How to Draw a Race Car

In this step-by-step tutorial you will learn how to draw a race car, a vehicle designed and built specifically for automotive competitions, whether for mass races or for setting speed records.

These cars are created with performance in mind and often push engineering to the limit.

There are race cars developed exclusively for the track, and others that are based on production models but adapted for competition.

In this tutorial we’ll focus on the second type, showing you step by step how to sketch it on the example of a Lamborghini Huracan drawing.

How to draw a Race Car: step-by-step tutorial

Step 1 – Draw the aerodynamic racing silhouette

Since this is a racing car, we should sketch a wedge-shaped outline in the form of a light outline. The left part (front) should be noticeably narrower than the right (rear). Different race cars have different shapes. For example, Ferrari cars are more rounded and have smoother lines than Lamborghini cars, so in the first step you set the base for all next steps.

Step 2 – Add the huge tires, spoiler, and slim glass areas

Race cars have very large and wide tires for better road grip, a narrow window frame and a large spoiler to create a large downforce. With loose lines, draw two oversized circles for the wheels of the race car and add the spoiler. These parts are also very different in different cars, and can have smooth or angular shapes.

Step 3 – Sketch the single coupe door and rims

This type of Motorsport cars generally have one door on each side, a low-mounted bumper and small mirrors so as not to create unnecessary interference with aerodynamics. These details should also be created with light lines on this step. If you draw the door longer and bulkier, the result will look like a Dodge Viper ACR. If you add angular edges to the door line, the design will shift closer to a Lamborghini, as in our example.

Step 4 – Draw out the race car aggressive front area

The illustration still looks like a basic sketch, and it’s time to give the race car more clarity. Trace the details of the front part as we did in the figure below. Define the angular headlight and strengthen the outline of the bumper. Don’t forget to reinforce the front wheel arches. By making the intakes wider and more sculpted, you can achieve the look of cars like a Ferrari F8 Tributo.

Step 5 – Trace the narrow roof and slim glass

As you can see, the window frame is really very narrow, and the roof is low and sloping, it is made in order to achieve greater aerodynamicity. Now, trace the roof with a smooth, slanted line that flows toward the spoiler. After that, outline the side windows, making them extremely thin. For improved cooling, racing cars often have additional air intakes. Sketch one on the rear of the window frame.

Step 6 – Detail the large aerodynamic spoiler and bumper

As mentioned above, racing cars have a very large and powerful spoiler, as well as a fairly massive rear part and large arches, which we will have to detail in this sixth step. Strengthen the spoiler lines, making it flat, wide, and supported by visible brackets. Refine the rear bumper, giving it volume. Darken the rear wheel arch and draw the rear lamp of the racing car.

Step 7 – Draw out the long racing car door and air intake

Now let’s trace the single long door on this side of the body and a large air intake that is designed to cool the brakes. Add the handle as a small recessed rectangle close to the beltline. After that, erase unnecessary sketch lines around the door and intake to keep the body surface clean. Here you can also draw additional details to make your race car more unique.

Step 8 – Depict the racing alloys with thin spokes

Rims on modern racing cars are not only practical, but also look very stylish. Detail the rims as in our race car drawing or, for example, as in our Ferrari drawing tutorial. To illustrate the rims, inside the wheel circles, sketch thin spokes radiating from the hub. In this place you can fully express your imagination and draw absolutely any shape of race car rims.

Step 9 – Place shadows on the surfaces to show form

The race car drawing tutorial comes to an end, but it still looks too flat. To correct this situation, we will draw some shadows and highlights on different parts of the racing car. Darken the lower sides of the panels and under the wheel arches, leaving the roof and hood lighter. After that, add simple hatching to the glass surfaces, to create glare.

Race car drawing tips

Almost all major car brands create race cars in order to participate in races. Today we sketched a racing car on the example of a modified Lamborghini, but you can draw any other Motorsport car of any other company using our steps from this guide.

Race cars belong to the broader category of sports cars, which we covered in one of our previous tutorials on how to draw a sports car.

But within this group there are many variations that differ in design and purpose. Some are pure track cars, built only for racing, with stripped-down interiors, oversized spoilers, and aggressive aerodynamic packages.

Others are road-legal sports cars adapted for competition, which retain smoother proportions and more usual detailing.

When drawing, the first type requires stronger emphasis on sharp lines, vents, and wings, while the second type often looks cleaner, with fewer extreme elements.

Another important difference lies in proportions. Lightweight mid-engine cars, such as many Ferraris and Lamborghinis, have short hoods and elongated rear sections, while front-engine models like certain Aston Martins have long, sculpted hoods and smaller rear sections.

Capturing these proportions correctly in your artwork is the key to making the car authentic.

To make your racing car sketch more unique, you can experiment with details that reflect performance. Add larger diffusers, flared wheel arches, or custom air intakes to give the design a more interesting look.

Spoilers, racing stripes, and sponsor decals can also help to make your car look faster, turning a simple sketch into a car that looks ready for the track.