Feature: A Brief History Of Auto Racing Speedsters - Part I

E365 -- Here we go with another fascinating insight into the origin of sports like rally car racing. Hey, where would Travis Pastrana be without these guys?

Back in 1945, some bright spark got the idea of creating a figure 8 racetrack. The design hit the racing world like a pigeon in the windshield: now, with twice as many corners, the racing intensity heated up, and the added danger sure put a flutter in the parasols of the hot chicks in the stands.

The history of the track's evolution kinda hazy. Some say the dirt track had an overpass at the join, others that the racers had the added insanity of having to watch out for cross-traffic.

The 1/5th mile Indianapolis Speedrome was one of the first tracks where riders were made to cross each others' paths. Even now, with modern safety standards, the dangers are apparent. One small mistake could cause a 125mph pile-up.

Hot Rods were the order of the day. Auto racing exploded onto the American continent, and within seven years, was firmly embedded on European soil as the sport of champions. The first real race was staged in France, but winner Émile Levassor was disqualified because his car was not a required four-seater. Doh...

Then came the Rat Rods, cheap, stripped-down spinoffs of their more glamorous cousins. A loose throwback to the racing cars of the time, these jalopies were the pavement specials amongst automobiles. Kinda like finding an 'Trelement' skate deck or 'Adidsa' shoes. 

like a sitcom, to be continued...

EXTREME INSPIRATION

"This one step -- choosing a goal and sticking to it -- changes everything."