So here is a thought for my automotive friends – I like drag racing, road racing, autocross, rally, and pretty much any other form of motorsports.

Drag Racing has a certain popularity in part because it has a comparable benchmark. There are dragstrips all over the world that can measure the same time/distance. There are differences in track condition, but at least the fundamental measurement is the same.

Road Racing, Autocross, and Rally suffer from the problem of uniqueness. Each road course is different, each stage different, and it makes comparisons challenging.

The downside of pure drag racing (and even roll racing) is the singular focus (just accelerating) creates an environment where the compromises to the car become very focused and limiting. You often hear ‘I wonder if that car can turn’ in reference to some very fast 1/4 mile funny cars. There is nothing wrong with specialization and optimization, as that is the nature of competition.

The recent popularity of airstrip racing has a similar property. It is comparable, and somewhat singular in focus. It is cool because of that. It is also a bit dangerous as we have the ability to make car much faster than the safety gear can protect.

What ideas do people have to something similar to drag racing/roll racing/airstrip that would have elements that encourage a broader array of performance characteristics, but is still comparable across sites?

It has to be something that can be replicated, measured, compared, and has balance.

You could have a 1/4 drag race that involved stopping and turning around, or perhaps something that involved a slalom either at the beginning or end, or in the middle.

Other ideas?