Motorsports have been around for as long as there have been motor vehicles—racing, in one form or another has been going on for about as long as humans have interacted with each other. We’re a competitive species.

The term ‘motorsports’ implies competition using a motorized vehicle—which is pretty vague—of which there are an almost endless list of types. Some of the longest-lived of these include circuit racing, stock-car racing, and drag racing. Others include autocross, rally cross (two, very different types), time trials (or time-attack), hill climbs, rally, road rally, targa, endurance, and drifting (And that isn’t everything).

While all of these fall under the umbrella of ‘motorsport’, there has been a fair amount of debate surrounding whether some forms of motorsport can be considered racing.

While all motorsports are all competitive, not all of them pit drivers (and cars) head-to-head. In many motorsports, the competition takes place through elapsed times rather than through direct, head-to-head competition. In events like this, drivers are “racing against the clock”. This is where the arguments start: do cars have to be on the track at the same time for the competition to be considered racing? For many, the answer is yes. But, I’m not so sure.

There are always exceptions to the rules.

Le Mans is a perfect example

In the 24 Heurs du Mans, drivers are not only racing head-to-head against one another on the track, they’re racing against the clock at the same time. The goal of the race is to cover the longest distance in the race rather than to necessarily cross the finish line ahead of the competition. This race is one of strategy as much as it is about speed and endurance. Given all of this, however, no one would argue that Le Mans isn’t racing.

And what about drifting?

Drifting creates an awkward space in motorsports. While the cars are on the track at the same time, the drivers are not necessarily worried about crossing the finish line first. In drifting, cars are scored by judges on their performance, like torque-filled, tire-smoking figure skaters. This makes them inhabit a strange place in motorsports, acting almost more like entertainment than sport. This isn’t to say that drifting is not a sport, but it is another example of head-to-head competition not quite falling into the category of racing.

Why is there such a division in what is considered racing? Is racing not about who’s fastest? Does it really matter if the cars are on the track at the same time?

It could be argued that by driving head-to-head, a psychological aspect of the race is added to the competition. It could be argued, though, that NOT competing head to head adds a psychological aspect to the competition. And it could be argued that the mind-fucking is even worse when you’re not on the track at the same time.

There’s no reason that we need to split hairs about what is and isn’t racing. If you’re competing and having fun, who cares?