The IndyCar racing is overwhelmingly a North American phenomenon which involves open-wheel cars racing at tremendous speeds, often on compact, steeply banked oval tracks but also on the road and street courses. The main types of race tracks (circuits) used for IndyCar races are- paved ovals and tri-ovals, permanent (natural) road courses, temporary street courses and combined road course.
The IndyCar Series is the premier level of open-wheel racing and one of the most popular spectator motorsports in the United States, with races attracting bumper crowds to watch exciting and often hard-fought competitions. Races vary in length, the longest being the internationally famous 800km Indianapolis 500.
IndyCar racing has its origin at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway course. For many years, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) ran Indy car racing, but after an acrimonious split in 1994, the "Indy" name was taken by the Indy Racing League. CART now runs the Champ Car World Series, an Indy format similar to F1.
Equipment
Indycar Racing - HANS Collar
Drivers wear a HANS (Head and Neck Support) device to protect and support their head and neck. It is U-shaped device, supported by the shoulders that keep the head from whipping forward and backward in case of a crash.
Indycar Racing - Crash Helmet
Drivers wear a full-face helmet with visor made of a composite material like Kevlar or carbon fiber with hard shell for protection against injuries.
Indycar Racing - Boots
Drivers wear fireproof shoes made of soft, cushioned leather that have thin rubber soles to provide good grip and slip-free control on the pedals.
Indycar Racing - Gloves
Drivers wear fireproof gloves usually made of Nomex, which are thin with suede leather palms to give the driver the feel of the wheel.
Indycar Racing - Balaclava
A balaclava is a form of fabric headgear designed to protect the face leaving the eyes or sometimes nose section open.
Indycar Racing - Driving suit
Drivers wear a one-piece driving suit made of fire retardant fabrics like Nomex that must protect a driver from third-degree burns for a period of at least 12 seconds. Long flameproof underwear beneath the suit provides extra fire protection to the drivers. The suit has two large handles on the shoulders that enable the driver to be lifted free in case of an accident.
Indycar Racing - Indy Car
These are open-wheel single-seat cars with an open cockpit and outboard wings at front and rear and are heavier and sturdier than the formula one cars. The engine of indy cars are usually 3.5 litre V-8s and are fuelled by ethanol. The car's minimum weight must be 708kg for oval-racing and 726kg for road racing.
