Citizendia

Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or car racing) is a Motorsport involving Racing Cars It It is notably popular in Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, and Australia. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. It can basically be considered a Closed-Circuit, sponsored, legal form of street racing performed by professional drivers. Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal Auto racing which takes place on Public roads Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned

Contents

Characteristics of a touring car

A Vauxhall Astra touring car.
A Vauxhall Astra touring car. See also Opel Astra, Holden Astra Astra is a model-name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors

While rules vary from country to country, most series require that the competitors start with a standard body shell, but virtually every other component is allowed to be heavily modified for racing, including engines, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires. Wings are usually added to the front and rear of the cars. Regulations are usually designed to limit costs by banning some of the more exotic technologies available (for instance, many series insist on a "control tyre" that all competitors must use) and keep the racing close (sometimes by a "lead trophy" where winning a race requires the winner's car to be heavier for subsequent races). In this, it shares some similarity with the American stock car racing (governed by NASCAR); however, touring cars are actually derived from production cars while NASCAR vehicles are custom built (although in the early days of NASCAR, stock cars were in fact built from production cars, much like current day touring cars. Stock car racing is a form of Automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Great Britain The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. ) Touring cars race exclusively on road courses and street circuits, while its American counterpart primarily utilizes oval tracks. Road racing can be a term involving Road running, road bicycle races, or Automobile races An oval track is a dedicated motorsport circuit primarily in the USA, which differs from a road course in that it only has turns in one direction which is almost

Whilst not nearly as fast as Formula One, the similarity of the cars both to each other and to fans' own vehicles makes for entertaining, well-supported racing. The lesser impact of aerodynamics also means that following cars have a much easier time of passing than F1, and the more substantial bodies of the cars makes the occasional nudging for overtaking much more acceptable as part of racing.

As well as short "sprint" races, many touring car series include one or more "endurance" races, which last anything from 3 to 24 hours and are a test of reliability and pit crews as much as car and driver speed.

Differences between touring cars and sports cars

For the casual observer, there can be a great deal of confusion when it comes to classifying closed-wheel racing cars as 'touring cars' or 'sports cars' (also known as GT cars). Sports car racing is a form of circuit Auto racing with Automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels In truth, there is often very little technical difference between the two classifications, and nomenclature is often a matter of tradition.

In general, however, touring cars are based upon 4-door 'family' saloons or, more rarely, 2-door coupés, while GT racing cars are based upon more exotic vehicles, such as Ferraris or Lamborghinis. Ferrari SpA is an Italian Sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy Automobili Lamborghini SpA, commonly referred to as Lamborghini, is an Italian manufacturer of Sports cars based in the small Italian Village Underneath the bodywork, a touring car is often more closely related to its road-going origins, using many original components and mountings, while a top-flight GT car is often a purpose-built tube-frame racing chassis underneath a cosmetic body shell. Superleggera is an Automobile construction technology used in Italy from the middle of the 20th century Many touring car series, such as the BTCC and the now-defunct JTCC distinguish themselves from sports-car racing by featuring front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars with smaller engines. The British Touring Car Championship is a Touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. JTCC redirects here JTCC can also refer to John Tyler Community College. Front-wheel drive (or FF layout) is a form of engine / transmission layout used in Motor vehicles where the engine drives the front Wheels Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4x4 ("four by four" is a four-wheeled Vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four Wheels to

However, while touring cars have a lower technical level than sports cars in general, there are notable exceptions to the rule. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced racing series in the world, with cars that, underneath their four-door shells, are more purebred racing machines than most FIA-GT vehicles. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters ( DTM, German Touring Car Masters is a Touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere

Series of competition

DTM

A touring car at the GTC (DTM), in 2003.
A touring car at the GTC (DTM), in 2003.

