INDIANAPOLIS — September is here and that means that Late Model Figure-8 cars from around the country will be making their annual pilgrimage to Tom Wood Group Indianapolis Speedrome powered by Lincoln Tech.
The fifth-mile track will host this weekend’s 45th annal World Figure-8 Championship presented by Gladiator Roofing and Restoration.
The World Figure-8 Championship may be short-track racing’s best kept secret.
For three hours, Late Model Figure-8 cars cross the intersection, lap after lap, narrowly avoiding disaster, while battling for position.
In the blink of an eye, a car can be destroyed by one slight misjudgment that results in a collision with another car at the intersection. For many drivers, the risk versus reward is well worth the effort. A $20,000 payday and the right to be crowned world champion are on the line.
There is no other race in the world like it. It is often referred to as the “Greatest Figure 8 race on the planet.” It is the only race that could potentially see more cars finish the race than start it. The fastest 28 cars during qualifying will take the green flag.
After cars start coming off the track for whatever reason, alternates are then added. Due to the length of the race, pit stops are needed for fuel and tires. It is not uncommon to see teams take on four tires and fuel in less than 30 seconds. Two-way radios are prohibited so it makes communication between the driver and the crew interesting.
The race is the brainchild of former track owner John Stiles. The first event inaugurated on a very cool Sunday afternoon on Oct. 16, 1977. The race drew 73 cars from all over the Midwest and was an instant hit with fans. Greenfield, Indiana, driver Jim Fox won that first edition.
The event format is still like the inaugural 1977 race. The qualifying format has changed over the years, but the three-hour timed race format is unchanged.
The World Figure-8 Championship inaugurated at Islip Speedway on New York’s Long Island in 1964. The event annually crowned a world champion each year until the track closed in 1984. The Indianapolis Speedrome began crowning a World Figure-8 Champion with a victory in the three-hour endurance race beginning in 1985.
The Indianapolis event annually draws drivers from around the country each September. Entries for this year’s event have been filed from drivers representing Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Washington, with more expected.
The action begins Thursday night with practice and racing action with local support classes. The following evening qualifying takes place with the fastest 20 cars locked into Saturday’s three-hour test.
On Saturday afternoon, qualifying will resume to set the starting order and positions 21-28. The green flag is scheduled to wave on the main event at 8 p.m.
For those unable to attend, a high-quality live broadcast will be available on speedrome.tv as part of the SPEED SPORT TV network. All three days will be available with a couple different purchase options. Speedrome.tv also has several past World Figure-8 Championship races available to watch on demand.