Motor Sports

Information » Things To Do » Sports and Keeping Fit » Motor Sports

Motor sports can be very dangerous and life-threatening - you should only undertake motor sports activities with the right equipment, in a proper circuit and under the supervision of trained professionals
Motor sports (also known as automobile racing, auto sports or auto racing) involves racing automobiles
Motor sports include motorcycle racing, as well as motorboat racing and air racing
There are several different types of motor sports such as single-seat racing, rallying, touring car racing and ice racing
Anyone over the age of 18 can drive competitively
Most kinds of motor sports can be undertaken with ordinary road cars, and there are events for old, brand new and small cars
You may not even need a car - a lot of motor sports require an active participant in the passenger seat
If you want to be involved in motor sports but don't want to compete, you could become a marshal - there are plenty of opportunities in Wales - or you could spectate
The Wales Rally GB needs around 5,000 volunteer officials and marshals
You can also find permanent employment in the motor sports industry - Britain is often said to be the centre of the motor sports world and it employs around 50,000 people full time and 100,000 people part-time in the industry

Single-seat racing (also called open wheel racing) is the most well known of motor sports
Cars used for this sport are designed specifically for high speed racing
Races are held on closed circuits designed specially for the vent or street circuits, which are closed off
Drivers can reach speeds of over 200mph
To learn motor racing you need to find your nearest motor sports centre
The most famous motor sports event is the Formula One World Championship
This is an annual event which features the biggest international car and engine manufacturers who battle each other to create the highest standard in technology and the skill of the driver
Other single-seat races are GP2, Formula Nippon, Formula Nissan, Formula 3, Formula Atlantic and Al Grand Prix

Another type of single-seat racing is kart racing
This uses a small, low cost machine on small tracks
This is specifically designed for young people. At a go-karting centre, a junior circuit is usually 8-13 years and a senior circuit is usually

Karting is one of the fastest growing forms of motor sport in the world
It is the first step towards professional motor racing
Most F1 drivers began their careers in go-karting
There are hundreds of go-karting companies and schools in the UK. Visit UK Karting and see the contact directory.

Rallying uses tailored production cars which are raced on closed public roads or off-road areas
There are two types of rallying - road rallies and stage rallies
Road rallies are run on public roads and stage rallies are run on circuits
One rally usually covers different types of surfaces
The co-driver's job is to guide the driver and help him complete each stage of the rally as quickly as possible
He will read the notes aloud over an intercom system so the driver can hear him over the noise of the car
The winner is the driver who finishes in the quickest time
The top event in rallying is the World Rally Championships, but there are also regional championships
Some famous rallies include the Monte Carlo Rally and Rally Argentina
Motor Clubs usually run one or more rallies each year
If you want to take up rallying, contact your local motor club

The cars in Formula 1 races reach speeds of often more than 320km per hour/ 200 mph
There are almost 800 registered motor clubs which organise 4,700 different events in 22 disciplines
Over 30,000 individuals hold Motor Sports Association (MSA) Competition Licenses
There are at least 100, 000 competitors in British motor sports
Formula One is the most expensive sport in the world. Some teams spend over £115m every year