Kink

A kink is a slight bend or gentle curve in a racetrack that drivers can usually navigate at high speed without needing to brake significantly.

Unlike sharp corners or hairpin turns that force drivers to slow down dramatically, a kink is subtle enough that racing cars can maintain most of their momentum through it. Think of it as the difference between a gentle curve on a highway versus a 90-degree turn at an intersection. Drivers might need to slightly adjust their steering, but they don't have to stomp on the brakes.

Kinks appear most commonly on road courses, which are racetracks that wind left and right through varied terrain. However, they can also be found on oval tracks, where they're sometimes called "doglegs." When an oval track has a dogleg, it means the track isn't a perfect oval shape—instead, one of the straightaways has a slight bend in it, creating an oblong or egg-like shape.

The challenge of a kink comes from its deceptive simplicity. Because drivers don't need to slow down much, they're traveling at extremely high speeds when they encounter these bends. This means that even a small mistake in steering or positioning can have major consequences. A driver who takes a kink at the wrong angle might lose valuable time or, worse, lose control of their vehicle.

Track designers include kinks for several reasons. They add variety to a circuit and test a driver's precision at high speed. Kinks can also improve sightlines for spectators, allowing fans to see more of the track from a single vantage point. Additionally, these gentle curves can create better overtaking opportunities by forcing drivers to choose different racing lines.

One of the most famous examples in motorsport history is the Masta Kink at the old Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. This legendary corner was taken at breathtaking speeds and demanded absolute precision from drivers. In American oval racing, Phoenix Raceway features a notable dogleg that distinguishes it from traditional symmetrical ovals.

When watching a race, you might not immediately notice kinks because drivers navigate them so quickly. However, these subtle turns often separate good drivers from great ones, as mastering the perfect line through a high-speed kink can shave crucial tenths of a second off lap times.