NASCAR: It’s kinda like your car…

Robb Y    Driving Experiences    

Before NASCAR there was nothing, well nothing at a national level. Racing in the US was fragmented and there were no guarantees of winnings for drivers.

It took the initiative of Bill France to pull together 35 of the top racing personalities from across the country. After just four days, a new group was formed intent on setting the standards for stock car racing in the US. In 1948, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was born.

At early competitions, cars really had to be stock (exactly the same as they would be if they came off the production line).

Since then, the organizers have had to rule against all manner of upgrades: aftermarket tail wings, engine modifications and car bodies that were too aerodynamic. The association has grown and is the respected racing authority – it now oversees 1,500 races run on more than 29 dates.

Now, if you know someone who loves their driving and you are considering getting them a gift certificate, then hold on just one moment. There are real differences between a stock car, an Indy car and an F1 car. So before you investigate further, let’s have a closer look:

As mentioned, NASCARs are stock cars, cars that vary only slightly from those available from a dealer. Indy cars are totally different.

Indy car racing gets its name from the city of Indianapolis. Here they race a 2.5-mile circuit (the INDY 500). The INDY Racing League (IRL) was formed in 1996. IRL cars are single-seaters and only use 3.5ltr engines within a carbon frame.

Formula One, or F1, is a very different beast altogether. Rules around the specifications of these cars change every season. But they are distinct as they use semi-automatic shifts and drivers race in all weather.

If it’s NASCAR driving you’ve set your sights on, worry not because whoever receives the gift certificate will have a fantastic time. Thanks to its tribe of avid followers, it is almost guaranteed that there is a NASCAR driving experience hosted nearby.

All you have to decide is what would suit the lucky recipient best: a ride as a passenger, or taking pole position themselves, after lessons from a professional?

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