* CommonKnowledge: In '''no''' manual for the game is it stated that Sonic is driving a car to make the race fair for the other competitors. Rather it is stated that the race rules require each contestant to drive a car.
* ItsEasySoItSucks: The first game offers little challenge as the AI is not very fast, even in the harder Grand Prixs.
* MemeticMutation: "Why is Sonic driving a car?" and variations of such questions has become a somewhat common running joke among the Sonic fandom. It gets revived with every new racing game, like ''VideoGame/SonicAndSegaAllStarsRacing'' and ''VideoGame/TeamSonicRacing'' where in ''Transformed'', Ralph even asks this exact question. ''WebAnimation/TailsTube'' would also have the same question being asked to Sonic himself, with him answering he drives a racecar [[RuleOfCool because it's cool]].
* NeverLiveItDown: Sonic, the fastest thing alive, driving a car is something the fans will never let this game live down (although [[VideoGame/SonicAndSegaAllStarsRacing a later attempt at the idea]] was met with much warmer reception).
* SequelDifficultySpike: The first game is easy enough, with such simplistic AI, that you can only lose if you mess up a lot. The second game, however, has the A.I. cheat constantly to stay ahead of you.
* SpiritualSuccessor: ''VideoGame/SonicR'', ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'', ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]'', and ''VideoGame/TeamSonicRacing''.
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