Dropping the Flag

This title introduces readers to the adventurous sport of auto racing. Readers will discover the sport's unique, must-have safety equipment, from fire-resistant clothing and helmets to HANS devices, SAFER barriers, roll bars, roll cages, and special fuel tanks. Chapters highlight racing history, major racing organizations, the pit crew, and types of race cars and races, including F1, Indy car, Champ Car, stock car, touring car, sprint car, midget car, drag racing, Funny Car, Top Fuel,...
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This title introduces readers to the adventurous sport of auto racing. Readers will discover the sport's unique, must-have safety equipment, from fire-resistant clothing and helmets to HANS devices, SAFER barriers, roll bars, roll cages, and special fuel tanks. Chapters highlight racing history, major racing organizations, the pit crew, and types of race cars and races, including F1, Indy car, Champ Car, stock car, touring car, sprint car, midget car, drag racing, Funny Car, Top Fuel, rally racing, and NASCAR. They also cover racing strategies, from starting fast and taking corners to drafting and overtaking opponents. Famous racers are introduced, including as Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dale Earnhardt, Shirley Muldowney, Janet Guthrie, and Danica Patrick. Sidebars on racing flags and lingo will put readers in the know. Readers can also find out how to get started in these exhilarating sports, including karting, quarter midget cars, Formula Atlantic, and other organizations, as well as the physical and mental requirements for racing. And, they can learn about favorite spots to watch auto racing, such as the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, and the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Striking, colorful photos will put readers right in the middle of this action-packed sport. They'll have a blast getting ready for an Adrenaline Adventure! Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.