When road racing first took off in the United States, public driving roads were frequently closed for the entire day. These were usually country roads where traffic was already scarce, sometimes covering a couple hundred miles of open highway. This was also once popular for truck racing because it provided the opportunity to show off modifications.

Nowadays, public driving roads are rarely closed for racing. Dedicated circuit tracks are safer, provide more room for spectators and are generally easier to control. Nevertheless, many race car drivers prefer the thrill of the open road and prefer long distances with constantly changing scenery. For these drivers, there are a few races every year that take place on closed public roads.

Open Road Racing (www.openroadracing.com) for example, is based out of Nevada and hosts two major public road races every year. These events take place over distances of 50 to 84 miles, usually on closed state highways. Entry fees range from $495 to $595, plus yearly membership fees to the MKM Racing Club. The first is the Bonneville 100, which is held on Highway 93A in Wendover, Nev., and the other is the Pony Express 130, on State Highway 305 in Battle Mountain, Nev.

The Big Bend Open Road Race (www.bborr.com)is also a popular event, taking place in West Texas on US 285 from Fort Stockton to Sanderson. The entire race is approximately 118 miles and is considered one of the most exciting open road races in the entire U.S. It is comprised of more than 50 turns in the last 50 miles of the race, and it is far more rugged than events in the west and northeast.

There are very stringent rules for competing in races on public driving roads, including maximum speeds (usually 112 to 180 mph), types of equipment (some limit contestants to factory equipment) and safety regulations. The rules will vary depending on the association holding the race, but it is important to note that safety is always the primary consideration. In most cases, nitrous oxide enhancements and other speed boosters are not permitted.

Spectators are usually allowed at these events, but it is difficult for anyone to see any length of a single race. As mentioned above, most of these races are held on highways in both directions, and a seated spectator will only be able to see a few seconds of the race. Additionally, spectators are usually confined to checkpoint areas and are closely monitored by race officials.

Many racing associations will allow you to sign up for course control, which means stationing yourself at a specific point to make sure that everyone is safe. This is usually the best way to get a good "seat" at these races, and you might even earn money.

In some parts of the world, public driving roads are also closed for Grand Prix motorsport races, but these are much different from amateur events. In these races, tech speeds can exceed 300 mph and the safety restrictions are far more intense. It is best to start out with low-key open road races before deciding you want to "go pro."

By Steve Thompson

Steve is a freelance writer.