Motor Racing

Michael Walker asked:


a One Racing is, quite simply, the paramount of karting. It is the professional form of the sport in its entirety. Formula One is an international phenomenon, a media conglomerate that rakes in millions and millions of dollars a year from advertising, sponsorship, and broadcast revenues. Professional drivers with millionaire bank accounts race these majestic kart marvels that are unprecedented, flush with technological luxuries - everything from hard to produce lightweight frames that glide the machine to tires with unsurpassed grooving style that exemplify powerful movement on the circuit.

There is no sport that bests epitomizes the term “global sport” like Formula One racing. Many countries serve as active participants in shaping the professional karting scene - for example, Malaysia is a hot spot for racing (Fernando Alonso, a Spanish-born driver under Team Renault recently won a race there) and Italy plays a vital role in designing and manufacturing first class, top-of-the-line karts. Drivers and racing personalities hail from all parts of the word - you have the charismatic and popular Italian Renault boss Flavio Briatore, the handsome young 23 year old racing prodigy in Fernando Alonso who stars in a Renault Megane commercial with his pet pig, and one of the highest earning sports figures in world history in Michael Schumacher. Rivalries are common in Formula One - adding the edge of excitement with every zip of the curve and nitrous boost of the machine.

In order to better become acquainted with Formula One racing, we must understand its organization. Karting goes way beyond pitting 3 2-cycle engine machines against each other on an oval circuit. Formula One is divided into drivers & their respective teams. Under such trademark car companies like Renault, Ferrari, and Toyota - each driver has an assembling cast of staffers consisting of mechanics, engineers, and designers all working towards one goal: to make that speedster faster using all the resources at their disposal. Headed by team bosses that are adept at creating sponsorship opportunities and assembling the best cast for each team, Formula One employs the finest specialists in the business with backgrounds in computer and automobile - even specialists with aerospace experience! High end, (rare technology reserved for space projects) in some instances, create the fastest and most efficient car possible. According to FI rules, racing teams must design, construct, and built their own karts from scratch. The staff is the pride of each individual team - capable and able to win every 57 lap enduro race from Malaysia to Great Britain.

Formula One cars can be summed up in two words: technological marvels. These sleek, low riding gems ripping through laps at speeds topping 200 mph. consist of more than just a chassis, an engine, and four wheels. For starters, the engine is located behind the cockpit as opposed to standard automobiles. They consist of 10 cylinder engines that produce heat which propel the kart forward. Team engineers are always looking into ways to make their engines more powerful. Currently, 1000 bhp (a scale for horsepower) has not been topped - it is up to the teams to produce an engine which would fare well supporting speed as well as support the chassis. And as we know, there is a snug open cockpit for Jarno Trulli to maneuver his machine in.

Construction of Formula One race cars is unprecedented. The first rule of thumb in designing a bonafide piece of framework is to make it weigh as least as possible. Less kart weight correlates to faster speeds. For this reason, team brains use lightweight material that is hard to construct. The minimum weight of a kart must be 600 kg including the driver. This ensures a level playing field, although teams are allowed to keep their money making construction methods a secret from other teams. Team staff is very highly regarded in the Formula One business. Their technological and dynamical know-how of the machines they build is a valuable asset to any team. And like free agents, they are lured and signed by the likes of companies creating a recruiting war for their services. Of course, there are restrictions for creating karts. You cannot add nitro boosts to your machine or use technology that resembles life in the year 3000. Teams are always looking to bend the rules slightly and coming up ways to beat the competition legally.

Professional kart tires have to have optimum characteristics to ensure smooth driving. For one, tires have to have grooving technology built into them. For the novices, grooves are indented lines in tires that allow for it to slow down considerably on turns and to adapt to the track surface. No matter what the technology, kart tires are simply not adept at withstanding the rigors of asphalt, concrete, and dirt. For this reason, Formula One racers are allotted two pit stops during the course of a 57 lap race to change tires. If you’ve ever watched a Formula One race, team staffers with lightning quick hands have an extremely limited time for which to remove and replace tires in the pit stop - often times not exceeding over 7 seconds! Regulations are placed on tire grooves (a minimum of four) to allow for an even playing field for all racers. Remember enthusiasts, grooves serve more to slow down the kart than to speed it up.

