Sony’s Playstation 2 definitely has garnered a lot of attention throughout the media, but they have also done a great job with those who love to play video games. Whether you are interested in the sport of auto racing or not, the fact remains that there is plenty of auto racing game for the Playstation and Playstation 2 that are awesome games just waiting for enthusiastic video-gamers to play them. The most popular video game for the Playstation 2, though, which is also an auto racing game, is called Gran Turismo 4. Gran Turismo 4 literally brings the whole auto racing sport to you and it allows you to do so much that many people have decided that this should be the number one game on top of Playstation Two’s list. Here are some features of the auto racing Gran Turismo 4 that you should look out for if you have yet to play the game:

Photo Mode

One of the best things that many people love about this auto racing game is the fact that you are allowed to take virtual snapshots of your automobile on the racetrack throughout the game. Whether you have crashed your car or you are just about to cross the finish line, there are all sorts of possible screenshots that you can take a virtual picture of. Because of this feature in this auto racing video game, racers are also able to make a slideshow of the pictures that they took as well. This cool feature will allow you to “remember” the experience as long as you have the game in your possession, but it also allows other auto racing video gamers to try to beat out the competition’s slideshow with even better photographs.

Cars, Unlimited

Even though there is a limit to the many cars that can be used throughout the auto racing Gran Turismo 4, there are literally hundreds of automobiles that can be chosen once they’re unlocked. In fact, there are over 700 cars that one is able to choose for him or herself when playing the game. All of these cars contribute to the auto racing adrenaline that many people feel when they’ve eluded a policeman or have just been beaten by their opponent. In addition to the hundreds of cars that are available throughout this popular auto racing game, the video game itself also keeps track of your progress. For example, there are dozens of racing tracks that can be played; with the combination of the track and the cars that are able to be unlocked there is always a percentage in your corner that tells you just how much of the game that you’ve won and accomplished!

Graphics

As with virtually all the rest of the games that can be played on Playstation 2, the graphics within this auto racing video game are literally phenomenal. For starters, in the last lap of most of the auto races you are not able to “recover” your car if you somehow crash into the wall. Even though this seems like it would be a good feeling for most auto racing enthusiasts, the game and creators of Gran Turismo knew better!

All things considered, Gran Turismo 4 definitely is the best auto racing video game to be put on the Playstation 2 market. With the graphics, automobiles, and photo mode, just to name a few of the exciting features, Gran Turismo 4 rocks the whole video game world!

There are many forms of auto racing: professional auto races, like NASCAR, the Daytona 500, Indy 500, as well as others like Formula One, as well as plenty of other auto races that haven’t been named. Street racing is also a form of auto racing and there are actually many reasons why street racing is better than any of the other auto racing sports that have been listed. Consider the fact that many people die from professional auto racing, as well as street racing each year. Also consider the fact that many young adults who have just entered junior high and high school are simply overtaken with the fact that they dream about doing well in auto racing events for the rest of their life. Street racing, although not always done purely on the street, has become more popular in recent years with high school teenagers because of the many things that go along with it. There are several reasons, though, that parents should be more excited to have their kids fill up their time with street racing than any other type of auto racing out there.

Dangerous, but Fun

One reason that street racing is performed by many teenagers all across the country is because they love the sport of it. It definitely is a form of auto racing, but there is a thrill that goes along with street racing that they can’t feel in any other way. This type of auto racing truly makes one feel proud of their accomplishments in no other way.

It Can Be Safe

In recent years many changes have come to the auto racing playing field. One significant change over the years that has been seen is that street racing has been safer than before. There are many independent groups all across the country that engage in the street type of auto racing, however, there are usually rules set forth by the groups as to where the races take place, how many people can enter, along with what types of cars are used in the street races. Sometimes these groups are even endorsed by professional organizations that sponsor the drivers of the auto racing cars. Street racing doesn’t have to be made out to be as dangerous as having a real automobile race on a real road; changes have been made across the country which has changed that phenomenon!

Better than Other Activities

Street racing is also very time-consuming for the high school teenagers that choose to engage in it. For starters, the street-type of auto racing events usually require that changes and modifications be made to their vehicle. However, these modifications and changes are not all that significant, which is why many young adults choose to do the work themselves. Instead of partying late nights and doing illegal drugs, though, some teenagers are choosing to work on their cars in order to perform well at the auto racing events they take place in. For these teenagers everything that they fill up their time with is usually something to do with street racing events.

