Street racing is typically an unsanctioned and illegal form of auto racing that occurs on a public road. Racing in the streets is considered an ancient hazard, as horse racing occurred on streets for centuries, and street racing in automobiles is likely as old as the automobile itself. It became especially prevalent during the heyday of hot rodding (1960s), muscle cars, Japanese imports (1990s) and sports cars (2000s). Since then, it continues to be both popular and hazardous, with deaths of bystanders, passengers, and drivers occurring every year. In the United States, modern street racing traces its roots back to Woodward Avenue, Michigan, in the 1960s when the three main Detroit-based American car companies were producing high-powered performance cars. Since a private racing venue was not always available, street races would be held illegally on public roads.
An illegal street race in Bogotá, Colombia
Takenouchi Pass (竹内峠), a tōge in Nara
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. In North America, the term is commonly used to describe all forms of automobile sport including non-racing disciplines.
Many stock cars going into the first turn at Circuit of the Americas
Albert Lemaître classified first in his Peugeot Type 5 3hp in the Paris–Rouen.
Fernand Gabriel driving a Mors in Paris-Madrid 1903
A remaining section of the Brooklands track in 2007