Top 10 Biggest Car Races World
Top 10 Biggest Car Races In The World
There’s no sight more thrilling in the world of sport than watching an aerodynamically designed race car whizz past you at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour ! Automobile technology has come a long way since the first racecars were developed in the early 20th century. The mean machines of today are high on horse power, and can reach speeds of up to 320 miles per hour at will.
The thrill associated with car racing is also related to the dangers that come along with the sport. There have been many crashes leading to injuries and even deaths to high profile sportsmen in this industry, but all in all that adds another degree of adventure to these races. As racing can reach life and death proportions, the racers are widely idolized all over the world, for their bravery and consistency on the track.
- Are you passionate about following the automobile racing world ?
- Do you know which car race in the world offers the biggest winning purse ?
- Would you like to be more informed about the biggest races worldwide ?
Well, fret not, as we have got you covered as we have prepared a detailed list of the 10 biggest car races in the world, listed primarily due to their prestige and value to the racing world and also the mammoth winning prizes on offer.
1. Monaco Grand Prix
Venue : Circuit De Monaco
Country : Monaco
Started In : 1929
Most Wins (Driver) : Ayrton Senna (6)
Laps : 78
Race Length : 161 miles
One of the most historic and prestigious automobile races in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix is 1/3rd of the famed Triple Crown Of Motorsport, highlighting its importance to the sport. Held in the recreational region of Monte-Carlo, it is one of the best-attended and most widely watched sporting events of the year all over the world. The glamour and prestige associated with Monte-Carlo in general has a huge influence on the popularity of this race.
The legendary Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna achieved worldwide fame with 6 different race wins at the Monaco Grand Prix, establishing his status as probably the best driver in Formula 1 history. The race has some sharp turns and elevated changes, also including a challenging tunnel. 78 laps of the racetrack cover a total of 161 miles, which makes it the shortest Grand Prix and also the only one, which does not adhere to the FIA’s regulations of a minimum 190-mile race.
Where can i bet on Monaco Grand Prix?
2. Daytona 500
Venue : Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
Country : USA
Started In : 1959
Most Wins (Driver) : Richard Petty (7)
Laps : 200
Race Length : 500 miles
The Daytona 500 is the most popular automobile race in the USA. Held at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida every year since 1959, the Daytona 500 sees some of the best drivers in the world from different disciplines compete over a 500 mile race for a massive amount of money.
It is comfortably the biggest draw of the NASCAR calendar, with the prize money on offer unmatched by any other race in the country. In 2016, the Daytona 500 had a combined winning purse of $19.4 million, an amount unprecedented in American motorsport. Due to its significance, the race has earned the nickname of “The Great American Race” and also “The Super Bowl Of Stock Car Racing”.
The race involves 200 laps of the Speedway, covering 500 miles in total as the name suggests, and has been won by Richard Petty 7 times, which is a record. Usually held in February every year, the race attracts one of the largest global TV audiences for any sport in 2016. The race is also the featured race in most of the NASCAR themed tv shows and video games to have come out in the past decade.
Where can i bet on Daytona 500?
3. Indy 500
Venue : Speedway, Indiana
Country : USA
Started In : 1911
Most Wins (Driver) : Rick Mears (4)
Laps : 200
Race Length : 500
The biggest rival to the NASCAR series in American motorsport is the American Championship Car racing, and the top level in that is the Verizon IndyCar series.
The Indy 500, short for Indianapolis 500, is undoubtedly the main draw of the Verizon series and is one of the biggest automobile races in the world, a fact made all the more impressive that it is in no way associated with NASCAR. Held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year, the race has a prestigious history and is the second leg of the famed Triple Crown Of Motorsport. A massive attendance of around 265,000 is recorded at the Speedway every year on average, breaking several attendance records frequently.
