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Step 1
Suit Up. Safety is the premier consideration in auto racing. Most racing leagues require drivers to wear crash helmets, flame retardant coveralls and leather gloves and shoes. The racecar is framed with a cage of steel tubing known as a driver's survival cell. The driver's seat is firmly affixed to this frame, and seatbelts are strapped over both shoulders, around the waist and buckled to the seat, between a driver's legs.
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Step 2
Line up. Before the start of a race, track officials will get all entrees in the proper starting order, behind the scenes. That order is established by qualifying time trials or simply drawn from a hat. You'll be directed as to where to position your car and may be asked to turn off the engine while waiting to go onto the track. Obey all official directions, respect other drivers, and have fun.
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Step 3
Drive for speed. A car moves fastest while the wheels are straight. Approach turns from the outside upper bank and aim for a spot of the far side of the turn. Steer just enough to point the car to that spot and dive to the inside of the curve. Drive through in a straight line that brings you back to the outside of the track on the far side of the turn. Then steer enough to line up with the straightaway ahead. This is a repeated process on oval tracks, running from the outside of the straightaways, to the hip of the curves.
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Step 4
Watch the flags. A green flag signals the official start of the race, then shows clear conditions for racing. A yellow flag alerts a danger requiring drivers to slow down. Passing is not allowed under yellow. The red flag means stop your car immediately for an urgently hazardous situation. A black flag is given to a specific driver if their car is unsafe, or their driving becomes unsportsmanlike. The white flag tells drivers there's only one lap remaining. If you're not in the lead, now is the time to make your move. Finally the checkered flag is displayed before the winner and signals the end of the race to all other drivers.
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Step 5
Pass with a vengeance. If your car's not in the lead, you'll have to pass other drivers to get there. Many circuits award prizes to the top three finishers, but remember that finishing second only makes you the first loser. Watch the driver in front of you and pick the time to make your move. Most successful passes are executed to the inside of the track. Get close to a leading car in a turn and shoot to its inside as you enter the straight. Another option is drafting. Get right up against the rear of a leading car and use the pull of its speed along a straightaway. Then whip to the inside under your competitor as you enter a turn. That should put your car ahead coming out of the turn.
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Step 6
Guard against being passed. Rearview mirrors are just one of the safety features that were first devised for auto racing. Use them to check the action behind you. Any driver pulling close intends to pass. Deviate slightly from the prescribed racing line to hesitate their decision. When you see both front wheels of the trailing car on one side, quickly steer your car to that side to block the pass.
