Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
The next Caffeine &Octane is set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at The Avenues mall at 10300 Southside Blvd.
Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes. If you cannot stay until then, please park in the exhibit lot. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.
Here’s what you might have seen at last Saturday’s C&O Jacksonville, as the sun rose:
And a sad farewell to a friend of motor racing, a fine driver, and a scion of a famous man who was driver and actor – Chad McQueen passed away a week ago. The folks at Nicolas Hunziker Automotive Fine Art passed on the family’s announcement of the death.
“His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication. His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent, but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him. He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfathers as well. As a family we need to navigate this difficult time and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jeanie, Chase, and Madison
As a postscript, those of us who watched him race, or spent time with him before and after his crash, knew a warm, fun and very dedicated man who loved to race, and had fond memories of his father, even remembering sitting with him in the Porsche he raced in “Le Mans.”
Head’s up – the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival is coming up Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the Port Royal Golf Club – the honored marque: is Bentley and Rolls-Royce Post-War. The event also celebrates the 125th anniversary of Packard, and the Class Of ’64 – 60 Years of Mustang; Pop Culture Cars Of The 50s & 60s; Rare English, Open & Closed European 50s, 60s, & 70s, Jaguar XK Class, Classic Japanese Performance, Micro Cars, Barn Finds, Automotive Orphans, Cannonball Run Motorcycles and more.
Upcoming events:
Florida Crown Region PCA Swap Meet & Concours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. All concours spots are filled, but spectators are free.
The Barn at Maple Car and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 545 Cathy Tripp Lane.
Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Ave. in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators after park admission; $50 registration for show vehicles. Register your car or motorcycle at www.fortclinch.org.
NJBC Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Jax Baptist Church, 8531 N. Main St. Free for spectators and show vehicles.
R.A.W. Music Festival and Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat. Sept 28 at Flamingo Lake RV Park at 3640 Newcomb Road.
Touch a Touch a Truck: What Moves Clay: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Clay County Fairgrounds at 2463 Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs. Dozens of fire, police, emergency services and other vehicles for kids to see up close for free, with food trucks, plus indoor and outdoor activities and information booths from county departments and organizations. FYI visitors can view the vehicles during quiet time from 9 to 11 a.m., and see them in action during the lights and sounds portion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
Cruisin’ to the Creek Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 North in Northwest St. Johns County, just past the Shands Bridge. Free for spectators – show vehicles are $25 per; register at https://www.carcouncil.org/events. Proceeds benefit The Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
45th annual Azalea City Cruisers Car Show: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Spectators free; $20 pre-registration.
Morocco Shriners Fall Car Show and Festival: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Happy Brew Coffee shop at 3200 Hendricks Ave. Spectators free; $20 registration for show vehicles.
Cruisin’ for Jesus Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Truth Pointe Church at 5330 Dunn Ave. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
2024 Fall Classic – Pontiac/Oakland/GMC Car Show: 9 to 3 p.m. Sat. Oct. 12th, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Fre spectator admission and $30 day of show for show vehicles.
8 Flags Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, on Historic Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Spectators are free; show vehicles are $30 day of show.
British Classic Car Show: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Kings Head British Pub, U.S. 1 – yes, it will still be held there.
Rev Out Cancer Pink Out Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, at Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs.
Evangel Temple AG Middleburg Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the church at 1798 Freedom Drive. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
5th annual Trunk or Treat: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 26 at BJ’s at 15022 Max Leggett Parkway. Free for spectators and show vehicles – bring candy for the kids.
Classic and Vintage Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Immanuel Anglican Church, 915 Orchid Ave. in Keystone Heights.
17th annual Back to the 50s Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Moosehaven at 1701 Park Ave. Free for spectators and $425 for show vehicles day of show.
Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Nocatee Station Field at 245 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra. Free for spectators and $60 – pre-registration only – per show vehicle.
Rigs and Rods at Callahan Speedway: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the speedway at 543455 U.S. 1 in Callahan. A fundraiser for the planned Callahan Dragstrip, it’s free for spectators and $25 per show entry, with food trucks, silent auction and more.
Ancient City Auto Club 40th anniversary Car Show: 8a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, 207 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine, Spectators free, show vehicles $30 day of show.
Middleburg Historic Fall Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2102 Palmetto St. Car show, plus live music and performers, craft and food.
U.S.S. Orleck Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the U.S.S. Orleck ship museum at 610 E. Bay St. Presented by NAPA Auto Care and Jacksonville Corvette Club, it is free for spectators (ship admission excluded) and $25 show vehicle pre -registration, or $30 day of show. Questions – email events@Jaxnavalmuseume.org.
Mandarin Athletic Association Benefit Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at 3750 Burnett Park Road. Free for spectators and $20 day of show for entrants.
Third annual Revved Up! Car, Truck and Bike Show: 4 to7 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at GW Truck at 4930 Spring Park Road.
Down at the Bay Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 25, at Cedar Bay Baptist Church, 11553 N. Main St. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): Open Track Days held most weekends at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke.
All the Cruise-ins…
Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.
Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: SUMMER HOURS – 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.
Pharaohs St. Johns cruise-in: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 North in Northwest St. Johns County, just past the Shands Bridge.
Mod Talk Tuesdays: 5 p.m. every first Tuesday at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant at 10915 Baymeadows Road. For car, truck and bike enthusiasts.
