pace car

(pās)

A usually high-performance automobile that leads a group of competing cars through the pace lap of a race but does not participate in the race.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pace′ car`

(peɪs)
n.

a car that leads the competing cars through a pace lap and leaves the course before the race begins.

[1960–65]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

pace car - a high-performance car that leads a parade of competing cars through the pace lap and then pulls off the course

auto racing, car racing - the sport of racing automobiles

auto, automobile, car, motorcar, machine - a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work"

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