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The precise history of drifting is still a topic that generates much debate among racing fans even today. While the identity of the first ever drifter is lost in the annals of automotive history, it is commonly accepted that Japanese driver Kunimitsu Takahashi was the first to use drifting manoeuvres during races in the late ’70s.

What started off as a way of racing stock motorcars on dirt tracks has now become as America’s biggest and most-watched sporting event. It has rapidly matched and in many places taken over even the NFL as the most-watched sport. Nascar is huge today. For those of you wondering, Nascar stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. There are many popular races that are put on by Nascar. There are more than 1500 races that are sanctioned by Nascar with the Nextel cup, Busch series, and the Craftsman series being the most common ones.

The History
It all began in the early days of the 19th century, when Daytona Beach became the setting for speed and racing cars. It had quickly become the place where speed records were being passed each and every day. In fact, more than 15 records were set here in a span of a few years. Drivers then begun to modify their cars in order to escape the fierceness of the police force. It was here that modified cars began participating in the racing circuit.

William France, Sr.
It was William France, Sr. who can be named the founding father of Nascar or the man who laid the groundwork for it. William France, Sr. had traveled to Daytona Beach from Washington, D.C. to escape from the Great Depression. He then entered in the racing event at Daytona Beach and finished fifth. He saw that very often the drivers were left lurking in the dark after sponsors made off with their money. They were left unpaid most of the times after doing all the hard work.

This led him to the conclusion that a set of regulations, a governing body, and an organized championship were necessary for the improvement of the race and the drivers. This gave way to negotiations with several racing enthusiasts, and Nascar was formed on the 21st of February, 1948.

The First Races And Rules
Can you believe that the first set of Nascar rules and the points system were written on a saloon napkin? The first racing event sponsored by the facultative body was held at Daytona Beach. But the first ever stock car race was held on June 19th, 1949, at the Charlotte speedway. Alterations on the car commenced after about six years after Nascar was formed. Soon, custom-made vehicles began appearing on the circuit.

The Racing Circuits
Some of the tracks expended in the initiatory racing circuits are still utilized today. Martinsville Speedway is one of them. Darlington Raceway, which opened in 1950, is another. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is a popular track on the Nextel Cup circuit, dates back to 1909!

Dating back to before the Bronze Age, Peterborough is an area of fenlands, which are flat and some areas are even below sea level.

One of the most famous features of Peterborough is the cathedral. This was originally founded in 655 AD and the current building dates back almost 900 years. Fans of imposing gothic cathedrals won’t be disappointed here! The cathedral boats three enormous arches that are architecturally unique.

The nightlife in Peterborough is varied and there are plenty of venues to visit whether you are looking for a quiet drink or would prefer to dance the night away. You may want to take the time to listen to local bands, who regularly play at the various venues in the city.

For a more cultural time, it would be worth coinciding your visit with events such as the CAMRA beer festival or the annually occurring East of England Show.

Or maybe you would prefer to take in a play at the Key Theatre, located on the bank of the river Nene. It features local and national productions as well as concerts and other entertainment.

As befits a multicultural city, there is a wide range of restaurants in Peterborough featuring the expected Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines and, more recently, Polish and Japanese food as well.

The Posh (Peterborough United Football Club) play their games in a ground on the south bank of the river Nene. They have a reputation for upsetting the apple cart in a variety of football competitions and still hold the record for the highest number of league goals scored in one season.

The more leisurely sport of rowing is featured in regattas in both spring and summer and February sees a river race, once again on the river Nene.

The Great Eastern Run is a half marathon that takes place on the streets of the city and usually attracts around three thousand runners as well as plenty of spectators.

If ice hockey is your favourite sport then make sure to check out the Peterborough Phantoms in one of their Premier Ice Hockey League games.

Fans of motor sports are catered for in Peterborough at the East of England Showground, which regularly hosts speedway races.

One of the interesting archaeological sites in the area is Flag Fen. This is a Bronze Age site with a visitor centre to make sure that you can follow the site’s history from then to modern times. There are also some interesting Iron Age roundhouse reconstructions that you can wander round.

Railway enthusiasts can check out the heritage Nene Valley Railway, which is currently being run by the Peterborough Railway Society.

If you enjoy visiting historic stately homes, be sure to go to Burghley House, just north of the city. The gardens were laid out by Capability Brown in the 1700’s and the impressive looking house itself dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. If you saw the film “The Da Vinci Code”, then you may well recognise it as one of the locations that were used.

Team Penske is home to the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, and if this IndyCar team has any say in the 2010 Indy race, they’ll post back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories. Team Penske, which includes Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, is the only team on the IRL circuit to host a winner for the 2010 season after the first three races (Sao Paulo, St. Pete and Birmingham), and other teams on the racing circuit have to step things up if they want to give Penske some competition going into Indy 500 month.