Le Mans
A Le Mans-style start was used for many years in most types of motor racing and required the drivers to run across the track when the start flag dropped to their cars which were parked on the other side, climb in, start the car, and drive away to begin the race.
Such starts were very unsafe, with drivers possibly rushing the process of fastening their safety equipment. As a result, they are no longer used in any motorsport except for endurance motorcycle racing, such as the Coca-Cola Zero Suzuka 8 Hours.
A Le Mans start variation called a "land rush start" is used at short course off-road races at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway where the vehicles start lined up side-by-side on a wide part of the track. The "land rush start" is based on the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans start, and is used in historic races at Le Mans in some situations. However, unlike the true Le Mans start, engines are already running and the drivers are already sat behind the wheel, wearing their safety belts when the starting signal is displayed.
Read more about this topic: Standing Start
Famous quotes containing the word mans:
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—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)