Chassis construction with its illustrious carbon fiber material, tires with indented grooves, team specialists with a knack for speed, and engines which burn heat like calories is the epitome of a Formula One race car. All of these attributes contribute to the performance of the vehicle in racing lap after lap. As a result of all this technology, Formula One cars leave people breathless reaching consistent speeds of 200 mph. on the race track. More impressive is the time needed to go from 0 mph to 100 mph - 5 seconds! Formula One is only moving forward with the advent of new features - like improved horsepower engines, more lightweight materials, new ballasts to add weight to the car, and more. Behind that stylish, mind blowing chassis that pique our interest is that top-class technology that makes Formula One racing so great.

Thomas Pretty asked:


The world of Formula 1 is still trying to acclimatise to the loss of the traction control systems. While sponsors and merchandise producers are happy with the prospect of more exciting races and an increase in spin offs and accidents, drivers and teams are slightly more apprehensive. The next race in Bahrain will be the ultimate test of the new regulations as historically this GP is one of the most heavily TC reliant in the Formula 1 calendar.

The Bahrain GP will give sponsors and merchandise producers the chance to promote a race that will offer high octane excitement and entertainment. Due to the layout of this Formula 1 circuit, containing many tight corners and short straights, the drivers will be put under added pressure to perform and bring the cars home. Whether they can do this will either please sponsors and merchandise companies or make them question their dealings.

Tyre supplier Bridgestone has raised concerns over the TC regulations. It stated that rather than aid the drivers at all times, the majority of the time it purely kept the tyre temperatures to a decent level for handling. As of yet however we have not seen a race in wet conditions. This will be a true test of all the drivers as a Formula 1 car is next to impossible to control once the heavens open. Sponsors and merchandise producers will be keenly watching the first wet race to see which drivers have the skill level to control their cars.

The other major change to the Formula 1 rule this year was that engine breaking systems would also be removed from the cars. These systems had helped with the slowing of the cars and as a result of their removal, a number of lock ups and drivers overshooting corners has been evident in the preliminary races of the season. Sponsors and merchandise suppliers will be hoping that as the best drivers in the world, they will be able to cope with these changes and still provide entertaining races and exciting racing moments.

These two changes have already had a huge impact and the season is still in its infancy. Drivers have to take far more care of their tyres in order to finish races and remain competitive. Merchandise companies and sponsors will not be thrilled with this development as it may mean that races will become less exciting as every driver on the circuit is purely trying to maintain his position and the performance of his tyres. Hopefully this will not be the case; from the first two races it is clear that some drivers will still push their cars to the limit no matter what.

Another rule change that has come to light since the Malaysian GP is that Formula 1 authorities have decided to yet again change the rules for qualifying. Sponsors, merchandise suppliers and fans alike will be dreading yet another change but seemingly this one is at least logical. Following the chaotic situation in the last GP when drivers who were returning to the pit extremely slow to save fuel for the race held up other drivers bosses have made a change. The change sees a maximum lap time that cars will be able to put in when returning to the pits, it is hoped this will make qualifying safer for those on flying laps.

With rule changes happening nearly every week in Formula 1 it is unsurprising that so many fans seem somewhat lost when it comes to race weekends. As a motor sport fan, it is of course preferable to ensure the safety of drivers, but the constant rule changing can be annoying. As long as the excitement of races is increased and the overtaking manoeuvres and pit lane dramas continue, the vast majority will stay loyal to the sport.

Thomas Pretty asked:


Formula 1 has long been considered one of the richest sports in the world, mainly due to the gargantuan amounts paid by merchandise producers, sponsors and event organisers. Bernie Ecclestone, the major force behind securing merchandise, sponsor and track site deals is rapidly becoming a hate figure amongst fans of the sport for his uncompromising pursuit of profit.