All in all, street racing is definitely not as dangerous as many people make it out to be. Even though this form of auto racing can be dangerous if done purely on the streets and done by irresponsible teenagers, there are many groups that advocate against this! Street and auto racing definitely has become more popular in recent years, though, with a whole lot more young adults.

If you have ever wanted to know how the auto racing professionals are able to withstand such high speeds in their vehicles then there is plenty of information that will tell you how the seat belts and restraint systems are set up. On the other hand, if you have never even thought about how auto racing individuals are able to sustain speeds of well over 200 miles per hour then the best thing to do would be to attend one of the national auto racing events just to see how they take place! In the end, though, professional auto racers are partly responsible for their own safety in the way that they handle the cars that they’re driving. On the flip side, though, there must be some great restraint system in the car with them. Here is how part of the system works to keep the driver safe during an auto racing event:

Seat Belts

The first thing that one should realize about the safety belts that are used during an auto racing event is that they are extremely safe to deal with and there is nothing else like them! The main point of the safety belt during an auto racing event is the protect the driver, as is obvious, but the safety belt is a little different than any other normal passenger car on the market. For example, in a normal passenger car the seat belt is designed to have little impact on the driver during a crash, but instead restrain the driver so that he or she will not be injured. On the flip side, auto racing seat belts are the exact opposite. In conjunction with the automobile’s seat, the seat belt of an auto racing car is designed to actually hold the driver down in the event of the crash and slow the driver down as well. This is most beneficial for an automobile designed for the auto racing industry considering the fact that there are many crashes that take place throughout the year.

The Five-Point Harness

Another part of the restraint system lies in the successful use of the five-point restraint harness. This is also perhaps the most important feature that has to be including with auto racing cars. In previous years, three-point harnesses were used in a lot of common restraint systems, but the NASCAR events that take place typically have the five-point harness so that the drive is secure, snug, and has no chance of flying through the windshield in the case of an auto racing accident.

Window Nets and Roof Nets

The window nets that are used in auto racing automobiles are designed to control the driver of the car during a crash. The window nets are just like they sound because they are made from nylon and they are designed literally to be like webs and nets that go over the windows. In the event of an auto racing crash there is little control by the driver, which is the main reason for this type of safety measure.

All of these things are designed to help the drivers of auto racing events protect themselves during a crash. As we all know, crashes during an auto racing event are all too common, especially at the high speeds that the drivers are allowed to go. But to say that the safety measures are ineffective is just plain wrong because they do end up saving many lives in the end!

When it comes to auto racing events, there are plenty of activities that go on throughout the major NASCAR and professional auto racing events that many people lose sight of. One such activity is the safety issue involved with auto racing. Even though there are five point harnesses included with the cars and even though there are heavy-duty safety belts included with the cars that automobile drivers are strapped in, it seems as though there still needs to be an important safety measure that has to be added. Because auto racers are able to speed well over 200 miles per hour should shed light on the fact that the current measures of auto racing safety are just not cutting it. For starters, what happens when a driver crashes into the wall of a NASCAR track? The driver has no choice but to smack into the wall of the auto racing track, which is the reason that more widespread use of Soft Walls needs to be implemented at race tracks all around the country.

What are Soft Walls?

In order to decide whether or not you agree with the fact that soft walls need to be implemented at all the auto racing events of the major season, it’s first important to know what these contraptions exactly are. As the name states, Soft Walls are designed to be literally a soft wall for the driver of the auto racing car to crash right into. Let’s face it: auto racing crashes and accidents are all too common anymore, and there needs to be something done about it in order to save more lives of the drivers at auto racing events.

What are Soft Walls Composed Of?

The design of the Soft Wall material is quite simple: it is made to be easily crumbled so that the drivers of the auto racing vehicle will be able to collapse the wall by him or herself when the vehicle smashes into the side of the wall. For this reason, some collapsible material is placed within the Soft Wall. For example, Cellofoam is one type of the Soft Wall that can be implemented easily on a race track. In fact, one of NASCAR’s own race tracks currently has part of the Soft Wall implemented. This is mainly because the NASCAR organization has realized that more intense safety precautions need to be taken, but the whole of the NASCAR tracks need to be accounted for as well!

There are also several other materials that can be used for Soft Walls at auto racing tracks across the country besides Cellofoam. Polyethylene Energy Dissipation System, or simply PEDS, is a system that is designed to increase the withstanding pressure of the current walls around auto racing racetracks. In Europe there is an Impact Protection System that is in place on most auto racing walls. This system involves layered PVC materials so that the structure of the wall is enhanced greatly. Finally, compression barriers are another option for materials of Soft Walls.

