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Question of the Day for March 19, 2011

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
13 years ago
3,119 posts
Why are races run in a counter clockwise directon on oval tracks? Why not run the other way?


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
updated by @tim-leeming: 03/30/17 05:01:45PM
Tommy Buxton
@tommy-buxton
13 years ago
53 posts

Tim, I would suppose it would be because of safety as driving in the other direction would expose the cars to drivers side impact with the wall and they would be carrying left side weight on the outside going through the corners. I am sure the cars would not handle very well always trying to turn right with all that left side weight. Now if we had right hand drive like the cars on the other side of the pond I am sure it would be a different story.

Pete Banchoff
@pete-banchoff
13 years ago
279 posts

Tim, I've seen pictures of the Ford/Winton race from 1901 where they ran counterclockwise on a horse track. I believe horses also raced the same direction. Maybe some tie to horse racing many, many years ago. Just a thought. Great question Tim!!

Richard Guido
@richard-guido
13 years ago
238 posts

Tim is a Legend and can do what ever he want's to .......

pkl said:

Question #2

Why did Tim Leeming post this twice in a row?

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
13 years ago
3,119 posts

I have no idea how this got posted twice. But I appreciate everyone chiming in. I was actually asked this question several years ago by a high school student who was doing his term paper on stock car racing and was using me as one of his "authorities". I swear he was a good kid and didn't smoke those funny cigarettes. I gave him basically the same answer you gave Tommy so I know I'm in good company.

Tim




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
Johnny Mallonee
@johnny-mallonee
13 years ago
3,259 posts
I think Ole DW told Tim that if they went the other way the vortex would not work and you couldnt keep the clouds away from the track. I wonder if there is ever any thought put into that madness that Ole DW pouts off with. Tim once said he would like to help him with insights in politics and announcing
Johnny Mallonee
@johnny-mallonee
13 years ago
3,259 posts
You get on a horse from the left dont you??

Pete Banchoff said:

Tim, I've seen pictures of the Ford/Winton race from 1901 where they ran counterclockwise on a horse track. I believe horses also raced the same direction. Maybe some tie to horse racing many, many years ago. Just a thought. Great question Tim!!