1950s in motorsport
# 1950s in motorsport

This article documents the status of motorsports in the 1950s.

## United States

* Due to the rising popularity of stock car racing, the new Strictly Stock Series is established as the Grand National. The series becomes phenomenally popular, and attracts numerous domestic manufacturers.
* The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird become the first true American sports cars. Late in the decade, the Corvette would adopt a V8 engine and become heavily competitive in endurance racing.
* The Indianapolis 500 is added to the new grand prix schedule. It is later replaced with a United States Grand Prix in 1959.
* Racing legend Phil Hill debuts in 1958.
* The SCCA National Sports Car Championship was first contested in 1951, America's first championship for sports cars.
* The Twelve Hours of Sebring is first held
* NASCAR legend Richard Petty debuts
* Debut of racing legend A. J. Foyt in IndyCar
* The Hudson Hornet is dominant in NASCAR
* The National Hot Rod Association is founded as a professional organization for drag racing
* Daytona International Speedway opens
* Riverside International Raceway opens. It will last until the 1980s when it will close
* Laguna Seca Raceway opens
* The original Daytona Beach Road Course closes

## Europe

* Grand prix racing returns after World War II temporarily halts automobile production. The new grand prix series is known as Formula One.
* The debut of racing legend Stirling Moss.
* The establishment of the World Sports Car Championship, composed mainly of endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
* The beginnings of the British Saloon Car Championship, now the British Touring Car Championship.
* The Mille Miglia is last held after thirty years.
* The Portuguese Grand Prix debuts in 1958
* The Dutch Grand Prix is first held in 1955
* The Spanish Grand Prix is first held in 1951
* The Porsche 550 Spyder and Porsche 356 are introduced, competitive in motorsport
* The Maserati Birdcage is introduced as a competitive racing prototype
* The Jaguar D-Type is introduced as a competitive racecar
* The Lotus Eleven is introduced for motorsport
* The original Mini debuts. It is competitive in touring car racing.
* The original Volkswagen Beetle debuts, becoming competitive in touring car racing
* The Triumph TR is introduced
* The MG A is introduced
* Dino is introduced as a brand of Ferrari
* Juan Manuel Fangio wins a then-record five Formula One drivers championships, driving for Alfa Romeo

## Australia

* The rise of famous racer and race car builder Jack Brabham.

## South America

* The Carrera Panamericana is held from 1950-1954
* The Argentine Grand Prix debuts in 1953 as the first F1 race in South America

## Africa

* The Moroccan Grand Prix, the first F1 race to be held in Africa, is held in 1958
