Types of Motorsport Explained
Motorsport encompasses a remarkably diverse range of sports, tied together by a single common feature. They all involve motor vehicles. Whether it involves cars, motorcycles, boats or powered aircraft, motorsport often pushes competitors to the very limit, testing their ability to excel at high speed, over long periods, or in challenging conditions.
In this article, we take a deeper look at the various types of motorsport on offer, exploring what each involves and the races and events that define that particular discipline.
A wide variety of sports and disciplines
On the global stage, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the most widely respected and acknowledged governing body for motorsport, though it recognises the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s (FIM) authority in motorcycle sports.
In the UK, the FIA-affiliated organisation is Motorsport UK and the FIM-affiliated equivalent is the Auto-Cycle Union. You can find more information on officially sanctioned motorsport events on the organisations’ respective websites.
Generally, we categorise motorsports into disciplines, such as circuit racing, trials and rallying, and each has its own rules and objectives. Motorsports are also regularly categorised according to the type of vehicle used, the distance covered, the terrain covered or their scoring system.
Examining the world’s most popular motorsports
To better understand the diverse nature of motorsport, we provided quick guides to the most popular forms.
Open wheel racing
Sometimes referred to as single-seater or formula racing, formula racing is a specific type of circuit racing in which the sports’ governing bodies dictate the rules for vehicle design. It typically involves cars that are stripped of all superfluous parts and feature a highly streamlined chassis and wheels that extend out to the side of the vehicle’s main body.
Open wheel racing includes the world’s most popular motorsport, Formula One (F1), which generates annual revenues of $2.573 billion (Forbes) and attracts around 445 million viewers every race (F1). It also features racing at some of the world’s most prestigious circuits, including Silverstone, Suzaka, Spa, Monza and Interlagos. Outside of Formula One, the Indy 500 remains one of motorsport’s most iconic races.
Examples of open-wheel racing include:
- • Formula One (F1)
- • Formula Two (F2)
- • Formula Three (F3)
- • Formula E (electric racing)
- • IndyCar
Sports car racing
In contrast to single-seater, open-wheel racing, sports car racing typically involves two-seater vehicles with enclosed wheels. These cars can be based on widely available road-going models or developed specifically for racing as prototypes.
The racing usually takes place on road and street circuits and there is a general emphasis on endurance events, where races occur over particularly long distances or large periods of time.
This means driver and vehicle reliability are just as important as pure speed and a driver’s technical skills.
Sports car racing is responsible for one of the oldest and best-known events in motorsport - 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unlike distance-based races, which aim to see who can cover a set distance in the fastest time, Le Mans is a time-based race. As such, the winner is the driver who covers the furthest distance in a set time.
Examples of sports car racing include:
- • Endurance racing, such as 24 Hours of Le Mans
- • IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- • FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)
- • GT Racing (GT3, GT4)
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is an exciting discipline that sees drivers face off in sprint and endurance events using a vehicle that usually has a standard, shared body design. All other components, including the wheels, engine, tyres, brakes and suspension, can be modified. Less exotic than open-wheel and sports cars, touring car racing is often more intense and competitive, with plenty of overtaking and more contact between vehicles.
The British Touring Car Championship is arguably the most popular form of touring car racing in the UK, while other international events, such as the Nürburgring NLS Endurance Racing Series, also attract attention and a sizable audience.
Examples of touring car racing include:
- • World Touring Car Cup (WTCR)
- • British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
- • Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM)
Rallying
Rallying is a varied discipline that incorporates several types of events and distinct formats.
These include speed tests, races that require you to finish as close to an average speed or set time as possible, and navigation events.
They can take place on public roads, off-road or at purpose-built venues and can be anything from short, quick trials events to hours or days-long endurance races.
While the World Rally Championship (WRC) is the most watched season-long form of rallying, the Dakar Rally is also world-renowned. Now taking place in Saudi Arabia, it is open to both amateurs and professionals and is known for its challenging terrain.
- • World Rally Championship (WRC)
- • Rallycross (e.g., FIA World Rallycross Championship)
- • Dakar Rally
Stock car racing
Stock car racing utilises production-based vehicles that are essentially modified versions of standard, street-legal cars. In this respect, it shares some characteristics with touring car racing. Generally, events take place on oval tracks with banked turns and involve close-quarter racing. Strategy plays a crucial role in determining the victor, as does engineering innovation.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is the most widely recognised form of stock car racing, though this discipline is also popular outside the United States.
Examples of stock car racing include:
- • NASCAR Cup Series
- • NASCAR Xfinity Series
- • NASCAR Truck Series
Motorcycle road racing
Motorcycle road events involve high-speed racing on high-performance motorcycles and typically occur on circuits or closed public roads. The sport requires considerable skill, particularly when it comes to cornering, bike handling and strategic speed control. It has a large and passionate fanbase and is particularly popular in Italy, Spain and Indonesia (BBM).
MotoGP is the discipline’s most prominent racing series, though the Isle of Man TT also attracts competitors from around the globe. Due to the numerous incidents that occur each year, it has unfortunately developed a reputation as the world’s most dangerous race.
