Race tracks

Racing has been a popular spectator sport for thousands of years and race tracks are facilities built where races are held. The earliest race tracks were built for horse and chariot racing. Today motorcars, motorcycles, cycles, horses and athletes compete on racetracks . Some facilities,like velodromes are built exclusively for a single sport like cycling, others are used for multiple sports. For example, football stadiums also include a race track where sprints and other races for athletes can be held.

Most racetracks are laid out in stadiums, with seating arrangements for spectators and resting facilities for competitors participating in the race. They are usually oval in shape, which allows spectators from all parts of the stadium to track the race.This also allows long distance races to be held at the same venue, as only multiple laps have to be completed.

The individual or team who completes the race in the shortest time is usually considered the winner of the race. When there are a large number of participants in a race, the race may have a rolling start.