Speed races in Need for Speed Unbound begin at certain locations. The meet-up areas for illicit street racing activities are hidden away at secret garages and other places concealed from people outside the circle and out of sight of the authorities. At the start of races in Need for Speed Unbound, NPCs and the player character will be able to show off their car customizations at the meet-up location. Players may experience odd interactions at the start line when the camera zooms by them and other races before the race begins.
Before the races begin, participants must choose from a selection of circuits and register for the event. The buy-in fee scales with the Heat level, which may indicate the difficulty of the race and the possibility of encountering the cops in Need for Speed Unbound. Players may even place Side Bets against other racers if they are confident in their car and abilities. The amount of money invested into the Side Bet will also be determined by the ability level of the drivers in the field.
