In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. Not all of these are allowed in all forms of racing. While the term is still used in motorsports, it also gained popularity with driving in general when embarking on long road trips, suggesting a brief break from driving, as well as a refuelling stop. These "pit stops" grant the travelers a bathroom break, a breakfast / lunch / dinner break, or a chance to take in the local scenery.
The pits usually comprise a pit lane which runs parallel to the start/finish straight and is connected at each end to the main track, and a row of garages (usually one per team ) outside which the work is done. Pit stop work is carried out by anywhere from two to twenty mechanics (also called a "pit crew "), depending on the series regulations, while the driver often waits in the vehicle (except where a driver change is involved or in Motorbike racing ).
Depending on the circuit, the garage may be located on pit lane or in a separate area. Most North American circuits feature a pit lane with a number of pit stalls (typically 30-50) and a pit wall that separates the pit lane from the infield, with the garages ( if used) on a separate road in the infield. In races where there are different series racing together, each series has its own separate garage or are parked in their own area. Circuits in other parts of the world (used in Formula One ) typically have the individual garages open directly onto the pit lane through the team 's assigned pit box.
