Sports bring us together and give us something to be collectively excited about. RallyCross, while a newer sport, is no exception. Road and Track likens this fast-paced motorsport to “bare-knuckle boxing, on ice-skates, but with rally cars”. If that isn’t enough to convince you to start watching, here are seven more reasons to love the sport of RallyCross.

1. It Is an Adrenaline Rush

Seeing RallyCross cars race against opponents while navigating treacherous terrain and obstacles provides a thrill even for casual viewers. You can’t help but grab the edge of your seat while watching a driver narrowly turn a curve with an opponent fast approaching behind him.

2. It Is Quickly Growing in Popularity

It is always fun to get involved with a new sport that’s on the rise. Sure, other traditional sports may still be more popular than RallyCross, but many new fans are quickly flocking to the sport, especially now that RedBull is a major sponsor.

3. It Is the Mixed Martial Art of Motor Sports

According to the Morant Agency, RallyCross is “the mixed martial art of the motor sports world!” It forces drivers through different surfaces and mandatory jumps. Drivers are forced to experience almost every driving difficulty imaginable all within a one mile race course.

4. It Is Played Like Football, So It Keeps You Guessing

You could say that NASCAR is like the basketball of motorsports; it is one long stretch with little stop and go. However, RallyCross is more like American football. Block reported to SVT Performance that RallyCross entails “short spurts of really good racing” that start then stop. With the ups and downs, no one has a chance to get bored.

5. It Is Gaining International Attention

Many sports are limited to the region of the world where they are played. For instance, not many people outside the United States care about college football or the NFL. RallyCross, on the other hand, is very much an international sport. Drivers from all over the world compete at the highest levels of the sport, making it more appealing to an international audience.

6. Some of the Best Drivers in the Word Race RallyCross

With RallyCross growing in popularity, many of the world’s best drivers have gravitated towards the sport. In fact, Car Throttle reports that it has “attracted an impressive line-up of world-class drivers.” Watching RallyCross is a way to see some of the most talented racers display their skills.

7. You Get to See Dirt Fly as Fast as the Cars

It is an exhilarating experience to watch any sport that involves racing around corners and pushing through to the finish line, but part of what makes RallyCross so exciting is seeing the dust and gravel slung around in the process. The dirt surfaces integrated throughout the races make for impressive effects as RallyCross cars blaze through the turns. Seeing the debris fly adds dramatic effect to this fast-paced, adrenaline junkies’ sport.

If you haven’t ever witnessed a RallyCross race, make this the year that you get hooked!