Car championships - British touring cars
Grand Prix - Racing cars
Key facts and vital statistics on car rallies and the Formula One Grand Prix.
Guide to Formula One
Formula One racing is one of the most thrilling sporting events in the world. Its origins came from the European Grand Prix but it was only in 1950 that rules were set down, leading to the first F1 races in 1950. While Grand Prix races have been staged across the globe, there is always one certainty - the motorcars and the firms who invest in them. Recognisable F1 racing machines are Ferrari, Renault and McLaren, although in recent years Lotus and Virgin have also participated. The drivers have always been the stars the audiences want to see, from the unlucky Stirling Moss through to the determined driving of Michael Schumacher.
Car racing
Also called motor racing, car racing is simply the racing of cars for sport and is by far one of the most popular televised sports around the world. It's believed auto racing began not long after the world's first gasoline powered automobile was constructed and it's strongly believed the very first car race was created in 1894 by French magazine Le Petit Journal. The first race track ran from Paris to Rouen and attracted major manufacturers like De Dion, Panhard and Peugeot and a plethora of private car owners. Although motor racing continued to grow in popularity over the years, the first pure racing automobiles weren't built until the 1930s, with exceptional performance vehicles from key manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Delage changing the face of motor sports forever.
Racing events
There are many auto racing events which each have a different fan base around the world and are each set in different locations. The official FIA World Touring Car Championship is one of the most exciting racing events in the bursting motor sports timetable. Following the first event in 1987, the WTCC series is held in numerous parts of the world including locations like China, Belgium, Italy and Portugal. Other successful motoring racing events include the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the FIA World Rally Championship and the Monte Carlo Rally. The Intercontinental Le Mans Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are also two of the top auto racing events.