The inaugural race was held in 1911 and was won by Ray Harroun, while 3 different drivers, namely AJ Foyt, AL Unser and Rick Mears have all won the race 4 times each, a record. Same as the Daytona 500, the race has 200 laps covering 500 miles on an asphalt track. The Indy 500 in 2016 had a combined winning purse of a mammoth 13.5 million, which is set to rise in the coming years.
Where can i bet on Indy 500?
4. 24 Hours Of Le Mans
Venue : Circuit de la Sarthe
Country : France
Started In : 1923
Most Wins (Driver) : Tom Kristensen (9)
Laps : -/-
Race Length : 24 hours
One of the most popular and unique races in the world, the 24 Hours Of Le Mans has its own place in motorsport history. With Grand Prix racing dominating Europe, this race was designed as a completely alternative method of racing. Instead of focusing on the ability of the car manufacturers to build speed demons, this race focused on their ability to make their cars reliable and durable.
Cars that fight for the title are also known for spending the least time on pit stops, hence they need to have a considerable amount of endurance and fuel efficiency, two very different primary traits as compared to a Formula 1 race. The race is usually held in the hottest part of the year, i.e. a warm June afternoon, culminating at the same time on the following day. Tom Kristensen has won the race the maximum number of times, with 9 wins.
60 competitors begin this race on average, and as the race has been part of the World Endurance Championship since 2012, the prize money has been increased to $11 million. The prestigious race is also the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown Of Motorsport.
Where can i bet on 24 Hours Of Le Mans?
5. Singapore Grand Prix
Venue : Marina Bay Street Circuit
Country : Singapore
Started In : 2008
Most Wins (Driver) : Sebastian Vettel (4)
Laps : 61
Race Length : 191 miles
The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the latest entrants on the F1 circuit, with the first ever race taking place as recently as 2008. With the country lying directly on the equator and experiencing tropical climate throughout the year, the race begins at 8 pm local time, the latest that any Grand Prix begins.
A challenging twisty circuit covering more than 190 miles, majority of the race takes place on actual public roads, highlighting the high standard of roads in the country. A few 90 degree turns combined with the climate make it a very challenging race, especially for European drivers. Sebastian Vettel has been the most successful driver at the Singapore Grand Prix, with 4 race wins over the years.
The Singapore Grand Prix has quickly evolved into one of the highest grossing sporting events in South East Asia, and is a major event in the region’s calendar, decorated by high octane performances from the top names in the music and entertainment industry. More than 260,000 people constituted the total attendance for the event over a 3 day period in 2017.
Where can i bet on Singapore Grand Prix?
6. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Venue : Yas Marina Circuit
Country : UAE
Started In : 2009
Most Wins (Driver) : Seb Vettel and Lewis Hamilton (3 each)
Laps : 55
Race Length : 189.8 miles
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is also one of the latest entrants on the F1 circuit. The first race was held as recently as 2009. The race was also the first ever day-night race in Formula 1 history, with the event beginning at 5 pm local time and continuing through the nighttime. The floodlights were switched on before the start of the event only, so as not to prove a distraction while transitioning from day to night.
The race is held on the Yas Marina Circuit, located on an isolated island called Yas Island, which measures 25.5 square kilometers, and lies on the east coast of Abu Dhabi. Though the prize money for all F1 races is fixed and remains the same, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has long been associated with the wealthy Arab Sheikhs and luxury and extravagance. The race is marked by a grand opening ceremony and many international celebrities mark the occasion with their presence.
The race has been won by both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel a record 3 times each. 55 laps of the race cover a total distance of almost 190 miles.
Where can i bet on Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
7. Monte Carlo Rally
Venue : Along the French Riviera, Monaco
Country : Monaco and France
Started In : 1911
Most Wins (Driver) : Sebastian Loeb (7)
Laps : 17 stages
Race Length : 1411
Organized by the Automobile Club de Monaco, the same organization which organizes the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo Rally is the most highly rated rally in the WRC Calendar. It is also the first race of the WRC, usually held in January every year.
