What are the 21 best race cars you can buy today?

What are the best race cars you can buy today? If you’re looking for a good legal track machine for the street, you’re in luck, as the market offers plenty of options.

Want to know them all? Take note, because you’re going to have doubts. You’ll want them all.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

After a brief pause, Porsche has recently added a track-ready GT4 variant to the Cayman lineup, and this time it features a new 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces over 400 horsepower. The only transmission option? A six-speed manual. As it should be.

BMW M2 Competition

For 2019, BMW decided to drop the inline six-cylinder twin-turbo engine from the M3 into the M2, creating the wonderfully brilliant BMW M2 Competition. It is quicker than the standard BMW M2, and thanks to an advanced dry-sump lubrication system designed to maintain oil flow through tough corners, it is perfect for the track.

Nissan GT-R Nismo

The high-performance Nismo version of the Nissan GT-R features additional aero and a 600-horsepower version of that wonderful twin-turbo V-6 engine. The track-focused suspension tuning and super-sticky tyres complete the four-seat missile of a car.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

The new Miata is not only excellent on the street, but it is also a solid daytime car on the track. Choose the Club package and you will get improved suspension and a limited-slip differential. You can also opt for a set of sweet BBS wheels and larger Brembo brakes.

Honda Civic Type R

If you want a big-winged car for the track with some straight-line speed, the Civic Type R can deliver it. It produces more than 300 horsepower from its turbocharged inline-four, and a spoiler suitable for The Fast & The Furious.

Mercedes-AMG GT R

The AMG GT R features a wonderful nine-way traction control system that makes it easy to find the limits of grip regardless of the surface. Even if you’re a racing god, it will make you faster.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Under the hood of the coolest Ford Mustang sits a 526-horsepower V-8 that revs past 8,000 RPM. Do we really need to say more?

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

If, for some reason, 526 horsepower isn’t enough for you, there’s also the GT500. It produces 760 horsepower through a supercharged crankshaft version of the GT350’s engine, which sends power to the rear wheels through a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox, perfect for lap times.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8

Talk about a dichotomy. The XE SV Project 8 is a practical four-door, five-seat saloon that happens to be one of Jaguar’s most extreme track cars, with carbon-fibre panels and a supercharged 600-horsepower V-8.

McLaren Senna

Its looks may not be for everyone, but the McLaren Senna is undoubtedly one of the fastest and most road-legal new cars around. A carbon monocoque, active aero and 789 horsepower combine to create an incredibly capable package.

McLaren 600LT

Of course, if you’re not in the mood to splash out more than €1 million on a track car, McLaren has a more affordable option: the 600LT. It is the hardcore version of the company’s already capable 570S, available as a coupé or convertible.

Corvette C8

The new mid-engined Corvette C8 isn’t perfect, but thanks to its mid-engine layout, LT2 V-8 with torque and quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission, it remains a competent track car.

Ford GT

The new Ford GT was built to race. Dozens of victories have already been claimed, including at Le Mans. The road car is almost as quick on a circuit, sports wild aerodynamics and highly advanced hydraulic suspension. You will need a lot of money and Ford’s approval to buy one, but if you do, you’d be a fool not to take it to the track.

BAC Mono

The BAC Mono is one of the most road-legal cars we’ve seen. As its name suggests, it has a single centre seat, not unlike a Formula car. It is predictably wild to drive.

Ariel Atom

The Atom was one of the first cars to catch the wave of modern track toys with its open cockpit and tubular-frame body. It is still sold today and remains incredibly quick.

Caterham Seven 620R

How do you make one of the best track cars even better? Give it a supercharger and a sequential gearbox, of course. The 311-horsepower 620R is the most manic Seven in Caterham’s lineup, so be ready for it to bite when you’re behind the wheel.

Subaru BRZ tS

No, the Subaru BRZ tS doesn’t gain more horsepower compared with the standard car. What it does have is sticky tyres and some real, functional aerodynamics. That makes it incredibly capable, despite the lack of muscle.

KTM X-Bow

The KTM X-Bow is what happens when a motorcycle company decides to start making cars. It is a pocket-sized mid-engined rocket with an open cockpit and a wild look that is incredibly fun to drive.

Lotus Evora GT

While Lotus still sells cars in the United States, you can bet they’ll be on this list. The Evora GT is competent enough to be taken around a circuit from dawn to dusk without losing its pace.

Factory Five 818

Factory Five, the same people behind some of the best Shelby Cobra replicas, also has its own car: the 818. It is a kit car that uses a boxer-four from a Subaru WRX, mounted behind the driver and driving the rear wheels. It weighs next to nothing and is a solid caterpillar machine.

Chevrolet Camaro 1LE

Chevy hit the nail on the head with the current Camaro, and the 1LE track-minded tune takes it even further with firmer suspension, larger brakes and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. It is a muscle car that can really do it all. Here is a V-6 version you can have right now.