Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar:
The next Caffeine & Octane is set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, at The Avenues mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. The entire parking area will be available.
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.
And if you didn’t make it to C&O last weekend, here’s a hint of what was there:
Upcoming events:
Car Show – hosted by The ARC of Bradford County: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Florida International Rally and Motorsport Park, 1200 SE 86th Way, Starke. Spectator admission is $5, and show vehicle registration is $25 per.
Fourth annual Quake/X Winterfest: 9 a.m. Saturday, to 5 p.m. Sunday, at Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Car show and audio competition.
Morning Motor Social: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, , at Park Place at Nocatee, 100 Palmetto Park Place in Ponte Vedra. Free.
Orange Park Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, at Orange Park High School, 2300 Kingsley Ave. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle. – featuring the Clay County Cruzers.
Kruisin’ 4 Kidz: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Dinsmore Baptist Church, 10500 Old Kings Road. Spectators are free, and pre-registration is $20 per show vehicle.
Bozard Ford/Lincoln Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the dealership at 540 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine. Co-sponsored with the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine. Free for spectators and $20 for show vehicles.
Cabul Lodge Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the Clay County Shrine Club at 2471 Russell Road in Green Cove Springs. Free to spectators, and $20 for show vehicles.
Old Skool vs. New Skool Car, Truck and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at Adamec Harley Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Free for spectators and $25 fee for show vehicles. Hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida.
Southern Vintage Market and Car Cruise-in: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, at Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Free admission for spectators and show vehicles,
Armed Forces Motorcycle Club Car, Truck and Bike Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the club at 5444 U.S. 17 , Kingsland, Ga. Free for spectators and $20 for show vehicles. Held by the Callahan Cruisers.
22nd annual Mustang and Ford Regional Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at Duval Fo1616 Cassat Ave. Spectators are free; $30 show vehicle registration.
Nease NJROTC Classic and Exotic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at the high school at 10550 Ray Road, off U.S. 1 in St. Johns County – more details to come.
20th Railroad Day Festival and Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at the historic 1881 Callahan Train Depot at 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Held by the Callahan Cruisers.
St. Marys Waterfront Auto Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at the St. Marys Waterfront Park on West St. Marys Street. Spectators are free, and show vehicles are $40 per – presented by Culture Driven and 912 Auto Spa.
Low ‘N Clean Jacksonville: 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Spectator admission is $15 per person in advance; $35 for show vehicles: $55 VIP Registration.
Fourth annual Easter Showdown: 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday April 19 at Dames Point Park at 9101 Dames Point Road – under the Dames Point Bridge. More details to follow.
Hillcrest Baptist Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the church at 7673 Collins Road. Free for spectators, and a $20 registration fee for show vehicles.
Rumble at the Ranch 4: 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at the WW Ranch at 1445 Otis Road in Jacksonville. The event includes a car show, burnout contest and more.
15th annual Rev It Up! Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Moosehaven, 1701 Park Ave. in Orange Park. Spectators free, and $25 pre-registration for show vehicles.
King of the South/Import Warz Car Show: 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Spectator admission is $20 per person in advance, and varying entrant fees depending on competition entry – tickets at facebook.com/events/2254148474985115.
Ultimate Car Show, presented by the Town of Hilliard: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5th at 37328 W. First 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: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.
Duval Car, Truck and Bike Meet: noon to 5 p.m. every first Saturday at 10749 N. Main St.
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.
Duval Car, Truck and Bike meet: Free cruise-in from noon to 5 p.m. each 1st and 3rd Saturday at the shopping center at 3000 Dunn Ave.
Orange Blossom Breakfast Show: 8 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday at Orange Blossom Diner at 14329 Beach Blvd., presented by Beaches Classic Cruisers and Carl Bush.
Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 5 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, now at Townies Pizza, 819 T.J. Courson Road.
Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and every fourth Tuesday at Latham Plaza, 143 2nd St. N. in Jacksonville Beach. This is a City of Jacksonville Beach sponsored event. Park on the walkway at Latham Plaza.
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.
New location – North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each first Saturday of the month at Culhane’s Irish Pub, 9720 Deer Lake Court off Southside Boulevard.
New cruise-in – Cruisin’ Classics Cruise-in: 1 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month on the back lawn of the Elks Lodge at 1855 West Road, off Beach Boulevard – Hamburgers and more on sale.
