roadracing

Road racing is a form of motorsport in which vehicles compete on road courses that are temporarily closed to public traffic. Unlike purpose-built race tracks, road races use public streets or rural roads that are integrated into a circuit for the event. Both motorcycles and cars participate in road racing, and events can range from short sprints to longer endurance formats.

The courses are typically less uniform than conventional circuits, featuring a mix of city streets, country lanes, and varied surfaces. Elevation changes, tight corners, and roadside hazards such as buildings, barriers, or trees raise the level of risk. Races require extensive police and marshal support to secure the route, along with medical services and crowd-control measures. Practice sessions and qualifying determine starting order, and timing is usually based on electronic transponders. Organizers must coordinate with local authorities, residents, and businesses to minimize disruption and manage safety.

Notable forms of road racing include motorcycle road racing, such as the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, both held on public roads closed for competition and renowned for high speeds and demanding courses. Street circuits in major cities, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, also exemplify road racing in automobile disciplines. Road racing is governed by national and international bodies appropriate to the vehicle type, with safety, insurance, and routing standards evolving to address the inherent hazards of racing on open-volume roads.