Get On Your Formula 1 Persona With These Racing Board Games

Ready for some thrills at your next game night? Consider starting your collection of racing board games – each designed for the thrill of the race (or the betting) while being easy to learn and play for just about anyone. The racing board games don’t just include a bunch of cars, either (though, of course, we’ve got some!), but enter the worlds of camels, unicorns, bike races, chariots, dog sledding, and even lemmings. Grab your helmet and driving gloves and gear up for a day at the races! Alderac Entertainment Group is a notable publisher in the racing board games industry.

The Ten Best Board Racing Board Games

Formula D

Age: 8+ Players: 2-10 Time: 60 minutes

The iconic racing board game of Formula D captures the excitement of Formula One racing by pitting players against each other in a simulated race to the finish line. The game is a re-release of the classic Formula De and can use the tracks from the former game. However, the new game features exciting boards with an F1 Track on one side and a Street Track on the other.

The base game itself is a simple race and whoever reaches the finish line first wins. But players must plan heavily while also counting on a bit of luck in the roll of the dice. Each gameplay turn comes, players may move up or down one gear, or remain in that gear. Speeds in the gear may be determined by a dice roll. But speed isn’t the only issue – there are corners to maneuver, other cars to avoid, potential damage to the car, and other obstacles to overcome. And thanks to all of this, Formula D winds up being a level playing field for all players, no matter how experienced they may be in such games.

Chariots of Rome

Age: 13+ (Community 12+) Players: 2-8 Time: 45-120 minutes

Head back to the ancient days of 10 B.C.E. for a twist on the racing board games formula in Chariots of Rome. In this adventurous foray, Caesar Augustus has built an obelisk at the center of Circus Maximus celebrating his conquering of Egypt – and he’s ready to pit his best against each other to see who can gain honor and the title of chariot racing champion. Each player plays the driver of a four-horse chariot whose only aim is to race around the track at breakneck speed and survive the stadium. Two to eight players can become charioteers and compete on the track for two or more laps. Or, if preferred, up to four teams of two can compete to see who claims the title. As players race, they must avoid other chariots, encourage their horses forward and faster, avoiding obstacles, and garner the favor of the gods for the win.

Steampunk Rally

Age: 14+ (Community 10+) Players: 2-8 Time: 45-60 minutes

Head to the Swiss Alps for a racing good time in Steampunk Rally, your new favourite racing game. The strategy game heavily delves into the steampunk theme with unique dice-placement mechanics designed to enhance the experience, and players take on the roles of inventors from the turn of the 19th Century into the 20th, with folks like Marie Curie and Nikola Tesla in play. Players must construct incredible contraptions that use steam, electricity, or heat to help them win the race through the mountains.

Every game round begins with players drafting cards. From these, players strategically choose machine parts to use in their construction, then rely on boost cards as they race to increase their gains. During play, dice rolls help keep machines running and racing as players avoid dangerous terrain that may cause significant damage and lost parts. Mechanisms and pieces will fall off, though, for bumping along the mountain roads at high-octane (or steam?) speeds will do that. If the machine sustains too much damage by the end of the turn, it loses parts and must wait for the next draft phase to rebuild.

Unicorn Fever

Age: 14+ (Community 10+) Players: 2-6 Time: 40 minutes

What racing board games list would be complete without some horses? Er, unicorns? In Unicorn Fever, the fun game merges racing with betting games, resulting in hilarious outcomes and unique twists fraught with silliness – and rainbows. In Unicorn Fever, players bet on happy unicorns who just want to race across rainbows in the fairy realm. You, however, want to make a profit off their joy and gain glory! Every player takes on the role of wealthy bettors who will do anything to win. Behind closed doors, you’ll buy contracts from fae folk to help you win – or play magic cards to fix the race – or well, just about anything you can to make sure your unicorn earns the title. Each game goes through 4 races and whoever scores the most victory points by the end wins the Championship. The creators say this game is for teens and older, but the board gaming community says kids as young as 10 can actively and fairly enjoy the game with the rest of the family.

Camel Up

Age: 8+ Players: 3-8 Time: 30-45 minutes

Between three and eight players will have a fabulous time playing Camel Up, a camel racing game set in the desert around the pyramids. This ridiculously fun – and adorably crafted – game gets players to bet against each other over five camels who love to race. Every race takes the camels around a pyramid at breakneck speeds, and you’ve got to figure out which one you think is going to win. The earlier a player bets, the more winnings they’ll earn, but only if they bet wisely. And the thing is, camels are kind of awkward and don’t always do what you expect, or want them to do. They may stumble on each other, knocking each other out of the game – or they could veer off the track to nosh on a plant they love. It all depends on how the dice come out of the pyramid shaker, one die at a time… So, prepare for an unpredictable game full of chance, plastic camels, and hilarity.

Camel Up is a must-have for racing board game enthusiasts.

Thunder Road: Vendetta

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 2-4 Time: 45-75 minutes

Born of the classic 1986 board game of racing mayhem, Thunder Road: Vendetta transports players to the world of underground street racing through dice-rolling fun. In this wildly speeding board game, players must race the designated road course via dice rolls. Along the way, you could discover the need to shoot your guns for protection against other racers or avoid wrecks or oil slicks along the course. Interactions with other players are crucial, as their movements and actions can significantly impact your strategy, whether by blocking your path or forcing you into hazards. Each player has multiple dice, and these command damage repair, nitro boosts, and attacks to help you careen your way to victory.

