Dirt track racing

Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on clay or dirt surfaced oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 1930s. Two different types of race cars dominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and in the South. While open wheel race cars are purpose-built racing vehicles, stock cars (also known as fendered cars) can be either purpose-built race cars or street vehicles that have been modified to varying degrees.

Dirt track racing is the single most common form of auto racing in the United States. There are hundreds of local and regional racetracks throughout the nation; some estimates range as high as 1500. The sport is also popular in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The track surface may be composed of any soil, but most racers prefer a track with a clay base. The curation of a racetrack is a long and complex job and require hours of work. Typically the machines for track curation include a grader, cultivator, roller and water truck however this varies at different dirt tracks around the world. Typically the track is graded and 'dug up' after the racing is finished and then it is watered with a water truck. It may be then broken down with a cultivator or rolled. These steps are repeated however many times necessary and do vary according to climate, location and soil composition.

Nearly all tracks are oval and less than 1-mile (1.6 km) in length with most being ½ mile (804 m) or less. The most common increments in the U.S. are ½ mile, ⅜ mile (603 m), ⅓ mile (536 m), ¼ mile (402 m), and ⅛ mile (201 m). With the longer tracks, the race cars achieve higher speeds up to 160mph (257kmh) and the intervals between cars increase. This decreases the chance of crashes but increases the damage and chance of injury when cars do crash.

The track surface may be composed of any soil, but most racers prefer a track with a clay base.

In Great Britain the oval tracks are normally on grass with lengths of 400 meters (¼ mile) to 800 meters (½ mile). The race consists of several four lap qualifying heats that eliminate slower drivers. Then there is a final race featuring the fastest competitors.

Grass track racing is very much a family sport, suitable for all ages and abilities. Boys and girls as young as six can compete on automatic machines.

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