Can someone educate me?

Question

What does the term "Grand Prix" mean?

Answer 1

Im a Texan so I dont know exactly but I found this Mrs Glory:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Grand+P...

Answer 2

It's a race.

It's also and type of car.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure it means "Big Race"

Answer 4

big race?

Answer 5

well, a grand prix is a big race, just as it is translated - generally a formula one race.  i don't know if it has to be a road course, but being F1, i'm guessing there are both left and right turns involved.  the US grand prix, which won't be held this year, is normally held at the indianapolis motor speedway.  there was a full circuit in the US at one point: http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/track_us....

as for current F1 races, they are held around the world, and are all named "big race" in the appropriate language:

http://www.formula1.com/races/calendar.h...

what confuses me a bit is that the long beach grand prix was held even up to this year, and it was a champ car event.  so i guess a "grand prix" is not limited to formula one events.

here, i found some interesting stuff, particularly about the "long beach grand prix" (champ cars/CART) and the "us grand prix west."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach_...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stat...

hope it helps.

Answer 6

The name Grand Prix is typically reserved for road or street courses. Oval races are never referred to as Grand Prix.