Why do cars, people and horses race around a track counterclockwise?

Answer 1

For historical reasons, athletes in the Northern Hemisphere circle the track in a counter-clockwise direction. The significance of the direction of running may escape the X-generation kids who have grown with digital watches. Any way, we run counter clockwise for sentimental reasons, symbolizing our race against the clock.

Answer 2

It started with trying to be different from the British. We gained our independence from them and then we decided that we had to do everything different. So we started racing our horse on flat ground counterclockwise instead of over jumps clockwise. Which is why flat racing is so popular today in the U.S. and European racing is done mostly over fences (called steeplechasing). We started racing cars and people and since we raced our horses counterclockwise, why not keep the same principle for these two types of racing? All because we hate the British.

Answer 3

I don't know about cars and horses, but people race counterclockwise because that's the rules.

AAF rule 163 states "The direction of running shall be left-hand inside."

Answer 4

Because they know they're already going way too fast. Racing counterclockwise gives them a sense that they are doing something to offset the dangerous speeds they're attaining. It's a false sense of security and won't change anything if something goes wrong.

Answer 5

counterclockwise in this country. Other countries, such as England, run horse races clockwise. Where these originated? Who knows.

Answer 6

that's only a wager yet i imagine it has some thing to do with the overall public of human beings being proper handed. i understand i think better guard skating or using counter-clockwise, really at a intense price of %.