Race track facts for kids
A race track is a special place built just for racing. People, animals, or vehicles can race here. For example, you might see horse racing or races with cars and motorcycles. Many race tracks have seats for people to watch the exciting action.
Race tracks are also called a race course, speedway, or circuit.
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How Race Tracks Are Designed
Modern race tracks are built with safety as the most important thing. This is super important for tracks where cars race. They need to be safe for the fans watching, the workers, and the racers themselves.
- Protecting Spectators: Strong fences are often used to keep people watching safe from the race track.
- Stopping Racers: Barriers are put in place to stop race cars if they go off the track. Sometimes these barriers are padded to make them even safer.
Most race tracks are a closed loop, meaning they form a circle or oval. The start and finish lines are usually in the same spot. Some tracks are open, starting at one point and ending somewhere else.
Different Kinds of Tracks
There are a few main types of race tracks, each with its own unique shape and challenges.
Oval Tracks
Some race tracks are shaped like a big circle or an oval. The Michigan International Speedway is a good example of an oval track. On these tracks, racers always turn in the same direction. In the United States, they usually turn left. Many NASCAR races happen on oval tracks.
Road Courses
Other race tracks are called road courses. On these tracks, racers turn both left and right, making them more twisty. Donington Park in England is a famous road course. Most Formula One races are held on road courses. These tracks are often called circuits, especially in Europe.
Street Circuits
Some races happen on temporary street courses. This means regular public roads are closed off for a short time. Then, the race course is set up using these closed roads. One of the most famous street courses is the Circuit de Monaco. Every year, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix takes place on this amazing course. These types of tracks are also usually called circuits.
Images for kids
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An aerial view of the Killarney motorsport race track in Cape Town, South Africa
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FIA first turn specification
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Touring Car race at Brands Hatch circuit
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A typical racecourse
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Motorcycles racing on a highly banked board track in 1911
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Autódromo José Carlos Pace Racetrack showing safety fencing
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Motorcycle ice racing
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View of a race track from a race car at Wakefield Park, Australia
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Horseracing track, Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, showing grandstands
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The ACI Vallelunga car racing track near Rome, Italy, a typical meandering layout with run-off areas
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Stadion Haunstetten, a sand track
See also
In Spanish: Circuito de carreras para niños
