1.
Formula One
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Formula One is the highest class of single-seat auto racing that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de lAutomobile. The FIA Formula One World Championship has been the form of racing since the inaugural season in 1950. The formula, designated in the name, refers to a set of rules, the F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held worldwide on purpose-built F1 circuits and public roads. The results of each race are evaluated using a system to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers, one for constructors. The racing drivers are required to be holders of valid Super Licences, the races are required to be held on tracks graded 1, the highest grade a track can receive by the FIA. Most events are held in locations on purpose-built tracks, but there are several events in city centres throughout the world. Formula One cars are the fastest road racing cars in the world. Formula One cars race at speeds of up to approximately 375 km/h with engines currently limited in performance to a maximum of 15,000 RPM, the cars are capable of lateral acceleration in excess of five g in corners. The performance of the cars is very dependent on electronics – although traction control and other driving aids have been banned since 2008 – and on aerodynamics, suspension, the formula has radically evolved and changed through the history of the sport. F1 had a global television audience of 425 million people during the course of the 2014 season. Grand Prix racing began in 1906 and became the most popular internationally in the second half of the twentieth century. The Formula One Group is the holder of the commercial rights. Its high profile and popularity have created a major merchandising environment, since 2000 the sports spiraling expenditures and the distribution of prize money favoring established top teams have forced complaints from smaller teams and led several teams to bankruptcy. On 23 January 2017 it was confirmed that Liberty Media had completed its $8 billion acquisition of Delta Topco, the Formula One series originated with the European Grand Prix Motor Racing of the 1920s and 1930s. The formula is a set of rules that all cars must meet. Formula One was a new formula agreed upon after World War II during 1946, the first world championship race was held at Silverstone, United Kingdom in 1950. A championship for constructors followed in 1958, national championships existed in South Africa and the UK in the 1960s and 1970s. Non-championship Formula One events were held for years, but due to the increasing cost of competition
2.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
3.
1950 Formula One season
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The 1950 Formula One season was the fourth season of the FIAs Formula One motor racing. It featured the inaugural FIA World Championship of Drivers which commenced on 13 May and ended on 3 September, as well as a number of non-championship races. The championship consisted of six Grand Prix races, each held in Europe and open to Formula One cars, plus the Indianapolis 500, Giuseppe Farina won the championship from Juan Manuel Fangio and Luigi Fagioli. All of the Formula One regulated races in the championship were run in Europe, the Indianapolis 500 was run to American AAA regulations, not to FIA Formula One regulations and none of the regular drivers who competed in Europe competed in the 500, and vice versa. Alfa Romeo drivers consequently dominated the championship with Italian Giuseppe Nino Farina edging out Argentine teammate Juan Manuel Fangio by virtue of his place in Belgium. Championship points were awarded to the top five finishers in each race on an 8,6,4,3,2 basis,1 point was awarded for the fastest lap of each race. Points for shared drives were divided equally between the drivers, regardless of how many laps each driver completed during the race, Only the best four results from the seven races could be retained by each driver for World Championship classification. The Alfa Romeo team dominated the British Grand Prix at the fast Silverstone circuit in England, with King George VI in attendance, Giuseppe Farina won the race from pole position, also setting the fastest lap. The podium was completed by his teammates Luigi Fagioli and Reg Parnell, while the remaining Alfa driver, the final points scorers were the works Talbot-Lagos of Yves Giraud-Cabantous and Louis Rosier, both two laps behind the leaders. Scuderia Ferrari made their World Championship debut around the streets of Monaco, polesitter Fangio took a comfortable victory, also setting the races fastest lap, a whole lap ahead of Ascari, with the third-placed Louis Chiron a further lap back in the works Maserati. Villoresi, although delayed by the accident, had made his way through the field to second place, Fangios win brought him level with Farina in the points standings. The race was stopped after 138 of the scheduled 200 laps due to rain, Alfa Romeos dominance continued when the World Championship returned to Europe for the Swiss Grand Prix at the tree-lined Bremgarten circuit just outside Bern. Fangio, Farina and Fagioli locked out the front row of the grid for Alfa, while the Ferraris of Villoresi, Fangio was the initial leader, starting from pole position, but he was passed by Farina on lap seven. Ascari and Villoresi were both able to compete with the third Alfa of Fagioli in the stages, although both had retired by the ten-lap mark. Farina took the win and the fastest lap, finishing just ahead of Fagioli, while Rosier, in place as a result of Fangios retirement. Farinas second win of the season put him six points clear of the consistent Fagioli, the Alfas were once again untouchable at the start of the race, but when they stopped for fuel, Sommer emerged as an unlikely race leader. His lead, however, was short-lived and he was forced to retire when his engine blew up, Fangio ultimately took the victory, ahead of Fagioli, who again finished second. Rosier again made the podium in his Talbot-Lago and he had been able to pass the polesitter Farina when the Italian picked up transmission problems towards the end of the race
4.
