International Racing Federation: Difference between revisions

The '''International Racing Federation''' ('''IRF''') is a voluntary association that governs both the operation of numerous racing series globally as well as representing the interests of motorists, vehicle manufacturers, and road safety around the globe; though it is much better known publicly for its activities as the former. As an international organization, the IRF maintains offices in 39 countries around the world with a rotating headquarters.

The IRF is best known for the [[Relay Circuit Motorsport]] series and Stock Racing series which it administrates, licenses, and arbitrates. In addition to its oversight of racing and advocacy for numerous issues, the IRF also has international administration over the certification of land speed record attempts. The IRF has recognition as a sporting association from a majority of other international sporting associations.

The International Racing Federation (IRF) was founded at the beginning of the 20th century explicitly to govern international automobile races. The beginning of automobile racing ultimately began with the invention of the automobile as even the earliest models of motor vehicles competed for top speeds. Professional motorsports briefly preceded the advent of commercial vehicles and competitions quickly expanded beyond national borders necessitating standardization or at the very least oversight. The IRF would fulfil this role, though it remains and has always been a voluntary federation and no national or international laws mandate the oversight or rulings of the IRF in any particular competition.<p>The IRF's first role in motorsports was simply to assure the safety of both tracks and vehicles involved in races. It wasn't until the 1920s when the IRF also began to regulate prizes and wins through the control of prize money and the standardization of point attribution for every race. In the early days of motorsports when there were few if any distinctions between stock cars and open-wheeled racecars the IRF counted points from all categories toward a single World Drivers Championship even if the races were in different categories including rally racing, hillclimbing, endurance racing, oval racing, and grand prix circuit racing . In this era, a driver who would compete in every single IRF-governed event would be the exception and events could even coincide. It wouldn't be until 1950 that the IRF would separate categories between stock racing, grand prix racing, and endurance racing each with separate championships, standardized regulations for the series rather than per-race, and set calendars. In 1999, the IRF acquired and merged the International Motorcycle Racing Federation (IMRF) into its existing organization and began administering the Moto Racing series as the IMRF had since 1949. All existing records and standards in the 50 years before the IRF's acquisition have been maintained by the newer administration.

Relay Circuit Motorsport, also known as Relay Circuit racing, is the name given to the open-wheeled category of races governed by the IRF. There are 5 divisions of races, Division I-V.  

Division I, also known as R1, being the most prestigious and competitive. R1 cars are the fastest regulated road-course racing cars in the world, drivers must have a valid Super License, and it is the most expensive sports league in the world.

R2 is the penultimate step on the motorsport, and is designed to make racing relatively affordable for the teams and to make it an ideal training ground for R1. R2 has made it mandatory for all of the teams to use the same chassis, engine and tyre supplier so that true driver ability is reflected. While significantly slower than R1, the R2 championship cars are on average, 15% faster than most other circuit racing vehicles.

R3-R5 are known as the junior league of R1 and R2, but they form an important step for many prospective R1 drivers.

First held in 1949, the R1 Grand Prix Series is the oldest continuous racing series in the world. Held biannually from March to November, the calendar tours the globe over sixteen events. Races are held on a variety of circuits with varying conditions. This creates diverse experiences and challenges for drivers and fans each race weekend for the duration of each series. One of the fastest series in the world, the open-wheeled cars may be outdone in a straight line by other vehicles, but carry immense speed into corners and can lap a circuit faster than any other. Cars in Grand Prix Racing may reach speeds as fast as 380 km/h (236 mi/h). The series is the highest level of open-wheeled racing and is considered one of the most prestigious sports around the world. With a global audience, thousands of fans attend events in person while others watch television feeds translated into approximately a dozen languages. The cumulative live viewership of the 2030 season surpassed 60 billion.

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