Germany/Europe

Main articles: Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

The DTM series, the initials standing for Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft until 1996, then following a hiatus, revived as Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2000, features advanced purpose built V8-powered space frame machines, covered with carbon fibre bodyshapes resemblant of the manufacturers' road machine. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (German Touring Car Championship or DTM) was a Touring car racing series held from 1984 to 1996 The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters ( DTM, German Touring Car Masters is a Touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the Crankcase in two banks of four cylinders in most cases set at a right angle to each other A space frame or space structure is a Truss -like lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric Pattern. In order to lower costs, the engine power is limited to 470 hp (350 kW), and transmissions, brakes and tyres (Dunlop) are standard parts for all. Also, dimension and aerodynamics are equalized. The approx. 1,050 kg (2,300 lb) light DTM cars corner incredibly quickly and wear spectacular bodykits incorporating huge wheel arches and diffusors.

More than 20 works-backed entries of Opel Vectra GTS, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class contested the 2005 DTM series. The Opel Vectra is a Large family car produced primarily by Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as "Opel" the German subsidiary of General The Audi A4 is a Compact executive car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1994 The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a Compact executive car produced by the Mercedes Car Group division of Daimler AG. Opel will not return in 2006, though, as GM has to cut costs. This puts the whole series in jeopardy for 2007 as TV contracts ask for 3 marques.

Nürburgring VLN Endurance racing Series

Germany

Main article: VLN

Since 1997, and nowadays still on the over 20 km long famous old Nürburgring, in average over 150 touring cars compete in the VLN series of ten typically 4 hour long races. The Nürburgring, known as simply " The Ring " by enthusiasts is a Motorsport Race track in Nürburg, Germany. Cars range from old 100 hp (75 kW) road legal compacts to 500 hp (370 kW) Porsche 996 and even modified DTM cars (1250 kg). The Porsche 996 is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1998 and 2005 The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters ( DTM, German Touring Car Masters is a Touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere Most entrants of the 24 Hours Nürburgring collect experience here. The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a GT and touring car Endurance racing event on the Nürburgring, inspired by the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and

V8 Supercars

Australia/New Zealand/Bahrain

Main article: V8 Supercars

Formerly the Australian Touring Car Championship. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The Kingdom of Bahrain (in مملكة البحرين,, literally Kingdom of the Two Seas) is an Island country in the Persian Gulf V8 Supercars is a Touring car racing category operated under the regulations of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA The Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC is a Touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960 The current formula was devised in 1993 (based on Group A regulations) and branded as 'V8 Supercars' in 1997. The series features grids of 31 650+ hp (480 kW) Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores. The Ford Falcon is a Full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960 The Holden Commodore is an Automobile manufactured by the Holden division of General Motors (GM in Australia and formerly in New Zealand The weight limit for a V8 Supercar is 1,350 kg (3,000 lb). At one time the cars were billed as the "biggest, heaviest, fastest and most powerful" of all touring cars. In terms of outright power, size and weight this likely still true however DTM vehicles are probably faster around a track. However, V8 Supercars provide the closest racing of any touring car category, with the top 20 usually qualifying within 1 second of one another.

The race cars themselves are derived from production body shells and panels rather than space-frame chassis. Both Holden and Ford have factory backed teams and invest heavily in the sport. GM Holden Ltd is an Australian automaker based in Port Melbourne Victoria. Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following

As the series has grown, major international motorsport organisations have become involved. Several teams now benefit from the involvement of Tom Walkinshaw, Triple 8 Engineering and Prodrive. Tom Walkinshaw (born November 17 1950 Mauldslie Farm near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland) is a Scottish racing car driver Prodrive Ltd is a Motorsport and automotive Engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. Also, in 2005 the Championship had its first non Australian/NZ round, held at the Shanghai Grand Prix Circuit. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This was followed in 2006 with a multi year deal to compete at the Bahrain Grand Prix Circuit. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Bahrain Grand Prix (جائزة البحرين الكبرى is a Formula One Championship race which first took place at the Bahrain International Circuit The growth of the series has seen motorsport equal Rugby League as Australia's 3rd most watched sport. History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games

The series incorporates the famous Bathurst 1000 race as a championship round. The Bathurst 1000 (currently officially known as the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000) is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit Because of the longer distance, regulations require two drivers per car for this race and the Sandown 500, both of which count for extra championship points. The Sandown 500 was a touring car race held annually at Sandown Raceway near Melbourne, Australia.