One of the primary causes of discontent amongst Formula 1 fans has been the creation of night races. The original cause of these races was to make race times more appealing to fans in Europe when races were being held in place in different time zones. Naturally sponsors and merchandisers were more than happy with the situation as Europe is now the largest market for Formula 1.

The first night race was to be held in Singapore as the temperatures in this part of the world are incredibly hot during the day so a night race was hoped to combine lower night temperatures and increased European audience numbers. Perfect for sponsors and merchandise companies alike who would benefit from more trackside spectators and wider worldwide audiences.

Ecclestone however has been accused of greed as he has suggested that the Australian Grand Prix also be held at night. This has angered Australian Formula 1 fans greatly, unlike the Singapore GP the grandstands in Australia are packed every year and so the need for a night race is negated. It is seen as a move purely to provide further revenue to sponsors and merchandise companies who seemingly make enough as it is.

Ecclestone has become somewhat of a scapegoat to Australian Formula 1 fans as he has previously stated that securing a large European audience is his main objective. Understandably fans in the southern hemisphere feel offended at what is essentially an insult.

Putting the requirements of one set of fans over another in a sport that is so international is a dangerous precedent. Ecclestone is believed to have pushed the idea of a night race to the Australian event organisers. Ultimately whether it goes ahead or not, any deal will result in more money for the Formula 1 authorities.

This is however one of the ways Formula 1 makes money. Not just by sponsorships and merchandise deals but by threatening tracks that they will be removed from the race calendar. In the past this has been an effective way to drive up the fees the tracks must pay. Ecclestone has a history of doing this, as the almost constant headlines of ‘British GP in jeopardy’ will testify. The calls for Silverstone to improve have been unending and through this pressure fees have been increased and work on the track has been forced.

But why is Ecclestone insisting that the Australian GP be staged at night? Why not put pressure upon the Chinese and Japanese event organisers? There are a number of reasons behind this. As the first GP of the Formula 1 season Australia needs to attract as many viewers as possible for sponsors and merchandise producers to continue their huge deals.

Also as the Chinese government has invested millions in the GP track, any changes to their contract will result in strife for F1 authorities; as will forcing anything upon the Japanese who already pay extortionate fees to host their national event.

Critics have asked why the European audience is held in such high regard by Formula 1 chiefs. Until a few years ago revenues for sponsorship and merchandise in Europe were paltry. It was only Britain and Italy who followed races consistently and only in recent times, after the successes of Schumacher and Alonso has the sport became popular in Germany and Spain.

In contrast Australia, Brazil and Canada have followed races fervently for years and are understandably annoyed at Ecclestone’s pro-European standpoint. Hopefully races like Australia and Japan will be able to retain their independence from the business practises of this motorbike dealer from Southeast London. If all races that side of the world are played out at night surely the novelty will wear off and the sport will suffer.

Uchenna Ani-Okoye asked:


When it comes to racing or sports that are centered on cars, there are a number of different sports that automatically come to mind. One of those sports is NASCAR. Although NASCAR could easily be considered one of the most popular sports, in the United States, there is another sport that is rapidly increasing in popularity. That sport is known as Formula D Racing or Formula Drifting.

Have you heard of Formula D Racing before? Although there is a good chance that you have, there is also a good chance that you haven’t. This is mostly due to the fact that professional drifting is relatively new in the United States. The first professional drifting event was held in the United States in 2004. That event and the popularity that it generated led to the creation of the Formula Drift Championship series.

Since it was first officially brought to the United States, in 2004, Formula Drifting has been seen by thousands, if not millions of Americans. Many of these Americans choose to watch coverage of Formula Drifting events on television, while others make the journey to see a live Formula D event. In addition to fans, there has also been a general interest in the sport. In fact, many fans want to become professional drifters, just like their favourite drivers. As previously mentioned, you may or may not be familiar with the sport. If you are unfamiliar with Formula D Racing, you may be wondering what all the hype is about. If you are, you are definitely not alone.

When examining the popularity of Formula Drifting, it is important to remember that there are a number of different reasons for its popularity. Formula Drifting has a fairly large fan following. Each of those fans has their own reasons for following the sport, often on a regular basis. Despite the fact that many fans have their own reasons for watching and enjoying Formula D Racing, there are a number of common reasons. Perhaps, the most common reason being the excitement of the sport.