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. every third Sunday at Pink Salt Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1567 University Blvd. W.
Cars and Gars: noon to 5 p.m. every 1st and third Saturday at Allusion’s restaurant and bar at 5045 Soutel Drive.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice cruise-in: noon to 3 p.m. every fourth Saturday at the business at 18111 Golden Eagle Way on Fleming Island.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 2 to 5 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd.; 2 to 5 p.m. every second Saturday at Tom & Betty’s in Orange Park. 2 to 5 p.m. every third Saturday at various sites; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside, 8316 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. And the museum is open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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…
Photos courtesy of Chevrolet
A 2025 Blazer EV SS will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Sunday.
The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale later this quarter, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, and produces 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft torque. The pace car set for the DAYTONA 500 is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades and features custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting.
“Chevrolet has a long history with racing – it’s in our DNA – and the Blazer EV SS is a testament to that,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “We’re excited for customers to watch the Blazer EV SS — the quickest SS we’ve ever produced — pace such an iconic race this weekend.”
The Blazer EV SS also features front Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned chassis, and offers an EPA-estimated 303 miles of range.
“We’re honored to have Chevrolet as a founding partner of Daytona International Speedway, and that the iconic brand chose to feature the all-new Blazer EV SS at the DAYTONA 500,” said DIS track president Frank Kelleher. “The Blazer EV SS is surely going to set the pace for another exciting race.”
This marks the first time a Blazer has paced “The Great American Race;” and the 16th time Chevrolet has led the Daytona 500 field to green.
Race fans can get a close-up look at all four models – Blazer EV SS, Blazer EV.R, Corvette Stingray and Silverado RST – at various Chevrolet display properties at DIS.
Courtesy of The Amelia/Hagerty
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. And The Amelia announced that Hélio Castroneves will be the honoree for 2025, continuing the event’s longstanding tradition as “the racer’s concours.”
Castroneves’ wide-ranging racing and competition experience includes:
- 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021 Indianapolis 500 wins
- 2020 IMSA championship with 4 victories and 4 pole positions with Acura Team Penske
- Minority partner and co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing
- Season 5 winner of ABC television series Dancing with the Stars in 2007
He was chosen as honoree for The Amelia in 2025 based on his dedication to excellence in racing as well as his unwavering competitive spirit that has made him one of the most successful drivers in IndyCar history.
The concours’ featured classes include:
- Corvette at Sebring.
- Alfa Romeos of the 1930s.
- Formula 1 Cars 1950-Present
Another event is the Werks Reunion Amelia Island 2025: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fri, Mar 7, at The Amelia River Club.
Porsche Club of America (PCA) welcomes all Porsche clubs, owners, and enthusiasts to the ninth annual Werks Reunion Amelia Island at 4477 Buccaneer Trail. Corral Parking (Porsche Only) early registration is $99 per car and includes a Werks event bag, reserved parking space, and automatic entry into raffle contests. Corral Parking is $114 per car. Onsite spectator parking fee – $40 per car – cash at the gate, day of the event.
The Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco asks you – have a Ferrari, an Alfa Romeo, or an Acura or vintage Nissan? Or, perhaps, it’s a bit more obscure, such as a Citroën? Either way, if it’s a standout example, it’s welcome at the kickoff – sign up now to register your Italian, Japanese or “Other” car – it’s just $45. With more than 100 cars already entered, space is starting to become limited. Want to just spectate – it’s free. For more information, visit ameliakickoff.com.
And don’t forget – register your bucket of bolts for the Florida Concours d’Lemons on Friday, March 7, as part of the Classic Motorsports Magazine Amelia Kick Off Party at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach. Awful cars, great view of the ocean and our signature janky trophies.
Returning to The Amelia – the Broad Arrow Group’s annual auction. 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.
The annual low-buck motorsports festival is coming – the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, set for March 29-30 at Gainesville Raceway. And this just in – Randy Pobst, pro driver and automotive high performance expert, and who writes columns at Grassroots Motorsports, will be there. He’s got four World Challenge championships, more than 90 pro victories., two Rolex 24 At Daytona class wins, and the $2000 Challenge.
Now when you register for the $2000 Challenge, your payment information will be saved, but you won’t be charged until a few days before the event – you can cancel up until three days before the start of the $2000 Challenge to get a full refund.
For more information about the $2000 Challenge, visit 2000challenge.com.