Motor racing - British touring
Grand Prix - Racing cars
Key facts and statistics on touring cars and Formula One.
Key car racing information
Also known as automobile racing, car racing involves racing cars for competition and is easily one of the most popular sports in the entire world. It's believed car racing started not long after the world's first gasoline powered automobile was constructed and it's thought the world's first car race was devised by a French magazine in 1984. The very first car racing track ran from Paris to Rouen and attracted top motor manufacturers like Peugeot and De Dion and a plethora of private car owners. Although auto racing continued to progress over the years, the first pure racing automobiles weren't built until the 1930s, with high performance models from auto manufacturers like Auto Union and Bugatti transforming the feel and style of car racing forever.
Car racing championships
There are numerous car racing events which each have a different appeal and each have a set of specific rules. The World Touring Car Championship ran by the FIA is one of the most exciting racing events in the bursting motor sports timetable. First held in 1987, the WTCC series is held all around the world including locations like the UK, Morocco, Spain and Japan. Other popular motoring events include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the the Gumball 3000 Rally and the Paris Dakar. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and the Le Mans Series are also two of the top car racing championship events.
FIA Formula One World Championship
F1 motor racing is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling sporting events in the world. Its origins came from the European Grand Prix but it was only in 1950 that rules were set down, with the first Formula_One event occurring in 1950. Although the world championship has visited numerous venues worldwide, there is always one constant - the motorcars and the firms who invest in them. There are firms with a large history such as Ferrari, Renault and Williams while in recent years Lotus and Virgin have also participated. The drivers have always been the stars the audiences want to see, from the poise of Nikki Lauda through to the driven Stefan Bellof.