Formula D Racing is unlike a number of other popular racing sports. Drivers must successfully manoeuvre themselves around the course; a course that is regularly filed with a turns. In those turns, drivers must use unique drifting techniques. These techniques, performed by inexperienced drivers could be disastrous, but most professional drivers are able to control their cars, especially when the cars begin to lose control. Formula D Racing events typically comprise of a qualifying race and a head-to-head battle. The qualifying races are individually done, but they are still exciting. The head-to-head battles, also known as tandem battles, are often where the most excitement can be found.

In addition to it action packed excitement, Formula D Racing is also popular because it is easy to watch. As previously mentioned, you can easily watch a live Formula Drifting event or watch coverage of one on television. Formula D Racing has teamed up with G4TV. This popular television network is available with a wide variety of different cable and satellite providers, including Direct TV and Time Warner Cable. By checking your programming guide, you should easily be able to determine whether or not you currently subscribe to the G4TV network. If you do not, in most cases, you should easily be able to upgrade for only a few dollars a month.

Formula D Racing is also popular in the United States, because like with televised events, it is fairly easy to see a live event. Live events take place all across the United States. In 2006, there were seven events; however, it is expected that more will be added in the future. If you are live near one of these events, you will find that tickets are fairly easy to afford. On average, tickets range from twenty to twenty-five dollars a person. Considering the excitement that you will get for the day, the ticket prices are well worth it.

As you can easily see, there are a number of different reasons why Formula Drifting is so popular in the United States. As the sport continues to grow, it is likely that the popularity will as well.

Anu Kool asked:


The production and development of the graphics of different computer race car games nowadays have been extremely revolutionary because more and more computer games software have been discovered that could support any kinds of game consoles. Several popular 3D car racing games have been in the world of computer games for so many years already, and you can find so many varieties of 3D car racing games according to your fancy. One good thing is that you never have to spend a single cent to enjoy these games.

There is a huge selection of 3D car racing games that caters and suits everyone’s fancy, both grown-ups and kids. Do not be surprised if women play these kinds of games in the near future as well. The long list of the most popular 3D car racing games among 3D car racing games aficionados includes, fugitive takedown, GH racer, frog race, and formula racing, just to name a few.

Now, let us take a deeper look at some of the 3D car racing games; its characteristics that make them popular among car racing games players. Topping the list here is the formula racing which was based on the actual famous formula racing in some parts of Europe. The popularity of formula racing has invaded not only the different race tracks of Europe and Americas; it has also penetrated the world of internet. The development of 3D car racing games like the formula racing has opened wide doors to those who want to experience the excitement of a car racing, but due to some reasons, cannot afford to have those amazing and expensive formula racing cars. With the help of the 3D technology, anyone who wishes to play any 3D car racing games can now play till their hearts content for free!

Another 3D car racing game that is highly-rated by the car racing games enthusiasts is the fugitive takedown. This is one of the coolest and fun 3D car racing games because you get to play here a good guy who drives a police car to chase precarious mobsters on the street. One of the modes of fugitive takedown is the “pursuit” - wherein you will have to run after the car of the dangerous fugitive and crash into it until you finally get hold of them. The other mode is the “time trial” - wherein you have to compete with a ghost driver once you have finished your first lap and after your race information has been saved up. The last but not least mode of fugitive takedown is the “hit and run” - in this mode you will have to play against the law by crashing as many people that are walking along the street as you possibly can.

One of the newest 3D car racing games is the “fish truck” which is also gaining fame among the fans. Your primary mission here is to transport securely and to protect your truck of fish from hungry and vicious birds with the use of your weapons as you traverse the long stretches of the streets. For more information on the latest racing games available check out PlayCarRacingGames.ws

Thomas Pretty asked:


The funding of Formula 1 is a mystery for many fans and even those inside the sport’s inner circles have trouble understanding the complexities. What is generally known is that funding for Formula 1 consists of huge sponsorship, television coverage and merchandise sales. The merchandise sales are somewhat of an afterthought for sponsors but as the popularity of Formula 1 is growing the merchandise market is also on the increase.

