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Sports Car Racing – What Are the Biggest Events and Tournaments?
There are a variety of entertaining sports out there, but none are quite as fast-paced as motorsport racing. Amateur and professional sports car racing gained popularity in the late 1930s and with new and better vehicles being created over time, there’s always something new to spice up the competition.
Any lover of sports cars should give these races a closer look – but if you haven’t watched any events before, you might not know where to begin. Luckily for you, we’re here to give you a little more info on some of the biggest sportscar racing tournaments around.
Formula One
Of course, one of the world’s most popular car racing events is Formula 1. In fact, ever since its first season in 1950 (before it was called the FIA Formula One World Championship), this has been one of the top motorsport tournaments.
On average, there are over 500 million people across the globe that tune in year after year, which only helps to further prove the point that this is an event not to be missed by both car and sports fans.
Here are just 3 reasons why the F1 Championship is so popular:
- Formula 1 has some of the quickest cars, as well as the best drivers, which leads to some incredible races
- There’s no doubt that the championship has an array of excellent tracks, making the Grand Prix all the more exciting to watch
- It boasts a long and interesting history, with some truly fantastic races and victories over the years
As you can see, there are certainly a host of reasons why so many people love Formula One, so if you’re looking for the perfect sports racing event to get you started, it’s well worth checking out this worldwide motorsport championship for yourself.
Betting on Formula One
Due to the popularity of F1, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to learn that there’s some significant interest in betting on these races. Better yet, it doesn’t have to be too hard to place your bets (and if you choose to do so online, it could be even easier).
There are several sportsbooks for you to choose from – all you’ll have to do is find the right betting site, sign up and place your wager. A lot of them also offer bonuses for signing up, like William Hill or Virgin Bet does with its virgin bet bonus code 2021 . You’ll often be able to place wagers on other sports car racing events too, which might be worth keeping in mind as we look into some of the other popular motorsports that are on offer.
European Le Mans Series
The European Le Mans Series officially began in 2001 with 5 races, undoubtedly inspired by the success that the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) received in 1999. Europe didn’t have any form of Le Mans Prototype racing at the time, so it certainly seemed like a perfect opportunity.
While the tournament hasn’t had a great history and didn’t quite have the best start, it’s a motorsport that has picked up considerably over more recent years – and today, there’s no doubt that it’s worth watching.
In particular, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an event you just can’t miss; a race that has earned the title of “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency” from many fans. In this prestigious tournament, the winner is the driver that covers the greatest distance within 24 hours. This very fact sets it apart from the many fixed-distance races that you usually see in the niche.
The FIA World Rally Championship
The WRC is the undisputed top tier competition for rallying in the world, which certainly makes it an interesting tournament to watch. Since its inception in the early 1970s, this championship really has come a long way. With a whole new teams championship introduced in 2021, you can rest assured that it will keep you interested throughout the different events that are held.
The way that the WRC works is simple; the driver that completes all the stages in the least amount of time is the winner of the rally. The competitors drive from one stage to the next on public roads, with each rally having a specified number of timed sections on closed roads too (commonly known as special stages).
There are several things that make watching these races worthwhile; from the sometimes harsh terrain to the expert drivers that create tension and excitement every step of the way. Plus, the fact that it’s held in 15 countries, across 6 continents and with over 13 rallies only helps to make each race feel diverse and unique.
Daytona 500
While more popular in the US, it’s well worth taking a moment to mention the Daytona 500.
Held in late February, this is the first race of the year in the Sprint Cup Series from NASCAR. This prestigious event has quite a lot going for it. From its first race in 1959 to the present day, the 500-mile long race has been held at the Daytona International Speedway (at Daytona Beach). It tends to get one of the largest televised audiences in America, as well as a massive budget, to suit the needs of the event.
Kicking off the NASCAR season, it’s well worth checking out if you’re hoping for a fast and action-packed sport to really get stuck into. Just take a look at some of the last few tournaments; you’ll see that there’s a lot in store for you in the 2022 Daytona 500 race.