2007-03-01 02:20:11 · 11 answers · asked by pond_turtle_grandma 1 in Sports ➔ Horse Racing
Your premise is incorrect. Races are run counter-clockwise only in the U.S. and Canada. In the UK, France, Hong Kong and Australia Horseraces run clockwise. Auto races in the UK also do, but am not sure about races in other countries that also drive on the right side of the road (France) as in the U.S.
The reason that North American horseracing is done counter-clockwise is that somewhere in the past someone in North America decided to do it the other way to rub Britain the wrong way. The reason that auto racing is done that way is the give the driver some extra distance between himself and the wall if he happens to crash into it.
2007-03-01 17:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have been running counter clockwise since Roman times, don't (sorry) don't know why. They do not run clockwise in Europe, but they do run clockwise in Australia, New Zealand and England. The same way they drive in those countries. So if you are betting on a horse from one of those countries, if the race is over 6 furlongs your horse will probably lose because he is not used to turning counter clockwise
2007-03-01 09:28:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It varies with the preference of the region and the track, I believe. All North American tracks run counter-clockwise; with some Carribean, Central, and South American tracks going clockwise. The same is true in Europe, Australia, and Japan; where they have both clockwise and counter-clockwise tracks. Some parts of Europe have tracks that just have the horses run in a straight line.
2007-03-04 17:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by star_emperor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Running races to the left, or counter clockwise, is something that is unique to the United States. Races are run in both directions in England and throughout Europe, as well as in Asia. I am not sure why car races are run counterclockwise- it may be because it's easier for the drivers to see, or because that's how the tracks are built. I do know that this is also a thing that is unique to the US. In Europe, races are run both ways. With horse races, it's usually a matter of tradition and custom.
2007-03-01 08:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by Starlight 1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My guess would be because it's easier for drivers to make left turns since they're on the left side of the car. Dunno if the races run clockwise in the countries where drivers sit on the right side, though.
2007-03-01 02:30:07 · answer #5 · answered by ilovebrunettes98 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question! I know with horses - most that I have worked with are left-lead dominant - thus making the left turns easier. ???
2007-03-01 03:09:12 · answer #6 · answered by Stay In The Saddle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cuz thats the way they want it to be...and plus ppl are jus weird
2007-03-01 02:27:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my guess is that it is easier to see and drive as the driver is on the left side
2007-03-01 11:57:50 · answer #8 · answered by jerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you rather see them run diagonally?
2007-03-01 07:08:27 · answer #9 · answered by bold4bs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just the way they started doing it and it stuck
2007-03-01 02:57:43 · answer #10 · answered by charles h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