Nationals

Nationals refers to motorsport racing events, championships, or series that operate at a country-wide level, bringing together the best drivers from across an entire nation to compete against each other.

When you first start racing, you typically compete at local tracks against drivers from your area. As you gain experience and skill, you might move up to regional competitions that cover a larger geographic area like a state or province. Nationals represent the next major step up from these regional events, where you're competing against the top talent from your entire country.

Think of it like this: if local racing is like playing on your school's sports team, and regional racing is like competing in your state championship, then Nationals is like competing for the national title against the best teams from every state. The competition level is significantly higher, and the stakes are much greater.

National championships typically follow a specific format throughout a racing season. Drivers compete in multiple races held at different tracks across the country over several months. Each race awards points based on finishing position, and at the end of the season, the driver with the most points becomes the national champion in their category. This format ensures that consistency and skill over an entire season matter more than winning just one or two races.

Every country has a governing body that oversees these national-level competitions. In the United States, it's ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States), while in the United Kingdom, it's Motorsport UK. These organizations establish standardized rules, safety requirements, and technical regulations that all competitors must follow, ensuring fair and safe competition nationwide.

The term Nationals can also refer to a single prestigious event rather than an entire championship series. The most famous example is the NHRA U.S. Nationals in drag racing, which is considered one of the sport's most important races even though it's just one event. Winning this race carries tremendous prestige in the drag racing community.

Competing at the national level requires more than just showing up with a race car. Drivers typically need special competition licenses that demonstrate they have the necessary skills and experience. Safety equipment must meet higher standards, and vehicles often undergo more rigorous technical inspections. Entry fees are usually higher than local races, but the potential prizes, sponsorship opportunities, and recognition are also significantly greater.

Examples of national-level competition exist across all types of motorsport. In karting, various countries host their own national championships where young drivers compete for national titles. Drag racing features multiple NHRA Nationals events throughout the season. Some Nationals are organized as touring series, like the Schaeffer's Oil Southern Nationals Series, which travels to different tracks in a specific region of the country.

For aspiring racers, reaching the Nationals level represents a major achievement and often serves as a stepping stone toward professional racing careers. Success at this level can attract sponsors, media attention, and opportunities to advance to even higher levels of competition, potentially including international or professional series.