HAIRPIN
A sharp, 180-degree turn, which exits in the opposite direction a driver enters.
HALF BLACK HALF WHITE FLAG
This flag, accompanied by a car number, warns of unsportsman-like conduct. It may be followed by a black flag, if the driver does not heed the warning.
HANDLING
Handling is a way to describe a car’s overall performance on a race track while racing. The response characteristics of a race car or “how it handles” are determined by its tires, chassis, suspension geometry, aerodynamics and other factors.
HANS DEVICE
Acronym for Head and Neck Support. A yoke-collar safety device designed to reduce extreme head motions and neck loads during high-speed impacts. Mandated by most racing series in 2001 for all races including ovals, road and street circuits.
HOOKED UP
A car that is performing great because all parts are “hooked up” or working well together.
HORSEPOWER
A measure of an engine’s maximum power output in terms of torque over a period of time. One horsepower is the estimated power needed to lift 33,000 lbs. one foot per minute roughly equated with a horse’s strength. In general the higher the horsepower, the faster the car can travel.
HOT LAP
A car(s) is running at or near racing speed on the course.
HOT PITS
A car(s) is/are on the track. Only crew members and racing officials and some media are allowed into the pits for safety reasons.
IMSA / INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION
IMSA is a North American auto racing sanctioning body based in Daytona Beach, Florida. Beginning in 2014, IMSA became the sanctioning body of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier series resulting from the merger of Grand-Am Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series. IMSA is owned by NASCAR, as a division of the company.
INDY 500
The Indy 500 is considered by most to be the most important race on the IndyCar circuit and one of the premiere racing events in the world. The race is held in Indianapolis every Memorial Day weekend.
INDYCAR
American-based INDYCAR, LLC, is a sanctioning body for Indy car racing and other disciplines of open wheel car racing. The organization sanctions four racing series: the IndyCar Series with its centerpiece the Indianapolis 500, and developmental series Indy Lights, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship and the U.S. F2000 National Championship. IndyCar is a member organization of the FIA. The sanctioning body was formed in 1994 under the name Indy Racing League, and began competition in 1996. The sport of open-wheel car racing itself, also historically referred to as Championship Car racing or Indy racing, traces its roots to as early as 1905. It is the fourth major sanctioning body to govern the sport of Indy car racing, following AAA, USAC, and Champ Car. IndyCar is owned by Hulman & Company, which also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex.
INFIELD
By their nature, most race tracks are an enclosed loop of pavement (or dirt), beginning and ending in the same spot. Anything inside this loop is considered the infield, and it usually must be accessed by tunnels or bridges so vehicle and foot traffic do not interfere with the racing surface or action.
KEVLAR
A very strong, workable, expensive and lightweight material. A brand name for a certain type of composite material, used in everything from driver’s helmets to bodywork to bulletproof vests used by police and military.
KITTY LITTER
This term describes two things: the absorbent powder used to soak up fluid spills on the track (often real kitty litter) and the gravel runoff areas on the outside of many road course turns that help slow cars that go off the track.
LAP
One time around a track. Also used as a verb when a driver passes a car and is a full lap ahead of (or has lapped) that opponent. A driver “laps the field” by lapping every other car in the race.
LIFT
To raise or lift your foot off the gas pedal, partially or completely, reducing engine RPM and speed. May also be referred to as “breathing” the throttle.
LINE / RACING LINE
This is the quickest way around a race circuit, taking advantage of braking, cornering and acceleration. The idea is to use the maximum amount of arc possible to maintain the greatest speed through the corner. The line often becomes visible due to the rubber laid down by previous cars practice, qualifying and race sessions, and interestingly, it’s not always the shortest way around the track, just the fastest.
LIVERY
A term describing the graphic design on a race car, including color schemes and sponsor branding.
LOCKING THE BRAKES / LOCK UP
Engaging the brakes so hard that one or more wheels stops turning completely. This can cause a loss of steering if the front brakes are locked, or a spin if the rear brakes are locked.
LOOSE
A car has more grip in the front than the rear end causing oversteer. Loose typically describes a cornering condition where the rear tires lose adhesion before the front tires, resulting in a car that feels like it wants to spin easily. (see oversteer)
MARBLES
Bits of rubber scrubbed off of racing tires (slicks) while cornering. These small balls collect on the outside of the turn, and if a car goes wide (into the marbles), then much traction, or grip, is lost. In addition, this rubber debris will stick to the hot race tires and cause poor traction for the next few corners until they are scrubbed off the tires.
METHANOL
Racing fuel. It is not a fossil fuel. It is commercially manufactured by heating hydrogen and carbon monoxide under pressure. It requires less oxygen to burn than gasoline and can be made from many materials including wood and garbage.
