Death Race

From publisher blurb:

The Planet Udenho is well known in the Sonora sector for it's peculiar form of entertainment which is broadcast sector wide. In the desert sands of Udenho the locals hold a race. It is a vehicle race like no other in the galaxy. People come from across the sector to race in this event for substantial prize money and the glory of winning. This race is a dangerous event. Most contestants do not survive the race.

The conditions of the desert are brutal. And the contestants frequently use violence to gain advantage in the race. And the racing commission employs combat drones to prevent the few rules of the race from being violated.