1954 Formula One season
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The 1954 Formula One season was eighth season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1954 World Championship of Drivers and a number of non-championship races, the World Championship of Drivers was contested over a nine race series which commenced on 17 January and ended on 24 October 1954. The championship was won by Juan Manuel Fangio who drove, and won races, argentine drivers gained the first two positions in the championship with José Froilán González placing second to his compatriot Fangio. With Formula One changing to 2, fangios French success had come after switching from the Maserati team with whom he had won the first two Grands Prix of the season. Reigning champion Alberto Ascari had a successful switch of teams. Unfortunately for him, Lancias car, the D50, was not ready until the final World Championship race, Championship points were awarded for first five places in each race on an 8,6,4,3,2 basis with 1 point awarded for the fastest lap. Only the best five of nine scores counted towards the championship, points for shared drives were divided equally between the drivers, regardless of who had driven more laps unless one of the drivers was deemed to have completed insufficient distance. Drivers who shared more than one car during a race received points only for their highest finish, argentine Onofre Marimon was killed during practice for the German Grand Prix driving a Maserati 250F. It was the first fatality at a championship Formula One race weekend, the following races counted towards the 1954 World Championship of Drivers. All championship races were open to cars complying with FIA Formula One regulations with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 which was for cars complying with AAA National Championship regulations. The Dutch Grand Prix was originally supposed to be held at Zandvoort but there was no money for the race to be held, the German Grand Prix was given the honorary title of being the European Grand Prix of 1954. The following teams and drivers competed in the 1954 FIA World Championship of Drivers, italics indicate fastest lap Bold indicates pole position † Position shared between multiple drivers of the same car ‡ Several cars were shared in this race. See the race page for details, only the best 5 results counted towards the Championship. Numbers without parentheses are Championship points, numbers in parentheses are total points scored, the following is a summary of the races for Formula One cars staged during the 1954 season that did not count towards the 1954 World Championship of Drivers
5.
Kurtis Kraft
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Kurtis Kraft was an American designer and builder of race cars. The company built cars, quartermidgets, sports cars, sprint cars, Bonneville cars. It was founded by Frank Kurtis when he built his own midget car chassis in the late 1930s, Kurtis built some very low fiberglass bodied two-seaters sports cars under his own name in Glendale, California between 1949 and 1955. About 36 cars had made when the licence was sold to Madman Muntz who built the Muntz Jet. In 1954 and 1955, road versions of their Indianapolis racers were offered, Kurtis Kraft created over 550 ready-to-run midget cars, and 600 kits. The Kurtis Kraft chassis midget car featured a version of the Offenhauser motor. The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame describes the combination as virtually unbeatable for over twenty years, Kurtis Kraft also created 120 Indianapolis 500 cars, including five winners. Kurtis sold the midget car portion of the business to Johnny Pawl in the late 1950s, Frank Kurtis was the first non-driver inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Zeke Justice and Ed Justice of the Justice Brothers both worked at Kurtis-Kraft after World War II, zeke Justice was the first employee at Kurtis-Kraft. The FIA World Drivers Championship included the Indianapolis 500 between 1950 and 1960, so many Kurtis Kraft cars are credited with competing in that championship, One Kurtis midget car was also entered in the 1959 Formula One United States Grand Prix driven by Rodger Ward. It was not designed for European-style road racing and with an engine it circulated at the back of the field for 20 laps before retiring with clutch problems. From 1950 to 1960, the Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship
6.
