Let’s face it, for the racing fans of the world, not every weekend is going to give you your fill of motorsports action. When only one of the three major racing series are on track in a weekend, those hours and even days without the rev of the engines can seem to go on forever. So what is there to do on those days without NASCAR, IndyCar, or Formula One?
For some, these three premier auto racing divisions are the only ones worth watching, and yet they miss out on the chance to see even more great on track success. From sports cars to endurance racing to touring car championships, the world is full of exciting racecars and racecar drivers, who are just looking for their chance to leave a mark on the racing world.
So what are some of the top racing series outside of NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula One that you should be watching? We have the list for you here.
Next: Shifting to Two Wheels
Monster Energy Supercross
There are many fans in the racing garages that don’t only follow the four-wheeled machines, but the ones on two wheels too. AMA sanctioned Monster Energy Supercross is one of the most popular motorcycle racing series in America, racing around stadiums and domes around the United States and Canada. The series runs from January through May each season, and captures the attention of race fans and fellow drivers alike.
With some of the most popular two-wheeled riders in the world, including Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, and James Stewart, these races often draw tens of thousands of fans coming to stadiums where they would usually settle in for some football or baseball. The excitement really ratchets up throughout the night, after the qualifying races and developmental 250SX class, where the big boys challenge unique tracks with lots of jumps, tight turns, and close quarters.
Interested in watching some Monster Energy Supercross? Be sure to tune in for the upcoming season in January 2017 on FS1.
Next: The International Riders
MotoGP
From the two wheelers tearing up the track around the USA, there lots more to see of the motorcycles with the MotoGP World Championship. Some of the best riders on asphalt contest the premier road racing motorcycle championship at some of the most popular and historic tracks around the globe, including Circuit of the Americas, Phillip Island Australia, and Le Mans.
Not only are the tracks that they race on something to behold, but the skill of these riders as well. Successful riders like Lorenzo, Pedrosa, and Rossi have quickly become household names for motorcycle racing fans. The close racing often seen in MotoGP races leads to close title hunts as well, with the final races of the 2015 season being some of the most exciting with the championship on the line. The 2016 season is already underway, and will continue through November, and once again the top three riders in the series are knotted up at the top.
Be sure to tune in for live coverage of MotoGP and its support series Moto2 and Moto3, all season long on beIN Sports.
Next: Racing is Electric
Formula E
As we have written about here on Beyond the Flag, Formula E is the premier electric racing championship in the world. But quickly this series is becoming a phenomenon, racing on the streets of some of the world’s biggest cities, like Paris, London, and Beijing. The series also continues to grow, with new teams, new manufacturers, and a new support series coming in Roborace.
What makes the racing so special for Formula E? In this series, you should always expect the unexpected. The first ever race for the series began with utter domination, but ended with the leader crashing on the final lap. From lots of passing to crazy finishes, you definitely don’t want to miss any of the laps in these sprint races.
The series, now only in its second year, has also been able to attract some of the top racing talent from around the world. Names like Di Grassi, Senna, Prost, and Piquet fill the grid at each race, and others too with premier racing experience from Formula One, IndyCar, and sports car racing. Up and coming stars too like Da Costa and Bird have make a name for themselves in the electric cars.
See the end of the second season of Formula E in the coming months on FS1 and FS2, with the third season set to start towards the end of 2016.
Next: Heading Down Under
V8 Supercars
One of the top touring car series in the world happens to race down under in Australia. The V8 Supercars may mostly race in the land of the outback, but they are known worldwide for their competitive races and some of the best drivers on road courses.
Some very famous names have worked their way through V8 Supercars over the years. Arguably the most famous of these is former NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose, who found great success on the road courses in America. IndyCar drivers will also often moonlight in the series for the Bathurst 1000 race, one of the longer races in the world of racing. Series regulars have become Australian heroes in racing too, including Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, and Mark Winterbottom.
If you’re interested in checking out the tight racing on the road courses of Australia, tune in for the V8 Supercars highlights, seen on delay on CBS Sports Network.
Next: Audi and Porsche and Toyota...Oh My!
World Endurance Championship
While a relatively young series by comparison to some of its competitors, the World Endurance Championship has quickly risen to the top of the sports car racing ladder for its racing and its manufacturer involvement. The series began in 2012, and since then has built a strong following and plenty of teams who want to compete at some of the top tracks in the world.
Of course, the crowned jewel for the WEC each year is the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, the most historic of the 24-hour races in the world. But beyond that, the series races on a number of other popular circuits, including Circuit of the Americas, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Shanghai Circuit. It also helps when you have strong support from big name manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, Toyota, Nissan, and Chevrolet.
With all the different manufacturers racing in multiple categories of cars at once, it can lead to some close and crazy racing. WEC races are often where favorites entering the race leave as the underdogs. After all, Porsche, the 2015 champions for the LMP1 class, nearly did not score any points with their winning squad in the first two races of 2016.
Next up for the World Endurance Championship will be the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans, which can be seen across the networks of Fox Sports in June.
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What are some of your favorite racing series to watch each weekend? Are there other racing series fans should tune into that didn’t make our list? Comment below with your favorites and share them with us on social media.