Formula Motor Racing - 17 Race Circuit

My favorite racing game is Formula Motor Racing (published by GMT Games).  I enjoy some of the more complex games like Formula De, but for a game that is easy to learn, allows up to 6 players, and can be played in about 30 minutes (an hour if you have 6 players) you just can't beat this one. IMHO.

The thing I like most about this game is that you are just moving positions.  There isn't a concern that the guy in front gets some lucky rolls and pulls so far into the lead that no one can catch him.  Here, he is in first place.  It just takes a card to move somebody up a couple of places or to slow somebody down a few places.

The game is a series of 3 races.  Each player gets 2 cars.  You randomly determine player order to start the race.  The player in 1st has his second car in 12th place.  The player in 2nd has his second car in 11th place.  Etc.  Each player gets a hand of cards that will effect the car's positions.  You play through the deck and when the cards run out that race is over.  Points are awarded for the top 6 positions. You add up the points for the 3 races and you have your top finisher.

A group of friends and I decided to play a full circuit.  According to the rules a full Formula circuit is 17 races long.  (I think that might have changed since this game was published.)  So we set about racing 17 races and kept a running total.  We played over multiple lunch breaks at work when all six of us were available.  We had a great time (I did at least) and alliances ebbed and flowed as one player would pull ahead in points only to be pulled back by a team effort from the other players.

At the end of the circuit the top 3 finishers were only separated by 3 points.  Talk about a close finish.

If you haven't played this, I would encourage you to give it a try.  I have introduced many people to this game and all of them have enjoyed playing it.  Formula Motor Racing works well with adults or kids (and even works with a mix of both, which can't be said of many games).

The final standings were:

1st place:  Topher - 81 points

2nd place: Bryan - 80 points

3rd place:  Sean - 79 points

4th place:  Mark - 77 points

5th place:  Christian - 75 points

6th place:  Ben - 50 points

Thanks guys.  I had a lot of fun with this.  I'm looking forward to introducing you all to Formula De.

What racing games do you like?  Any suggestions for ones that I should seek out?