A race track (or 'racetrack'), is a purpose-built facility for the conducting of races. This racing can be of animals (eg. horseracing or greyhound racing), human-operated machines (eg. automobiles or motorcycles), or athletes. A race track may also feature spectating facilities such as grandstands or concourses. Throughout the English-speaking world the term 'racecourse' is also used for horse-racing facilities. Race tracks built for bicycles are known as velodromes. Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... Photo finish of a greyhound race in Tampa, Florida, USA on February 9, 1939 Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. ... A small variety of cars, the most popular kind of automobile. ... A motorcycle (or motorbike) is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine. ... An athlete is a person possessing above average physical skills (strength, agility, and endurance) and thus seen suitable for physical activities, in particular, contests. ... Bicycle racing on a velodrome A velodrome is a sporting arena purpose-built for track cycling, ie: racing on bicycles. ...

Horse and dog racing facilities tend to use circular or oval tracks, whereas most automotive and motorcycle racing is performed on irregular and meandering courses, which are sometimes called 'road circuits' (this originates in the fact that the earliest road racing circuits were simply closed-off public roads). A notable exception is most forms of automotive racing in the USA (such as NASCAR) that primarily use oval tracks (known as "speedways"). NASCAR logo The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ...

About the paper and pencil game, see Racetrack. Alternative use: Race track Racetrack is a pencil and paper game, nominally for two players. ...

History

There is some evidence of racetracks being developed in the several ancient civilisations, but the most impressive ancient racetracks were certainly the hippodrome of the Ancient Greeks and the circus of the Roman Empire. Both of these structures were designed for horse and chariot racing. The stadium of the Circus Maximus is a well-known example that could hold 200,000 spectators. A Hippodrome (Gr. ... Ancient Greece is the term used to describe the Greek-speaking world in ancient times. ... The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus). ... Chariot was the name of a WW2 naval weapon, the British manned torpedo. ... Map of downtown Rome during the Roman Empire, with Circus Maximus at the lower right corner Circus Maximus The Circus Maximus is an ancient arena and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. ...

Racing facilities existed during the Middle Ages and there are records of a public racecourse being opened at Newmarket in London in 1174. In 1780 the Earl of Derby created a horse-racing course on his estate at Epsom; the English Derby continues to be held there today. In the United States major horse racetracks were built in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., track in 1863 and at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., opened in 1875. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Events Vietnam is given the official name of Annam by China. ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Earl of Derby is a title in the peerage of England. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Modern Racetracks

With the advent of the automobile in the early 20th century, new styles of racetrack came into existence, one designed to suit the nature of powered machines. The earliest dedicated tracks were simply modified horse racing courses, and racing autombiles in these facilities commenced at least as early as 1905. The original Indianapolis Speedway was opened in 1909. 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate city completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving auto racing track in the world (after The Milwaukee Mile), having existed since 1909. ...

After WWI purpose-built tracks built outside the USA tended to be complicated road circuits, specifically designed to test the limits of both driver and machine. WWI may be an acronym for: World War I World Wrestling Industry This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...