Kitty Litter

Kitty Litter in motorsport is a slang term that primarily refers to gravel-filled run-off areas beside race tracks, called gravel traps, which are designed to safely slow down cars that leave the racing surface.

The nickname "kitty litter" comes from the visual similarity between the small gravel stones used in these safety areas and the granular material found in cat litter boxes. When drivers lose control of their race cars or take a corner too aggressively, they often end up sliding into these gravel-filled zones.

Gravel traps serve as crucial safety features at racing circuits worldwide. Instead of allowing an out-of-control car to slam directly into a concrete barrier or fence, the loose gravel creates resistance that gradually slows the vehicle down. This dramatically reduces the impact force and helps prevent serious injuries to drivers.

Getting stuck in the kitty litter can end a driver's race, depending on the racing series and specific circumstances. In some motorsport categories, recovery vehicles can pull cars out of gravel traps, allowing drivers to continue racing. However, other series consider any trip into the gravel as an automatic DNF (Did Not Finish).

The term kitty litter also has a secondary meaning in motorsport. Track officials sometimes use absorbent granular materials to clean up oil spills, coolant leaks, or other fluids on the racing surface. This cleanup material closely resembles actual cat litter in both appearance and function, as both are designed to absorb liquids quickly.

Modern Formula 1 circuits have largely replaced traditional gravel traps with paved run-off areas, but many other racing venues still rely on these gravel-filled safety zones. Drivers typically try to avoid the kitty litter at all costs, as it usually means their race is over or severely compromised.