The rally is one of the most challenging races in the world, as drivers have to negotiate their way through several climatic conditions, including snow, thunder, ice, wet and dry tarmac etc. This makes it imperative to select the right tyres for different stages of the race.
The race also includes one of the most special stages in the world. Passing over a mountain pass road called the Col de Turini, which has many steep and hairpin turns. This 31 km stretch is one of the most difficult stretches in the world to navigate, and many drivers skid off track because of the snow. Sebastian Loeb, a record 7 time winner of the race also holds the record for the fastest time taken to cover this stretch.
Where can i bet on Monte Carlo Rally?
8. Dakar Rally
Venue : -/-
Country : South American Countries (Formerly France and African Countries)
Started In : 1978
Most Wins (Driver) : Stephane Peterhansel (71 stage wins)
Laps : 12 stages
Race Length : 5776 miles
One of the biggest races in the world, in terms of length as well as prestige, the Dakar Rally is held every year across various South American countries, and has many different race types, such as for bikes, ATV’s (Quad bikes), cars and even trucks.
The most recent Dakar Rally began on 2nd January 2017, and originated in Paraguay, eventually culminating in Bueos Aires in Argentina 12 days later, after completing all 12 stages. A total of 317 vehicles took part in the 2017 rally, including 143 bikes, and only 227 vehicles manage to complete the rally. Stephane Peterhansel has won the maximum number of combined stages in the Dakar Rally history with 71.
The race is covered by television broadcasters in almost 190 countries, a testament to its global reach and popularity. A prize money of $4 million was awarded to the winners of the 2017 Dakar Rally in Bueones Aires, which is a record in WRC races. 9 time WRC champion Sebastian Loeb has also earmarked the next year’s Dakar rally as his final race, highlighting the importance and value of that race.
Where can i bet on Dakar Rally?
9. AAA Texas 500
Venue : Texas Motor Speedway
Country : USA
Started In : 2005
Most Wins (Driver) : Jimmie Johnson (5)
Laps : 334
Race Length : 500 miles
Formerly known as the Dickies 500, the AAA Texas 500 is another massively popular NASCAR race, held at the famous Texas Motor Speedway. The even takes place in the first week of November every year, and usually begins in the late afternoon, going through the sunset period and ending under the floodlights at night.
One of the most popular NASCAR based movies of all time i.e Talladega Nights : The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby, was based completely on this prestigious race, highlighting its popularity in the US racing circuit. The last 4 races in a row have been won by Jimmie Johnson, who holds the record for the most wins with 5, having won another one back in 2007. The first winner of this race was Carl Edwards in 2005, who went on to win 2 more races.
NBC has acquired the television broadcast rights of this race and it remains one of the most widely viewed sports events in North America, and is one of the biggest events in the Texan sporting calendar.
Where can i bet on AAA Texas 500?
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10. Coca Cola 600
Venue : Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
Country : USA
Started In : 1960
Most Wins (Driver) : Darrel Waltrip (5)
Laps : 400
Race Length : 600 miles
Comfortably the longest race on the NASCAR Calendar, the Coca Cola 600 involves 400 laps of a 1.5 mile track, with a total distance of 600 miles. Held during the memorial day weekend every single year since 1960, the race is one of the more popular NASCAR events, watched by millions of people across the globe. It wass also the first ever race to be held at the famous Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord.
The race is widely regarded as the biggest rival to the popular Indy 500, which is often held on the same weekend and both the races compete for a better share of the TV ratings.
The race experiences bright sunlight during the first quarter, as it begins around 6:20pm, and then continues through dusk and finally floodlights at night. For the first 25 years, the race was known as the World 600, before Coca Cola took over as the main sponsors and also acquired naming rights. The prestigious race is one of the highest rated annual sporting events on FOX Tv, and in 2017 had a combined prize money of $14.7 million.
Where can i bet on Coca Cola 600?
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