From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Form of stock car racing
Figure 8 racing
is a form of stock car racing in which automobiles race on a track that purposely intersects itself, increasing the risk of collisions. Figure 8 racing is most common and popular in the United States and Canada. Because of the risk of collisions, figure 8 racing bears some similarity to the chiefly European sport of
banger racing
.
Track
[
edit
]
Racing is done on a track shaped like an
8
. The cars cross paths at the center of the
8
, which is known as the "crossover" or the "X". Because of this layout, crashes are common. Figure 8 racing is a unique form of motorsport that requires strict attention to detail and timing to successfully navigate the crossover. In Canada, figure 8 racing often takes place as a part of demolition derby events. Boundary lines are marked to form a figure 8 track, and barriers are installed to protect light poles (if necessary), recovery vehicles, and the safety car.
History
[
edit
]
Figure 8 track racing began right after
World War II
, in the late 1940s. The track may have had an overpass so that the cars did not cross each other's paths. Most historians believe that the first track where drivers crossed paths was the 1/5 mile-long
Indianapolis Speedrome
.
[1]
[2]
The sport received nationwide publicity when it was frequently televised on
ABC
's
Wide World of Sports
in the 1960s, usually from
Islip Speedway
in
Islip, New York
.
[3]
[4]
Vehicle
[
edit
]
The cars used are often
stock cars
, but are usually modified for lightness and safety, by removing the window glass and often adding a
roll cage
.
[5]
A wing much like a
sprint car
is sometimes placed on the roof to increase
downforce
. The cars' bodies are typically made out of
sheet metal
. All manner of vehicles have been used. School buses have become popular, especially at
county fairs
, because of their extended exposure for crashes.
[5]
World championship
[
edit
]
The oldest operating figure 8 track in the United States is the
Indianapolis Speedrome
in
Indianapolis
. The track has been in operation since the 1940s. It hosts the annual
World Figure 8
race, which is considered the world championship event.
[6]
The first three-hour endurance race was held in 1977.
[1]
United States championship
[
edit
]
The national championship in the United States is held at
Riverhead Raceway
in
Riverhead, New York
.
[7]
[8]
Notable figure 8 tracks
[
edit
]
Many of these tracks have configurations that allow for both standard oval and figure 8 races.
- Altamont Raceway Park
(closed in 2008)
- Anderson Speedway
, Anderson, Indiana
- Arizona State Fairgrounds
, Phoenix, Arizona (yearly Grandstand event during the fair)
- Ascot Park
in Gardena, CA (Closed)
- Beech Bend Raceway Park
Bowling Green, KY
(Oval/Figure 8 Closed)
- Columbus Motor Speedway
(Closed)
- Colorado National Speedway
- Evergreen Speedway
- Empire Expo Center
- Flat Rock Speedway
- Holland Speedway
(added 2012)
- Indianapolis Speedrome
- Irwindale Speedway
- Islip Speedway
Islip, NY ( closed in 1984)
- Lake Erie Speedway
- Little Valley Speedway
(closed in 2017)
- Manzanita Speedway
(Closed in 2009)
- Oxford Plains Speedway
Oxford Plains, ME
- Painesville Speedway
Painesville, OH
- Raceway Park (Minnesota)
, Shakopee, MN (Closed in 2013)
- Riverhead Raceway
- Riverside Park Speedway
Agawam, Mass (closed in 1999)
- Rockford Speedway
- Seekonk Speedway
- Slinger Super Speedway
- Sportsdrome Speedway
, Jeffersonville, IN (added 2017)
- Toledo Speedway
- Wisconsin International Raceway
Media
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
3-Hour Figure World Championship 2004
, John Stark,
The Cheers
magazine, 2004, Retrieved January 30, 2007
- ^
"1977 World Figure 8 Championship -Indianapolis Speedrome, Home of Figure-Eight Racing Action"
. Archived from
the original
on 2009-09-13
. Retrieved
2010-04-11
.
History of Figure 8 racing
- ^
"Figure8news.com ? View topic - OCTOBER 10TH, IOFS GRAND MARSHALLS"
. Archived from
the original
on 2011-07-11
. Retrieved
2010-04-11
.
Figure 8 News
- ^
http://thegarageblog.com/garage/demos-dawn/
The Garage Blog
- ^
a
b
Barrett, Joe (August 14, 2010).
"Hold Tight, Kids: School Bus Races Rock County Fairs"
.
Wall Street Journal
. Retrieved
March 2,
2013
.
- ^
World Figure 8 Stats ? Speedrome -Home of the World Figure 8 Championship
Archived
2006-06-18 at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
Suffolk Life Newspapers ? A Night At The Track
Archived
2007-09-30 at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
"Figure 8 champions, figure 8 world champions, figure eight world champions, sonny thompson, speedrome, Islip Speedway, Irwindale speedway"
. Archived from
the original
on 2009-02-05
. Retrieved
2010-04-11
.
Figure 8 USA
External links
[
edit
]