Best Motor Racing Themed Movies - News

The two go hand in hand, don't they? The thrill of motorsport and the popularity of the movies should be something that's too much to resist.

Oddly enough, it's not a genre of film that's often ventured into, with racing specific pictures managing to fully realise the highly charged nature of motorsport.

Here at TrackDays.co.uk, we'll guide you from lights out all the way to the chequered flag in listing some of the most iconic racing themed movies ever made.

• Grand Prix

One of the pioneering films in capturing the cinematography of motorsport was 1966's 'Grand Prix'.

Starring an ensemble cast that follows four F1 drivers on their racing odyssey, with subplots revolving around all four of them and the women in their lives during this dangerous time in motorsport.

Winning three Academy Awards and being one of the highest grossing movies of the year, it stands strong as one of the truly ground-breaking racing movies.

• Days of Thunder

If you attach one of the biggest actors in the world to star in your movie about the drama of competing at the top level of motorsports, then surely you have a recipe for success. In the early 90s, both Tom Cruise and NASCAR were booming in popularity.

The story follows the story of Cole Trickle, an open-wheel racer who makes the transfer to stock car racing in search of glory.

Often considered a classic racing film among movie-goers and racing fans alike, it also helped springboard Cruise to new levels of superstardom.

• Rush

In the absence of any recent high budget racing movies, director Ron Howard's 'Rush' tells the story of the famous rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One season.

And after securing Chris Hemsworth as the enigmatic James Hunt, and Daniel Bruhl as the calculated Niki Lauda, the movie had enough punch to reach a wider audience.

In the few short years since its release in 2013, it's considered to be one of the great sports films, telling a rich and authentic tale of one of racing's greatest rivalries.

• Talladega Nights

From a comedic perspective, not many have got it right quite like Will Farrell in 'Talladega Nights'. Starring alongside British comic Sascha Baron Cohen, the movie explores an exaggerated life of a high-flying NASCAR star in his search for glory.

Playing the role of Ricky Bobby, Farrell's character has become a cult icon in America, with his famous 'Shake and Bake' line being used among real NASCAR racers and fans alike.

And after garnering $164 million at the box-office, it also cemented its place as one of the most successful racing movies ever made.

What's your favourite motor racing movie? Please let us know, and if you're looking to take your favourite cars from the silver screen for a spin, be sure to check our Famous Movie Cars page and book from available dates on our regularly updated Famous Movie Cars Calendar or purchase one of our Gift Vouchers.