1950 Indianapolis 500
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The 34th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 30,1950. The event was part of the 1950 AAA National Championship Trail, the race was also included as the third round in the inaugural 1950 World Drivers Championship, and paid points towards the World Championship. The event, however, did not attract any European entries for 1950, giuseppe Farina originally planned to enter, but his car never arrived. The Indianapolis 500 would be included on the World Championship calendar through 1960, the race was originally scheduled for 200 laps, but was stopped after 138 laps due to rain. A rumor circulated in racing circles during and after this race that Johnnie Parsonss team discovered a crack in the engine block on race morning. The discovery supposedly precipitated Parsons to charge for the lap leader prizes, presumably, he set his sights on leading as many laps as possible before the engine inevitably was to fail. Furthermore, the race ending early due to rain supposedly saved Parsonss day allowing him to secure the victory before the engine let go. However, the engine block crack was proved to be a myth, and it was said to be a very minor but acceptable level of porosity. Despite the 500 being his only race in the 1950 World Championship, during the month, Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck were at the track to film scenes for the film To Please a Lady. Stanwyck was on hand in victory lane after the race for the traditional celebratory kiss to the winner, time trials was scheduled for six days. Saturday May 13, Walt Faulkner won the position with a record run of 134.343 mph. Sunday May 14 Saturday May 20, The third day of time trials saw six cars complete runs, Bayliss Levrett was the fastest of the afternoon. Charles Van Acker was ruled physically disqualified, after a crash he suffered at the Speedway from 1949, sunday May 21 Saturday May 27, The day began with 11 spots open in the grid. Sunday May 28, Only one driver managed to bump his way into the field, johnny McDowell bumped Cliff Griffith, while 15 other cars failed to make the field. The two Novi entries failed to qualify – Chet Miller had engine trouble in one of the cars, rain and two crashes cut the track time to less than three hours. Points for 5th position were shared between the drivers, henry Banks and Fred Agabashian Bayliss Levrett and Bill Cantrell First win for Firestone in the World Championship. World Drivers Championship standings Note, Only the top five positions are listed, Only the best 4 results counted towards the Championship. The race was carried live on the Mutual Broadcasting System, the precursor to the IMS Radio Network, the broadcast was sponsored by Perfect Circle Piston Rings and Bill Slater served as the anchor
7.
1954 Indianapolis 500
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The 38th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 31,1954. The event was part of the 1954 AAA National Championship Trail, bill Vukovich won his second consecutive 500. Vukovich died the year attempting to win his third consecutive Indy 500. The race reportedly went 110 laps before the first yellow light, time trials was scheduled for four days.26 Fastest Lead Lap, Jack McGrath –1,04.04 Relief drivers, Troy Ruttman & Duane Carter shared car no 34. Paul Russo & Jerry Hoyt shared car no 5, art Cross, Jimmie Davies, Johnnie Parsons, Andy Linden & Sam Hanks shared car no 45. Chuck Stevenson, Walt Faulkner shared car no 98, Duane Carter, Jimmy Jackson, Tony Bettenhausen & Marshall Teague shared car no 16. Ed Elisian & Bob Scott shared car no 27, frank Armi & George Fonder shared car no 71. Sam Hanks, Jimmie Davies & Jim Rathmann shared car no 1, rodger Ward & Eddie Johnson shared car no 12. Gene Hartley & Marshall Teague shared car no 31, Andy Linden & Bob Scott shared car no 74. Johnny Thomson, Andy Linden & Jimmy Daywalt shared car no 43, Jim Rathmann & Pat Flaherty shared car no 38. Spider Webb & Danny Kladis shared car no 65, len Duncan & George Fonder shared car no 33. The race was carried live flag-to-flag on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and it was the second time the race was carried in its entirety. The broadcast was anchored by Sid Collins, his third as chief announcer, charlie Brockman served as booth analyst and statistician, and also reported from victory lane. Of note, the network expanded its coverage to include four qualifying wrap-up shows during time trials weekends, the network expanded to include four qualifying wrap-up shows, and the number of affiliate stations increased to 210. All five major stations in Indianapolis carried the broadcast. The 1954 broadcast is notable in that it featured for the first time the famous phrase Stay tuned for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, due to the increased number of affiliates at the time, the network needed a scripted out-cue to alert producers when to manually insert local commercials. A young WIBC marketing staff member named Alice Greene is credited with inventing the phrase and it has been used ever since, with all of the chief announcers proudly reciting it during their respective tenures. World Drivers Championship standings Note, Only the top five positions are included, Indianapolis 500 History, Race & All-Time Stats – Official Site 1954 Indianapolis 500 at RacingReference. info
8.
