Muscle Cars Antique Cars Racing Cars Exotic Cars Classic Cars
Car Things To Do
Events
If you have an interest in car shows, races, cruise-ins or other types of car activities, there are many car things to do throughout the year. These car venues can be a local Cars & Coffee, national or international in scope, location and size.
"Monterey Week" is an annual event that is comprised of numerous activities occurring at Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach and the Laguna Seca Raceway with cruises, shows, auctions, vintage races and of course the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
"Cruising" …whether it’s nostalgia, the baby-boomers having more available time and money or just a realization of how wonderful the 50’s and 60’s were, there is a rebirth of all types of activities involving cars and cruising. The vehicle can be a Classic Car, Muscle Car, Historic, Vintage, or Hot Rod. Organized cruise nights are very popular as well as the Saturday morning Cars and Coffee with local merchants and businesses often providing the coffee and snacks plus access to the shopping centers, parking lots, etc.
Hot August Nights is an annual event in South Lake Tahoe and Reno, NV. The weather was hot and the month of August, 1986 was right. Hot August Nights was born with a live event that included the Righteous Brothers, Wolfman Jack, and Jan & Dean! The daily activities include live entertainment, show & shines, cruises, poker walks, swap meet, car coral, drag racing and more. The Hot August Nights Foundation has been established to provide children in need with a more meaningful and productive life through the availability of continuing and higher education.
Old Town, Kissimmee, FL brings together theme park rides, shopping, restaurants and is well known for their cruises. The Cruises include cars of all types, are theme oriented and occur on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. There are bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Throughout the year there are specialty car shows, a NCRS event and a Vette Fest. You must go and see the tail fins, wild taillights, overstuffed upholstery and lots of chrome…all lovingly washed and shined to the ultimate.
"Collector car auctions" provide a great opportunity to acquire that special car or have your own fun day in the candy store! These fine auction companies pull together a large portfolio of impressive and often rare vintage, classic and exotic cars for your viewing and buying pleasure.
Mecum Auctions has celebrated over 25 years in business and state “They are the world's largest collector car auction house, offering more than 8,000 vehicles at auction events annually throughout the U.S.A.” They auction muscle, classic and vintage collector cars plus tractors, boats, motorcycles, memorabilia and Road Art.
Barrett-Jackson states they are “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™”, founded in 1971 with auctions in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Las Vegas and Orange County. A Barrett-Jackson auction week is a lavish event with hundreds of exotic and unique automobiles from around the globe.
RM Auctions states they are “global leader in the investment-grade collector car market”. They originally started as RM Auto Restoration and RM Classic Cars, with the restoration business continuing for over thirty years. Their auction services are provided at select venues at multiple locations in Europe and the U.S.A. throughout the year.
Gooding & Company specializes in select cars at Concour d’Elegance locations such as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island along with car week in Scottsdale, AZ.
High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) events or track days are typically sponsored by car clubs, HPDE organizations or a car manufacturer that is interested in promoting driver education, safety and performance driving. There is much to be learned at these events, both in the classroom and on the track with specially trained instructors. There are also events specifically focused on the new or teen driver’s education such as Street Survival. The schools are typically going to provide their services at their own course or venues such as Virginia International Raceway (VIR), Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen, Infineon, Road Atlanta, etc.
Formula 1 racing, also known as F1 is the highest class of single seat, open wheel auto racing. It employs some of the latest technology developed by automobile manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Races are held throughout the year, known as Grands Prix (grand prize) at locations around the world, with drivers competing for the annual world championship honor based on accumulated points throughout the season. F1 racing has returned to the USA with a race being held in Austin, TX late fall.
Indy Racing is an American auto racing sanctioning body, Indy Racing League, LLC. They have adopted the trade name of INDYCAR and sanction four racing series; the premier IZOD IndyCar Series with its centerpiece, the Indianapolis 500, and developmental series Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship and the U.S. F2000 National Championship. These are all a part of The Road To Indy. IndyCar is sometimes used to describe the championship open-wheel auto racing in the USA and the name is derived from the link to the historic Indianapolis 500 mile race.
