Dirt track racing

The sport is also popular in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Preparing a dirt track correctly for racing is both a traditional learned craft as well as a long and complex job requiring hours of work.

Using offset boom nozzles to on water trucks will avoid mashing aerated soil.

Each racetrack or sponsoring organization maintains a rule book outlining each class of race car which includes dimensions, engine size, equipment requirements and prohibitions.

The requirements for each class are usually coordinated with multiple tracks to allow for the widest available venue for each type of car.

Open wheel cars are generally manufactured with tubular frames and a body purchased for that particular class.

Each sanctioning body has their own set of guidelines provided in an annual rule book and their own registration fees.

Full-bodied cars can vary from full tube frame chassis and aluminum bodied late models to automobiles manufactured by the major automakers with certain modifications as allowed for each class.

The lowest divisions of modified production cars may be completely stock except for having their interior or windshields removed.

These are Full-bodied cars with very few changes allowed from the factory models sold for general use on the streets.

Changes can be limited to a certain type of tire, making some parts of the car stronger to withstand the punishment of racing and so forth.

All cars used on the race track are required to have a full set of Roll Cages and safety harnesses to protect the drivers.

Some tracks have what they call Hornets which are smaller unibody cars with 4-cylinder engines, that must be pretty much as they left the factory except for the roll cage.

As with the Pure Stocks cars, all are required to have a full set of Roll Cages and safety harnesses to protect the drivers.

The bodies are aftermarket or made by the racers in the general shape of the brand being represented (Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, etc.).

The racetrack dictates what type of late model is raced, but most fall into one of these categories: Current dirt super late models feature steel constructed tube frame chassis with aluminum bodies that give them the sleek aerodynamic appearance of a stock race car but there is nothing stock about these 2300 pound machines.

The top manufacturers around the country include Rocket, Sweet-Bloomquist, Club 29, Longhorn, MB Customs, Black Diamond Racecars, GRT, Warrior, Barry Wright Racecars, Rayburn, MasterSbilt, Kryptonite, Domination chassis, and Schwartz Race Cars.

Recently the GM CT525 crate has been a popular choice of racers and some after-market Ford motors have surfaced in competition.

Crate engines are sealed at the intake manifold, cylinder head, front cover, and oil pan with special twist off bolts.

There are hundreds of additional unsanctioned regional and national special events run throughout the year.

Dirt and grass track bikes have capacities of 250, 350, 500 and in the solo classes and can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) on the straights and with no brakes fitted to the machine.

The American Grand National dirt track championship uses motorcycles of up to 750 cc capacities and can reach speeds of up to 130 mph (210 km/h).

Sidecar races are some of the most exciting in Grass Track sport, with the driver and passenger working together to obtain the best grip and speed around the corners.

There may be a semi-feature where unqualified racers may race their way into the remaining open starting positions in the A feature event.

Points, a trophy, and frequently a purse are generally awarded, with the amount of each is determined by finishing position.

Many tracks contract with a National and/or Regional touring racing association to schedule a sanctioned event.

Spectator racing pits two drivers from the stands who, after signing waivers, can run their personal automobiles against each other in a one-on-one 1 or 2 lap shootout.

Dirt tracks tend to be somewhat more makeshift and more versatile than asphalt pavements, and can be converted for use in other motorsports.

Awards, usually for the top ten racers in each class, may include a trophy, a jacket, and a monetary amount.

At dirt tracks sanctioned by NASCAR, drivers can compete against drivers from other NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, both paved and dirt, for the statewide and provincial Whelen All-American Series championship, where the best performer of the state and provincial champions will win the national championship.