 | ||
An enduro race is an inexpensive type of automobile racing that takes place mostly on oval tracks. Enduro takes its name from "Endurance racing" since it consists of hundreds of laps around the oval.
Contents
Vehicle
It involves stock based cars that had their interior and side or rear windows removed but mostly stock mechanically. A driver is disqualified if post-race inspection finds that their auto had major racing enhancements. Some enduros, often called 'jalopy enduros', feature cars rescued from a wrecking yard and repaired to barely running condition solely for the purpose of the race. In this case, the prize may be awarded to the last man standing, if all the other competitors break down during the event.
Enduro racing is sometimes divided into two classes: big-car and small-car. Big-car races feature full-size (usually American) cars with larger 6- and 8-cylinder engines, while small-car races feature mid-size to sub-compact (often Japanese) 4-cylinder makes and models.
Format
The races are usually long ones with many often 100 competitors who start three wide. The cars often take up most of the oval and they start from a standing start. It is common for races to be hundreds of laps or over 50 miles (90 km) long. Most enduro races occur at the amateur level and often feature up to $1,000 (U.S.) prize money, with some of the bigger races having prizes of $10,000. (U.S.) Events rarely are canceled even in bad weather (rain or snow).
The race is not stopped except for an emergency or if the track is completely blocked. When an auto breaks down, the race is temporarily halted to remove the driver. The auto is left in its position on the racing surface and it becomes an obstacle that the other drivers must drive around. Often the fastest car is not the winner, rather longevity is the key to winning.