Bump and run (auto racing)
Encyclopedia
Bump and run is a technique for passing used in stock car racing
, related to the police PIT maneuver
. Bump and run is never intentionally used in open-wheel racing due to the extremely high speeds and relative fragility of open-wheel race cars.
A trailing car intentionally bumps the car in front of it. The bump sometimes causes the lead car's rear tire
s to momentarily lose traction
. The driver of the lead car is forced to correct his steering, slow down, or at least stop accelerating to regain traction and/or car attitude. The trailing driver positions to pass the leading car before the next corner. Bump and run is often done after coming off a corner. It is much more dangerous when done in the middle of a corner because both cars are already loose.
A gentle tap is what is required most of the time. A stronger bump might result in the lead and/or the trailing car spinning out of control, and possibly leading to a multi-car crash.
's newly redesigned car (dubbed the Car of Tomorrow
) is expected to hinder the effect of bump and run. The rear bumpers on the cars have been lowered, while the front bumper
has been raised. In this configuration, when a trailing car hits a car in the back, the contact is square, and the leading cars rear wheels are not lifted off the track.
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
, related to the police PIT maneuver
PIT maneuver
The PIT maneuver is a method by which one car pursuing another can force the pursued vehicle to abruptly turn sideways to the direction of travel, causing the driver to lose control and stop. The backronym "PIT" has a number of different meanings, depending on the agency using it or school...
. Bump and run is never intentionally used in open-wheel racing due to the extremely high speeds and relative fragility of open-wheel race cars.
A trailing car intentionally bumps the car in front of it. The bump sometimes causes the lead car's rear tire
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s to momentarily lose traction
Traction
- Engineering :*Forces:** Traction , adhesive friction or force in the context of vehicle** Traction vector, in mechanics, the force per unit area on a surface, including normal and shear components...
. The driver of the lead car is forced to correct his steering, slow down, or at least stop accelerating to regain traction and/or car attitude. The trailing driver positions to pass the leading car before the next corner. Bump and run is often done after coming off a corner. It is much more dangerous when done in the middle of a corner because both cars are already loose.
A gentle tap is what is required most of the time. A stronger bump might result in the lead and/or the trailing car spinning out of control, and possibly leading to a multi-car crash.
Car of Tomorrow
NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
's newly redesigned car (dubbed the Car of Tomorrow
Car of Tomorrow
The Car of Tomorrow, sometimes called CoT or "Car of Today", is the car style for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Larger and boxier than the design it replaced, the Car of Tomorrow is safer, costs less to maintain, and was intended to make for closer competition.The car was introduced in the 2007 Cup...
) is expected to hinder the effect of bump and run. The rear bumpers on the cars have been lowered, while the front bumper
Bumper
An automobile's bumper is the front-most or rear-most part, ostensibly designed to allow the car to sustain an impact without damage to the vehicle's safety systems...
has been raised. In this configuration, when a trailing car hits a car in the back, the contact is square, and the leading cars rear wheels are not lifted off the track.