The inaugural Woodward Dream Show is scheduled for this weekend at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, in conjunction with the Woodward Dream Cruise, which takes place August 21 (see map below). The Dream Show begins August 20 with more than 200 hot rods and muscle cars, as well as movie cars and award-winning show cars, on display. By the way, the hot rods and muscle cars display includes them lapping the Concourse test track.
In the evening, an “Insider Garage” panel will feature Wayne Carini, Ken Lingenfelter, Jim and Mike Ring and Bob Larivee.
The weekend also marks the debut of the M1 Concourse’s new event center.
A month later, September 27 to October 3, the M1 hosts the inaugural American Speed Festival with against-the-clock laps of the 1.5-mile, 11-turn circuit. Featured cars include the ex-Jerry Grant AAR 1966 Eagle-Ford Indy car recently restored by Bobby Rahal, and the Shadow Can-Am Mk 1 and Mk II cars.
Also on hand will be Jim Hall and a quartet of his famed Chaparrals.
In between the events above, M1 will be the site for the first Motor Bella, successor to the North American International Auto Show and staged by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association.
Roadkill Nights puts drag racers on the street
In a news release emphasizing that “Street racing can have serious legal and safety risks. Both Roadkill and Dodge want enthusiasts to enjoy performance driving in a safe, controlled environment, run by professionals with vehicle safety inspections, driver evaluations and track safety,” MotorTrend announced the results of Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge on a section of Woodward Avenue on August 14.
The street-legal drag races drew 38,000 spectators, MotorTrend added.
“Roadkill Nights is all about stoking the passion of the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle, and this year the energy and excitement of our fans was off the charts — people were so pumped up to be back on Woodard Avenue celebrating the return of live, street-legal drag racing,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge chief executive.
“In its sixth year, Roadkill Nights remains the ultimate celebration of performance-car culture and the perfect grassroots event to showcase what Dodge represents — a pure performance brand.”
The 1/8-mile drag races are a tribute to the days when Detroit automotive engineers exercised their new muscle cars on Woodward Avenue in Detroit’s northern suburbs.
For Roadkill Nights 2021, 110 racers took part in “Big Tire” and “Small Tire” (275mm or narrower) classes. Jimmer Kline repeated as Big Tire winner in a 1966 Acadian Chevrolet. Nicholas Taylor won in Small Tire in his 2000 Ford Mustang.
The winner in the featured tuners vs. automotive influencers showdown was Alex Taylor in her modified, racing slicks-equipped Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye after Eric Malone left the line early in his Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye.
Proceeds from the event benefited the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
It’s a dream cruise for those with disabilities
On August 20, children and adults living with disabilities will get to do a truly dream cruise when Danny’s Miracle Angel Network Foundation (aka D-Man), provides rides in convertibles on Woodward Avenue. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“When you lose the ability to do something as simple as getting in and out of a car, your experience of going anywhere typically shifts to riding in the back of a wheelchair van, often without windows,” D-MAN founder and chairman Ziad Kassab is quoted in the announcement. “The experience of riding in the front seat of a convertible, especially at a big event like the Dream Cruise, gives these individuals the thrill of a lifetime and the chance to be viewed simply as a passenger in a cool car, rather than a person with a disability.”
Cars at Capital is September 3-30
The Hagerty Drivers Foundation’s Cars at the Capital resumes post-pandemic September 3-30 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the National Gallery of Art and the National Air & Space Museum.
“Cars at the Capital is an annual celebration of America’s automotive heritage in the nation’s capital,” according to the event news release.
“Each year we showcase the newest inductees of the National Historic Vehicle Register in a beautifully illuminated glass display case for the public to learn about and interact with cars that have impacted history.
“The exhibition and documentation are part of the Hagerty Drivers Foundation’s partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and Library of Congress archives.”
In the illuminated box for the first week is the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 from the movie Back to the Future. From September 10-16, it will be replaced by the 1970 Dodge Challenger RT S/E “Qualls Challenger” known as the Black Ghost. Scheduled for September 17-23 is the 1921 Duesenberg Straight Eight “Castle Duesenberg” and the showcase ends with the 1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S from the movie Cannonball Run.
Tanner Foust joins McLaren for Extreme E
Rallycross star and Hollywood movie stunt driver Tanner Foust will drive for McLaren in the Extreme E electric-vehicle off-road racing series in 2022, McLaren announced. Foust is a 4-time US rallycross champion and a four-time gold medalist in the X Games. He’s also a two-time Formula Drive champion.
