Off-road racing is not a racing platform as mainstream as other ones such as on-road motorsports or even horse racing. The differences range from the vehicle design, racing environments, driving skill requirements and the racing strategy. As per recent stats, this market contributes up to 39% of the recreation segment and is expanding at a CAGR of 7.9%. This article will compare off-road racing with other categories in terms of different factors. Let’s have a look:
Design of the Vehicle
A big contrast between off-road and other racing categories is the vehicle anatomy as well as morphology. Generally, cars built for off-road terrain have a high-ground clearance and a robust suspension to handle the rough and tough of the road. On top of that, they have extraordinary tires for a strong grip. For instance, off-road Toyo Tires are used extensively, thanks to year-round traction and a wide range of variety.
On the other hand, cars for on-road and for other terrains have mostly low ground clearance and stiff suspensions. Their only goal is speed and agility, owing to a lightweight build and more slick tires. In short, off-road autos come best for harsh landscapes and on-road vehicles are best for well-maintained tracks.
The Race Environment
A huge differentiating factor is the racing environment. Off-road terrain has various types. These include mountains, mud, sand, snow, rock, etc. All of these ecosystems present different challenges and conditions. For example, sand has a tough and slippery drive. Forest comes with tight trails with undergrowth plants and hard paths. On top of that, unpredictable weather is also a big factor to make things even harder.
Conversely, on-road race mostly occurs on smooth, well-made, and paved tracks. There are closed circuits with controlled environments. Most of them are street paths with oval-shaped roads. Another plus point here is that the weather is also quite predictable. This makes on-road comparatively easier than off-road navigation.
Driving Skills
Needless to say, off-road requires more experience and a unique skill set for driving. Drivers need to be cautious where they can control the vehicle with more mastery and navigate with more control.
Adaptability, basic required aptitude, and learning about the terrain are some of the essential skills for this type of racing.
Although on-road driving meets with less hassle; however, one can’t ignore the role of precision and consistency here. As a matter of fact, a qualifying driver is required to ensure fast-speed handling as well as traffic management.
Their Race Strategy
Both on-road and off-road driving demands a different strategy and plan. Off-road requires the aptitude to counter the risks and challenges. Races need to make a plan while keeping endurance and navigation in mind. On top of vehicle maintenance and fuel management is also essential for an optimized drive.
For on-road, you need to make a policy that helps you to beat your competitors on a fast-paced track. A driver needs to determine the starting grid point, as well as pit stops for the best efficiency of tires and fuel. Further, he also has to keep in mind aerodynamics and teamwork to achieve the best results.
Bottom Line
The TL; DR of the topic is that off-road racers are different from on-road drivers in many ways. These include vehicle design, race environment, driving skills, and race strategy. For the best results, a driver needs to be well-versed in these categories so that he may achieve the best results and take on his competitors. Last but not least, don’t forget to properly tune your vehicle, understand the surroundings, learn essential skills, and devise a proper plan to stand out among others.
The question is, will off-road racing become a more popular sport in years to come and will people appreciate it as much as other sports. Like any racing sport there are dangers, but due to the scale of the mechanics involved in off-road racing it should add more entertainment for viewers. So are going to try out the off-roading racing category?