Glossary of Motorsport Terms - B

B

B main

See Semi-feature.

B-team

A racing team that exists to develop the careers of upcoming drivers, such as Scuderia Toro Rosso and unofficially, Super Aguri F1. Sometimes also referred to as a satellite team

Back half

(drag racing) referring to distance from the 1/8 mile mark to the 1/4 mark of the track.

Backmarker

A slower car, usually in the process of being lapped by the leaders. It is sometimes a derogatory term.

Backup car

See Spare car.

Beam

(drag racing) starting line electric eye controlling prestaged and staged lights.

Banking

A.) The angle at which a track inclines towards the outside of a corner or from the lower to the higher side of a straight, also referred to as camber, more so when modest or negative, B.) a corner that inclines towards the outside or C.) an earth bank where spectators sit or stand

The Big One

A large pileup during a stock car race involving up to 30 cars. The term is largely reserved for restrictor plate racing at Daytona and Talladega.

Blend line

The painted line defining the exit from pit lane where it rejoins the race track. It prevents emerging race cars from driving into race traffic travelling past the pits. Competitors are penalised for crossing the blend line, ensuring cars have attained full racing speed before rejoining the race.

Bleach box

(drag racing) Area where bleach is deposited for cars to perform burnouts (q.v). Gasoline (since discontinued for safety reasons), water, and TrackBite are also used.

Blow

See Blown.

Blower

supercharger (occasionally turbocharger); in '90s, generally grouped as "power adder" with turbocharger and nitrous.

Blown

A.) An engine that is supercharged (i.e. a "blown" V8 is a supercharged V8); or B.) An engine that has suffered serious failure, usually no longer running and/or having sustained irreparable damage (i.e. "Looks like #21 has a blown engine...his race is over").

Blowover

flipping of a car or boat, due to air under car lifting front wheels. Commonly suffered by dragsters and powerboats.

Bottle

(drag racing) refers to the nitrous system, also the jug.

Bottoming, Bottoming out

When the bottom of the chassis hits the track.

Breakout

(drag racing) running quicker than dial-in; also "breaking out." Grounds for disqualification if opponent does not commit a foul start or cross boundary lines; also known as Bustout.

Bridesmaid

A driver who finishes the race or racing season as runner up Sometimes reserved for a driver who finishes second many times without ever winning a championship (or major event) in his career.

Bump and run

A move in stock car racing, where a trailing car intentionally bumps the car in front in an attempt to pass.

Burnout

performed to heat the tires up for better traction.

Buschwhacker or Claim Jumper

(NASCAR) A driver who regularly races in the first tier NASCAR series, the Sprint Cup Series, who makes guest or semi-regular appearances racing in the second-tier NASCAR Nationwide Series. The term was named originally for then sponsor of the second-tier series Anheuser-Busch brewery. The newer term references insurance abuse (from the current sponsor).

Bye

Allows a driver to advance to the next stage or heat of an event, without competing, when there are uneven numbers entered. Commonly used in speedway, drag racing and drifting etc.