Midget car racing
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Midget cars, also speedcars in Australia, is a class of racing cars. The cars are small with a very high power-to-weight ratio. They originated in the United States in the 1930s and are raced on most continents, there is a worldwide tour and national midget tours in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Typically, these four cylinder engine cars have 300 to 400 horsepower, the high power and small size of the cars combine to make midget racing quite dangerous, for this reason, modern midget cars are fully equipped with roll cages and other safety features. They are intended to be driven for races of relatively short distances, some events are staged inside arenas, like the famous Chili Bowl held in early January at the Expo Square Pavilion in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Some early major midget car manufacturers include Kurtis Kraft and Solar, after spreading across the country, the sport traveled around the world, first to Australia in 1934 at Melbournes Olympic Park on December 15, and to New Zealand in 1937. Early midget races were held on tracks previously used for bicycle racing. When the purpose built speedway at Gilmore Stadium was completed, racing ended at the school stadium, angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin is another major track in the United States operating since the first half of the twentieth century. Promoters in Australia during this period often staged races billed as either a world championship or world speedcar derby. Speedcars continue to race in Australia, with the events being the Australian Championship. Along with various state championships, there is also the Speedcar Super Series which travels throughout Australia, Speedcar crowds of 10,000 people are common in Australia for these major events. In December 2013, POWRi Midget Racing began a 16-event Lucas Oil POWRi Midget World Championship that ran until June 2014, Drivers competed in New Zealand and Australia at the beginning of the 2013-14 season and ended in the United States. Many IndyCar and NASCAR drivers used midget car racing as a stepping stone on their way to more high profile divisions, including Tony Stewart, Sarah Fisher, Jeff Gordon. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Kyle Larson, sAspeedcars. com – South Australian Speedcar Association V. S. D. A – Victorian Speedcar Drivers Association Inc wasda. com
9.
Sprint car racing
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Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, typically they are powered by a naturally aspirated, mechanically fuel injected American V8 with an engine displacement of 410 cubic inches capable of engine speeds of 9000 rpm. Depending on the setup and the track layout these cars achieve speeds in excess of 160 mph. A lower budget but likewise very popular class of Sprint cars uses a 360 cubic inch engines that produce approximately 700 horsepower, Sprint cars do not utilize a transmission, they have an in or out gear box and quick change rear differentials for occasional gearing changes. As a result, they do not have electric starters and require a push to start them, the safety record of sprint car racing in recent years has been greatly improved by the use of roll cages, and especially on dirt tracks, wings, to protect the drivers. Many IndyCar Series and NASCAR drivers used sprint car racing as a stepping stone on their way to more high-profile divisions. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Parnelli Jones, Johnnie Parsons, Al Unser, Sr. and Al Unser, Jr. as well as NASCAR Sprint Cup champions Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. In fact, having announced his retirement from NASCAR, Tony Stewart plans on returning to Sprint Car racing. It has always been his passion, according to Stewart. The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum located in Knoxville, Iowa, there are a few sanctioning bodies for non-winged sprint cars. This series has become the premier non-winged sprint car series on the west coast of the United States, USAC also has hosted the Silver Crown series based in the Midwestern United States state of Indiana for decades. The Silver Crown series was started in 1971 as an offshoot of the series competed for the National Championship Trail including the Indianapolis 500. Non-wing Sprint cars are considered the traditional sprint car, dating back to the first sprint cars in the 1930s and 1940s, today, they are essentially the same car as a Winged Sprint Car, only without wings. In fact, many of them have the stub outs in the frame for adding wings and they use the same 410ci or 360ci Aluminum engines as their winged cousins. Their tuning and gearing are different for performance at lower RPMs than a winged car, chassis set ups and tires are also different. While they dont have the top speed as a winged car. They tend to have a more extreme driving style and are often sliding sideways through corners, unfortunately, this makes them more dangerous than winged cars and their crashes are known for their spectacular nature. They also lack the inherent safety that a wing provides and it is fairly uncommon for someone to be good at driving both wing and non-wing cars, they are very different to drive
American