1980s in motorsport

This page documents some of the events that happened in motorsport in the 1980s.

United States

• The IMSA GTP class debuted, which saw great advances in technology
• The rise of CART, the first IndyCar Series
• The debut of Al Unser, Jr. in open-wheel racing.
• The debut of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Terry Labonte in NASCAR
• The US has several Formula One races throughout the decade alongside the one at Watkins Glen International. They have events at Long Beach Street Circuit, Detroit Street Circuit, Las Vegas Street Circuit, and Dallas Street Circuit. This would be a contributor to the event being dropped in 1992.
• Riverside International Raceway closes after over 30 years

Europe

• The San Marino Grand Prix at Imola is first held in order to have two F1 races in Italy.
• The European Grand Prix is first held. The inaugural event is at Brands Hatch.
• The Hungarian Grand Prix is first held.
• The Dutch Grand Prix is discontinued in 1985 after 30 events.
• The Austrian Grand Prix was dropped in 1987. It is not held again for ten years.
• The Portuguese Grand Prix returns in 1984 after nearly 25 years. It is held until 1996.
• The Swiss Grand Prix returns after almost 30 years as a one-time event held in Dijon, France.
• The Audi 90 Quattro dominates in both IMSA GTO and the Trans Am Series for years.

Australia

• The Australian Grand Prix is first held

Central America

• The Mexican Grand Prix returns in 1986 after a 16 year hiatus.

South America

• The IndyCar Series introduces the Gran Premio Tecate. It is held until 2007.
• The Argentine Grand Prix is dropped in 1981. It is not held again until 1995.

Asia

• The Japanese Grand Prix returns in 1987 after a 10-year hiatus
• Asian manufacturers begin to dominate grand tourer racing. These include the Toyota Supra and Acura NSX.

See also

• 1990s in motorsport
• 1970s in motorsport