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The volume of a cylinder compared to the volume it compresses to when the piston is fully extended. The higher the ratio, the greater the potential for energy - thus more horsepower. For example, the compression ration in NASCAR Winston Cup is 12:1

An signed agreement between the FIA and teams, in force from 1997. Consists of a series of provisions that deal with the distribution of TV and race participation income as well as changes to the sporting and technical regulations. In the mean time it iss updated a few times and signed by all teams.

A constructor is the chassis manufacturer. In most cases, this is different to the engine manufacturer, and the name of the chassis manufacturer is always given before that of the engine manufacturer. In the event of winning the Constructors' World Championship, the title is awarded to the chassis manufacturer.

Drivers receive bonus money from companies for using its products and placing its decal on the car

As the leader of the race team, he oversees the construction and fine-tuning of a race car. Throughout race weekend he communicates what changes should be made to the race car and on race day he determines the race strategies.

In any form of motorsport drivers seeks shortest possible route around the intended route. While on any track racing (F1 for example) drivers are limited to the track by either barriers or low traction outside paved surface, rally is different. It is often useful to clip inside of the bend, so-called apex, to both reduce total distance by few centimeters and maintain higher speed through corner.

Each car is equipped with a sensor unit which monitors and records data relevant to accidents and/or incidents

A driver is deep staged when, after staging, he or she rolls a few inches farther, causing the pre-stage light to go out. In that position, the driver is closer to the finish line, but dangerously close to a foul start.

Dialing under allows drivers in Super Stock and Stock, which are handicap categories, to select an elapsed time quicker than the national index. As with a dial-in, a driver selects a dial-under that he or she thinks the car will run, based on qualifying performance. The breakout rule is in effect.

The mechanism, usually found inside the gearbox casing, that drives and regulates both driveshafts, allowing them to rotate at different speeds.

 The turbulence created by the passing of a car. Another car following closely in this air finds its aerodynamics disrupted. With downforce cut drastically, the car behind has less effective steering, less grip and may spin off.

The size of an engine measured in cubic inches or centimeters

Did not finish

The air pressure flowing over the car creates a downward force that pushes a car onto the track, causing it to stick to the racing surface. It keeps cars from losing traction at high speeds, especially going through the turns.

Drivers race in single file and share air flow among them. The first car creates a vaccum that actually pulls the car behind it. Together the cars cut through the air much faster than they do separately.

Caused by air flowing around the car. Drag hinders a race car as it cuts through air. A streamlined car can accelerate faster with less drag because the car needs less horsepower.

An electronic system that involves the elimination of a direct mechanical link between the throttle pedal and engine. Throttle input is electronically fed to an on-board engine control unit (ECU) that then manages the behaviour of the engine accordingly. The system is also known as Fly-By-Wire

The spark plugs in a cylinder will not fire because the fuel mixture is too rich (i.e. too much fuel in the air-to-fuel mixture)

Engine Control Unit. A box of electronics used to control engine behavior (ignition, turbo boost, fuel injection etc etc). Some cars may use more than one

Elapsed time, or E.T., is the time it take a vehicle to travel from the starting line to the finish line

The electronic devices attached to parts of a racing car that report various data back to team engineers and mechanics

After qualifying, vehicles race two at a time. The winner of each race advances, in tournament style competition, until only one remains

Team member in charge of building engines and coaching people to build engines. The goal is to make it as lightweight - but as durable - as possible. The engine builder is in charge of the engine assemblers, who actually put the engine together

Team member who prepares the sheet metal (the body of a stock car) at the race shop and tends to it as needed at the race track.

Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. Not entirely restricted to motorsports, even though from that FIA is most known for. Governing body that draws up rules for series and competitions but leaves actual organizing for third parties

The driver's seat belt is made up of five belts that meet at the center of the driver's chest where a quick-release buckle locks them. Each belt passes through a steel guide that is welded onto the car's frame. Two belts come over the shoulders, two more come from each side of the seat, and the fifth belt goes between a driver's legs

The official who uses different colored flags to communicate with the drivers. He stands in a tower over the racetrack, just above the start/finish line. The flag colors signify different things to the drivers.

Green: Besides being the signal to start, this flag will remain up while the racetrack is clear and full racing speeds are allowed.

Yellow: Alerts drivers of an accident or a roadway hazard, and the cars must slow to a line behind the pace car. When this flag is displayed, the pace car is in control of the track and a driver cannot advance his place by passing the pace car or other competitors.

