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Bonus Driving Features Content! STOCK CARS


Stock cars look like the street-going version of a passenger sedan. Many racers used old Monte Carlos or Camaros as a starting point. Oftentimes these cars are highly modifi ed and only look like a standard passenger car. There are various levels of stock car racing such as Pure Stock, where the car must have a stock chassis. Modi- fi ed Stock cars start with a stock chassis but the racer can make changes to the chassis’ geometry and suspension.


SPRINT CARS Photo courtesy the Department of Energy. scan here  T FACEBOOK By James Pratt


o help consumers understand the cost of using plug- in electric power, the Environmental Protection Agency recently came out with a MPG equivalent (MPGe) rating for plug-in electric vehicles. This allows you, the consumer, to compare the effi ciency of an electric or hybrid vehicle compared to the effi ciency of a gasoline powered vehicle. For example, the Ford Fusion plug-in hybrid is rated at 100 MPGe when running on plug- in power, while the Volt achieves 94 MPGe.


In addition to MPGe ratings, the Department of Energy has developed a formula that allows drivers to compare the cost of gasoline to the cost of electricity for propelling their vehicle. This formula results in what is called an eGallon. According to the eGallon website, an eGallon is the cost of fueling a vehicle with electric- ity compared to a similar vehicle that runs on gasoline. The site allows you to choose your state and see how much gasoline costs compares to electric costs to power your automobile: http://energy.gov/articles/egallon- how-much-cheaper-it-drive-electricity#


Click here to access the Department of Energy cost comparison calculator.


Sprint cars look nothing like a stock passenger sedan. These racecars are built with open wheels (no fenders) and, oftentimes, aerodynamic wings to enhance downforce and traction. There are two basic sizes of sprint cars: mini-sprints and regular sprint cars. Mini-sprints are smaller cars with high-performance motorcycle engines. Micro-sprints have 600 cubic centimeter engines while mini-sprints have 1,000 cubic centimeter engines. The engines are typically mounted beside the driver.


Full-sized sprint cars are substantially larger than mini-sprints and have full-sized, front-mounted automobile motors. Full-sized sprint cars are divided into various classes depending on motor horse- power. The top class for sprint cars is World of Outlaws, which was started right here in Oklahoma.


Photos by Laura Araujo


TYPES OF DIRT TRACK RACING CARS Interested in dirt track racing? There are two types of racecar classes typically run at Oklahoma racetracks: stock cars and sprint cars. Stock cars look somewhat like your street-going cars, while sprint cars are specially built, open-wheel racing cars, often with aerodynamic wings to increase traction.


By James Pratt


For those interested in racing, experts sugget a trip to a local racetrack for advice from experience drivers. Photo by James Pratt.


JANUARY 2013


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Bonus


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