Figure 8 racing

Figure 8 racing
	A figure 8 race at Wisconsin International Raceway in 2009
First played	Late 1940s
Characteristics
Contact	Yes
Type	Outdoor
Venue	8-shaped tracks and courses
Presence
Country or region	United States, Canada

Figure 8 racing is a type of stock car racing in which automobiles race on an "8"-shaped track that purposely intersects itself, increasing the risk of collisions. Such contact between the participating vehicles, or at least the risk of such an occurrence, is an intentional part of the sport, with the intent being to damage them over the course of the race.

Figure 8 racing is most common and popular in the United States and Canada, and can be seen as the North American equivalent to the European motorsport of banger racing, which also uses modified derelict older-model cars in races where vehicle damage is an integral feature.

Track

Racing is done on a track shaped like an "8". The cars cross paths at an intersection at the center of the "8", which is known as the "crossover" or the "X". Because of this layout, crashes are common. Figure 8 racing is a unique form of motorsport that requires strict attention to detail and timing to successfully navigate the crossover. In Canada, figure 8 racing often takes place as a part of demolition derby events. Boundary lines are marked to form a figure 8 track, and barriers are installed to protect light poles, recovery vehicles, and the safety car.

Vehicles

The cars used are often stock cars that are modified for lightness and safety by removing the window glass and adding a roll cage.^[1] A large spoiler is sometimes placed on the roof to increase downforce. The cars' bodies are typically made out of sheet metal. All manner of vehicles have been used, ranging from older-model full-size sedans and muscle cars, to the aforementioned sprint car-like buggies, to school buses.^[1]

History

Figure 8 racing originated in the late 1940s. The first track to be considered a figure 8 track is unclear, but it may have had an overpass so that the cars did not cross each other's paths, instead simply being an "8"-shaped track. The first track where drivers crossed paths is believed to be the 1/5 mile-long Indianapolis Speedrome in Indianapolis, Indiana, which opened in 1941 but seems to have included a figure 8 track by the late 1940s.^[2]^[3] The sport received national publicity when it was frequently televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports in the 1960s, usually from Islip Speedway in Islip, New York.^[4]^[5]

Championships

The Indianapolis Speedrome hosts the annual World Figure 8 race, which is considered the world championship event.^[6] The first three-hour endurance race was held in 1977.^[2]

The National Championship in the United States is held at Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead, New York.^[7]^[8]