Or maybe something with less action...
The driver rabbit obviously thinks he's won. the little mice streak across where he isn't looking because he is already celebrating...
I could add more of a background to the race for depth and cars trying to drive around those wresking dogs going after balls.
Yay!! I'm also working on Rabbit Road Race and am so happy to see others have started too!
I really like the composition of the first image - it reminds me of the chase scene from Miyazaki's Castle of Cagliostro. But I don't understand the story. It looks they're being attacked by the dogs (or the rabbits are purposely causing a car crash). I'm not sure if that's what you intended. If you hadn't explained the story, I wouldn't have got it.
I like your second idea a lot - the rabbit thinking he's won but the mice get there first. I think that idea might better come across if you push the character poses a lot more (e.g. the rabbit's arms and face are up, he's hooting for joy and his eyes are closed - that's why he can't see the mice shooting past them. Either that, or make him look reallllly smug, and have the people in the crowd looking at and cheering for the mice).
PS: Yes!! Those antique cars are GORGEOUS! I was looking up Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for inspo, haha.
@Meekipink Thanks. Love the feedback. The rabbits are indeed cheating to win in the first idea.
@Russ-Van-Dine This concept made me lol especially because my dog would absolutely be derailed by a ball. Your cars are amazing. Maybe have the rabbit throwing the balls have a basket of them like they could go all day?