Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Calling all classic Fords – the next Caffeine and Octane will feature Henry Ford’s (pre-1989) cars and trucks of all kinds in a special display area of the Central Lot from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, at The Avenues mall’s south side at 10300 Southside Blvd.
Submit your application to be considered for a reserved spot in this special section of the show at caffeineandoctane.com, or simply click on: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6067165.
An estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks and more are expected at the free cruise-in. And remember – Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville is an all makes, all models show, with all parking spots first come/first serve.
Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard.
As always, there will be a Porsche section, and an exotics area, as well as hundreds of vintage and classic cars, muscle cars and so much more.
Official Caffeine and Octane merchandise is on sale at all Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville events.
Event news
The Amelia, the soon-to-be 27-year-old Concours d’Elegance, named racer and racing legend Chip Ganassi as the honoree for The Amelia, set for Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6, according to the event’s new owner, Hagerty.
The annual Spina Bifida of Jacksonville Silent Auction returns to the concours, with a collection of rare and eclectic film, television, automotive and sports-related items and more, some autographed. So Spina Bifida is accepting donations for The Amelia Concours d’Elegance 2022, all proceeds benefitting its non-profit actions helping those with the birth defect and their families. For information on how to donate, email theameliasilentauction@gmail.com.
The concours’ official RM Sotheby’s auction returns with lot previews from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, and Friday, March 4, with an 11 a.m. Friday auction, all at the concours hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, at 4750 Amelia Island Parkway. For auction information, go to rmsothebys.com.
Saturday, March 5th’s big event is Cars & Community, a suite of things to do for all ages that will include the long-running Cars & Caffeine cruise-in for local and regional classics, hot rods and car clubs. There’s also a 1980s and ’90s-focused RADwood display and The Amelia’s first-ever Kids Zone.
Photo courtesy of Hagerty
The fun and low-brow Concours d’Lemons also joins the Saturday fun, Hagerty announcing a licensing agreement this week to produce this festival designed to celebrate the oddball, mundane and unexceptional of the automotive world. Concours d’Lemons was created in 2009 as a send-up of high-end concours events with cars no one would ever find on a high-end concours field, like “Rust Belt American Junk”, “Needlessly Complex Italian” and “Most Dangerous.” The show culminates in the presentation of the Worst of Show trophy. .and display vehicles can be registered for $15 each here at eventbrite.com/e/amelia-island-concours-dlemons-tickets-244581799747.
Cars & Community admission tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth as well as military and first responders, and free for children 12 and under. A portion of every Cars & Community ticket sold will support local and national charitable partners.
The Amelia’s seminars start with the 3 p.m. Friday “36 Hours of Florida,” hosted by NASCAR Hall of Fame Crew Chief Ray Evernham, featuring a panel of the greats of sports car racing who were very successful at the “36 Hours of Florida,” which included both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The NASCAR Seminar is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, also hosted by Ray Evernham and a panel of former NASCAR greats speaking about racing through the decades.
Admission is $50 per person per seminar, information on all The Amelia events and tickets at ameliaconcours.com/event/tickets.
And expect a celebration of the automobile featuring more than 250 vehicles at the Sunday Concours d’Elegance. Official classes include: 60th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 70th anniversary of the 12 Hours of Sebring; 75th anniversary of Ferrari, 100th anniversary of Lincoln, and the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford.
Additional concours features will include Indy Roadsters, (like the one shown here from the 2020 event); Gurney Eagles; the 3-wheeled vehicles of the Davis Motorcar Company; Japanese Sports Cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s and more.
Sunday Concours tickets are: Adults (ages 23+): $150, price increases to $175 on March 1, 2022; Military and First Responders: $85, with verification at check-in; Younger Enthusiasts (ages 13-22): $75; and children 12 and under are free. And a big FYI: every concours ticket purchase also includes free admission to Cars & Community.
Tickets for all concours events are also available at the website.
Sign up to be a Concours volunteer at ameliaconcours.com/event/volunteer.
Other events on Amelia Island that weekend not associated with The Amelia:
Grand Motoring Hangar Night is from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday March 3, at the Amelia Aerodrome at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Returning for its sixth year, attendees have hors d’oeuvres, dinner and cocktails surrounded by an assortment of classic and collector automobiles, sponsor exhibits, auto-centric short films and more. Individual tickets are $50, address and parking instructions provided to registered attendees. Tickets can be reserved here.