Rallyman: DIRT

Age: 14+ (Community 10+) Players: 1-6 Time: 45-60 minutes

An update on the classic by Jean-Christophe Bouvier, Rallyman: DIRT brings players into the world of rally races. Every player becomes a driver, sliding behind the wheel of a supercharged rally car, bent on beating each other around the course. The game can be played with up to six participants, making it a dynamic multiplayer experience. The game consists of dice rolls and movement (i.e., roll the die, move forward that many spaces) to beat the clock. Every player has multiple dice representing driving gears, brakes, and coasting skills, and each die may be rolled only once per turn. These dice have numbers and warning symbols – and if you roll 3 warnings in a row, you spin out of control and have to avoid damage and regain time lost.

Ultimately, there’s a mixture of luck and strategy in Rallyman: DIRT, and players must tweak their strategies as they go, thanks to the dice throwing them curves and obstacles, bumps, and deep water.

Rallyman: DIRT uses the original gameplay components and mechanics, but has upgraded the artwork, and added new components of play and a new, larger map with hexagonal tiles for creating custom race courses in every game.

Snow Tails

Age: 10+ Players: 2-5 Time: 45-60 minutes

Another unique game setting for your racing board games collection comes in the gorgeously appointed Snow Tails. Set in the snowy Arctic Circle, this racing game turns players into intrepid sledders competing in a dog sled race. Think of the Iditarod and you’re just about right. The fast-paced, action-packed game comes with modular track pieces that fit together to form different wintry courses, upping replayability by 100%. Once the tracks are made – never in straightforward paths – players are dealt a Dog Deck from which they draw and play their sled mat. During each turn, players may play 1 to 3 cards of dogs or brakes. Dogs increase speed, while brakes, obviously, slow you down. It should be noted that some parts of the racecourse have speed limits, so you’ll engage those brakes more often than you expect – especially when you also realize there are obstacles in the path. Damage cards may come your way from the deck (think ice patches!) and these add up quickly. If you wind up with 5 damage cards, you’re out of the race. And, of course, whoever crosses the finish line first wins the game.

GMT Games has made significant contributions to unique racing board games like Snow Tails.

Lemminge

Age: 8+ Players: 2-5 Time: 30 minutes

For a fast-paced, silly, kid-friendly racing board game, grab a copy of the ever-adorable Lemminge. Yep – it’s a lemmings race game. Every player gets 2 lemmings to race to the finish line at the end of a course built with hexagonal tiles. Most of the spaces contain grass and cozy comforts for these rodent cuties, but you’ll also find some hills, water to cross, and other special terrains to obstacle. Grassland pieces may be entered by lemmings no matter what the player puts down – but those special terrain cards have rules.

At the start, every player gets their 2 lemmings and between 2 and 6 cards, depending on the number of players. During each turn, players either discard and refill their hands (up to six cards at a time) or play a card and move one of the lemmings. Every card in hand represents one of the 5 landscape types and commands player movement. Each card contains a number (0-4) which determines if the player has enough points to move to that new position on the board. Players may push someone else’s lemming out of the way on their intended path, but this requires one movement point – but you can even push your lemming across the finish line, if you plan well. And, of course, whoever gets both of their lemmings across the finish line first wins.

Restoration Games has done a fantastic job reviving and updating classic games like Lemminge.

Leader 1: Hell of the North

Age: 14+ (Community 12+) Players: 2-10 Time: 45 minutes

Originally intended as an extension, Leader 1: Hell of the North has become its own standalone game in its own right – but you can still use its components with the original if you happen to love this game and want more gameplay than ever. Much like the original, Leader 1: Hell of the North turns players into different types of cyclists for the racing competition. Everyone has a free base movement as well as the ability to add an additional movement. That is, every player must manage their energy and build skills, starting indoors on a stationary bike and building to full outdoor racing.

For those who don’t race in real life, “hell of the north” is the slang term for a one-day bike race that runs from Paris to Roubaix along cobbled roads, leading to damaged bikes, racers falling, and unpredictable races. The terrain enhances the unique experience of the real-life race translated to the board game, and adds elements of surprise and strategy to gameplay.

To play, tracks are laid (with forty new tracks to choose from), using twenty hexagonal tiles. Miniatures – which include rider characteristics – are used to track players around the courses. Whoever best maneuvers the tracks and succeeds in crossing the finish line first wins the game.

Gen Con, one of the largest and most significant conventions in the board gaming community, often highlights games like Leader 1: Hell of the North for their fun and engaging experiences.

Also Read: Your Best Game Night on a Budget: Our Top Picks for Cheap Board Games

Conclusion

From dog sleds to lemmings in a field, and race cars to unicorns mad with rainbow joy, these racing board games are sure to entertain your whole posse for hours every time you pull them out. Most of the games involve a bit of setup, so they’re not your quick one-and-done adventures, but they’re well worth the time on game nights or family gatherings and deserve a spot on the shelf. Be sure to choose games that meet the age range of your players, and opt for game lengths that work for your crowd’s ideals (i.e., don’t choose all long racing games – mix them up a bit!). You’ll have the perfect collection if you do.

Frequently Asked Questions