Sunshine State Chevelles: 4 to 7 p.m. every third Monday of each month at 1937 Spirits and Eatery, 1842 Kings Ave in the San Marco area.
Players Grille Mandarin at 10140 San Jose Blvd., 4 to 7 p.m. every third Wednesday.
New – Fernandina Beach Car Meet: 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at Famous Quick Lube, 1707 8th St. Fernandina Beach.
Returning – Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 4 to 7 p.m. each fourth Tuesday at the Seawalk Pavilion at 75 1st Street N. in Jacksonville Beach.
Classic Car Cruise-in at Orange Blossoms Beach Boulevard: 8 a.m. to noon each third Saturday of the month at Orange Blossoms, 14329 Beach Blvd.
Caffeine and Gasoline: 8 to 11 a.m. each first Saturday of the month at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. House rules – “respect the property.” And J-Tech will be holding events to coincide with C & G with staff on site to give tours of the campus.
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway, includes Pop-Up Shop.
Wings & Wheels Cruise-in: 2 to 6 pm. each first Saturday at Dicks Wings & Grill at 6055 Youngerman Circle.
Rides and Coffee: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every fourth Sunday at Detail Garage, 9390 Arlington Expressway.
First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed.
Callahan Cruisers: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan. The next cruise-in – Sat. Aug. 10 – is the event’s 10th anniversary.
Downtown Kingsland Cars & Coffee: New summer hours – 8 to 11 a.m. each second Saturday at the Historic Downtown Kingsland Homegrown Market at U.S. 17 and Georgia 40.
Cruise Fruit Cove: The Sunshine State Chevelles’ cruise-in hours are 1 to 5 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.
Yulee Cars and Coffee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every third Sunday at the Sonic Drive-In at 463939 Florida 200 in Yulee.
Brunch with Cars: noon to 3 p.m. this and every third Sunday at Pink Salt Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1567 University Blvd. W.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 3 to 6 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd.; 3 to 6 p.m. every second Saturday at Dick’s Wings Fleming Island at 1803 E. West Parkway; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Hooter’s/Miller’s Ale House at 1756 Well’s Road – replaces Freddy’s; 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Woody’s BBQ at 1301 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine monthly cruise-ins: St. Augustine Cruiser’s “Cruise In” from 5 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday, and Cars and Coffee from 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday. Both cruise-ins are at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine.
Cars and Coffee Fleming Island: 8 a.m. every fourth Sunday of the month at 2310 Village Square Parkway, Fleming Island.
New cruise-in: 6 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Mission BBQ, 8440 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville, hosted by Modern Mustangs of Jacksonville.
New cruise-in: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Saturday at the Rockin’ 50’s Eatery at 3501 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine.
Show and Tell: 6 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday at Advance Auto Parts at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.
Azalea City Cruisers: Monthly cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Velchoffs Corner, 105 N. 2nd St. in Palatka.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Wait, there’s more…
McLaren F1 driver, Lando Norris had an interesting drive recently, one that locked his blocks for a lap around Silverstone.
It was a life-size, one-of-a-kind, fully drivable McLaren P1 made from LEGO Technic elements.
This replica is made from 342,817 LEGO Technic elements, with fully functional steering, making it the first LEGO big build ever capable of steering and taking on tricky racetrack corners. The build’s electric motor consists of LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, allowing it to travel further than any other LEGO model before it.
The big build process came to life with 23 specialists from design, engineering and building from the LEGO group and McLaren Automotive, with 8,344 hours of development and construction and requiring 393 different types of LEGO Technic elements.
Norris took on the twist and turns of the 3.66-miles track, and completing the lap around the Silverstone Circuit.
See the video of Lando Norris driving the life-size LEGO Technic McLaren P1 here.
The Amelia by Hagerty celebrates 30 years of global motoring excellence as it returns to Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton Resort from March 6 – March 9, tickets at AmeliaConcours.com.
The concours’ featured classes include:
- Corvette at Sebring. The Corvette became a serious sports car in 1956, debuting at Sebring and winning both the SCCA and Cal Club championships that year. Nearly 70 years later, hundreds of Corvettes have raced and scored victories at Sebring, which plays host to the biggest names in racing and is part of the Triple Crown of endurance racing including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Alfa Romeos of the 1930s. Alfa Romeo began the 1930s as it ended the 1920s; dominating Italy’s sports car and competition scene. In all, from 1894 to 1949, Alfa won more international races than any other marque, Bugatti, and Mercedes-Benz included.
- Formula 1 Cars 1950-Present. The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the world’s premier forms of racing since its inaugural running in 1950. Always centered around single-seat, open wheel racers, F1 continues to attract the world’s best drivers and builders who create cars that push the technological envelope. Today 24 races held across five continents lead to a World Championship for one driver and one constructor/manufacturer.
Since its inception in 1996, The Amelia has donated more than $4 million to deserving non-profit and charitable organizations. In keeping with past tradition, The Amelia will continue to support Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, local Shop with Cops programs, and Community Hospice and Palliative Care.
Supercar Xperiences – Dec. 13 to 15 – YOUR turn to get behind the wheel of a fleet of exotic cars at The FIRM’s 1.5-mile race track at 7266 Airport Road in Starke . Prices do not include Track Insurance (Starting at $39 per Car) which is required for drivers. SPECTATOR PIT PASS – $10.