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Race Car a Big Draw in Formula One Racing
from: Maxx Sports GuidesFormula One racing, or F1 racing for short, is among the most popular racing sports in America. During F1 races, sports cars, sponsored by advertisers, speed around either a closed-circuit track or a closed-off street track.
Every year, top drivers compete in the World Drivers Championship or the World Constructors Championship.
The race car itself is probably one of the bigger draws for fans. F1 racing rules stipulate how a car must be constructed and how it should perform, but teams still manage to make their cars spectacular.
The standard F1 racing car has a single seat. The engine is housed behind the driver, instead of in front, to reduce drag. Another aerodynamic feature of modern F1 racing cars is the wings, which are usually in front and in back of the car.
The pace of the race is already exhilarating, but the open cockpit design adds a bit of danger to the race.
F1 racing's many technical components help to make it a riveting sport. Overtaking -- one of the biggest thrills in Formula One racing is simply the action of one driver behind another driver gaining speed to gain position.
Many times during a race a driver can decide to take the chance to overtake another driver, but the most advantageous points in the race are at the start or in the first corner.
Without skill, a driver would be unable to gain on a fellow driver. All of the maneuvers used to gain position require much skill. This includes cornering, which requires drivers to know how they can effectively handle a turn with the least amount of traction. To accomplish this, a driver must know how to brake properly, press the gas and make a controlled turn.
A driver should also learn to avoid certain techniques, including over steering. When drivers over steer, they've turned the wheel to the point where the tail end forces the whole car to lose grip.
Under steering must also be avoided. A driver under steers his vehicle by reducing speeds to gain traction. Obviously this type of driving isn't the best when speed is a necessity.
While it may seem like simply a fun pastime, F1 racing has become a serious business that can require hundreds of millions of dollars to finance a single team. The money expended within the industry is most likely recouped from ticket sales and the sale of racing memorabilia.
Fast, stylish cars, the hum of the engines and the excitement from crowds are enough reason to keep the fans coming back for more.
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