10 Racing Events For Your Bucket List

• Staff Writer

• December 19, 2022

Does the roar of an engine get your blood pumping? Do you love the smell of hot rubber on asphalt? Does the cheer of the crowd make your heart soar? Whether you’re a NASCAR fan, a Formula One follower, or more into rally racing, there are great racing events around the world that you need to experience at some point in your life.

These are 10 of the racing events that need to be on your bucket list.

10. Belgium Grand Prix

Sure, the Monaco Grand Prix gets more press, but there are plenty of reasons the Belgium Grand Prix needs to be on your bucket list. Held in Spa, Belgium, this is one of the most challenging tracks in the entire world, and drivers who win (or even complete the race) have some serious bragging rights. It’s not just about the track, which is challenging enough, but the weather plays a role too. It’s fickle, and drivers may find that one half of the track is soaked in rain while the other is bone dry. This is also home to Eau Rogue, one of the most famous corners in the entire racing world.

9. Irwin Tools Night Race/Bristol

Bristol is the shortest track in the NASCAR circuit, but one of the most heavily attended venues throughout the year. While the track does host races all year long, the most prestigious and popular is the Irwin Tools Night Race. This race sees 160,000 attendees crammed around the half-mile course. Spectators set up tents and cook fires while live music plays across the grounds, competing with the roar of the engines as America’s racecar drivers compete to see who is best at racing in the dark.
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8. Dakar Rally

Dakar – it’s impossible to capture the spirit of this rally raid race without actually experiencing it for yourself. Combining mountains, deserts and city streets, teams are forced to compete with multiple different vehicle types, including cars, trucks and motorcycles. Race segments can be hundreds of miles per day, and take place across what would seem impossible terrain for many drivers. The race began in 1978 and has gained a significant amount of recognition since that time, and it’s become one of the best-known races for physically weeding out drivers unable to make the finish line.
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7. Rally Finland

Rally racing is as different from NASCAR and Formula One as it’s possible to get. Combining smaller, high-powered engines and vehicles with dirt and gravel, Rally Finland is often referred to as the Grand Prix of rally racing. It’s also the fastest race in the World Rally Championships and sees hundreds of thousands of attendees each year. Unlike some other rally races, there are no paved sections – the roads are all gravel, and there are a significant number of blind jumps drivers must make to finish.

6. Bathurst 1000

Speaking of Bathurst, the Bathurst 1000 makes this list of must-experience races. You’ll find the racing style unique – Australia’s racing series uses V8 supercars, but combines the styles of Le Mans and NASCAR into something uniquely Down Under. It includes primarily tight road segments, and runs for 1,000 kilometers at Mount Panorama. Called “The Great Race” by Australians, this pinnacle of racing deserves a spot on your bucket list for sure.
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5. 24 Hours of Le Mans

The world’s oldest active endurance car race, 24 Hours of Le Mans is often seen as the make or break race for drivers and manufacturers. It has been held since 1923, and requires drivers to race for 24 hours. It has been responsible for a number of “spin off” races that mimic its format, including Bathurst and even Daytona.
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4. Monaco Formula One Grand Prix

Held in May every year, the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix is one of the most glamorous races held worldwide. The race has been run each year since 1929, and remains one of the most important Formula One races of the year. It takes place on the narrow, winding streets of Monaco, and requires incredible handling skills on the part of the drivers.

3. Mille Miglia

Italian for Thousand Miles, Mille Miglia is an endurance race held in Italy. It first took place in 1927, and has evolved over time. Once part of the World Sports Car Championship, Mille Miglia today is a regularity race for vintage and classic racecars. Cars racing can be manufactured no later than 1957, and the race runs from Brescia to Rome and back again. While it might not have the raw power or modern vehicles found in NASCAR or at the Indianapolis 500, Mille Miglia is an amazing event for anyone with a love of classic world-class racing and shouldn’t be missed.
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2. Indianapolis 500

If you’re a fan of Indy Car racing, then the Indianapolis 500 is a must-experience race. The Brickyard is one of the most hailed events in the world, and the track dates back to 1909, when it debuted as a gravel and tar track. The first 500-mile race was held back in 1911. Today, the race draws around 300,000 people. 2015’s race marked the 99th running, although the Indy 500 celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011.
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1. Daytona 500

One of the most historic racing events in the US, the Daytona 500 is held every year at the Daytona International Speedway. Originally, the race was held on the beach that gives the area its name, and today is the most prestigious race on the NASCAR circuit. It draws spectators from around the world and racers from across the country to try their mettle on this legendary track. Lasting 500 grueling miles, Daytona has become one of the most significant races of the year, and shouldn’t be missed.

There you have it – 10 of the best racing events drawn from across the entire industry and the face of the planet. Each one deserves a spot on your bucket list, and will show you a different side of the racing world.

Unfortunately, with every racing event, there can be accidents. And some can even be caught on camera.