Produced by Roger Corman, who wanted to make a science fiction movie to cash in on the popularity of Rollerball (1975). Also it's obviously of note that this was Sylvester Stallone's biggest role before Rocky (1976) made him a huge star.

In the distant year 2000, where America has become a brutal dictatorship, the public gathers round for the annual Death Race, featuring America's top drivers who race cross-country while being encouraged to murder people for bonus points. The protagonist is Frankenstein (David Carradine), a man who was surgically pieced together to be the best at what he does. The public loves him, but what nobody knows is that Frankenstein is secretly working for the resistance and is plotting to overthrow the oppressive American regime using his secret weapon.

The whole thing is on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXlUbmBc3BA

This is a movie which has permeated culture without people realizing it. I said, for years x points for such and such long before I ever saw the movie.

It is also the only movie with Sylvester Stallone I have ever seen.

Cobra is very good. When Marion "Cobra" Cobretti is not busy cutting the tips off his pizza slices with scissors he squares off against the axe clanking club.

This is a fantastic movie, it was so ahead of its time. A perfect cult film in my opinion