Formula 1 is like many other sports in respect to television coverage. Advertisers will pay for slots in the TV coverage and may even sponsor a specific channel’s coverage of an event. This lucrative method brings vast amounts of funding to the organising body of Formula 1, the FIA as well as its funding company, Formula One. This is important as Formula One is in the driving seat of presenting the Formula 1 package to the public, hence it needs immense funding to carry out these roles.

The Formula 1 teams support themselves in a number of ways; the bigger teams will be able to court sponsors from some of the biggest names in business, whereas smaller teams must make do with lower profiles patrons. Teams also produce their own merchandise ranges to cater for the needs of the average fans; once again the more popular teams obviously make more money.

Venues in the Formula 1 calendar are somewhat limited with their advertising freedom. As Formula 1 is ran by a small number of big business share holders the venue bosses are pushed out of the commercial decisions. Most venues do not have the rights to place their own signage and must pay to host the race. The majority of money made by venues is in the ticket and merchandise sales once fans are inside the track.

This explains why Formula 1 tickets can be very expensive, mainly due to venue managers trying to recoup some of the 13 million dollars they fork out annually to host a race. Hosting a Formula 1 race however is more about the prestige of being a premier world race track.

Formula One is the name of the business behind the sport of Formula 1; it is these businessmen and financiers that control how each race is funded and which sponsors are given preferential treatment. They also decide how much to ‘top up’ F1 teams’ merchandise and sponsorship profits; although this is kept a secret and can sometimes cause friction between teams.

The teams in recent years have not been making enough money from merchandise and sponsorship sales and are beginning to barter for more money from Formula One. Their argument is that they are the entertainers in the sport and so should get a bigger slice of the cake, whether this will be successful is doubtable.

The drivers are not paid from Formula One funds but are employees of the racing teams. The astronomical sums that many of them receive are incomprehensible to those on an average wage, they are however the best drivers in the world and have worked hard to get where they are. The popular drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can also sign separate merchandising deals, usually for such luxury items as watches and jewellery.

The Formula 1 gravy train is driven by the big business that is Formula One, while Bernie Ecclestone holds a small part of the power in Formula 1; the big businesses that put up a lot of the funding ultimately demand respect. The bankers of the Formula One Company balance payment and income to keep Formula 1 at the pinnacle of motor racing entertainment.

Seemingly the biggest losers in the Formula 1 world are the venues, as ticket sales are most probably the smallest income when compared with the huge TV sponsorship and merchandise deals. In what is seen as an exclusive sport for the rich, the average fan can only afford his team’s merchandise. With high ticket prices and the worldwide nature of the sport it is hard for anyone but the super rich to follow this sport closely from the trackside.

Thomas Pretty asked:


Clothing within the world of Formula 1 is often overlooked when considering the vast array of other high tech safety equipment. A Formula 1 helmet has a clearly defined purpose; to protect the drivers head in case of high velocity impact. The Formula one safety clothing also has a primary purpose; to protect the driver in case of serious fire.

Fire has become less of a problem for Formula 1 in recent years but this has not led to a disregarding of safety clothing. During the GPs of the 1970s fire was a regular occurrence where drivers were injured and killed in horrific blazes; mainly due to the unplanned ignition of fuel after accidents.

The clothing that is used in Formula 1 today is made from fire-proof materials that are so efficient they can protect a driver as his car burns around him. The items of clothing include overalls, gloves, boots and balaclavas in an attempt to shield every part of the driver’s body in the event of a fire.

Modern overalls are constructed from a form of Aramid plastic fabric that undergoes stringent tests using a variety of white hot propane flames. In a sport where weight is paramount the material must also be light. The length of races, usually in sweltering conditions also means the overalls must be breathable to allow for the kilograms of sweat produced by drivers to escape. The many patches that adorn the Formula 1 clothing are also made of this special material so as not to act as a catalyst of fire - the thread used to sew the patches also adheres to this fire retardant principle.