Altogether, though, Soft Walls are probably the best possible safety measure that could be taken in order to increase the lives of many auto racing drivers throughout the world. Even though some measures have just begun to be implemented in the United States, there definitely has to be more Soft Walls involved!

Whenever there is an auto racing event then there is probably always going to be concerns of safety along the way. Even though auto racing cars generally have excellent restraint systems that will prevent auto racers from getting blown out of their car at almost 200 miles per hour, there still needs to be safety accessories that an auto racer has with them and on them at all times. Whether you are a fan of the professional auto racing events, though, or are just starting out performing at auto races across the United States unprofessionally, safety is a major issue that one should concern his or herself with. Just as there is safety equipment that is typically used in any other sport like basketball or football, auto racing has its own kinds of safety measures that go above and beyond what any other sport would consider.

There are also plenty of these auto racing stores throughout the country that carry all sorts of safety equipment for the auto racing professional or amateur. If you are one of these people who love to race their cars then chances are that you’ve already been to an auto racing store that sells safety equipment. Nevertheless, here are some of the essentials that an auto racer should have with them when racing:

Specialty Helmets

Believe it or not, there are actually specialty helmets that can be purchased just for the sake of auto racing. The helmets that are typically used during the auto racing events are lightweight helmets that fit over all parts of your head, and sometimes even extend a little bit behind the neck. Inside this specialty helmet are cheek pads, which cushion your cheek from the turbulence that comes from racing at dangerous speeds.

Racing Suits

Another one of the auto racing safety equipment that one should be wearing is racing suits. There are actually racing suits that are specifically designed for auto races and those who are involved with NASCAR and other major races throughout the country. These racing suits are not only made of lightweight material, but they also usually have an internal knit inside so that the racer will be warm and protected. The outside of the auto racing suits are usually satin, but it simply depends on the brand that is purchased whether or not it will contain everything listed here. The fact is, though, that auto racing suits are designed to withstand pressure and all the famous auto racing individuals do wear them.

Other Accessories

Gloves and boots are the other types of auto racing accessories that will be needed if you plan to pursue the adventure of racing your car. The specialty types of glove and boots that are needed will not only help withstand the pressure of being inside a racecar, but they also help the comfort of the racing individual as well.

All in all, there is plenty to think of when starting on your journey of auto racing. Safety is pretty much always an issue when it comes to any major professional sport and auto racing is no different!

Have you ever picked up a favorite pastime or activity that you knew you were born for? Just as there are many people who feel that they were born to greatness, so too are there many people who contend that they were born to be famous in the auto racing industry. When one thinks of the many famous people within the auto racing circle, such as Jeff Gordon, one can easily see how the personalities of the drivers in NASCAR and other auto racing circles do correspond to the activity that they are performing in. If you have ever considered auto racing, though, chances are that your mind just glossed over the thought of it. In fact, many people don’t even know how to get started with auto racing, even though it can be one of the most fun sports and pastimes ever. Here are some reasons to get involved right now with auto racing:

Free As a Bird

Many people choose to get involved with auto racing for a lot of reasons, but the number one reason that many people cite when they are asked about why they got started with it in the first place is because they are able to be as free as a bird! In other words, when they are in the car that they perform their auto racing in they are able to control everything from the speed that they’re going to the place that they finish in. People who auto race for enjoyment on the weekend love the rush that they feel when they’ve completed a course and they also love the attention they receive whenever they’ve finished in First Place!

Home Away from Home

Another reason that many people cite when asked about auto racing is the fact that they are able to hang with some of the most fun people on the planet. Friends are able to meet friends in auto racing circles, and there are always plenty of opportunities to meet new people. In addition, many people feel that the people they meet in their auto racing circles can be their home away from home, and use the auto racing hobby as a way to leave all their worries behind and focus on the one thing that they’re good at!

The Chance to Speed

At least in the United States, going over a certain legal speed limit is illegal. One reason that auto racing is so popular is because of the fact that one is able to go well over the speed limit legally and not get into trouble. Even though street racing is illegal in many places and should not be done by any means, the normal auto racing that takes place on racetracks is an easy excuse to speed past the other drivers, taking one well over 100 and 150 miles per hour!

All in all, auto racing is literally the chance of a lifetime for many people to branch out into their favorite pastime and meet new friends. It is very true that the popular hobby of auto racing definitely has increased in recent years, and chances are that it won’t slow down anytime soon!