Open-road racing is a form of

regularity rally A regularity rally, also called time-speed-distance or TSD rally, is a type of motorsport rally with the object of driving each segment of a course in a specified time at a specified average speed. The rally is usually conducted on public roads, ...

carried out at high speeds on closed public highways, most commonly in sparsely populated parts of the

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. Competitors attempt to set specified average speeds which can range from or higher along courses ranging between in length. At the lower speeds, unmodified

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can be used, while straightforward safety modifications can permit powerful

sports cars A sports car is a type of automobile that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1910s and ar ...

to reach speeds of .

History

Open Road Racing (ORR) marks a return to the earliest forms of

motorsport Motorsport or motor sport are sporting events, competitions and related activities that primarily involve the use of Car, automobiles, motorcycles, motorboats and Aircraft, powered aircraft. For each of these vehicle types, the more specific term ...

, in which a public highway is closed down for

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racers' use. Among the first motor races was the

French Grand Prix The French Grand Prix (), formerly known as the Grand Prix de l'ACF (Automobile Club de France), is an auto race held as part of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One World Championship. It is one of the oldest ...

of 1906, which was run on public roads near

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. 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 The Mille Miglia (, ''Thousand Miles'') was an open-road, motorsport Endurance racing (motorsport), endurance race established in 1927 by the young Counts :it:Franco Mazzotti, Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi. It took place in Italy 24 times f ...

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 The Silver State Classic Challenge is an authorized Open Road Racing event that is run since 1988 on a stretch of State Route 318 in Nevada, United States, which is closed for the occasion. It is called the fastest road race in the world by Gu ...

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. Since then, a number of other events have been organized, including three events organized by

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in Northern

, at

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and Battle Mountain. Two races are run in West

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each year: the

Big Bend Open Road Race Big or BIG may refer to: * Big, of great size or degree Film and television * ''Big'' (film), a 1988 fantasy-comedy film starring Tom Hanks * ''Big'', a 2023 Taiwanese children's film starring Van Fan and Chie Tanaka * ''Big!'', a Discovery C ...

in April and the Road Runner event in October. Since 2001, the Sandhills Open Road Race in

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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

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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 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

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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

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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 rollbar fitted. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 140 mph.

Grand Sport (Speed classes: 130, 135, 140, 145, 150 mph)

In addition to the above equipment, all cars must be fitted with a rollbar or equivalent roll-over protection. Drivers and navigators must wear fireproof racing suits. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 168 mph (270 km/h) (the speed rating of ZR tires).

Super Sport (Speed classes: 155, 160, 170, 180 mph, and Unlimited)

In this class, specialist race cars are necessary. A full roll cage, fuel cell and onboard plumbed fire extinguisher are required. Cars in the 160 and 170 mph speed classes may not exceed the Tech Speed of 180 mph at any time. Cars in the 180 mph and Unlimited classes have no specified maximum speed.

References

External links

Silver State Classic website
* ttp://www.bborr.com Big Bend Open Road Racingbr>Sandhills Open Road Race
Road rallying