sports dictionary Motor sport
AERODYNAMICS As applied to automobile and motorcycle racing, studies that study the interaction of a moving racing car with the air environment; the purpose of the research is to reduce the drag (see below) of the air to the vehicle and increase the downforce (see below) for better tire traction.
AIR BAG sparse air space that occurs behind a fast-moving car. Also known as" slipstreaming". The air bag is used by the driver of a car closely behind the leader either to maintain its own high speed with less fuel consumption, or to instantly accelerate and overtake the leader at the right moment.
AMA The American Motorcycle Association is an organization that organizes the largest motorcycle competitions in the United States and develops motorcycle sports.
APEX (VERTEX) usually the slowest turning point that the car passes closest to the inside edge of the track track.
ARC (FRAME) safety a steel tube structure inside the vehicle designed to protect the team in the event of an accident.
ARSON ATTACK in drag-resing: rotating the rear wheels of the car on the ground to warm them up before starting to the ideal operating temperature.
AUTODROM (SUPER SPEEDWAY TRACK) a long oval track, often with incline turns. When racing on NASCARs super racetracks, the engines of the cars are fitted with restriction plates to reduce their maximum speeds to a safe level.
CARBON FIBER (CARBON FIBER) extremely light and strong material (originally developed for the space industry), used for the manufacture of chassis elements and various body parts of many racing cars.
CHASSIS the main frame or load-bearing structure of a racing car, to which the other components of the car are attached.
CLOSED PARK in some categories of competitions (rallies, etc.), there is a fenced and guarded parking lot, where drivers are required to park their cars in order to avoid any work with them before the departure time.
DOWNFORCE It is created when the flow of oncoming air flows around special devices (rear wings, bottom configuration, etc.) of the car. It helps to push the car against the road surface.
DRAG RESISTANCE counteraction provided by air to a moving vehicle. Because drag increases with increasing speed, cars are designed to cut through the air as smoothly as possible.
ENGINE DISPLACEMENT (LITERS) the volume of fuel mixture displaced by the pistons during one engine cycle and expressed in cubic centimeters or liters. Sometimes referred to as engine displacement.
ESKI a series of sharp right and left turns on the track in the form of the letter S.
FIA The International Automobile Federation is an organization that organizes and oversees many of the biggest motor sports competitions.
FIM The International Motorcycle Federation organizes many of the worlds major motorcycle competitions.
FORMULA INDY (INDY CAR) A term used today to refer to cars competing in the Indy Racing League (IRL). In the past, this was the name given to vehicles with open wheels that competed in the American Championship car races.
HAIRPIN a very sharp turn on the track, where the car usually changes direction by 180°.
HORSEPOWER (HP) the unit used to indicate the vehicles engine power. In a conventional production car, the engine has a power of 70-120 hp, and in a Formula 1 car over 750 hp.
LEADERS CIRCLE the lap that the race leader is currently on.
MANAGEABILITY "responsiveness" of the car to the actions of the driver, in particular to change the speed and direction of movement during the race. Handling of a car largely depends on its design features, layout and configuration of the body, aerodynamics, tires and suspension.
MONOCOQUE a single load-bearing body structure that takes on the weight of the vehicle instead of the usual internal frame.
NASCAR National Association for Organizing production Car competitions in the United States. It was founded in 1948.
OVERSTEER a situation when driving when the front wheels of the car are holding on to the road surface, but the rear wheels lose grip and may start sliding.
PADDOCK an area on the circuit or in the area of the race track, where there are garages, places for technical inspections, a media center, as well as mobile cabins for team members, judges and guests.
PIT LANE a separate track that runs parallel to the main race track along the repair and refueling boxes, where cars stop to change tires, fill up the fuel tanks and carry out routine repairs.
PODKAT overtaking is performed by a car that was moving behind the leader in an air bag and, using this advantage, jerked forward to get ahead of the competitor.
POLE POSITION (FIRST STARTING PLACE) in many racing disciplines, this is the best position in the front row of the grid. It is awarded to the driver who has shown the best time in the qualifying race.
