of time, typically ranging from 6 to 24 hours. As a result, these races place greater emphasis on reliability, fuel efficiency, and driver consistency than outright speed or individual driver performance.

Some of the best-known sports car racing series include the FIA World Endurance Championship, the IMSA SportsCar Championship, and the GT World Challenge.

Sports car racing is one of the main categories of circuit auto racing, alongside open-wheel racing, touring car racing and stock car racing. Success in the sport has helped build the prestige of various car manufacturers, such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lancia, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. These makers' top road cars have often been similar in engineering and styling to those raced. This close association with the exotic nature of the cars distinguishes between sports car racing and touring cars.

The 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans are considered the Triple Crown of endurance racing. Other crown-jewel sports car endurance races include Petit Le Mans, Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours, Bathurst 12 Hour and Suzuka 1000km.