The Physical Side of Motorsport

Motorsport, motor sports or motor car racing is an international term applied to cover the collection of sporting events that involve the usage of motor vehicles, either for racing or other non-riding competitions. The most popular form of motorsport is Formula One racing, with the likes of Ferrari and BMW fastening the flag. Other forms include rally driving, track day driving, off road driving and off road motorbikes. Off road motorbikes are commonly called dirt bikes, they are powered with gasoline and have short wheelbase. All these events are conducted in countries of Europe and Asia.

Motor sport as a concept has changed greatly over the years, from the development of prototype cars in the 1920s to the present day technologies and skills of modern Formula One drivers and race teams. As different countries develop their own motorsport regulations and rules for the various events, there arises a need to standardize the equipment used in these events, as well as create a uniform method of racing in order to be consistent in performance. In addition, the need for consistency in racing techniques is also addressed by developing standards for tires, racing lines, helmets, and racing positions. All of this leads to the need for a single and accurate system of measuring racers and racing speeds, and the adoption of the Qualifying Records Book (QR) system for this purpose. A variety of different organizations now offer services for the collection and preparation of these records.

On the other hand, on the physical side of motorsport there are two major categories, which include the endurance and the super-accelerated races. The endurance races are those that require the driver to complete the race in the shortest span of time, with all the strategies adhered to strictly. In the super-accelerated category, on the other hand, drivers have more freedom of speed and the possibility to make aggressive adjustments to the vehicle in order to gain maximum points.