'pro-racing' is a modern compound formed from the prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro', meaning 'for' or 'forward') and 'racing' (from the verb 'race', itself from Middle French 'race' and Italian 'razza' with later senses including a contest of speed).

The noun and verb 'race' developed the sense 'contest of speed' in early modern English (from Middle French 'race' via Italian 'razza'), 'racing' is the present-participle/gerund form of 'race', and the compound 'pro-racing' emerged in contemporary English by combining 'pro-' (indicating professional) with 'racing' to denote professional competitions.

Originally, 'pro-' meant 'for' or 'forward' and 'race' had earlier senses related to lineage before acquiring the 'contest of speed' sense; over time the combined form 'pro-racing' has come to specifically denote racing conducted at a professional level.