NASCAR races have become a very popular event, supported by a growing number of fans. The car buff and family members that like NASCAR all have their favorite driver, with select team sponsors and pit crew. The NASCAR race fans viciously follow the weekly races while supporting their favorite driver and team during good and bad times, regardless of the outcome. Races begin in February and run through November with races most weekends covering cities and towns across the USA with a variety of track configurations that constantly challenge the varied skills of each driver and his team. This is a true American race, with its origins in the South.
Drag races are a heavily supported competition throughout the year with many types of modified and rail type cars competing for large prizes and prestigious positions. This car thing to do has its beginning in the 50’s and continues today with many unbelievable performing cars that incorporate the latest technology available. You have probably heard of Funny Car, Pro Stock and Top Fuel to describe some of the various classes describing the fastest 1/4 mile and 1000 feet speeds imaginable.
“Car Club” events are held throughout the USA and around the world and are a great venue to further enjoy your passion of automobiles while providing an opportunity to meet new friends. Each organization has a little different approach on car things to do and focus on the important aspects of the hobby of the car and motorsports.
The BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA) is an independent organization based in Greenville, SC, with local chapters and events throughout the USA. The BMW Car Club of America’s interests are in driver education, track events, autocross, car club racing, specialty car shows and other reward benefits. The BMW Car Club’s Street Survival® Teen Driver Safety Program is an educational program for teenage drivers to allow them to experience car control at and beyond the limits in a safe and controlled environment. The big club event for the year is Oktoberfest with monthly newsletters and the Roundel Magazine that includes special articles, letters, model briefs, tech talk section, coming events calendar, and a classified ad section.
The Ferrari Club of America (FCA) is made up of 4800 members throughout the USA and Canada. FCA desires to inspire ownership, operation, restoration and preservation of Ferrari automobiles and the history associated with the marque. A Ferrari car club member enjoys a full calendar of events including track events a wide variety of year-round social events and car cruises. The FCA has annual National and International Meetings which includes track events, swap meet, rally, banquets and the internationally recognized Concours d'Elegance. Members receive a monthly news bulletin and a quarterly magazine, Prancing Horse, with a plethora of information on Ferrari activities and interesting articles. F1 racing is at the core of Ferrari and a big event to Ferrari and Ferrari owners so these races receive plenty of coverage and are the focal point of some events. There is a saying within the Ferrari Club: "It's not about the cars, it's about the people."
National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc. (NCCC) - NCCC was started in 1956 to promote interest in Corvette ownership while supporting membership needs and activities for the car while encouraging family, kids and others to enjoy America’s sports car, the Corvette. Today there are about 270 individual Corvette Clubs and over 17,000 members across the USA.
The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) is comprised of over 15,000 members dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes. They offer a historical document service for tracing and documenting the history of certain Corvettes. NCRS is also a good source for literature, repair suggestions and other expert information regarding the authenticity of any Corvette. The NCRS judging system is designed to educate each owner about their car and provide recognition for excellence in the areas of restoration, performance, or preservation. Membership includes the quarterly, Corvette Restorer Magazine.
The Porsche Club of America (PCA) is one of the oldest sports car clubs in America, dating back to 1955 and is made up of 100,000 members throughout the USA and Canada. Their stated mission is to heighten the Porsche owning and driving experience. This car club sponsors many events at the region and national level for driver education, high performance driving events (HPDE), charity events, rallies, autocross, club racing, technical sessions, insurance valuation information, concours, tours and Porsche history. The Porsche Parade is one of the largest gatherings of Porsche owners and moves around the country each year. It is a huge event with all manner of events held to entertain, test and involve the participants. The National organization also plays a role in getting members visiting Germany, a chance to visit the Porsche factory, the Porsche Museum and areas around Stuttgart, especially if you have arranged taking European delivery of your new Porsche. Members receive a monthly magazine, Porsche Panorama. There is a saying within the Porsche Club: "It's not about the cars, it's about the people."
