Banking

Banking in motorsport refers to the angled slope of a racetrack, where the track surface tilts upward from the inside edge to the outside edge of a turn, creating an inclined surface that helps cars navigate corners at higher speeds.

Think of banking like riding a bicycle around a steep curve on a hill. When the road leans into the turn, you can go faster without sliding off the outside of the curve. Race tracks use this same principle to help cars maintain speed through corners that would otherwise force them to slow down significantly.

The banking angle is measured in degrees, with steeper angles allowing for higher cornering speeds. A flat turn might have zero degrees of banking, while some NASCAR tracks feature banking angles exceeding 30 degrees. The steeper the banking, the faster cars can theoretically travel through that section of track.

Banking works by changing the forces acting on a race car. Instead of relying only on tire grip to keep the car from sliding outward, the angled track surface helps push the car down and inward. This creates additional downward force that increases tire grip and helps counteract the outward pull that cars experience when turning at high speeds.

Different racing series utilize banking in various ways. NASCAR oval tracks like Daytona and Talladega are famous for their steep banking, which allows cars to race at incredible speeds even through turns. Formula 1 circuits typically feature more subtle banking, with corners like Turn 14 at Zandvoort providing an 18-degree incline that challenges drivers.

Banking significantly impacts racing strategy and car setup. Teams must adjust their vehicles to handle the unique forces created by banked corners, and drivers must adapt their techniques accordingly. The banking also affects tire wear patterns, as the angled surface creates different stresses on the tires compared to flat corners.

Some tracks feature progressive banking, where the angle gradually increases toward the outside edge, giving drivers multiple racing lines to choose from and adding strategic complexity to overtaking maneuvers.