Sprint car racing
Sprint cars do not utilize a transmission but have an in-or-out gearbox and quick-change rear differentials for occasional gearing changes.
The safety record of sprint car racing in recent years has been greatly improved by the use of roll cages, and especially on dirt tracks, wings, which increase surface traction, to protect the drivers.
Many IndyCar Series and NASCAR drivers used sprint car racing as an intermediate stepping stone on their way to more high-profile divisions, including Indianapolis 500 winners A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, Johnnie Parsons, Al Unser Sr., and Al Unser Jr., as well as NASCAR Cup Series champions Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson.
However, lack of leadership in much of the US has resulted in a large number of groups and sanctioning bodies supporting wingless sprint cars.
While they do not have the same top speed as a winged car (because they lack downforce for traction), they are thought by many to be more entertaining to watch.
Their relative lack of grip creates different driving characteristics than their winged counterparts, causing them to be more difficult to control through the corners.
The world's first small-track winged race car was driven by Jim Cushman at the Columbus Motor Speedway (Ohio) in 1958.
In 1978, Ted Johnson formed the promotional body for winged sprint cars called the World of Outlaws.
Brian Healey, the Sacramento-based Australian who owned Parramatta City Raceway, pushed for the change in 2003 to follow both nations to 410.
Midgets date back to the 1930s as a very common form of sprint car racing, still very popular today and also sanctioned by USAC, POWRI, and others.
They are powered by four-cylinder engines developing around 350 horsepower (260 kW), but are only similar to their larger cousins in appearance.
Mini sprints are similarly sized to midget cars, but have upright-style chassis and center-mounted, chain-driven four-cylinder motorcycle engines with displacements between 750 and 1200 cc.
The NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws (WoO) is a division of 410ci (6.7L) winged sprint cars that run all over the United States and have a few events in Canada.
The cars have 15-inch (380 mm) wide right rear tires and 410 cubic inch engines with mechanical fuel injection.
The All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) is an American motorsports sanctioning body of winged sprint car racing founded in 1970.
The series sanctions 410ci sprint car races in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, and Florida.
The all-time leader in wins for the series is Texan Gary Wright with 127 A main victories under his belt.
The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) was organized in 1915, and is currently the oldest active auto racing sanctioning body in the United States.
In Australia, sprint car racing is controlled by the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA) who sanction the Australian Championships and the World Series Sprintcar series as well as the various state championships and other meetings held around the country.
Unlimited (2018+) Despite over 50 years of sprint car racing, the category has only ever held one unofficial "world championship".
The first national live television deal with winged sprint cars came on The Nashville Network (TNN) in 1992–93 and again in 1993–94 with a winter-based series in Arizona, which featured Mike Joy calling the action.
A year later, a next-day tape deal with CBS for one race at Eldora Speedway aired while TNN coverage expanded.
Knoxville Raceway has their weekly series as well as World of Outlaws and National Sprint League events on MavTV.
USAC currently has some races televised on MavTV, primarily through Jack Slash Media's Dirty 30 highlights program.
However Sprintcar racing can be seen from Western Springs in Auckland or the Bay per View from Baypark Speedway the biggest Sprintcar track in New Zealand Safety in sprint car racing has continuously evolved over the years as the cars have gotten faster and teams look to garner any advantage with weight and horsepower.
While many regulations are centered around the class or division, each sanctioning body typically has a section in its rulebook dedicated to safety.
The various SFI and Snell ratings may differ between sanctioning bodies, and many rule books include additional safety recommendations to be used at team or driver discretion.
