The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 plus 4 letter word DRAG RACE
D
R
A
G
R
A
C
E
More clues leading to the result DRAG RACE
- Fast track career from GP beginning with absolute kindness
- People next to trail in driving event
- Learned fellow has a prayer for motor sport
- Drive with a stylishness in motor competition
- Bore people in speed contest
- . Car is reversed in anger after initial defeat in speed contest
- Transvestite ethnic group's hot rod contest
- Pull car back with energy for an auto competition
- Drive, by a prayer, in hot rod event
- Vehicle in view, heading off and moving up in driving contest
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "an auto competition" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case an auto competition = drag race.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.