White: The lead car is on the final lap of the race.

Black: Waved to a specific driver if officials think there are problems with the race car or are penalizing the driver. They must pull off the track to the pit, and if he ignores the flag he is subject to disqualification.

Blue with Yellow Stripe: Specific cars will receive this flag when faster traffic is approaching and they should allow the car that is lapping them to pass without hindrance.

Red: Cars must stop immediately when this flag is signaled because there is an emergency situation where the track is blocked or needs extensive clean-up from an accident. Also may be shown if the race is stopped by rain.

Checkered: The lead car has finished the race and the race is officially over.Frontstretch: The section of race track between the fourth and first turns. The flagstand and start/finish line is typically located in the center.

A foul start is signalled by a red light on the Christmas Tree, indicating that a car has left the starting line before receiving the green light, or starting signal

Built to withstand severe impact, this gas tank is mandatory. On stock cars the tank holds 22 gallons and on Champ Cars it holds 35 gallons

This replaces conventional carburetion. Fuel is delivered under pressure, either directly into the combustion chamber, or indirectly through the airflow chamber

The crew's estimate of how many laps the driver can complete before needing to make a pit stop to refuel

The three amber bulbs on the Christmas Tree flash consecutively, five-tenths of a second apart, followed five-tenths later by the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a Full Tree is .500. Used in Competion, Super Stock and Stock, for which a handicap starting system equalizes competition

Also known as a splash-and-go, this is a quick pit stop where a car gets only fuel

This pit crew member controls the fuel

A racing car's transmission. Usually it contains six forward gears and reverse

A driver is losing his race position because he lost the draft. In this situation, the driver needs to get back in line with the other cars where he can go faster. (See drafting.)

The team takes the car to the garage when it is too damaged to be fixed on pit road

Each manufacturer team is entitled to have one per entered car and each tire manufacture two so-called gravel inspection car. Purpose of these cars is to go through the stage at least one hour before the proper rally crews and make any necessary amendments to the notes

The starting line-up, based on the fastest single lap by each car qualifying. Cars begin in two staggered rows, the pole car being eight metres ahead of the car heading the other row

Adhesion or roadholding of the car. This affects how efficiently power is transferred through the wheels and how well it corners. One of the more common driver complaints is the "lack of grip". The tires have to hold the car firmly on the road while transmitting enormous power. The level of grip a chassis can generate can be affected by tires, suspension design and aerodynamics to name a few. The more grip a car generates, the faster it should be able to corner

At the beginning of the 1998 season, grooved tires were introduced in a bid to reduce cornering speeds and increase overtaking opportunities. The previous slick (treadless) tires used for dry weather racing in Formula One were required to have longitudinal grooves (three at the front, four at the rear) moulded into the tread. The grooves reduced the contact patch area of the tire (that part of the tire in contact with the ground at any given instant) by 17 per cent.

As air flows beneath a racing car it creates a low-pressure area that "sucks" the car down on the surface. The car acts like an upside-down aircraft wing (so called "reverse-wing" effect). Unlike in aviatics, where the forces lift the object, this effect pushes the car down increasing the amount of aerodynamic downforce allowing the car to corner at higher speeds

In modern rallying, there are two important groups. First is Group N, which contains all cars that in effect are close to production cars. These cars can be modified only very little (like removing rear seats). Group A contains all purpose-built rally cars. Even cars constructed under World Rally Car -rules are classified as Group A -cars, contrary to the common belief. In the 1980's FIA also had famous Group B, which was in effect for prototype cars. That was cancelled after series of fatalitites at the end of 1986

A light-beam-to-photocell connection, located 16 inches past the staged beam. It is used to prevent a competitor from blocking the stage beam with a low-installed object such as an oil pan or header collector pipe, thereby gaining an unfair advantage. If the guard beam is still blocked, the red foul light is triggered on the Christmas Tree and the offender is automatically disqualified.

A very tight & slow corner that usually takes a car through a 180-degree change of direction

How a car responds on the track and its performance while racing. A car's construction (including its suspension, tires, aerodynamics, and body style) and race preparation contributes to the car's handling. (See loose or tight.)

Typically held in the late afternoon the day before the race, this is the final hour of practice before the actual start of the race

At the end of the race, the winner and team put on many different baseball caps with sponsors' logos on them for photos

Fine-tuned exhaust systems that route exhaust from the engine. Headers replace conventional engine manifolds