Why are races on oval tracks run counterclockwise?

Author	All Replies
jabarnut Light Years Away Premium,MVM join:2005-01-22 Galaxy M31 kudos:2 2 edits	Why are races on oval tracks run counterclockwise? Heh...a search brings up some interesting (and conflicting), answers. What do you think? I can see maybe why race cars such as NASCAR run that way, because the driver sits on the left side of the car and this keeps him away from the wall in the case of a crash. But what about all of the other races on oval tracks? Like Motorcycle races, Horse races, Dog races, track and field races, roller derby, etc.. Well, the list goes on and on. Can't they run clockwise once in a while? (Edit) Mods...perhaps this belonged in the sports forum? (Although it is a rather 'general question'). I'll leave it up to you...thanks.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 05:54:52 ·
Subaru 1-3-2-4 Premium join:2001-05-31 Greenwich, CT	haha good question I would like to know the answer to.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 07:07:11 ·
timcuth Braves Fan Premium join:2000-09-18 Pelham, AL	reply to jabarnut Tradition. Tim
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 07:51:39 ·
Miataman join:2010-10-27 Chelmsford, MA Reviews: ·Verizon FiOS	reply to jabarnut said by jabarnut: I can see maybe why race cars such as NASCAR run that way, because the driver sits on the left side of the car and this keeps him away from the wall in the case of a crash. .. what happens in England, or in Australia ? -- "My hat, my cane, Jeeves".
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 08:25:25 ·
CylonRed Premium,MVM join:2000-07-06 Bloom County	reply to jabarnut This suggest thumbing the nose at teh British:»sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story···=3633820 And this concurrs: »guides.library.appstate.edu/cont···=1474298 The most answers I saw was to thumb the nose at England. -- Brian "It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 09:29:43 ·
The Pig I know you want to be me Premium join:2009-09-11	reply to jabarnut Oh look! they're making a left turn, look they're making another left turn! Oh! how exciting! If they where to make right turns they most likely get lost on the track!
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 10:52:17 ·
Hall Premium,MVM join:2000-04-28 Dayton, OH kudos:2	reply to Miataman said by Miataman: .. what happens in England I'm not sure about Australia, but in England, they ridicule oval-track racing to no end. Safe to say there's probably no racing of that style there !
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:21:39 ·

stevek1949 We're not in Kansas anymore join:2002-11-13 Virginia Beach, VA	reply to jabarnut »www.straightdope.com/columns/rea···irection
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:23:34 ·
jabarnut Light Years Away Premium,MVM join:2005-01-22 Galaxy M31 kudos:2	Lol...interesting link. I wasn't even thinking about things like "merry-go-rounds and other carnival rides, revolving doors, the customary flow of people around an ice-skating rink", etc. Just strange. Anyway, there. NOW it's a "general question" and not strictly a sports question. -- I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:28:46 ·
CylonRed Premium,MVM join:2000-07-06 Bloom County	reply to Hall Horse and dog racing they also do. There is also drag racing and an oval but they are not as popular. As the links note - most racing in a circle in England is clockwise. -- Brian "It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:36:02 ·
tcope Premium join:2003-05-07 Sandy, UT kudos:2	reply to jabarnut It's not about the drivers or a good reason. After the first racing going one directions the fans would be way too confused if they changed directions. (they like things "simple")
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:39:07 ·
CylonRed Premium,MVM join:2000-07-06 Bloom County	Incorrect.....
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:42:35 ·
tcope Premium join:2003-05-07 Sandy, UT kudos:2	I stand corrected, NASCAR and dirt track fans are a sophisticated bunch.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:45:31 ·
jabarnut Light Years Away Premium,MVM join:2005-01-22 Galaxy M31 kudos:2	A little OT here, but that reminds me of a CSR we had once when I worked for my ISP who was a huge NASCAR fan. One day I was horrified to hear her on the phone telling a customer that the new converter boxes we had were very "phisticated" -- I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 11:50:01 ·
CylonRed Premium,MVM join:2000-07-06 Bloom County	reply to tcope Since your 'explanation' is totally incorrect and not even mentioned in a single link provided with the explanation.... Not to mention that many people like many different forms of racing. In fact NASCAR road racing has been getting bigger and more popular AND some of those run - CLOCKWISE and they don't seem to have any issues keeping up.... -- Brian "It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 12:20:35 ·
Hall Premium,MVM join:2000-04-28 Dayton, OH kudos:2	said by CylonRed: In fact NASCAR road racing has been getting bigger and more popular AND some of those run.... The topic was about racing on oval tracks, not "road racing". I can't wait for NASCAR to get more and more road-racing circuits and for F1 drivers to come race here for a season or two. They'll likely dominate !
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 12:26:43 ·
CylonRed Premium,MVM join:2000-07-06 Bloom County	I know - it is about how NASCAR fans CAN deal with going the opposite directions even if when it is not an oval therefore - they would not have any issues with clockwise racing -- Brian "It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 12:34:42 ·
rfnut Premium join:2002-04-27 Fisher, IL Reviews: ·Mediacom	reply to jabarnut The same reason planes fly around an uncontrolled airport counter-clockwise. It is so the Pilot (or driver, in this case) has the best visibility out his own window at what is going on outside at the airport (or trackside in this case) . Communications with drivers used to be with signs held on the inside of the track.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 15:45:09 ·
Wyngs join:2010-02-20 Coos Bay, OR	reply to jabarnut I think it may have something to do with handedness. The sword is normally held in the right hand, and boxers normally circle to their right. Does circling counter-clockwise "feel" safer?
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 16:23:48 ·
Madness Like a flea circus at a dog show join:2000-01-05 Quincy, MA kudos:1 Reviews: ·Verizon Online DSL	reply to jabarnut IMO, I always figured it was to simulate the most basic road-rule of any particular country (at least for motor racing). Much in the same way as traffic direction around a rotary/roundabout. That reminds me of a couple of inaccuracies in Cars 2. The film featured three races. Two of the races were held in countries w/ left-hand traffic (Japan, UK), yet they ran counterclockwise.
	to forum · permalink · 2012-07-15 16:35:31 ·

Broadband Tech > General Questions > Why are races on oval tracks run counterclockwise?