Wheel chock

A wheel chock is a wedge-shaped block placed against a vehicle's wheels to prevent it from rolling or moving accidentally when parked or during maintenance work.

Think of a wheel chock like a doorstop, but for cars and motorcycles. Just as you might wedge a doorstop under a door to keep it open, mechanics and drivers place these sturdy blocks against tires to keep vehicles completely still. This is especially important in motorsport, where safety is the top priority.

Wheel chocks are made from strong materials like rubber, aluminum, or steel that won't break under the weight of a race car. They come in different sizes depending on what type of vehicle they need to secure - from lightweight Formula cars to heavy trucks that transport racing equipment.

In racing, you'll see wheel chocks used most often in the pit area during tire changes or repairs. When a race car pulls into the pits, crew members quickly place chocks behind the wheels to make sure the car won't roll while they're working on it, even if the driver accidentally releases the brake pedal.

For motorcycles, special wheel chocks serve a double purpose. Not only do they prevent rolling, but they also help keep the bike standing upright when it doesn't have a kickstand or when the kickstand might sink into soft ground.

Transportation is another key use for wheel chocks in motorsport. When race cars and bikes are loaded into trailers for transport between tracks, chocks keep them securely in place during the journey, preventing expensive damage from vehicles shifting around.

Racing events held on hilly tracks make wheel chocks absolutely essential. Without them, a parked race car on a slope could easily roll away, potentially causing serious accidents or damage to expensive racing equipment.