These Drivers Are Dancing On The Edge

Sometimes you just know when watching a car that it’s on edge. Despite all the racing that goes on, drivers don’t often get that one perfect lap—but when everything comes together, the spectacle is a sight to behold. From the World Rally Championship to an incredible last-lap battle at Mount Panorama, these videos inspire us to keep pushing to the limit…and maybe a bit beyond.

We begin with an incredible lap of the old, old Fuji Speedway in its original configuration, with Motoharu Kurosawa, “gan-san” at the wheel. The first corner seen is the fearsome killer corner, “Daiichi”, that had to be altered before the speedway could host international races..

On the left, Mark Higgins’ incredible save just into his run on the Isle of Man course. Extremely exciting, but on the right we have Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop, the Isle of Man TT—all at speeds at or approaching 200 mph. It’s a duel, and there can be only one winner…

 What many consider to be the mother of all saves, this is the full clip of Ari Vatanen’s run on stage SS4 at the 1983 Manx Rally—just be sure you’re watching closely at 2m10.

Stefan Bellof is a driver who, sadly, died before showing his true potential on-track. Thanks to this clip at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, it’s clear he was more than able to take the fight to some of the very best drivers in the world.

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a fearsome machine…but not in the hands of racer Derek Hill, son of former Formula 1 Phil Hill. Turn it up…

On the left, the epic last lap of Bathurst in 2001, and on the right—the most insane finish ever at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, courtesy of the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights field. (We watched it in person, and we’re not saying that lightly!)

At the 1979 French Grand Prix, Gilles Villeneuve and René Arnoux battle wheel to wheel—for second place. Has there been a better duel in Formula 1?

This is a full, 30-minute video that shows BTCC near the height of its ‘90s popularity, and its novel “knockout” race—fast drivers at the back, and slow ones at the front. The price? Cold, hard, cash. If you get worked up easily, you should probably avoid this one…