20th annual Jacksonville Grand Prix: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the 103rd Street Sports Complex at 10271 103rd St. The annual endurance go-kart race sees teams of drivers compete as they and the event raise funds for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. Registration is open for the event, open to multiple levels of experience from rookie to pro and semi-pro in equally prepared and weight-ballasted karts. Registration is $308.33 per person on a 6-driver team, or $1,850 for a team. Information and registration – go here. And watch some of the recent action at youtube.com/watch?v=gQoc-SR4UdU&feature=emb_imp_woyt.
22nd Annual Riding Into History Antique Motorcycle Concours
Motorcycle designer Paul Teutul Jr. will be the Grand Marshal for the annual Riding Into History concours on April 22 and 23 at World Golf Village, 1 World Golf Place in St. Augustine. On Friday, April 22, it is the Grand Marshal Tour Presented by Hagerty, allowing owners to ride their vintage bike through the back roads of historic Florida. Then comes the Grand Marshals Dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the World Golf Hall of Fame, Shell Hall, at $80 per person. Then hundreds of classic and special interest motorcycles will be on display from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, around the lake at World Golf Village. There is no entry fee for qualified motorcycles – Registration closes at midnight, April 14. Admission is $15 per person for spectators. All donations go to K9s for Warriors. More information is at ridingintohistory.org.
SCCA Autocross and Car Show, co-hosted by The Brunswick Lions Club: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 26, at the former St. Marys Airport at North Dandy Street in St Marys, Ga. The show is free to spectators and $20 per show vehicle. The SCCA Buccaneer Region Jax Solo is holding the autocross – more information and registration at motorsportreg.com/events/scca-buccaneer-jax-solo-st-marys-municipal-airport-autocross-607711.
Now the Car Shows:
Peterson’s Automotive Showcase: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Frank H. Peterson Academies, 7450 Wilson Blvd. in Jacksonville. The show is free for spectators and $25 for show vehicles.
11th annual Fly-In and Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Palatka Airport, 4015 Reid St. Free for spectators and $10 entry fee for show vehicles.
2022 Jacksonville RV MegaShow: Hosted by the Florida RV Trade Association from Thursday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center at 13611 Normandy Blvd. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission is $10 for adults and children 12 years or younger are admitted free.
Jacksonville Icemen Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 19, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Spectators are free, and show vehicles are $20 per, which also gets free ticket to Icemen game at 3 p.m.
Quake-X Winterfest: Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19 and 20, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 US 1 in Callahan. Information at facebook.com/events/633442741356524?ref=newsfeed.
10th annual Kruisin 4 Kids: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Dinsmore Baptist Church at 10500 Old Kings Road in Jacksonville. Burnout contests and barbecue chicken dinners for sale.
Troop and Pack 27 Car Show and Pinewood Derby: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Old Plank Road Baptist Church at 8964 Old Plank Road.
Middleburg Spring Festival and Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the Middleburg Civic Association at 2102 Palmetto St. Spectators are free; show vehicle registration is $20. Proceeds donated to Civic Association’s choice charity.
Adamec Harley-Davidson Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at the dealership at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida, spectators are free, whole show vehicle registration is $20. Live Music by the Pink Paisleys.
17th annual Railroad Day Festival and Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the1881 Callahan Train Depot at 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Live entertainment, arts/crafts and food vendors, model trains and a classic car show hosted by Callahan Cruisers and Cochrane’s Collision Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will go to the West Nassau Historical Society.
Rumble at the Ranch – Hot Rod vs Rat Rod: May 5 through 7 at WW Motocross Park, 1439 Otis Road in Jacksonville. The event features burnout contests with a $1,500 purse, car show and other events.
Third annual Hot Rodz 4 Kids Car and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 28, at First United Methodist Church of Callahan, 449648 U.S. 301. Proceeds go to children’s medical, educational and nutritional needs.
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
First Coast Car Council, Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.
Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.
The First Coast Car Council holds its newest cruise-in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday at The Beaver Street Farmers Market, 1810 W. Beaver St. And its cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. every second Saturdayreturnsat the Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville Caffeine and Gasoline: 7 to 10 a.m. on every first Saturday at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road in Orange Park.
