An Introduction To Motor Racing
If you asked most people to describe motor racing, the first thought that springs to mind is Formula 1. Glamorous people in exotic locations and vast sums of money. Loud, colourful, dangerous. Others may think of Formula 1 as 20 race cars following each other around a racetrack on a Sunday afternoon for nearly 2 hours with no overtaking and very little action. Unless you are an avid follower, I am sure you could find better things to do than sit in front of the television on a sunny summers afternoon.
Maybe we could help you out there……
As with most things in life, if you want to find out what it’s all about, you have to go looking. The good thing, with motor racing, is you don’t have to look too hard. The UK has a huge selection of motorsport disciplines all across the country, from regional to national championships. From grass tracking, to circuit racing, to rallying. From two wheels, to four wheels and even truck racing. There is something for everyone. The UK motorsport “Clubman’s” scene is as popular and as fiercely competitive as ever. No major celebrities, not too many glamorous people and only the odd millionaire. Just everyday people with an extraordinary hobby.
Now motor racing is not for everyone. Unlike a lot of sports, you can’t just take it or leave it. It is one of those things that you either hate, which means you will never go near a circuit again for as long as you live, or, like most people that go to a circuit, it gets under your skin and you get the bug. It attracts people from all walks of life, from the 17-year-old female student who is a pit lane marshal, to the retired Property surveyor who at 66, has been racing for more than 40 years.
For our part within these pages, we will be focusing on the ever-popular North West Formula Ford Championship, as this is the series that we currently compete in. We will be going on to describe the design of the cars along with a brief history of this category and also take a look at the Championship and what a typical race day involves. And for anyone interested in getting closer to the action, we will also include details on how to get started in motor racing.
And for all of you who wonder what drivers and engineers are talking about in those interviews when they describe what the car is or isn’t doing, we will include a “Racing Speak” Glossary.
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