There are certain races all motorsport’s fans should attend at least once in their lives, and not just because they have the best drivers behind the wheel of the most powerful cars performing incredible feats, but also because it’s a great opportunity to tour around and discover a little more about the cities hosting the tournaments.
What really makes these races spectacular is how difficult the tracks are, the drivers’ skills, and the technology in the cars, which are often sponsored by leading car manufacturers. Many drivers dream of competing in these races as they see it as the greatest achievement of their careers and crossing the finish line in first position is a sure step to fame.
And for motorsport enthusiasts, it’s an excellent excuse to travel and enjoy both pleasures at the same time.
- Monaco Grand Prix (F1)
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One race that’s been held on the narrow streets of Monaco since 1929. Renowned celebrities descend on Monaco each year for what is widely considered as the world’s most glamorous and prestigious race. It’s held on an incredibly narrow circuit, with many elevation changes, few hard shoulders, and concrete barriers that cover almost the entire track. It also includes a tunnel at one point on the course that drivers must pass through, making it an extremely demanding track and leaving very little room for error.
Spice up your trip with a tour of the world’s smallest country (Monaco) and the streets of one of the most luxurious and richest (Monte Carlo) cities on the French Riviera.
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Indy 500 (IndyCar)
The Indianapolis 500 is known around the world for its high speeds. It’s been around for more than 100 years and typically takes place on the same day as the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s known for its quirky traditions like presenting the winner with a bottle of milk and kissing a brick at the finishing line. The race track was paved with bricks and is still known today as the Brickyard. It’s an open race that welcomes drivers from all around the world each year, with 33 cars racing around a 2.5 mile circuit at a speed of 230 mph.
Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and book a table at Milktooth. Condè Nast Traveler named it one of the best restaurants in the world.
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24 Hours of Le Mans (Le Mans)
This weekend race takes place in the French countryside in the middle of June each year. It’s an endurance race where all cars compete at the same time but with different classes depending on the car’s level of performance. Teams use two or three drivers who take turns at the wheel throughout the race. The Circuit de la Sarthe (13.629km) has private, race-specific sections of track and public roads, which are closed during the race. Often referred to as the “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency”, teams must achieve a balance of speed and resistance to complete the 24-hour race. While all the other races in the world have been modernised to offer greater control and safety, Le Mans is a race that even today still maintains its rebellious character. It’s not uncommon to see drivers working relentlessly to fix their cars on the side of the track after an accident, and cars can sometimes disappear from the race in the dead of night. This is where the most advanced car technology in the world is put to the test.
With adrenaline pumping on full, visitors will surely not want to miss out on the exciting theme park near the finish line. Le Mans is a city with a great atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy a stroll around Vieux Mans, la Place de la République and the many restaurants, cafes and bars.
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Daytona 500 (NASCAR)
Held at Daytona Beach Florida, the NASCAR ” Great American Race” is the first of four stock car races on the NASCAR calendar. The Daytona 500 attracts the highest TV ratings for any car race as it has produced some of the most spectacular moments in the sport’s history. In 1979, the Superbowl of Stock Car Racing” became the first full race to be broadcast live, and its surprise “fighting” finish helped turn auto racing into the multi-million dollar industry that it is today. On Black Sunday in 2001, or “the darkest day in NASCAR”, Dale Earnhardt tragically lost his life in an accident on the final lap of the race.
After the race, you should visit Daytona Beach, Daytona Lagoon Water Park, the Kennedy Space Centre, and then top it all off with a few fun-filled days in the parks in neighbouring Orlando
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Bathurst 1000 (V8 Supercars)
V8 Supercars is an Australian championship which has been disputed between Australia and New Zealand every year since 1998. The main 5.0 litre class has led to decades of battles between traditional rivals, Ford and Holden, both of whom put their high-end versions to the test with their Ford Falcon, Holden Monaro, Holden Torana, Chrysler Pacer and Chrysler Charger models. The race takes place on very narrow tracks with several cars usually crashing into one and another. The Bathurst 1000 is a 1000km race held annually at the Mount Panorama Circuit, colloquially known as “The Great Race”, many see it as the pinnacle of Australian motorsport. The first turn in the race is known as Hell Corner.
Bathurst is an Australian city in New South Wales. We recommend taking a tour of the Abercrombie Caves, visiting the National Motor Racing Museum, and grabbing an ATV to check out the Australian landscape in the area.
