Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

The 5 Most Dangerous Auto Races on the Planet

Geoff Nudelman
By

most dangerous auto races
If the only things you know about car racing is the big NASCAR events and that South Park episode, then you’re missing out.

Some of the world’s most spectacular events are long-distance, multi-leg endurance races, testing the absolute limits of man, machine and the intersection where they co-exist.

Related Videos

To expand your motoring palette, we’ve rounded up five of the craziest races around the world. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, start planning your next trip now.

Related

Dakar Rally

dakar rally

What it is: The Rally earned its namesake as a race from Paris to Senegal’s capital city from 1978-2009, but has since moved to South America due to security concerns. In 2018, they’ll celebrate their 40th anniversary as competitors traverse unforgiving terrain in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.

Why it’s insane: Drivers travel more than 500 miles on any given day during the event. It’s a sheer test of will on the competitor as you face just about every climatic issue on the planet, all while trying to beat a who’s who of world-class racing talent. In 1982, Mark Thatcher (son of then-PM Margaret) competed and went missing for six days during the race, almost prompting an international incident (he was found safe).

Rainforest Challenge

What it is: A celebration of hardcore offroading across the best (worst?) of Malaysia’s rainforests. Competitors build basic, but ridiculous land crawlers meant to tackle any conceivable crossing or waterway. It’s fairly controlled compared to other races, but their machines are put to the test through all sorts of planned obstacles.

Why it’s insane: The Challenge founders host this race during the heart of SE Asia’s monsoon season, meaning the course is a muddy slop from start to finish. It’s pretty routine to see these 4×4 beasts end up on their side or completely tipped over sandwiched between a tree and/or trench.

Isle of Man TT

isle of man tt

What it is: Conceivably the world’s most famous motorcycle race, it’s 37.7 miles of pure two-wheeled fury around the autonomous Isle of Man (TT stands for “Tourist Trophy,” by the way). In one form or another, it’s been happening annually since 1907 and is mostly volunteer-run in the spirit of the competition.

Why it’s Insane: People get killed competing. More than 200 have died in its various formats, nine in 2005 alone. It’s simply been ushered in over time and the residents of the Isle have come to accept the sheer danger of the annual event. The winding twists and turns are those steeped in tradition and the risk is part of the admission fee.

Baja 1000

What it is: An epic race down Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Mainly modded trucks and even stock cars compete in this legend of endurance. The cheekiest competitors drive pre-1982 VW Beetles called “Baja Bugs.” Beyond some suspension and tire fixes, they’re mainly stock cars that take a beating on the sandy drive.

Why it’s Insane: It’s not meant for the average racer. The 850-mile course has few signs and competitors must be prepared for any condition (yes, there’s even ridiculous fog and snow during portions of the race). That doesn’t even include the crazy amount of dust that’s kicked up by wheels impairing vision much of the time. It’s an assault on the senses to the extreme.

24 Hours of Le Mans

24 hours le mans

What it is: The world’s oldest endurance race runs on a mix of closed public roads and private raceway at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The event focuses more on durability as competitors and their teams switch off drivers over a full day of racing with several major manufacturers represented. At least three drivers have to switch off with each vehicle.

Why it’s insane: Driving for 24 hours is no joke. Driving 24 hours in June heat is even worse. The sheer endurance of the race has made it one of the most prestigious annual motoring events and the accolades matter. It’s also a proving ground for future technology that finds its way into some of the world’s best sports cars.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
BMW’s latest all-electric concept is a beach-ready scooter with a surfboard
The battery-powered scooter is the resulting lovechild from BMW Motorrad and Vagabund Moto
BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept parked in the middle of a studio with a man looking at the scooter.

Based on the photos that BMW Motorrad, BMW's motorcycle arm, released of the BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept, one would assume that it’s an art piece that’s meant to sit front and center in a Los Angeles apartment. But that’s not the case. The CE 04 is the latest concept from the two companies and is an all-electric scooter with an eye on urban mobility, but somehow, it has a rack to carry a matching surfboard. Yeah, we’re a little confused by the concept, but in a good way.

If you’re familiar with the Austrian-based Vagabund, you’re probably not surprised by the CE 04 Concept. Vagabund Moto is a design studio that’s created some pretty radical car and motorcycle concepts, many of which utilize BMW’s bikes as the base. The team at Vagabund have a history of making some incredible concepts, so the CE 04 Concept fits right in with their theme of urban machines with an eye-catching design. 

Read more
Mercedes just integrated TikTok into its in-car entertainment system (really)
The third-party app will displayed on the 2024 E-Class’ enormous and high-tech Superscreen
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Superscreen close up on TikTok application.

Mercedes-Benz is consistently at the forefront of innovation. Depending on who you ask, Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce the modern automobile, to place brakes on all four wheels of a car, and come out with crumple zones for safety. Not sexy, but definitely innovative stuff. Mercedes just gave the world the first glimpse at the 2024 E-Class, and the midsize sedan is an absolute powerhouse on the tech front. The automaker's best seller arrives with a new Superscreen system and native third-party access to popular entertainment apps like Angry Birds, Zoom, Vilvadi web browser, Webex by Cisco, and TikTok.

While GOP leaders in red states are trying to ban TikTok in the United States, claiming that the app provides the Chinese government with sensitive information, Mercedes-Benz has pulled a hold-my-non-alcoholic-beer moment by bringing the app to the new E-Class with its new MB.OS operating system. Obviously, Mercedes doesn’t want you to access TikTok while driving, because recording how you’re going to steal a Hyundai or Kia, which is something you probably learned on TikTok, from behind the wheel of your Mercedes E-Class just isn’t safe. Owners will be able to access TikTok, and other apps, through the infotainment system when the car is parked. Since the E-Class’ dashboard has two screens, your passenger can join in on all the fun that TikTok offers.

Read more
Honda stuffed an 800-HP IndyCar powertrain into the family-friendly CR-V
Honda CR-V's IndyCar engine: The result may be the most absurd, fastest, and track-ready SUV ever
Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer front end angle from driver's side parked in the middle of a road at night.

Honda is a diverse company with a wide range of products that includes planes, boat engines, and motorcycles. The Japanese brand is best known for its reliable and well-built cars that, for the most part, are boring -- except for the Civic Type R. Take the Honda CR-V, for example. It’s a class-leading SUV, but you’re not going to buy it for its thrilling performance. Leave it to Honda and some hysterical engineers without a budget to make a drool-worthy CR-V. All it took was for Honda to cram an 800-horsepower, hybrid powertrain from an IndyCar and create a deranged design. Honda describes the CR-V Hybrid Racer in the best way, calling it a “rolling electrified laboratory.”
Before we get into the CR-V Hybrid Racer, we’re going to try to rationalize its existence. IndyCar is introducing some new rules for the 2024 season. Honda, which first got into IndyCar in 1994, is getting ready for the upcoming 2024 season, where IndyCars will have to be electrified. To strum up some interest in the next era of IndyCar racing, Honda has come out with the CR-V Hybrid Racer, which the automaker is calling a “sneak preview.”

Previous

Read more