Open Road Racing
Encyclopedia
Open Road Racing is a form of regularity rally
carried out at high speeds on closed public highways, most commonly in sparsely populated parts of the Southwestern United States
. Competitors attempt to set specified average speeds which can range from 80 mile per hour or higher along courses ranging between 50 mile in length. At the lower speeds, unmodified production
cars
can be used, while straightforward safety modifications can permit powerful sports cars to reach speeds of 165 mph (265.5 km/h).
, in which a public highway is closed down for amateur
racers' use. Among the very first motor races was the French Grand Prix
of 1906, which was run on public roads near Le Mans
. Similar types of races on public roads (not always closed off) continued until the 1950s, when a series of accidents in races like the Mille Miglia
led to the abandonment of this type of racing.
A modified form of open road racing resumed in the 1980s, with the inception of the Silver State Classic Challenge
in Nevada
. Since then, a number of other events have been organized, including three events organized by MKM Promotions in Northern Nevada
, at Wendover
, Elko
and Battle Mountain. Two races are run in West Texas
each year: the Big Bend Open Road Racein April and the Road Runner event in October. Since 2001, the Sandhills Open Road Race in Arnold, Nebraska
has been run every August.
As an example, in the Silver State Classic Challenge there are currently four main classes, in which cars can achieve target speeds between 95 and 180 mph. The classes specify safety equipment levels required for cars, drivers and navigators, and a maximum "Tech Speed", which may never be exceeded. Radar traps
are hidden along the course to enforce this rule. There is also an Unlimited Class, in which drivers compete to set the fastest possible time over the course.
may be run in this class. A handheld fire extinguisher must be fitted, while gloves and Snell
approved motorsports helmets must be worn by drivers and navigators. First-time drivers must run in this class unless they have appropriate motorsports experience. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 124 mph.
fitted. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 140 mph.
Regularity rally
Regularity rallying, also known as TSD rallying , is a form of motor sport usually conducted on public roads but sometimes including off-road and track sections. The object of these rallies is to maintain precise times and precise average speeds on various segments of a predefined route...
carried out at high speeds on closed public highways, most commonly in sparsely populated parts of the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
. Competitors attempt to set specified average speeds which can range from 80 mile per hour or higher along courses ranging between 50 mile in length. At the lower speeds, unmodified production
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
cars
CARS
Cars, or automobiles, motor cars, are wheeled motor vehicles used for transporting passengers.Cars or CARS may also refer to:-Entertainment:* Cars , a Disney/Pixar film series...
can be used, while straightforward safety modifications can permit powerful sports cars to reach speeds of 165 mph (265.5 km/h).
History
Open Road Racing (ORR) marks a return to the earliest forms of motorsportMotorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
, in which a public highway is closed down for amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
racers' use. Among the very first motor races was the French Grand Prix
French Grand Prix
The French Grand Prix was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships....
of 1906, which was run on public roads near Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
. Similar types of races on public roads (not always closed off) continued until the 1950s, when a series of accidents in races like the Mille Miglia
Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia was an open-road endurance race which took place in Italy twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957 ....
led to the abandonment of this type of racing.
A modified form of open road racing resumed in the 1980s, with the inception of the Silver State Classic Challenge
Silver State Classic Challenge
The Silver State Classic Challenge is an authorized Open Road Racing event that is run on a stretch of State Route 318, which is closed for the occasion. The event has been run since 1988, and was the venue for the highest speed achieved on a public highway, when Charles "Chuck" Shafer and Gary...
in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Since then, a number of other events have been organized, including three events organized by MKM Promotions in Northern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, at Wendover
West Wendover, Nevada
West Wendover is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 4,721 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area. West Wendover is located on the eastern border of Nevada and the western edge of the Great Salt Lake Desert, and is contiguous with...
, Elko
Elko, Nevada
Elko is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 18,297 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Elko County. The city straddles the Humboldt River....
and Battle Mountain. Two races are run in West Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
each year: the Big Bend Open Road Racein April and the Road Runner event in October. Since 2001, the Sandhills Open Road Race in Arnold, Nebraska
Arnold, Nebraska
Arnold is a village in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 630 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Arnold is located at ....
has been run every August.
Example rules and entry requirements
All these organizations have similar rules and regulations. Drivers and optional navigators compete to set a specified average speed ("Target Speed") over the measured course, which is typically 50-90 miles in length. The start and finish time for each car is recorded against a GPS clock, and the average speed is calculated from the elapsed time. In each speed class, the winners are driver and navigator to achieve the speed closest to their target speed. Speed classes are chosen by the driver, with constraints according to their racing experience, the performance potential of their car, and the safety requirements set by the organizers.As an example, in the Silver State Classic Challenge there are currently four main classes, in which cars can achieve target speeds between 95 and 180 mph. The classes specify safety equipment levels required for cars, drivers and navigators, and a maximum "Tech Speed", which may never be exceeded. Radar traps
Radar gun
A radar speed gun is a small doppler radar unit used to measure the speed of moving objects, including vehicles, pitched baseballs, runners and other moving objects. Radar speed guns may be hand-held, vehicle-mounted or static...
are hidden along the course to enforce this rule. There is also an Unlimited Class, in which drivers compete to set the fastest possible time over the course.
Touring (Speed classes: 95, 100, 105, 110 mph)
Stock street cars with regular 3-point seatbeltsSeat belt
A seat belt or seatbelt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop...
may be run in this class. A handheld fire extinguisher must be fitted, while gloves and Snell
Snell Memorial Foundation
The Snell Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created to provide a high quality standard of safety for helmets. Founded in 1957, SMF is named after William "Pete" Snell, a popular sports car racer who died in 1956 of head injuries he received when the racing helmet he wore failed...
approved motorsports helmets must be worn by drivers and navigators. First-time drivers must run in this class unless they have appropriate motorsports experience. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 124 mph.
Grand Touring (Speed classes: 115, 120, 125 mph)
In addition to a handheld fire extinguisher, gloves and Snell helmets, the car must be fitted with 5-point or 6-point harnesses for the driver and navigator (if present). Open cars must have a rollbarRoll cage
A roll cage is a specially constructed frame built in the cab of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured in an accident, particularly in the event of a roll-over. Roll cages are used in nearly all purpose-built racecars, and in most cars modified for racing...
fitted. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 140 mph.