- • MotoGP
- • Moto2
- • Moto3
- • Superbike World Championship (WSBK)
- • Isle of Man TT
Off-road motorcycle racing
Held on unpaved and tricky terrain, off-road motorcycle racing emphasises a rider’s ability to control their vehicle and maintain speed while overcoming challenging conditions and courses.
Racers adapt their motorcycles to off-road riding and they typically feature enhanced suspension, grippier tyres and a more robust construction.
While the sport does operate on national and international scales, it boasts an especially strong grassroots scene.
This is largely thanks to the fact the sport does not require specially surfaced circuits or road closures, making it more accessible and easier to organise events.
The discipline includes several types of racing, such as motocross, enduro and trials events. The FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship is the largest off-road event on the calendar, though off-road motorcycles can also participate in events like the Dakar Rally.
Examples of off-road motorcycle racing include:
- • The FIM Grand Prix Motocross World Championship (MXGP)
- • The World Enduro Championship (WEC)
- • The AMA Supercross Championship
Off-road racing
Off-road racing is a broad category that incorporates diverse events and vehicles. For instance, both the trophy trucks of the Baja 1000 and the modified lawnmowers used in lawnmower racing fall under the category of off-road racing. Usually, the one common aspect that unites all types of off-road racing is the lack of a sealed racing surface. In some events, there is no designated track to follow and racers simply have to get from point to point in the fastest time. In others, races use an off-road circuit.
Examples of off-road racing include:
- • Baja 1000
- • King of the Hammers
- • Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
Drag racing
Drag racing strips motorsport to its bare bones and makes it all about straight-line speed and acceleration. Vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, from road-legal cars to stripped-back specialised dragsters, but events are relatively uniform, consisting of a standing start and race down a straight, quarter-mile track. Drivers need to have a fantastic reaction time to nail the start and the vehicles are often aerodynamically optimised and fitted with powerful engines.
Examples of drag racing include:
- • National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
- • European Drag Racing Championship (EDRC)
Kart racing
While often thought of as a stepping stone to larger, more developed motorsport, kart racing is a popular and well-established discipline in its own right. Karts are typically small, open-wheel vehicles that race on tight, twisting tracks that demand good cornering skills and reward drivers with a keen eye for the optimal racing line. Karting attracts a diverse range of participants due to its relative affordability and the vehicles’ simple designs. Competitions and racing events are held in many towns and cities around the UK and international championships provide talented drivers with an opportunity to test themselves against the best.
Examples of kart racing include:
- • Karting World Championship
- • Super One National Kart Championships
Drifting
While most motorsport disciplines prioritise speed, drift racing is all about style.
It involves drivers intentionally oversteering their cars, resulting in a loss of grip in the rear and a controlled slide around corners. Requiring a significant amount of skill to execute well, drifting enables drivers to show off their technical driving abilities.
Cars are usually heavily modded to enhance drifting capabilities and competitions are judged according to speed, execution, angle and style.
Examples of drifting include:
- • Formula Drift
- • D1 Grand Prix
Hill climb racing
Hill climbing is one of the oldest racing disciplines in motorsport and still draws sizable crowds to big events. Drivers race on steep, winding courses in a time trial format, aiming to get the fastest time in their vehicle class. Though open to diverse vehicles, competitors usually adapt their cars or motorcycles to the demands of racing on fierce gradients and around demanding corners.
Examples of hill climb racing include:
- • Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Autocross and gymkhana
Autocross and gymkhana (the terms are interchangeable) are disciplines that test participants’ precision driving skills by making them navigate an obstacle course as quickly as possible. They may also require the drivers to perform certain manoeuvres, such as 360 spins or figure of eights. A great option for amateurs due to the low barriers for entry, these disciplines usually feature vehicles that are modified for improved handling.
- &bull ;SCCA Autocross
- • Gymkhana Grid
Speedway racing
Speedway can involve either cars or motorcycles and takes place on an oval dirt circuit that is anywhere from a quarter-mile to a mile long.
The vehicles are often raced without brakes and drifting plays a key part in getting around the circuit quickly and safely. Races are short, intense and chaotic, making for a great spectator sport.
- • Speedway Grand Prix
- • FIM Speedway World Championship
Boat racing
In the context of motorsport, boat racing refers to powered vessels such as powerboats and hydroplanes. It excludes wind-powered boats, such as yachts and dinghies. Boat racing utilises point-to-point or circular courses, testing pilots’ abilities to handle the powerful vehicles in challenging conditions. Many boat racing disciplines are known for being particularly dangerous for participants.
Examples of boat racing include:
- • UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship
- • UIM's O-Series Hydroplane Formula Circuit Racing
Air racing
Finally, air racing takes motorsport up into the skies and sees planes competing against each other to cover a designated course in the fastest possible time. The course is often marked out with aerial pylons and checkpoints, which the pilots must fly through to complete the race. The planes used range from small and nimble stunt planes to state-of-the-art jets and races are usually held at airshows or prestigious racing events.
- • Red Bull Air Race World Championship
- • Reno Air Races
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