Buzz
Some competitions are downright peculiar.
Steve Ganem/Getty ImagesCar racing is a high-stakes sport where massive rewards and reputations hang in the balance, alongside the safety of drivers when vehicles lose control. High-speed chases and grueling 24-hour marathons are no joke, correct?
However, there are exceptions. Not every race is intense and serious. Some events are just... downright odd.
From illegal rallies speeding across continents to quirky television showdowns featuring ambulances and school buses, we’ll explore some of the most bizarre and unconventional car races ever conceived. Did you know there’s a race that rewards drivers for stopping at breweries? Or one that includes a 3,700-mile (5,955-kilometer) stretch from Stockholm to Boston? But let’s not jump ahead. The countdown begins on the next page.
5: Red Bull Soapbox Race
Competitors take part in the Red Bull Soapbox Race in Los Angeles' city center on September 26, 2009, in Los Angeles, California.
Noel Vasquez/Getty ImagesRecall the Soap Box Derby? Perhaps as a child, you dreamed of competing. While some early entries in what’s now called the All-American Soap Box Derby might have been crafted from actual soapboxes, the key requirement was that they were gravity-powered and used uniform wheels. Beyond that, participants had free rein to design any type of engine-free vehicle and race it downhill for glory and rewards.
While the traditional soapbox derby might not seem extraordinary enough for this list, the Red Bull Soapbox Race certainly is. This event focuses not only on speed but also on unconventional and wildly imaginative designs. Past entries have included vehicles shaped like a piano, a massive ear of corn, and even the Golden Gate Bridge. Although these creations aren’t technically cars since they lack engines, the sheer entertainment value makes it a crowd favorite.
4: Carpocalypse Ambulance Chain Race
In the ambulance chain race, emergency vehicles compete while pulling cars behind them.
Travelif/Getty ImagesThe Spike-TV show Carpocalypse, allegedly inspired by the Atari game "Test Drive: Eve of Destruction," showcased a variety of eccentric racing ideas, from school buses navigating figure-8 tracks to blindfolded trailer races. Let’s randomly pick one of its wild events to discuss: the ambulance chain race.
A chain race involves vehicles pulling other vehicles linked by chains. Why engage in such a race? Simply for the thrill and the challenge it presents. In the ambulance chain race, participants are ambulances dragging cars behind them. This unusual event, held on a circular track, often results in detached bumpers and cars spiraling out of control behind the ambulances. Ironically, spinning out behind an ambulance might just be the safest mishap one could have.
3: The California Melee
In a nod to classic racing events, the California Melee showcases vehicles such as a vintage Maserati, which participated in the Mille Miglia 2010 in Brescia, Italy.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty ImagesOriginating in Italy, the Mille Miglia was an endurance race that gained fame before and after World War II. Unlike typical races, the focus was on durability over speed, with cars traversing approximately 1,000 miles of open road. Drawing inspiration from this, the California Mille takes participants through scenic routes in California's wine country, with stops at luxurious hotels and local wineries. One can't help but ponder how drivers manage to adhere to legal alcohol limits throughout the extensive journey.
The California Melee stands out as a playful twist on the California Mille, featuring pre-1975 sports and touring cars. Participants make stops at brewpubs and motels, offering a more accessible version of the Mille Miglia. With a modest entry fee, drivers have three days to cover 750 miles, making it feel more like a leisurely road trip than a traditional race.
2: 24 Hours of LeMons
The 24 Hours of LeMons race strictly enforces a $500 cap on car value. Exceed this limit, and you’ll incur a lap penalty.
Photo courtesy of WidgetsltdThe 24 Hours of LeMons is a humorous take on the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Instead of high-performance racing machines, this event features dilapidated cars. Held multiple times a year across the U.S., the race mandates that no car should cost more than $500, including modifications. Violators face lap deductions, with additional penalties determined by the Wheel of Misfortune, adding a quirky, Mad Max-inspired twist to the competition.
Midway through the race, participants cast votes to select one car for immediate destruction. This means you should think twice before entering your grandmother’s cherished 1972 Dodge Dart into this event!
1: Gumball 3000
A Slovakian policeman stands next to the cars of Gumball 3000 rally competitors in front of The Carlton hotel on May 4, 2007, in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Tomas Hudcovic/isifa/Getty ImagesThe Cannonball Run, a legendary cross-country car rally, took place four times between 1971 and 1979, stretching from New York City to Redondo Beach, California. While the original event is now a part of racing lore, its spirit lives on in the Gumball 3000. Since 1999, this luxurious rally has been held annually, connecting various global destinations and continuing the legacy of high-speed, high-stakes road adventures.
The 2010 Gumball 3000 kicked off in London, traversed much of Europe, and concluded in New York City, making it an extraordinary, if not seemingly impossible, journey. (Participants and their vehicles were transported by air from Stockholm to Boston.) Previous editions of the rally have taken routes from New York to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles and from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. The latter route, while seemingly short, included a Mediterranean crossing and a detour through North Africa before reaching the final destination.
Exotic destinations, luxury vehicles, and the thrill of outlaw racing — all of this can be yours for just 30,000 British pounds. It’s no wonder you might already be reaching for your checkbook.
