1950s in motorsport

This article documents the status of motorsports in the 1950s.

United States

Due to the rising popularity of stock car racing, the new Strictly Stock Series is established as the Grand National. The series becomes phenomenally popular, and attracts numerous domestic manufacturers.
The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird become the first true American sports cars. Late in the decade the Corvette would adopt a V8 engine, and become heavily competitive in endurance racing.
The Indianapolis 500 is added to the new grand prix schedule. It is later replaced with a United States Grand Prix in 1959.[1]
Phil Hill debuts in 1958.[2]
The SCCA National Sports Car Championship was first contested in 1951, America's first championship for sportscars.
The 12 Hours of Sebring is first held
NASCAR legend Richard Petty debuts

Grand prix racing returns after World War II temporarily halts automobile production. The new grand prix series is known as Formula One.
The debut of driver Stirling Moss.[3]
The establishment of the World Sports Car Championship, composed mainly of endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The beginnings of the British Saloon Car Championship, now the British Touring Car Championship.
The Mille Miglia is last held.
The Portuguese Grand Prix debuts in 1958
The Dutch Grand Prix is first held in 1955
The Spanish Grand Prix is first held in 1951

The Moroccan Grand Prix, the first F1 race to be held in Africa, is held in 1958

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