Racing cars: classes, types, brands

As soon as the production of cars became massive, the manufacturers faced the question of whose car is better. It was possible to find out this only in one way - to arrange races. Very soon the founders refused to use conventional cars in speed competitions and began to create special single racing cars for this.

The pioneers of racing can now be seen only in the museum, from wealthy collectors, yes in the photo. In time, racing cars grew, their speed increased, and interest in them increased. Today, car racing in speed is one of the most legendary sports on the globe.

Racing cars are the most high-speed cars built using the latest technologies. By the way, these innovations are then used in the production of conventional "iron horses". The weight of racing cars should be small, the shape - streamlined. Therefore, the body of these cars is made from ultra-light raw materials used in space technologies. Aerodynamic shapes allow to minimize the resistance of air masses and develop the maximum possible speeds.

The most famous are such brands of racing cars as "Ferrari" (Italy), "Ford" (Italy), "Porsche" (Germany), "Lotus" (Great Britain) and others.

Competitions happen different, and cars are subdivided into four leading types: for high-speed competitions on short direct lines - dragsters, sports type, serial and with the open wheels.

The most popular racing cars with open wheels class "Formula 1", as well as "Grand Prix". Designed according to the models close to the cars of the Formula-1 class weighing about 600 kg, established by the International Automobile Federation, they are based on the monocoque chassis and the independent suspension. The place for the rider is located in the center, where he must be in a prone position. Just behind it is a 4 or 6-cylinder engine with a capacity of up to 1200 horsepower, capable of speeding up to 360 kilometers per hour. The struggle for superiority is disputed solely on highways. While larger and heavier race cars of the "Championship" and "Indy" class compete on tracks of an oval shape with a length of 1.6 kilometers. Their maximum speed can reach 368 kilometers per hour.

American models of the "Sprint" class weighing about 730 kg with the serial engine of "Chevrolet" of 550 hp are the most dangerous for racing because of the straight and high landing, but these competitions are the most spectacular. The competitions take place on asphalt or cinder tracks with a length of up to 1.6 kilometers.

Racing cars with 4-cylinder engines are similar to miniature cars of the "Sprint" class. Three-quarters race cars are even smaller.

Serial cars, unlike the Formula 1 class, are consumer cars modified for racing, which are also popular and held in many countries around the world. Such a converted "iron horse" of the "Grand Neshenal" class in the National Association of Serial Vehicle Racing is today the best.

And what kind of racing car do you prefer?