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World's Toughest ATV Races of All-Time

July 25, 2016

In the illustrious world of off-road ATV racing, there have likely been thousands of ATV racing events that have taken place all over the world. Many of these events are challenging in their own right, but most never garnered enough of a following to be considered the most difficult. Some of the more infamous races on our list may no longer take place, but their memories serve as a measure of their legitimacy and importance in ATV racing history. The good new is, if you've missed the opportunity to race some of the retired events, there are still a many venues on our list left to race! What are you waiting for? Get wrenching and get yourself out there!

Blackwater 100; Davis, WV: Can I still race it? NOPE

Perhaps the event that started it all when it comes to off-road racing outside the desert. If you're an OG off-road racer, "the Blackwater" is the magic unicorn of all racing events. Founded by "Big Dave" Coombs in 1975, the Blackwater consisted of four, twenty-five mile loops with numerous river crossings, mud bogs, steep mountain climbs, and just about the toughest terrain that could be found. Due to environmental concerns with the river crossings, 1993 was the last year for the Blackwater 100.ATV Rider

Westin Beach Race; United Kingdom: Can I still race it? YES

The RHL Weston Beach Race has been in existence for over 30 years. This famous event is the longest off-road race in the UK and over the years, has generated over 35 million dollars for charities! 1,500 racers and over 100,000 spectators keep things very interesting for competitors. One lap checks in at a tad longer than four miles, and the ATV race lasts for approximately three hours.ATV Rider

Vegas to Reno: Can I still race it? YES

As part of the Best in the Desert (BITD) series, Vegas to Reno is one of the toughest events in the continental US. Coincidently, it's also the longest race in the US, clocking in at over 600 miles. This year is the twentieth anniversary of the event, and the competition looks to be as tough as it ever was.ATV Rider

Snowshoe GNCC; Snowshoe, WV: Can I still race it? YES

The GNCC series is known are these parts as the toughest off-road series in the United States. With 13 events scattered up and down the east coast and as far west as Indiana, there is plenty of competition. The most difficult race on the circuit every year seems to be Snowshoe. If the weather is perfect, Snowshoe is challenging. With a little bit of rain, loyal GNCC'ers often consider it a "survival race". With massive elevation changes, rocks, mud, tight woods, and high attendance, Snowshoe is the real deal when it comes to racing GNCC.ATV Rider

Pont De Vaux; France: Can I still race it? YES

The most infamous ATV race in France is the ever popular Pont De Vaux. This 12 hour event features one machine, multiple riders, and the challenge of making it to the finish line with everything in one piece.ATV Rider

Hunt The Wolf; Transylvania, Romania: Can I still race it? YES

Transylvania, Romania is home to what may likely be the toughest ATV race in the world. The concept of Hunt the Wolf is simple. On five consecutive days (and one day for testing), racers navigate roughly 50-80 kilometers per day, from point A to point B, with the help of a GPS unit that daily tracks are uploaded to. The GPS tracks take competitors through lush green meadows, quaint villages, and through a multitude of trails similar to what most seasoned riders might ride on a normal Sunday afternoon. However, the other 99% of the course features massive snow drifts, off cambers that nearly flop the ATV's on their sides, uphills and downhills that are so steep they require winching or walking with the machines, log and brush piles, and rock gardens that constantly try to swallow the machines whole.ATV Rider

Dakar Rally; Paris, South America: Can I still race it? YES

One of the longest and most infamous races in the world, the Dakar Rally has gone through some serious changes to the venue over the years. Originally run from Paris, France through Africa, the race has been moved to South America for the last eight years. This year, Chili and Peru refused permission for the event to race through their countries, so the majority of the race occurred in Argentina.ATV Rider

Baja 500/1000; ending in Baja, Mexico: Can I still race it? YES

When it comes to desert racing in North America, no other race is more popular or infamous than the Baja 500 or 1000. Racers are subject to hundreds of miles of whoops, silt, rocks, heat, darkness, and some of the most desolate terrain in North America. Add in the fact that ATV's race on the same track, at the same time with a dozen or more other classes of machines, including 1000HP Trophy trucks.ATV Rider

12 Hours of La Tuque Endurance Race; La Tuque, Canada: Can I still race it? YES

Similar to Pont De Vaux in France, La Tuque is the toughest race in Canada. Depending on the classes raced, competitors will race the event in either two, or three multi-hour rounds. Teams and individual racers must utilize the same ATV for the duration of the event.ATV Rider

12 Hours of ATV America; Iowa, Pennsylvania, & Texas: Can I still race it? NOPE

The 12 Hours of ATV America was founded and promoted by our pal John Pellan, of ATVScene, in hopes of exposing US racers to team endurance racing. The event was originally based around making one machine last 12 hours, with up to three competitors per team. At the time, there was no other event in the USA like it. Keeping one ATV together for 12 hours while battling other competitors, track conditions, mother nature, and ultimately racing in the dark made the 12 Hours of ATV America a one-of-a-kind event.ATV Rider