Sports cars are one of the types of cars admired by a lot of people but afforded by only a few. Many sports car enthusiasts are also fans of sports car racing. Sports car racing is a form of circuit racing using sports cars with two seats and enclosed wheels. The sports cars used can be purpose-built or prototype, or it can be production-derived models or the grand tourers (GT). FIA World Endurance Championship is the most popular championship series for sports car racing with FIA GT1 World Championship as its main series when it comes to GT car racing.
History of Sports Car Racing
Georges Faroux, a joint-creator of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1923, claims that sports car racing was not born until after 1919 or before the First World War.
The cars used in endurance racing and Grand Prix were indistinguishable in the 1920s. They both have fenders and two seats if a mechanic is needed. But in the 1930s, the legendary Alfa Romeo Tipo A Monoposto sports car started the evolution of the true single-seater sports car.
In the later 1930s, French constructors withdrew into primarily domestic competition with large-capacity sports cars such as Talbot and Bugatti’s because they were unable to keep up with the progress of the Mercedes Benz and Auto-Union cars in GP racing.
Roadgoing sports or GT cars started to emerge through the 1920s and 1930s, as distinct from fast tourers and sports cars.
In the 1950’s, open-road endurance races across Europe which often run on dusty roads like Tour de France and Targa Florio still needed fenders and mechanics. Many Italian cars and races defined the genre until it came to be known as Gran Turismo. It is because long distances had to be travelled instead of running around on short circuits. After the Second World War, sports car racing was regarded as almost important as Grand Prix competition. Major car companies started to invest their efforts in their works to supply cars to customers. Some of these companies were Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, and Aston Martin.
In the 1950s and 1960’s, a breed of powerful hybrids appeared and raced on both sides of the Atlantic featuring European chassis and large American engines. The combination of British chassis and American V8 engines made Can-Am series popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The 1960’s and 1970’s were the times sports car racing evolved, rise, and declined.
But when the 1990s came, sports car racing was revived. A number of GT series sprung up at national and European levels. Prototypes and other similar cars started to be raced in Europe as the 1990s progressed.
In 2000, the SpeedVision television network debuted in the US and it brought a renaissance of interest in sports car racing. In 2010, some major reformatting was done to sports car racing in the United States. Today, sports car racing is still very popular not only in the US and Europe but as well as around the world.
Types of Cars in Sports Car Racing
A lot of cars are used in sports car racing but they can be divided into two parts, the sports prototypes and Grand Touring (GT). There are single races that mix the two types of cars together such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Sports Prototype
This type of car is the pinnacle of racing-car design. It is considered as the highest level in sports car racing. They are purpose-built cars with enclosed wheels and open or closed cockpits. Sports prototypes are considered as one-of-a-kind machines and they have no relation to any road-going vehicle.
To make it simple, sports prototypes are two-seat racing cars with bodywork covering their wheels. They are technical advances and are quicker than their single-seat counterparts.
Grand Touring
The term grand touring came for the Italian Gran Turismo. This is the most common form of sports car racing and it has events all over the world. Originally, Grand Touring cars had to be in series production, however, in 1976, the class was split into production based Group 4 Grand Touring Cars and Group 5 Special Production Cars. These were essentially pure-bred racing cars with production-lookalike bodies.
Remarkable Racing Series
Sports car racing is celebrated not only for the engineering prowess and thrilling action on the track but also for its diverse range of global championships, each offering a unique flavor and set of challenges. These series draw teams, drivers, and fans from all around the world, highlighting the sport’s international appeal and the high level of competition involved.
- FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC): This prestigious series features endurance races across various countries, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The WEC is a true test of durability and efficiency, where manufacturers showcase their most advanced hybrid and endurance technologies.
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Predominantly held in North America, this series is known for its competitive fields and diverse range of tracks, from street circuits to classic road courses. It features various classes of sports cars competing together, including prototypes and GT cars.
- European Le Mans Series (ELMS): Similar in format to the WEC but based in Europe, the ELMS offers a mix of professional and amateur drivers competing in different classes. The series serves as a stepping stone for teams and drivers aiming to compete in the WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- GT World Challenge: Spanning across continents, this championship is focused on GT3 cars. It includes sprint and endurance races and is known for its highly competitive GT racing with close battles and diverse manufacturer participation.
- Asian Le Mans Series: This series is instrumental in promoting sports car racing in Asia. It’s a gateway for Asian teams to enter the global sports car racing arena, particularly aiming for participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Intercontinental GT Challenge: This series represents the pinnacle of GT racing, with events held on different continents. It’s unique in that it primarily focuses on GT3 and GT4 cars and includes some of the most challenging endurance races in the world.
Each of these championships offers a unique perspective on sports car racing, from the types of cars that compete to the race formats and strategies employed. They contribute to the global appeal of sports car racing and provide a platform for technological advancements, driver skill showcase, and intense competition that keeps fans engaged and makes this form of motorsport a spectacle to behold.
Interesting Facts About Sports Car Racing
- 24 Hours of Le Mans: The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. It is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world.
- Daytona Prototype International (DPi): The DPi class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship features some of the most technologically advanced sports cars, combining speed and endurance.
- Rolex 24 at Daytona: This 24-hour endurance race held at Daytona International Speedway is a part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and is known for its challenging combination of a tri-oval and infield road course.
- GT3 Category: GT3 cars are among the most popular in sports car racing, based on production models and raced by both professional and amateur drivers in various series globally.
- Hybrid Technology: The FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has been at the forefront of integrating hybrid technology into racing, leading to significant developments in automotive hybrid systems.
- Multi-Class Racing: Sports car races often feature multi-class racing, where different types of cars, like prototypes and GT cars, compete simultaneously on the same track, each class racing for its own victory.
- Brake Technology: Due to the high speeds and long durations, sports car racing has been pivotal in developing advanced brake technologies, including carbon-ceramic brakes, now used in many high-performance road cars.
- Famous Manufacturers: Iconic car manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, and Ford have a storied history in sports car racing, contributing to their brand prestige and technological advancements.
- Top Speeds: Depending on the track and category, sports cars can reach top speeds of over 200 mph, with prototype cars often being the fastest.
- Driver Versatility: Sports car racing drivers are known for their versatility, often racing in various conditions, including night racing and in different weather conditions, requiring exceptional skill and adaptability.
Final Thoughts
Sports car racing stands as a captivating and diverse branch of motorsport, offering a unique blend of speed, endurance, and technological prowess. This form of racing features specialized vehicles that are a step above regular road cars in terms of performance, design, and capabilities. Broadly classified into two categories, the sleek and powerful Grand Tourers (GT) and the purpose-built, high-tech Prototypes, sports car racing showcases a variety of vehicle designs, each fine-tuned for high-speed racing and durability.
Distinguished from other types of racing by its emphasis on the endurance of both car and driver, sports car races often extend over several hours or even days. This requires teams to employ strategic planning, precise engineering, and peak physical conditioning. The race tracks themselves add another layer of complexity and excitement, ranging from iconic circuits and challenging road courses to the storied city streets closed off for high-octane action. Sports car racing, therefore, is not just a test of speed but a comprehensive challenge of engineering excellence, team coordination, driver skill, and strategic acumen. With its roots tracing back to the early days of motor racing, this sport continues to evolve, embracing cutting-edge technology and attracting a global audience with its thrilling and enduring appeal.