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 Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf at 8316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 a.m. every fourth Saturday at Nicole’s Café, 2216 S. Mimosa Ave. in Middleburg; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday back at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
The Part’s House/The Brothers Banter Podcast Cruise-in: The renamed White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in at the same time – 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at 405 Lane Ave. N.
NEW – Auto Legends Amelia Cars and Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon every second Saturday at Mocama Beer Company, 629 S. 8th St. in Fernandina Beach.
Cruise Fruit Cove: 4 to 8 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
Amelia Cruizers: 4 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.
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 resuming on Nov. 27 (see above), both at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine.
Cars and Coffee Fleming Island: 7 to 10 a.m. every third Sunday of the month at the New Vision Theatre at 1820 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island.
Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.
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.
New cruise-in: Show and Tell, 6 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday at Advance Auto Parts at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Cruise Night at Beachwalk: cancelled
And finally…
The 60th IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona dawned very cold, breezy and sunny last weekend, with a 61-car field of prototypes and GTs to tackle the 3.56-mile road course and superspeedway banks. Thousands showed up to watch, a full infield of fans.
A local high school band escorted all the race cars and teams out onto pit road, including Helio Castroneves’ Meyer Shank Racing Acura LMP-1 race car. And in the end, at 1:40 p.m. Sunday, he beat former teammate Ricky Taylor. It was the second overall victory for Mike Shank’s team, which also won the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Strolling the pits at 8 a.m., fans could see the cars in pristine shape, like a super-size Caffeine and Octane. That included the BMW safety cars and some other intriguing supercars:
Then at noon, as fans gathered on the infield grass, the race cars came out like this Mercedes-AMG.
Awaiting its Time on track was this No. 18 Era Motorsport Oreca LMP2:
Sleek in the cold Saturday sun was the Heart of Racing Team No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Driven By Alex Riberas, Ross Gunn and Maxime Martin:
Then the day/night/day of racing began:
And sometimes, the garage was home after on-track incidents – here the crew repairs the Vasser Sullivan No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 of Townsend Bell, Richard Heistand, Frank Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz after the No. 47 Cetilar Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 spun and hit it, causing suspension damage.
The race had six legendary grand marshals – Mario Andretti, Hurley Haywood, Scott Pruett, Bobby Rahal, Jack Roush and Wayne Taylor. Wayne had a team to lead at the race, while Haywood was the only one in pre-race activities wearing a driving suit.
Here’s (l-r) Taylor, Andretti and Pruett talking before their trackside appearance:
The reason why Haywood was in “work” clothes was because he drove The Brumos Collection’s 1977 Porsche 911 RSR “Ecurie Escargot” car that won that year’s race in the Rolex Heritage display on Saturday morning. He originally co-drove the car with Dave Helmick and Peter Gregg back then; this time, he did high-speed parade laps with many other classics that have competed in the 24-hour race in past years.
FYI – Haywood retired from racing in 2012 after a 40-plus year career that saw him earn five overall victories at the Rolex 24, three more at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Haywood preparing to run the No. 43 car
Haywood behind the Alex Job Racing Porsche Crawford Daytona Prototype
A star of the heritage display was this 1968 Simoniz Lola T160/5, originally entered by Lola importer Carl Haas and driven by Skip Scott in the USRRC championships. That’s a Chevrolet small block V-8 behind the driver.
Other Jacksonville drivers tackling the track in the heritage run included Amelia Island Concours founder Bill Warner in his 1979 Triumph TR-8 as run by Bob Tullius’ Group 44, with a 360-hp aluminum V-8.
Brian Walsh, of Jacksonville’s Racer Walsh Ford performance shop started by his late father Jerry “Racer” Walsh, brought the famous 1972 Car and Driver Pinto he now owns. It was originally prepped by then-magazine columnist Patrick Bedard and Ron Nash, and won one race in 1974 and did well in some others.
Jacksonville’s Darek Stennes had his 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang, done in the classic Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue “Le Mans” stripes. Originally a street car, it was converted to racing specs in 1970, and bought in 1978 by Darek’s father. Used on the street, it’s also got 200-plus races under the skin.
Ross Bremer is one of the original drivers of this 1966 Lotus Corina MK1 with a 1598cc Twin Cam motor under its bonnet. The Jacksonville businessman co-drove it in 1967’s 24 Hours of Daytona, where it survived to come in third in class.
