Discover the five key trends propelling racing into the future.
Revving engines, screeching tires, and adrenaline-fueled action — the world of racing is an exciting place to be. It’s also evolving at full throttle.
As modern racing embraces new technologies and pushes against the boundaries of performance, a host of exciting trends are reshaping the landscape and fueling the passion of aftermarket enthusiasts along the way. So, buckle up and get ready to discover the pulse-pounding developments that are driving modern racing to new horizons.
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More TV Coverage
It may not seem like a major racing trend to people on the outside looking in, but for those inside the sport, the recent uptick in television exposure is a big deal.
For starters, it provides a broader audience reach, allowing more people to engage with the sport and follow their favorite drivers and teams. More exposure leads to more interest, and like most things in life, that translates quickly into more money.
Look at Formula 1, which recently celebrated its most-viewed year ever on U.S. television in 2022. It averaged 1.21 million viewers per race, a 28% increase over the previous year. As a result (or as part of the effort), the international racing competition is also spending more time on U.S. soil. A huge complex was just built in Miami to host F1 races, and a street race in Vegas made the schedule too – both of which sold out at exceptionally high ticket prices.
Similar growth can be spotted among domestic organizations, especially in off-road racing. The Martelli Brothers knew the value of quality film coverage – and it’s a big part of why events like the Mint 400 and King of the Hammers have become household names.
With more sponsors pumping financial resources into the pipeline, racers and support teams can access better equipment and training. Likewise, racing organizations can invest in more advanced safety measures and infrastructure upgrades.
Expanded TV coverage also rewards racing enthusiasts. Gone are the days of grainy aerial video footage or choppy radio commentary. Fans now have the opportunity to access live events from the comfort of their own homes – and the production value is insane.
We’re talking Hollywood-level, with crazy angles, onboard cameras, and in-car audio that make it feel like you’re right there in the cockpit with a competitor breathing down your neck.
2. More Opportunity
New racing sanctions and classes are being added to the sport every year, ensuring racers and fans maintain easy access to motorsports. And while the past few years have seen the heartbreaking closures of some truly historic racetracks, several more are in development – and a few longstanding ones have even managed to claw back from the brink, like North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina.
Drag racing, in particular, has really ramped up for 2023 with plenty of fresh faces and new ideas.
NHRA added some old tracks back to the circuit, and shuffled the schedule so teams could save money on the logistical hurdles. IHRA has a new leader at the helm and, as a result, is kicking off 2023 by increasing purse prizes, adding tracks to the roster, creating a separate championship class for motorcycles, and bringing more publicity to individual racers. PDRA expanded its Pro Street and Super Street classes for the year, moving them from standalone classes to part of the championship.
As for the everyman, both the newest sanction, World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA), and one of the oldest, American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) have big plans for making racing as accessible as possible. WDRA aims to “completely reinvent the business of drag racing, from concessions to tech inspection” and AHRA is growing its No Name Nationals, a drag competition for YouTube content creators.
Let’s also not forget that there’s plenty of young talent out there, and thanks to the growing popularity of motorsports, they have more opportunity too. They can access more camps, scholarships, and mentorship programs than ever before to grow their skills and progress through the ranks of what has become a very expensive sport.
3. More Power
The pursuit of higher horsepower has long been a focal point in racing. Thanks to continual and aggressively-paced advancements in both technological and mechanical techniques, racers have more options than ever before to push the boundaries.
“Late model EFI swaps into older vehicles is the hot ticket right now,” says Phillip VanBuskirk, National Sales Manager of fuel-delivery juggernaut Aeromotive. “LS, Coyote, and Gen III Hemis are getting transplanted into anything and everything. As the aftermarket grows with products to make these swaps easier and more affordable, this trend continues to grow.”
Even for those disinterested in tackling an entire late-model engine swap, upgrading to electronic fuel injection has never been easier. Plentiful and effective, aftermarket EFI kits allow racers to enjoy precise fuel delivery, better throttle response, and improved engine management capabilities for a little more than some performance carburetors.
Advanced engine technology – both on the OEM and aftermarket side – has made it much easier to achieve reliable high horsepower combinations, VanBuskirk adds, noting that 1000+hp street combinations are now a common sight.
Racers and enthusiasts alike can choose from a plethora of high-performance components designed to withstand increased power levels, including turbochargers, intercoolers, fuel and exhaust systems, camshafts, engine internals, and more.
It's also worth noting how advancements in technology, like computer-aided design (CAD), simulation software, and 3D printing, have made it easier for racers to develop and fabricate their own highly-specific performance components. This has not only democratized access to cutting-edge technology, but also customized it, enabling racers of varying budgets to experiment with and implement higher-horsepower setups that are perfectly tailored to their driving needs.
4. More Data
We live in a world that loves data, and while advanced sensors and telemetry systems can be a bit overwhelming and unsettling during your online shopping binges, they are absolutely critical in modern racing.
Today’s race teams leverage this technology to collect real-time data on vehicle performance, driver behavior, and race strategy to optimize performance and gain a competitive edge. By tapping into sophisticated systems, they can monitor and control an enormous array of engine parameters, from speed, RPM, and throttle position to fuel mixture, exhaust gas temperature, and boost levels.
Racers also have the ability to regularly log and analyze all this granular insight, so they can track performance trends over time. That allows them to pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, allowing for more precise adjustments and fine-tuning.
Again, the aftermarket deserves recognition for its contributions. “Gauges have come a long way,” says Mike Lovro, Director of Instrumentation Sales at performance gauge specialist AutoMeter. “We’ve definitely seen a big shift to LCD technology when it comes to street performance, custom applications, and even racing, so there’s a lot of demand for this new tech.”
In addition to innovating multiple new features for data acquisition, brands like AutoMeter have also revolutionized the display of these gauges. Drivers now have multiple screens to choose from, as well as color changing functionality, visual & audible warnings, turn signals, high beams, date/time, imperial/metric, and so much more.
Looking for some insight on what systems to monitor in your own racing setup? Pick up some tips for selecting performance gauges HERE.
5. More Driving
Another racing trend making an impact on both the enthusiast community and the aftermarket is the is the growing emphasis on the actual driving experience. We’re seeing a notable shift from solely track-focused racing (and builds) to a more inclusive and, some would say, engaging form of motorsport.
Drag-and-drive events, in particular, have gained significant popularity. At these competitions, participants usually embark on a multi-day journey that covers a specified distance, stopping at different locations along the way to compete in drag racing events.
“Power Tour started this trend years ago, but with the popularity of events like Drag Week, it has become even more focused on high horsepower street vehicles,” says VanBuskirk. “Builds like these have challenged manufacturers to develop products that can not only withstand the power levels but also the endurance of long drives.”
Part of the appeal is no doubt a post-COVID itch to get out and drive – to see people, places and things beyond the same four walls many folks were forced to stare at for months on end. There’s a real sense of camaraderie during these events, since they’re both a racing competition and essentially a road trip.
But drag-and-drives also really appeal to the dogged resourcefulness that defines each and every gearhead. Participants get to showcase their vehicles' power and handling, yes, but also its versatility in real-world driving scenarios, which adds a new dimension to the competition.
These vehicles are being pushed to their limits in every way, so breaking down mid-route is for many, a rite of passage – a way to really test personal automotive knowledge and inevitably, make a few new friends in the process.