The Most Popular Auto Race in the World, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the auto race you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:30
Fans of auto racing often debate which event takes the crown for excitement and competitive spirit. Understanding the pulse of popular opinion helps new fans find their way into the sport and guides long-time followers in celebrating the exemplary races that occur annually across the globe.
By casting a vote on your favorite event, you contribute to a dynamic consensus that reflects the current trends and preferences within the auto racing community. This real-time ranking adjusts with each vote, providing an ongoing snapshot of fan favorites and helping everyone see which races consistently capture the imagination and fervor of audiences worldwide.
What Is the Most Popular Auto Race in the World?
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165votesThe most popular and prestigious auto race in the world, with a global audience of over 500 million. It features the best drivers and teams in the world competing in high-tech, high-speed machines.Formula One (F1) is the most popular auto racing series in the world. It is a high-speed motorsport championship that involves open-wheel cars racing on circuits worldwide. The sport showcases cutting-edge technology, expert drivers, and significant manufacturer and team competition.
- Engine: 1.6L V6 turbo hybrid engines
- Maximum Power Output: around 1000 horsepower
- Top Speed: over 230 mph (370 km/h)
- Race Distance: approximately 190-220 miles (305-354 km)
- Number of Races: typically 20-23 races in a season
Formula One (F1) in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular car racing sport
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241votesThe most popular auto racing series in the United States, with millions of fans tuning in to watch high-speed oval track racing. It features unique cars and drivers with cult-like followings.NASCAR, which stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is a popular motorsport series based in the United States. It is widely considered as the most popular auto race in the world, known for its high-speed oval racing and close wheel-to-wheel competition.
- Number of events per season: 36
- Vehicle type: Stock cars
- Track types: Oval tracks (short tracks, intermediate tracks, superspeedways) and road courses
- Race distance: Various distances ranging from less than 100 miles to over 600 miles
- Race format: Most races divided into three stages: opening stage, middle stage, and final stage
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330votesOne of the most historic and grueling endurance races in the world, with top sports car teams and drivers competing for 24 hours straight on a challenging circuit.The Le Mans 24 Hours is an iconic sports car endurance race held annually near Le Mans, France. It is considered one of the most prestigious and popular auto races in the world.
- Duration: 24 hours
- Track Length: 13.626 km (8.467 miles)
- Race Distance: Approximately 5,000 km (3,100 miles)
- Circuit Type: Circuit de la Sarthe, featuring both permanent race track and public roads
- Classes: Several classes of cars compete simultaneously, including prototypes and GT cars
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49votes
Capjohn1967 · CC BY-SA 4.0IndyCar Series
Anton Hulman Jr.A high-speed open-wheel racing series in the United States, featuring some of the best drivers and teams in the world competing on a variety of tracks.The IndyCar Series is a highly popular open-wheel auto racing championship that takes place primarily in the United States. It features a diverse range of teams and drivers competing in high-speed races on a mix of ovals, road courses, and street circuits. The championship is known for its thrilling, wheel-to-wheel racing, and close finishes.- First season: 1996
- Open-wheel cars: Chassis: Dallara UAK21; Supplier: Homologated as a single supplier
- Engine: Honda and Chevrolet standard-size 2.2-liter turbocharged V6 engines with over 700 horsepower
- Power-to-weight ratio: Approximately 2,300 pounds to 700 horsepower
- Maximum speed: Over 240 mph (386 km/h)
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513votesThe premier motorcycle racing series in the world, featuring the best riders and bikes competing on challenging road courses around the globe.MotoGP is a premier class motorcycle racing championship that involves highly skilled riders competing on extraordinary speeds and pushing the limits of motorcycle technology. It is recognized as one of the most difficult and challenging motor sports in the world.
