The term 'HEAT AT A RACE' can be summarized as the preliminary heats that are held before a race. These heats are used to determine which competitors will advance to the final race. The crossword solution for this term is 'PRELIM', which is short for preliminary. Preliminary heats are a common part of many racing events, such as track and field, auto racing, and horse racing. They are used to narrow down the field of competitors and ensure that only the best racers make it to the final race.