Project: history of auto racing

[malice10985]

I am graduating in 2 weeks, and I have 1 final research paper to write. For my History of Technology class, I must write a 10-15 page essay on the history of automotive racing.

THe paper is supposed to focus on two main areas:
-history of engine technology
-suspension technology

The theme of the paper is that auto racing pioneers technology that is later incorporated into production vehicles. The teacher doesn't know anything about cars though, so I can be flexible in what I write about.

SInce this is a car site, I figured you guys would be interested. Who wants to help me out? I would appreciate any useful links, as well as discussion on the topic. Talking with other people is considered "primary data." ;)

[WickEdSix9838]

I did a research paper just on the history of NHRA in my soph. lit. class a few years ago and I had so much information that the paper could have been 15+ pages and all i needed was 6. With a topic this broad, you wont have any problems making the length just choosing what information to use is the hard part.

[malice10985]

I am sure I will have no problem coming up with 15 pages. My dilema is what to focus on. Pushrod motors, OHC motors, turbos, blowers, drag racing, road racing, etc...

['98 BlackBird]

NASCAR = moonshine bootleggers. Thats how the stock car came around.

[Question]

I recently wrote a 10 page paper on America's Sports Car, the Corvette. There is so much information out there, but most of it that I wrote about was prior knowledge. Im sure you wont have ANY problem writing about auto racing in general, but I would narrow it down and focus more on Chevy's motors and Chevy in the drag racing scene.

[malice10985]

I will definatley concentrate on chevy, but I don't want to just talk about drags.

Turning is a big part of driving, so I ought to talk about suspension a little bit. Honestly, I don't know that much about it, so I will just stick to the basics like swaybars, shocks, and springs.

[malice10985]

Originally posted by '98 BlackBird:
NASCAR = moonshine bootleggers. Thats how the stock car came around.

Tell me more...