World of Warcraft Mount Races: How to Win Weekly Contests
Introduction
Mount racing in World of Warcraft is one of the game’s most unique minigame systems, offering fast-paced challenges for players seeking something different. Whether you’re zipping through rings in Bastion or dodging fireballs in Stormwind’s festival grounds, these weekly contests test speed, precision, and mastery of your mount. They’re also an excellent source of cosmetic rewards, achievements, and fun distractions between raids and Mythic+ runs. In this guide, we’ll explain how these events work, what rewards you can earn, and strategies to help you cross the finish line ahead of the pack.
1. What Are Mount Races in WoW?
Mount races are time-trial challenges offered as world events, holiday activities, or zone-specific contests. They involve maneuvering a mount through checkpoints, hazards, and sometimes aggressive NPCs. These races vary by zone and event, often having different mechanics like boost pads, ring checkpoints, or restricted mount types. For instance, the Darkmoon Faire includes its own racing track, while Dragonriding races in Dragon Isles emphasize aerial control. Some races are purely for fun, but others contribute to weekly quests, achievements, or currency that can be used to buy race-exclusive cosmetics.
2. Weekly Events and Participation
Many mount races rotate weekly and are only active for limited periods. The most consistent racing event is found at the Darkmoon Faire, available during the first week of every month. Here, players can compete in time trials with varying difficulty tiers. Dragonriding Challenge races in Dragonflight zones offer new weekly leaderboards and medal-based rewards. Participation is simple—just visit the event NPC or interact with the race flag to begin. You can usually repeat the race to improve your score or time, with the best result counting for leaderboard rankings.
3. Mastering Controls and Movement
Winning mount races is less about mount speed and more about efficient control. Learn how to navigate tight turns, use your mount’s unique abilities, and anticipate obstacle patterns. In Dragonriding races, managing vigor (the resource used for boosts) is crucial. Use your Skyward Ascent and Surge Forward carefully to maintain momentum. In ground races, try to stick to the inside of turns and avoid unnecessary jumps. Precision pays off—especially when shaving seconds for a gold medal time.
4. List of Most Popular Mount Races
- Darkmoon Faire Races: Time-limited with bonus tracks and power-ups.
- Dragonriding Races: Available in each Dragon Isles zone with weekly reset.
- Bastion Ring Chase: Fly through golden rings in time trials for currency.
- Lunar Festival Ram Race: Use boost barrels to guide a ram through zones quickly.
- Brewfest Ram Racing: A timed event involving kegs and stamina management.
5. Rewards and Achievements
Rewards for mount races vary, but they’re often cosmetic in nature. At the Darkmoon Faire, completing advanced race courses grants achievements and toy rewards like the Darkmoon Racer’s Rocket. Dragonriding races award Riders’ Medals, which can be exchanged for custom armor sets, transmog gear, or title unlocks. Earning gold times in every course within a zone may unlock unique titles or flying trail effects. Some events also provide pets or mounts themselves, like the Brewfest Racing Ram or seasonal recolors of existing rides.
6. Table: Race Events and Top Rewards
| Event | Type | Top Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Darkmoon Faire | Ground & Glide | Darkmoon Racer’s Rocket (Toy) |
| Dragon Isles | Dragonriding | Rider’s Armor Set |
| Brewfest | Ram Racing | Swift Brewfest Ram |
| Lunar Festival | Timed Sprint | Lunar Lantern Pet |
7. Advanced Tips to Improve
To climb leaderboards or consistently hit gold times, memorize the race path. Each course has optimal turns and safe boosts. Use the environment—like terrain slopes or wind tunnels—to accelerate. For Dragonriding, consider glyph upgrades to reduce vigor costs or increase regeneration. Use macros to reset UI clutter and bind racing controls for quick reflexes. If you’re stuck, watching top race replays (or Twitch VODs) can teach you new routing strategies and shortcuts.
Conclusion
Mount races are a refreshing break from combat-heavy content and offer exciting time-limited goals in World of Warcraft. With unique rewards, weekly contests, and a growing competitive scene—especially around Dragonriding—they’re more than just filler activities. Whether you’re chasing achievements, showing off flashy toys, or simply enjoying speed challenges, there’s something rewarding in every race. Start small with monthly events and work your way up to weekly gold medals. Victory is just a finish line away.