British Touring Car Championship

United Kingdom

Main article: British Touring Car Championship

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) currently competes at nine circuits in the UK with cars built either to BTC-Touring or Super 2000 specification, with ballast being used to equalise the two types. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The British Touring Car Championship is a Touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. Cars are 2. 0 Litre saloons with around 270 bhp (200 kW) and can be front wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, or rear wheel drive. There are currently only two manufacturer teams (Vauxhall and SEAT, who enter "Super 2000"-spec Vectras and Leons respectively) although because BTCC budgets have been kept relatively low there is a strong independent and privateer presence in the championship. Vauxhall Motors is a British automobile company It is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (GM and is part of GM Europe. SEAT SA ( English pronunciation:, "say-at" Spanish pronunciation:) is a Spanish automobile The Opel Vectra is a Large family car produced primarily by Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as "Opel" the German subsidiary of General The SEAT León (le̞ˈon is a Small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since 1999 Manufacturers represented by privateers include Vauxhall, Honda, Lexus, BMW, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo and MG. Vauxhall is an inner city area of South London in the London Borough of Lambeth. () is a Multinational corporation, engine Manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan. is the Luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. ( BMW) (Bavarian Motor Works is an independent German automobile manufacturer founded in 1916 For the article about the bicycle manufacturer see Cycles Peugeot. Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA is an Italian Automaker founded in 1910 MG is a British Sports car brand founded in 1924 MG is best known for two-seat open sports cars but MG also produced saloons and Coupés

Prior to 2001 the BTCC was contested by cars built to 2. 0 litre supertouring regulations and had in its heyday up to 9 different manufacturers. Joachim Winkelhock stated on several occasions that it was the best touring car championship in the world, and many champions of that era now race in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Joachim Winkelhock (born October 24, 1960) is a German Motor racing driver The World Touring Car Championship ( WTCC) is an international Touring Car championship organized by the FIA. Between 2002 and 2006 the BTCC ran its own Touring class with Super Production/Super 2000 cars making up the numbers; the Touring class is now being phased out (only privateers are eligible to run old Touring cars) with the intention of a pure Super 2000 series. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

World Touring Car Championship

Worldwide

Main article: World Touring Car Championship

Modern World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) started in 2005, evolving from the reborn European Touring Car Championship. The World Touring Car Championship ( WTCC) is an international Touring Car championship organized by the FIA. The European Touring Car Championship was an international Touring car racing series organized by the FIA. It is generally considered to be the most prestigious touring car championship in the world.

Running at major international racing facilities, this series is heavily supported by BMW, SEAT and Chevrolet, with Alfa Romeo also showing limited support. ( BMW) (Bavarian Motor Works is an independent German automobile manufacturer founded in 1916 SEAT SA ( English pronunciation:, "say-at" Spanish pronunciation:) is a Spanish automobile Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA is an Italian Automaker founded in 1910 It features 2-litre cars built to Super 2000 regulations based on FIA Group N. In relation to Motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to a set of regulations providing 'standard' production vehicles for competition often referred to as

Following the trend of recent FIA rules, cost control is a major theme in the technical regulation. Engines are limited to 2000 cc. Many technologies that have featured in production cars are not allowed, for example: variable valve timing, variable intake geometry, ABS brakes and traction control. An anti-lock braking system, or ABS (from the German, A nti' b' lockier' s' ystem) is a safety system on Motor vehicles A traction control system ( TCS) also known as Anti-Slip Regulation ( ASR) on current production Vehicles are typically (but not necessarily

Other series

The Americas

Europe

Asia

Previous series

Other notable competitions

The Total 24 Hours of Spa is an Endurance racing event held annually in Belgium at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a GT and touring car Endurance racing event on the Nürburgring, inspired by the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and The Nürburgring, known as simply " The Ring " by enthusiasts is a Motorsport Race track in Nürburg, Germany. The Macau Grand Prix is a motor-racing event held annually in November in the streets of Macau. The Macau Guia is an international touring car race run held during the Macau Grand Prix weekend The Wellington 500 was a street race for touring cars which took place at Wellington City in Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington (ˈwælɪŋtən is the Capital of New Zealand, the country's second largest urban area, the Fuji Speedway is a race track standing in the foothills of Mount Fuji, in Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic