We've noticed some excellent racing games at Softonic recently. Even better, they're free, which is perfect for the holiday season, when your funds my be directed elsewhere. If you're an adrenaline junkie, read on. We're sure you're going to love them!

Coolest, and most innovative, is Extreme Motorbikers, a game that mixes speed with cunning and guts. In this one, not only must you make it around the track ahead of your opponents, but also stop them from using villainous tricks to get what they want. For a free game, the graphics are really rich, and Extreme Motorbikers adds a little something to a tried and tested formula.

At the other end of the spectrum is Dirchie Kart, a fun, frantic karting game with an altogether more cartoon style. It's got a 16 bit retro feel, which some users will love and others will hate, but nobody can argue that it's got one of the most interesting varieties of karts around. If you're looking for Ferraris and other power-hungry beasts, it's not for you, but Dirchie Kart has 8 vehicles, all with their own quirks and personalities, and they make the game really interesting.

If you're looking for a more traditional racing experience, check out RaceRoom The Game 2. This is a standard racing game, something that lots of users will appreciate. It's got all the bells and whistles - international racing circuits, powerful cars, various race modes and above all, speed! The cars look good and the pace is fast, so if you're a traditionalist, you'll love it.

Then there is Speed Racers, a traditional game with a futuristic twist. It takes the standard racing model and shoots it skyward - in this game, you're racing in the clouds. One wrong move, and you're propelled into the ether. But watch out - your competitors aren't above pulling a few dirty moves to get ahead. You've been warned!

Finally, there's the free to play racing MMO Need for Speed World. It looks a little dated, but has a huge community of players, so there are plenty of people to race. The game is set in an open world environment made up of classic Need for Speed tracks, and you build up experience points to get better cars and customizations.

Are there other free racing gems that we've missed? If so, let us know in the comments below!