Motor racing - Rally cars
Formula One Grand Prix - Car rally
Crucial facts and indispensable statistics on rally cars and the Grand Prix.
Key car racing information
Also known as auto racing, car racing is classed as the racing of cars for competition and is easily one of the best and most watched sports in the world. It's thought car racing commenced almost as soon as the first gasoline-powered vehicle was invented and it's thought the world's first car race was created in 1894 by French magazine Le Petit Journal. The first car race track started in Paris and ended in Rouen and attracted top motor manufacturers like Peugeot and De Dion as well as various private automobile owners. Although motor racing continued to grow in popularity over the years, it wasn't until the 1930s that automobiles were built with racing solely in mind, with high performance models from auto manufacturers such as Bugatti and Delage transforming the feel and style of car racing forever.
Car championships
There are a number of car racing championships which each have a different fan base around the world and each have different rules and credentials. The FIA WTCC is one of the most viewed car races in the busy motor sports calendar. Following the first event in 1987, the WTCC series is held in numerous parts of the world including locations like Great Britain, Spain, Morocco and Japan. Other popular auto racing championships include the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the World Rally Championship and the Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo . The iconic Le Mans Series and the NACAR Nationwide Series are also two hugely popular car racing championship events.
F1 guide
Formula One is without doubt one of the most thrilling sporting events in the world. Its origins came from the European Grand Prix but it took until 1950 for a set of rules to be agreed to, resulting in the first Formula One race taking lace in 1950. While the championship takes in various all over the globe, one constant is always there - the motor racing cars and the firms investing in them. There are firms with a large history such as Ferrari, Renault and Williams while in recent years Jordan and Lotus have also taken part in championships. The people have always watched for the drivers, from the majesty of Juan Manuel Fangio through to the exciting Jim Clark.