GRR

Video: Formula Offroad in Iceland is by far the greatest sport on the planet

24th August 2023
Simon Ostler

It seems just recently that whenever we think we’ve found the coolest form of motorsport in the world, the next day we come across something that raises the bar even higher. We’ve had tractor pulling, super truck racing and insane off-road snow buggies, but this, almost certainly, is the best we’ve seen so far.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked, but we’re pretty sure cars are still predominantly designed to drive on land. Not these outrageous machines built to take part in Formula Offroad Iceland. When we say off-road, we don’t just mean a bit of mud… these ‘cars’ if you can call them that, are actually capable of maintaining momentum, and buoyancy, on the surface of water.

They then proceed to chew up the earth upon which your standard road car quake and capitulate. This is ridiculous. It’s difficult to discern the depth of technique involved in this, as far as driving on water is concerned, it’s not your everyday activity. Foot to the floor and hope for the best? There’s no doubt these are some pretty skilful drivers behind the wheel, and the level of difficulty in completing a successful run must be stupendous.

The vehicles themselves are powered by V8 engines producing somewhere in the region of 1,000PS (735kW), with brutal looking tyres designed to paddle through the water and also scythe through the countryside. These things aren’t only limited to the minor miracle of driving on water, they’re also capable of climbing near vertical hillsides and cliff faces.

Apologies in advance, you’re about to fall down a pretty deep rabbit hole.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Remember this sensational battle for the win in WSBK?

  • Elevenses

  • Video

  • Formula Offroad

Shop the Motorsport collection today

Shop Now
Goodwood image
elevenses-formula-off-road-iceland.jpg

Modern

Video: Formula Offroad in Iceland is by far the greatest sport on the planet

24th August 2023

formula-offroad-iceland-driving-on-water-video-goodwood-13052021.jpg

Modern

Video: The 1,600PS monster that drives on water

13th May 2021

elevenses-ogier-rally-italia.jpg

Modern

Video: This Italian rally stage is terrifying

29th August 2023

Video_Hakkinen_Imola_2000_qualifying_elevenses_Goodwood_12082024_list.jpg

Formula 1

Video: Häkkinen qualifying masterclass at Imola

12th August

elevenses-gopro-destruction.jpg

Modern

Video: Three minutes of off-road cars destroying GoPros

30th August 2023

video-extreme-truck-hillclimb-05012022.jpg

Historic

Video: The impossible hillclimb?

05th January 2022

elevenses-v8-f1-sound-main-mi.jpg

Formula 1

Video: The sound of V8 F1 cars is addictive

03rd June 2022

formula-e-drivers-eye-video-goodwood-06072020.jpg

Modern

Video: What it’s like racing a Formula E car

06th July 2020