POLE POSITION HOLDER a driver who takes pole position based on the results of the qualifying race at the start of the race (see below).
RACING LINE (TRAJECTORY) the optimal route on the track or in a road race; in particular, the exact line along which vehicles pass turns.
RETARDER (CHICANE) a combination of consecutive sharp turns first in one direction, then in the other direction; retarders are usually located on a straight section of the track to reduce the speed of cars.
REVS This refers to "revolutions per minute", which denotes the speed of rotation of the engines crankshaft.
SHOCK ABSORBERS devices designed to significantly mitigate shocks and shocks to the vehicles suspension (see below).
SLICK a type of tire with a smooth surface without grooves; they are used in some classes of racing on tracks with a dry surface.
SLIDING (SKIDDING, DEMOLITION) controlled lateral glide in a turn. Sometimes it is used to steer the car along the best racing path when exiting a corner.
SPECIAL PLOT a competitive part of the rally, where the time of passing the car is recorded up to tenths of a second. The crew must overcome it as quickly as possible.
SPOILER ALERT an aerodynamic device designed to create an air flow that increases downforce (see above).
STARTING GRID the track surface of the track, where the race cars are lined up just before the start in order of the places they won in the qualifying races.
SUPER SPECIAL SECTION a rally area (often located in a stadium) where two cars compete side-by-side on tracks of the same length and configuration.
TELEMETRY A radio device that transmits information (received from electronic sensors) about the engine, tires, brakes, and other major components of the car to the teams computer to analyze the cars behavior during tests or races.
THE CATWALK a special grandstand with stirrup steps, where the first three-place drivers are invited to present them with prizes or medals.
THE CLUTCH the ability of a car or motorcycle to stay firmly on the road during a race with the help of suspension, aerodynamics and tires.
THE EARTH EFFECT the area of low pressure created under a moving vehicle helps the cars tires to press more tightly against the track surface.
TIRE RUBBER COMPOSITION the exact combination of rubber and other substances used to produce tires with the best grip on a particular track surface or in specific weather or other race track conditions.
TIRE WARMER an electric heater that covers the new tire to keep it warm by the time it is installed on the car during the pit stop. It is also called a "tire heater".
TRACTION CONTROL Computer-controlled electronic system: while delivering the right amount of power to the wheels, it also helps prevent the wheels from slipping and losing traction.
TRANSIT TIME the time taken by the vehicle to complete the distance from the start line to the finish line. This is a particularly important measurement for drag racing and record breaking races.
TRANSPONDER a radio transmission device that is attached to some vehicles to record speeds and lap times.
TRANSPORT COMPANY cargo truck, a trailer that transports racing cars and their equipment from one track to another.
TRI-OVAL an oval track that features a slight extra turn in the middle of one of its straights.
TURNOFF slope of the track surface, especially at the corners. Measured in degrees from the horizontal.
UNDERSTEER a situation when driving a car when the front wheels of the car lose grip more than the rear wheels. At the same time, the nose of the car tends to maintain a straight line in the turn.
VANISHING AREA a part of the highway that is intended for cars and motorcycles to exit if necessary, make a stop without creating an emergency situation on the highway.
VICTORY ALLEY a round or square area or other fenced area where the driver celebrates a victory with his family, team members, bosses and sponsors.
WHEELBASE distance between the front and rear axles of a car or motorcycle.
WINDOW GRID attached to the car window is a nylon mesh screen that helps to keep the driver inside the car in the event of an accident.
curb paved part of the track that separates the race track from the inside of the circuit.
pendant a system of springs, shock absorbers, levers, and other components directly connected to the wheels or axles that affects the handling of a racing car or motorcycle.
qualification a special race or short race that determines the placement of cars on the starting grid in the main race.
settings preparation of a racing vehicle before a qualifying race or race. Settings include suspension characteristics, tire type and pressure, gear ratios and engine settings.
warning a special period of the race when participants, in accordance with the received signals, must slow down due to an accident on the track or for some other reason.