“To be able to race for McLaren is every driver’s dream and the opportunity to compete for the team in this innovative and imaginative racing series makes it even more special,” Foust is quoted in the McLaren news release. “The concept is unique and the challenge compelling. It will enable me to draw on all my experience and skills, while being part of a positive cause addressing key issues for our planet and society.”
Vegas Autofest wants to break the mold
Created “to break the stale car show mold,” more than 300 car owners have been invited to participate in the Vegas Autofest, scheduled for September 18 at the Red Rock Country Club.
Organizers say they can to unite “clubs, enthusiasts, creators, and drivers in a visually striking location to share our collective knowledge and passion.”
American muscle cars will be displayed on the country club’s first fairway, with Porsches on one end of the 18th fairway other European cars at the other end.
Hagerty readies for its first Greenwich concours
After buying the rights to the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Hagerty had to wait through the coronavirus pandemic to host the event, which now is scheduled for October 22-24 on the Connecticut sea coast.
In addition to the concours and a Bonhams auction, Hagerty says to expect “car-centric experiences including tours, seminars, parties, OEM test drives, youth engagement area and much more.”
2021 car show and concours calendar
The following are dates currently set (but subject to change) for a variety of concours d’elegance, car shows and driving tours scheduled during 2021:
August
20-22 – Goodguys Great American, York, Pennsylvania; 21 – Woodward Dream Cruise, northern Detroit suburbs; Back to the Bricks, Flint, Michigan; Relix Riot (hot rods and customs), Hickory Corners, Michigan; San Marino Motor Classic, Pasadena, California; 22 – Simply Mercedes, Beaulieu, UK; 24 – Import Showcase, Seal Cove, Maine; 26-28 – Corvettes at Carlisle, Pennsylvania; 27-29 – Goodguys West Coast, Pleasantom, California; 28 – Automobilia: Art & Design, Carmel, Indiana; RADwood, Chicago; 28-29 – Taste of Motorsports, Portland, Oregon; 29 – Pierce-Arrow Gathering, Hickory Corners, Michigan
September
1-30 – Cars at the Capital, Washington, D.C.; 3-5 – Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court, UK; 4-5 – International Autojumble (swap meet), 6-12 — Mustang Week, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; 9-11 – AACA Southeastern Fall Nationals, Greenville, South Carolina; 10 – Luftgekuhlt 7, Indianapolis; 10-12 – Goodguys Colorado Nationals, Loveland;
Porsche Sportscar Together Festival, Indianapolis; 11-12 – Off-Road Expo Arizona; 12 – Muscle Cars, Hickory Corners, Michigan; Simply French, Beaulieu, UK; 12-17 – Revival AAA Glidden Tour, Saratoga Springs, New York; 17-19, Goodwood Revival, UK; Oregon Festival of Cars, Bend; Vail Automotive Classic, Colorado; 18 – Ford Model A Day, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 18-19 – Taste of Motorsports, Sonoma, California; 19 – EyesOn Design, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan; RADwood, Seattle; Simply BMW, Beaulieu, UK; 21-26, Motor Bella, Pontiac, Michigan; 24-25 – Cadillac-LaSalle Fall Festival, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 24-26 – Detroit 4Fest, Mt. Holly, Michigan; Goodguys Lone Star Nationals, Fort Worth; 25 — Autumn in the Mountains, Mills River, North Carolina; 26 – Catskill Conquest Rally, Saratoga, New York; Camaros at the Corners, Hickory Corners, Michigan; Simply British Classics, Beaulieu, UK; 29-October 3 – Fall Carlisle, Pennsylvania; 30-October 3, American Speed Festival, Pontiac, Michigan; Audrain Newport Concours & Motorweek, Rhode Island
October
1-2 – Euro Fest, Ridgeland, Mississippi; La Jolla Motor Car Classic, California; 1-3 – Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Italy; Goodguys Del Mar Nationals, California; 6-9 — AACA Eastern Fall Nationals & Flea Market, Hershey, Pennsylvania; 6-10 – Zoute concours, Belgium; 8-9 – Z Nationals, Road Atlanta; 9 – RADwood, Austin, Texas; DesutscheMarques Oktoberfest, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 13-14 – Goodguys Get-Together, Pleasanton, California; 16 – Gilmore Fall Color Tour, Hickory Corners, Michigan; 19-21 – Goodguys Southwest Nationals, Scottsdale; 21-24 – Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance, Nevada; Auto e Moto d’Epoca, Padua, Italy; 22-25 – Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Connecticut; 23 – RADwood, Greenwich, Connecticut; 29 – Fort Lauderdale Concours, Florida
Have an event to add? Email details to journal@classiccars.com.
