Auto Racing: F1 & IRL, space age electronics, irl cars

Question
What is the difference between Formula One and IRL racing?

Answer
Hi Lynn:

IRL racing, or Indy Car Racing was born in the United States in the very early 1900's . The Indianapolis 500 mile race is certainly the most famous motor race in the World and has been for decades.  There is a complicated history surrounding the IRL but it's mostly political and not real interesting. Most, if not all races are run in the United States.

Drivers are paid huge salaries but figures aren't published.  However the prize for winning the Indy 500 is well over a million dollars.  And the winner becomes World famous overnight.  Helio Castronieves who won today is now a three time winner. Suffice to say that drivers are paid a few million a year to compete at the top level.

Formula One is for the World Driving Championship began in the mid 1950's, and is based in Europe. Most teams have shops and facilities in England but they race all over the World. Austtralia, South America, North America, Bahrain, China, Malaysia, and several European countries. Formula One is also the most expensive and lavish form of motor racing. It costs upwards of a hundred million US dollars to run a season. and some of the drivers are paid over fifty million US Dollars per year, by FAR the most highly paid atheletes in the world.

The racing cars are similar in appearance, but the Formula One cars are the most highly sophisticated, with space age electronics, engines that make phenominal horsepower, some of them over 1000 !. Brakes will withstand horrendous heat, transmissions that are shifted by computerized electronics,  and much much more.

IRL cars are all fitted with a specified racing engine from Honda and their horsepower is limited to about 600 (yes 600 horsepower ! )  by class rules to make the racing closer.  They also havae highly sophisticated engines, transmissions, and brakes , but their construction and design is much more closely regulated.

It is interesting to note that all drivers who race in the top level serieis are required to learn and speak English fluently for television and public relaltions purposes.  Some of the Japanese drivers have an awful time with it !

There are many many similarities and just as many differences between the two series, if you have more questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. You can also do Google searches for "Formula One Racing" and "Indy Car Racing", you will find huge volumns of information covering both.

Good Luck !

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida