9 replies to this topic

[GregY]

This is probably a dumb question, but I am curious about the direction is which races are run on various circuits around the world and whether that has evolved over time.

What I seem to know is that races on most oval tracks are run in a counterclockwise direction; races on most road courses are run in a clockwise direction. Are there any exceptions to this? Do they run counterclockwise on any of the European circuits? Why do you think the races are run in the direction that they are?

Thanks!

Greg

[Speed Demon]

Plenty of races are run counter (or as I prefer to call it anti) clockwise. There's no real rhyme or reason to it as far as I can see. It makes sense for oval races to all be run anti-clockwise, since oval cars tend to be built with a left turn bias - go in the other direction and you would have to completely re-design the cars. Why the anti-clockwise configuration was chosen as the standard may be lost in the mists of time, although it presumably was a legacy of the earliest such tracks happening to be that configuration and everything else falling into line as a result.

Road races, because of their inherent requirements for cars which turn in both directions, have no such restriction. As a result there are plenty run in anti-clockwise directions (and not just in Europe). Notable examples include Imola in Italy, Interlagos in Brazil, Mount Panorama in Australia, Kyalami in South Africa and Laguna Seca in the USA. Some circuits have even been run in both directions (though not at the same time!). Brands Hatch started life being run anti-clockwise before adopting its current clockwise format in 1954. Miami's original IMSA street course was anti-clockwise, but ran clockswise in the mid-90s when the IndyCar championship visited it. The oval course at Mallory Park in England was at one stage licensed to run in either direction, although this is no longer the case.

[Simpson RX1]

I have no idea how the direction thing happened, but, as an interesting aside, I do know that at Brands Hatch, whilst cars do indeed run clockwise, bikes (until recently) have run races anti-clockwise........

[Bonde]

Not a dumb question at all, Greg.

IIRC, counterclockwise was (is?) for some reason the prevailing direction used on horse racing tracks - and that just filtered over to motor racing, particularly on ovals. The term 'pole position' is also lifted from horse racing tracks - the flag pole on the inside track at the starting line - as is the term 'paddock', and the occasionaly used 'stables' for team designation.

I assume the direction chosen for road circuits may have something to do with attempts to combine the level of circuit challenge with safety (typically a fast turn leading onto the start/finish straight and a tight turn at the end of it), and may in some cases also be influenced by where it's convenient to locate pits and start/finish lines.

Here in Denmark, Jyllandsringen and Padborg Park (IIRC) are run CCW, whereas Ring Djursland is run CW and has start and finish lines on opposite straights!

[Speed Demon]

Hadn't thought of the horse racing analagy, though if you accept that the Milwaukee Mile is the first oval track (another debate I know!) this would make sense. It was originally a horse track, opened in 1897 but held motor racing from 1903 onwards. It was only paved as recently as 1954. It follows that the cars would follow the same direction as the horses and all other oval tracks followed suit.

Just to confuse, my local horse track, Hereford Racecourse, runs clockwise...

[Kpy]

This http://forums.atlasf...light=clockwise may interest you.

[eldougo]

Quote by Speed Demon....As a result there are plenty run in anti-clockwise directions (and not just in Europe). Notable examples include Imola in Italy, Interlagos in Brazil, Mount Panorama in Australia, Kyalami in South Africa and Laguna Seca in the USA.

The original Kyalami was Clockwise .

[Peter Morley]

Sitges ran races in both directions!

http://users.pandora...s.bvba1/sitges/

[Macca]

Suzuka runs in both directions..........................................at the same time!



Paul M

[jazzzz]

Safety? Just a wild guess...

For oval racing, when running anti-clockwise means the drivers of left-hand drive cars (e.g. NASCAR) would be further away from the wall.

Obvious this doesn’t affect open wheel single seaters.