One other feature of Formula 1 safety clothing; and more precisely the overalls are the two ‘handles’ situated above the drivers shoulders. These have the simple purpose of allowing stewards to pull the driver away from a car safely whilst causing the least possible injury. As well as clothing design, the seats in Formula 1 cars are fastened by just two bolts resulting in the quick release of the driver in the event of accidents. The shoulder straps are engineered to take the weight of both driver and seat to ensure speed of rescue is rapid.

Gloves may seem a minor element to Formula 1 safety clothing but are arguably the most important of all. They must be made as thin as possible to ensure the driver can maintain his connection to the car whilst also remaining fire-proof enough to protect. The same can be said for Formula 1 boots as the soles of these are made extremely thin so the driver has the closest contact with the pedals of the car.

The exterior clothing is only part of the Formula 1 safety equation; all the drivers wear a full set of ‘racing underwear.’ Made up of long johns, vests, gloves and a balaclava this is also made out of fire resistant material and acts as a further level of protection if a fire ever does break out.

It is not just the driver that has to wear the levels of safety clothing. Pit crews must wear equal amounts of safety gear as the pit lane is the most dangerous place on a Formula racing track. The chance of fire as refuelling is undertaken is still a risk although modern valve systems have minimised the chances of fire. Testament to the success of the safety clothing was seen during the 1994 season when the Benetton pit crew and driver Jos Verstappen survived a terrific blaze that resulted from a fuel leak.

There is no doubt that the safety clothing has made Formula 1 far safer, looking back to the fifties when drivers wore cloth overalls, goggles and leather driving caps the advance in technology is almost unbelievable. In one of the most dangerous sports in the world it is reassuring to know that so many designers are producing items of clothing with the driver’s safety as their primary concern.

Jonny Hart asked:


One of the major forms of entertainment for the small kids these days is playing with the games on their computer. The games are mostly loved by the small children and they are really interested to play and have fun. When it comes to games, you can find different kind of gaming, and among them the racing car games and the shooting games are the most popular ones mostly. Both the racing car games and the shooting games are liked by the kids and there are some of the games combined with the shooting game and the racing car games too. In this kind of game, you have to shoot the opposite people, who are obstacles in the race and overcome the forces and finally win the race. You can play the shooting games and the racing car games online, and also you can join in the online groups to enjoy the ultimate fun and excitement.

There are some free online games which you can play instantly and you can play the games by clicking on it. The games are also played by visiting the game world and play the games for a particular amount of time by paying the money. The game called Freedom Fighter is full of shooting. You have to shoot the opposite army forces, where you have to destroy the enemy teams and their gang with powerful guns and rocket launchers by traveling in cars and tanks. Mostly all the games have three or five chances of lives for your character and within the given target of life you must finish the stages of the games. There are many kinds of shooting games, there are some games which are very simple and for beginners like small kids. The games like Duck Hunt and the Wild Gun Man are such beginner games for children wherein the objectives are simple like just aiming at the target and gaining points by shooting it right.

There are many racing car games like Ultimate Formula Racing, Deadly Driver, Rally Wix, Scania Driver, 3D Car Racing, Micro Racers 2, Need For Speed, Speed Racer, Crazy Jeep, Road Racing, Car and Ufo, Reach the Goal, Web Trading Car Racing, Mafia Driver, Super Racer and many more games. In the car racing games, you must win the race and reach your goals by gaining the points. In some races the difficulty is raised by putting in obstacles or by difficult tracks which are hard to manipulate. The racing car games and the shooting games are available in many DVD’s and CD’s, and you can buy the disks from the shopping centers and game centers or you can directly buy the games online by adding the selected games to the shopping cart. There are many free online games available on the internet; you can join freely in the games. The games can be played immediately by clicking on it.

One of the popular games which involves both the racing car games and the shooting games is the Grand Theft Auto game. This game is really very interesting to play by finishing the theft deals and complete the stages of the game. Such games satisfy followers of both these genres of gaming.

Effectively, its hard to conclude which of these genres of gaming is more popular, as both have their huge share of fan following! So take your pick, follow your interests, either push the pedal or pull the trigger!