The Chequered Flag: Five Best Racing Days In Sci-Fi

Ready the chequered flag - it’s Grand National time, so we're listing five of SF’s greatest races. And no, we don’t mean Daleks and Hobbits, wiseguy. What are you favourite race day memories from TV and film? Here are ours...

THE POD RACE
From: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Location: Tatooine
Mode of transport: Pod Racers – small, one-man repulsorcraft, composed of an anti-gravity pod propelled by one or more pairs of large turbine engines
Racers: Anakin Skywalker, Sebulba, Gasgano, Mawhonic, Dub Bolt, Ben Quadinaros and others
Winner: Anakin Skywalker
Racing form: A race that's just asking for trouble. Not only are the craft designed so they could be sabotaged by a pair of plastic scissors; not only do the spectators take pot shots at the racers; not only does the course have obstacles littered with the blood and wreckage of previous contestants; but they let nine-year-old precocious brats with daddy problems take part.

Go to the next race

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