I'm looking to purchase an arcade-style racing game, one (or two) that place emphasis on gameplay and entertainment, not necessarily on accurate car physics. For example, I seriously enjoyed Star Wars Episode 1 Racer, Street Racing Syndicate, and Moto Racer. I have no idea how accurate the car physics is in those games, but that's not even a real consideration for me. I tried some racing games that place emphasis on real physics, but couldn't get into them as I was concentrating more on physics than I was on just enjoying the game. Can anyone recommend some racing games that fit this mold? Whether they're real cars, fictional cars, or not even cars at all isn't very important.

Perhaps check out art of rally

Ok...now THAT looks like the kind of thing I'm after. Looks like MegaRace and F-Zero had a badass baby.

I can vouch for GRIP. The track designs are *chef's kiss*

I'm going to get GRIP. Guns, sci-fi, racing....yeah, sounds like my cup of tea.

It has a TON of content too, for the sale price can't really go wrong with that. Just be aware that only multiplayer in GOG version is split-screen.

On GOG:
RC Cars
DethKarz
Ignition
FlatOut
POD

Not on GOG:
International Rally Championship
Rollcage (the grandparent of GRIP)
Axelerator
Moorhuhn Kart games (1-3)

Not on GOG:
Buck up & Drive.
Outrun

On GOG:
Re-Volt

Futuristic racer with weapons would be GRIP as mentioned, without weapons something like the first Redout. BallisticNG on steam is favourite of my good buddy. He swears by it, so it's a honorable mention.

Oldschool outrun-like racer I would recommend is Slipstream (sprite-based game), or Horizon chase turbo for polygon-based game. Honorable mention goes to arcade racer Hotshot racing, which has that Daytona USA vibe to it.

For crashes and stuff, there is Flatout or Wreckfest.

Re-volt is my fave RC-like racer to this day.

Edit:
For sim-like realistic racing games, I would recommend Assetto corsa 1 and Dirt rally 1 & 2 from top of my mind.

Not on GOG, and not really a "racing" game (you have no opponent), my favourite car-based high speed game is Distance.

An older game by the same team is available for free, if you want to get a feel of the gameplay: Nitronic Rush.

Thanks guys. I'll start with Grip and POD. Great suggestions here.

And FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage. :) I like that one a lot.

Hello emf2718!

Since you are enjoying the "Moto Racer" series, I would suggest you take a look at the "Screamer" series available here on GOG.COM!

"Screamer 4x4" although my favourite of them, is more an physics-based offroad game, where you are alone on the 'track'. I do not think it fits what you are looking for--nonetheless a great early offroad simulation.

"Screamer 1 & 2" on the other hand are exactly what makes the "Moto Racer" series just with cars! Pure arcade racing in the style of old Ridge Racer series on the Playstation 1. And both "Screamer" and "Screamer 2" are currently available at a 20% discount:

Screamer
Screamer 2

And if you like the top-down racer a la 'Super Sprint' or 'Super Offroad' from old Nintendo, then you might like "
"Nitro Racers" available here on GOG.COM or the free open source "GeneRally":

Nitro Racers (on GOG)
Gene Rally (free)

Kind regards,
foxgog

[Edit:]
I forgot the futuristic arcade racer "Race the Sun" and its addon (DLC):
Race the Sun (main game)
Sunrise (dlc)

Carmageddon games, with Carmageddon 2 being a stand-out