- Engine: Four-stroke, 1000cc capacity
- Top Speed: Exceeds 220 mph (355 km/h)
- Acceleration: 0 to 100 km/h in around 2.5 seconds
- Weight: Minimum weight of 157 kg, including rider
- Tires: Specially designed slick tires for optimum grip
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64votes
Dakar Rally
Thierry SabineAn off-road endurance race that takes place over two weeks in the deserts and mountains of South America, with competitors racing over thousands of miles of rugged terrain.The Dakar Rally is an annual off-road endurance race primarily held in the deserts of South America. The race spans multiple countries, covering thousands of kilometers over a period of two weeks. It is considered one of the most grueling and challenging races in the world, testing the skills and determination of both drivers and their vehicles. The event attracts professional racers, amateurs, and adventure seekers from around the globe.- First Edition: 1978
- Countries: Varies, mostly South America
- Distance: Approximately 9,000-10,000 km
- Duration: Two weeks
- Vehicle Types: Cars, motorcycles, trucks, quads
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79votes
Stefan Brending (2eight) · CC BY-SA 3.0 deA high-speed rally racing series featuring top drivers and teams competing on a variety of surfaces around the world.The World Rally Championship (WRC) is an international motorsport championship series for rally racing. It features a series of races held on various terrain and weather conditions across different countries. WRC is known for its exciting and technically demanding races that push both drivers and cars to their limits.- Format: Multi-day rally races
- Number of events: typically 12-14 races per season
- Terrain: varies from tarmac to gravel, snow, or ice
- Cars: specially modified production-based cars
- Categories: WRC (top level), WRC2, WRC3
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82votesThe premier touring car race in Australia, featuring top drivers and teams competing on the challenging Mount Panorama circuit.The Bathurst 1000 is an iconic motor racing event that takes place annually in Australia. It is considered one of the most popular and prestigious auto races in the world, attracting thousands of motorsport enthusiasts. The race is held at the Mount Panorama Circuit, a challenging track known for its steep inclines and sweeping turns.
- Track length: 6.213 kilometers (3.861 miles)
- Race distance: 1,000 kilometers (621 miles)
- Lap record: 2:03.8312 (held by Scott McLaughlin in 2019)
- Number of laps: 161 laps (subject to change)
- Surface: Permanent race track with asphalt surface
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99votes
Christof Berger · CC BY-SA 3.0A legendary motorcycle racing event that takes place on public roads on the Isle of Man, with riders reaching speeds of over 200 mph on a challenging course.The Isle of Man TT is an iconic motorcycle race held annually on the Isle of Man, a small island located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. It is considered one of the most challenging and dangerous road racing events in the world. The race features high-speed motorcycles racing on public roads that are temporarily closed for the event.- Race Distance: 37.73 miles (60.72 kilometers) per lap
- Course Length: Isle of Man TT Mountain Course - 37.73 miles (60.72 kilometers)
- Number of Laps: 6 laps for most races (totaling around 226.38 miles or 364.38 kilometers)
- Top Speeds: Riders can reach speeds exceeding 200 mph (320 km/h)
- Course Type: Public roads transformed into a closed-circuit racing track
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106votes
John Chapman · CC BY-SA 4.0An endurance racing series featuring some of the top sports car teams and drivers in the world, competing on a variety of tracks and circuits around the globe.The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is an international auto racing championship for endurance racing. It was created by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for motorsport worldwide. The championship features a series of long-distance races held at various famous circuits around the world.- Race duration: Approximately 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours races
- Classes: Four classes of cars: LMP1, LMP2, GTE Pro, and GTE Am
- Le Mans 24 Hours: The highlight event of the championship
- Hybrid technology: LMP1 class includes hybrid power units
- Manufacturer involvement: Major automotive manufacturers and teams participate
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Ranking factors for popular auto race
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Audience attendanceThe number of spectators present at the event, including both in-person attendance and remote viewership via TV or internet streaming.
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Global reach and fan baseThe extent to which the race is followed and recognized on an international level, including social media engagement, endorsements, and official merchandise sales.
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Historical significanceThe history, tradition, and heritage of the race, which often contributes to the overall prestige and appeal of the event.
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Prestige and recognitionThe reputation of the race among motorsport enthusiasts, professionals, and the general automotive industry.
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Prize moneyThe value of the prize money awarded to the winners of the race, which can affect the competitiveness and talent of the participating racers and teams.
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Media coverageThe amount and quality of media coverage the race receives, including articles, live broadcasts, interviews, and documentaries.
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Economic impactThe financial activity generated by the race, including tourism, sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and advertising revenue.
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Competition levelThe skill and expertise of participating racers and teams, as well as the level of challenge posed by the race track and racing conditions.
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Innovation and technologyThe degree to which the race pushes the boundaries of automotive technology, engineering, and design.
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Cultural impactThe influence of the race on popular culture, including its presence in movies, television shows, and other forms of entertainment.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular auto race in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or race is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1829 views
- 188 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each race once every 24 hours. The rank of each race is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular auto race in the world
Auto racing is a thrilling and exciting sport that has captivated audiences around the world for decades. With a wide range of different types of races and events, there's something for everyone in the auto racing world. But which auto race is the most popular in the world? There are many contenders for this title, including the Formula One World Championship, the IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series. Each of these races has its own unique history, traditions, and fanbase, making it difficult to determine a clear winner. Nevertheless, one thing is certain – auto racing is a global phenomenon that continues to draw in fans from all walks of life.
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