motorsport

Motorsport(s), or motor sport(s), are sporting events, competitions and activities that primarily involve the use of automobiles. Historically, the terms have encompassed sporting use of other motorised vehicles including motorcycles, motorboats and powered aircraft, however, specific terms are now more commonly used in these areas such as motorcycle sport, power boating and air sports. Different manifestations of motorsport with their own objectives and specific rulesets are known as disciplines; examples are circuit racing, rallying or trials. Governing bodies, also called sanctioning bodies, often have general rules for each discipline, allowing supplementary rules to define the character of competitions, series' or championships. Groups of these are often categorised informally, for example into vehicle type, surface type or propulsion method. Examples of categories within a discipline are formula racing, touring car racing, sports car racing etc. Governing bodies The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), formed in 1904, is the oldest and most prominent international governing body. It claims to be the sole international motor sporting authority for automobiles and other land vehicles with four or more wheels, whilst acknowledging the authority of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) over vehicles with one to three wheels, which FIM calls motorcycle sport. FIM and FIA are both recognised as international sports federations by the International Olympic Committee.