Dogleg

A dogleg in motorsport refers to either a shallow-angle turn on a racing track or a specific type of manual transmission gear pattern used in performance vehicles.

When talking about track design, a dogleg is a gentle curve or kink that doesn't require drivers to slow down significantly. On road courses, you might find a dogleg as a slight bend in what would otherwise be a straight section of track. On oval tracks, a dogleg creates an oblong shape rather than a perfect circle, often appearing on the front straightaway where fans can see the action.

These track features serve multiple purposes in racing. They add complexity to what might otherwise be a simple straight line, creating opportunities for drivers to make strategic moves. The dogleg also provides better sightlines for spectators and can slightly reduce overall speeds without requiring heavy braking.

Phoenix Raceway is a well-known example of an oval track with a dogleg design. Road America features "The Kink" at Turn 11, which is a classic dogleg corner that challenges drivers without forcing them to brake hard.

The term dogleg also applies to a specific type of manual transmission found in many classic sports cars and race vehicles. In a dogleg gearbox, first gear sits in an unusual position - down and to the left instead of the typical up-left position. This creates a shift pattern that resembles a dog's bent hind leg, hence the name.

The dogleg transmission design places second and third gears directly opposite each other, allowing for lightning-fast shifts between these commonly used gears during racing. This was particularly valuable in motorsport, where quick gear changes can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Famous cars that used dogleg gearboxes include many Ferrari models from the 1960s through 1990s, early Porsche 911s, BMW M3 E30, and the legendary Ford GT40. While less common today due to modern transmission technology, the dogleg remains an important part of motorsport history.