
2022 · Sports
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Players pilot racing cars using a simple hand-management system to control speed, tackle corners, and jockey for position on the track. Managing engine temperature is a core mechanic: pushing for higher speeds risks overheating, while upgrades and careful play help maintain performance. Games can be a single race or a linked Championship System where players customize cars between races and face changing weather, road conditions, and event cards. Solo and automated-opponent options are included for solo play or to fill out multiplayer fields.
- Players
- 1–6 best 4–6
- Playing time
- 30–60 min
- Age
- 10+
- Complexity
- 2.2 / 5
About the game
- Publisher
Expansions
See them in Ludoya
Heat: Heavy Rain2024
Heat: Tunnel Vision2025
Heat: Rocky Roads2026
Heat: Legends2026
HEAT: Pedal to the Metal – AVUS Berlin and Zeltweg Airfield Tracks2025
HEAT: Pedal to the Metal – Brands Hatch and Zandvoort tracks2025
HEAT: Pedal to the Metal – Central Park and Barcelona2025
HEAT: Pedal to the Metal – Monte Carlo and Monza track2025
HEAT: Pedal to the Metal – Silverstone and Watkins Glen2025Photos from Ludoya tables
All photos in LudoyaWhere to buy it
Shop prices and second-hand copies, checked every day.
On Ludoya's tables
Full stats in Ludoya- 4,474
- Plays logged
- 3,034
- Players
- 1h 13m
- Average play
- 619
- In collections
- 108
- On wishlists
- 1
- Pre-ordered
8.1/10
from 267 Ludoya reviews
By player count
Kat8.6 the racing cars theme is a bit repellent to me, but the game is so much fun that it doesn't matter. it's amazing that a card game can feel as intense as this does by the last lap!! the advanced modules are less intimidating than their simbology might suggest; i'd say play without them if you feel the need for a tutorial, but add them in as soon as you're fine with the gameplay loop (which is really quite simple). Diversió 5/5 · Interacció 2/5 · Atractiu 3/5 · Originalitat 4/5 · Rejugabilitat 5/5 · Accessibilitat 4/5
First impressions · 2 plays
Garfield9.0 #53 Very funny, cool and entertaining racing game! The base game is ok, but I think it shines only if you add the different modules. [c] Theme: ★★★★★ <!-- size 7]Wrooooom --> Gameplay: ★★★☆☆ <!-- size 7]Play cards to move your car --> Interaction: ★★★★★ <!-- size 7]Race against the others --> Artwork: ★★★★★ <!-- size 7]Very nice --> Luck: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Random card drawing --> Strategy: ★★★☆☆ <!-- size 7]Plan your deck carefully --> Components: ★★★☆☆ <!-- size 7]Very good, except the player boards --> Play duration: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Very good --> Easy to teach: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Ok --> Rules quality: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Very good, but lacking of examples --> Setup time: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Fast --> No downtime: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Almost no downtime --> Replay value: ★★★★☆ <!-- size 7]Different modules and tracks --> [/c]
No plays logged
- Base -
Played it 18 times
Upcoming events with this game
All eventsRules questions
Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.
How many cards do I play each turn?
Your gear determines the exact number: play 1 card in 1st gear, 2 in 2nd, and so on. Everyone shifts gear and plays cards simultaneously before cars move. (p. 4)
When I go over a corner’s speed limit, how much Heat do I pay?
Compare your total speed for the round with the corner’s speed limit and pay Heat equal to the difference. If you cross several corners, check and pay for each one separately, in order. (p. 6)
Does Slipstreaming count toward my speed when I check a corner?
No. Slipstreaming moves you 2 spaces if you end your move next to or behind another car, but it does not increase your speed for checking corners. (p. 6)
What do I do when I play a Stress card?
Flip cards from the top of your draw deck until you find a Speed card; discard the other cards revealed, then add that Speed card to your played cards. Repeat for each Stress card you played. (p. 5)
Can I discard Heat cards from my hand, or play them to move?
No. Heat cards cannot be discarded or played from your hand, so they reduce your hand size. To pay Heat, move a Heat card from your Engine to your discard pile; cooling down can return Heat from your hand to your Engine. (pp. 6–7)
Can I Slipstream across the finish line?
No. On the last lap, Slipstreaming is not allowed once you cross the Finish Line, and you ignore speed limits in corners beyond it. (p. 7)
Score sheets and play helpers
- Full Game Kit
- Score Sheet
- Choose your colour, use scoring for placement
Free, on web, Android and iOS
Play Heat: Pedal to the Metal with Ludoya
- Keep it in your collectionTrack your copy and its expansions, lend it to friends, or put it on your wishlist and get told when the price drops.Add it to your collection
- Log every playScores, winners, timers and photos, then your stats: win rate, favourite player count, best score.Log a play
- Settle rules questionsAsk anything about the rules and get an answer from the rulebook, with the page to check it on.Ask the rules assistant
- Find people to play it withClubs, game nights and events near you that bring this game to the table.See events
Game facts (players, playing time, age, credits) from BoardGameGeek.



































