Racing combines so many of the different aspects that people love when watching live sport. There’s high-speed action, unpredictability, and even a bit of danger.
Motor sport events are also some of the most popular when it comes to gambling. From the Hollywood Casino 400 to the top F1 races in the world, there are so many great opportunities for people to win some money if they are able to predict the outcome. It’s never easy, but it can add even more thrills to a sport that attracts thrill-seekers.
Hollywood Casino 400
Imagine watching a NASCAR race from the table of a casino bar. Well, you can do so at the Hollywood Casino 400. In 2011, the Hollywood Casino was built on site at the Kansas Speedway, the venue of this NASCAR playoffs event, and being able to view the track from the restaurant and bar certainly makes this a unique race experience.
Just like all of the events in this list, this race provides plenty of entertainment, and recent years have seen some truly thrilling and dramatic moments.
Belgian Grand Prix
Formula One is regarded by many as the pinnacle of motor sport, and the Belgian Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the F1 calendar. It takes place in an amazing setting in the Ardennes Forest, at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The racetrack is known for the fact that the weather is so unpredictable. There have been times during the race when some parts of the track are dry and sunny, yet a few corners later, drivers find themselves battling a wet track in the midst of falling rain. This makes choosing the right tires very tricky for the teams, and adds to the excitement of the race.
Nurburgring 24 Hours
This endurance race takes place in Germany on a 15.7 mile course which uses the whole of the F1 course and some of a nearby public road.
Approximately 200 cars start the race, and several amateur drivers also participate, which means there are bound to be some spectacular crashes.
The race is famous for the graffiti that fans spray onto the track as a way of showing their support for a particular team or driver, or even to memorialize friends who have passed away.
Dakar Rally
This famous multi-day endurance race involves cars, motorcycles and even racing trucks (sorry, no go-karts allowed) which compete over several stages, some of which are hundreds of miles in length.
It used to be known as the Paris-Dakar rally, because it usually started in Paris and ended in Dakar, Senegal. Between 2002 and 2007 the starting point was a different European city each year, and since 2009, the race has taken place entirely outside of Europe.
It is a gruelling and challenging race, and over half of the competitors routinely fail to finish. It certainly makes for enthralling viewing.
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is the traditional curtain-raiser of the NASCAR season, and has been dubbed “The Great American Race”.
The race requires the use of restrictor plates due to the high speeds that cars can reach as a result of the long track and steep 31-degree banks at the corners.
It’s always been regarded as one of the most prestigious and exciting races on the calendar, not least because it offers the largest prizemoney. It attracts huge crowds who love the festival atmosphere of the event, and TV viewership is also massive.
Le Mans
This 24-hour race is perhaps the most famous of them all. Around 60 vehicles take part, in multiple different classes. Each car must have three drivers who take turns at the wheel.
There are some crazy maneuvers and overtaking in the event, which takes place over an 8.5-mile circuit made up of both racetrack and public roads.
In order to win, cars have to last the full 24 hours, in extremely hot conditions, traveling at high speeds, without breaking down. It is a true test of endurance for both the drivers and their vehicles.
Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco has a long affiliation with Formula One and this iconic race is set in one of the most awesome, glamorous locations you can imagine. It’s certainly the place to see and be seen.
Celebs are everywhere as the biggest names in F1 go head to head through the streets of Monte Carlo. The route has some challenging changes in elevation and high-speed sections that add to the thrills.
Indianapolis 500
Now over 110 years old, the Indy 500 is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It usually takes place each year over Memorial Day weekend, and attracts over 250,000 spectators.
An event with so much history inevitably comes with several traditions. Pre-race festivities feature numerous marching bands, and once the race is all done and dusted, instead of celebrating with champagne, the winner drinks a bottle of milk!
Isle of Man TT
The Isle of Man TT is another race with a long history, having started in 1907. It is a motorcycle race that takes place on a tiny island off the coast of the UK.
It is regarded as the most dangerous race in the world, as the riders navigate the island’s tricky winding roads at insane speeds that can reach 200 mph. Over 100 riders have died during practice or racing events on the mountainous course.
Bathurst 1000
Known as “The Great Race”, The Bathurst is a 1,000 km-long race held on the Panorama Circuit in New South Wales, Australia. It is the premier motor sport event in that country.
The circuit uses public roads, and features turns with names like “Hell Corner” and “The Dipper”, which should give some indication of how thrilling a race it is.
Summary
The most famous motor sport races in the world are more than just sporting events. They attract hundreds of thousands of supporters from all over the world, and are multi-day festivals of family fun and electrifying entertainment. If you’ve never been to a racing event, you’re certainly missing out.