Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Caffeine and Octane
The name is Z – just Z: The gang at HSR – Historic Sportscar Racing – brought the new 2023 Nissan Z to last Saturday’s Caffeine and Octane.
The 2023 Z’s 3-liter V-6 twin turbo engine has 400 hp at 6,400 rpm, and 350 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm. That’s 68 more horsepower than the 370Z, with a 30 percent increase in torque and an estimated 15 percent improvement in 0 to 60 mph acceleration. This one had the 9-speed automatic transmission with standard launch control system.
Inside, a12.3-inch TFT meter display is all-new with three display modes to suit driver preference – “Normal,” “Enhanced” with tachometer and speedometer on the edges of the display, and “Sport” with the tachometer in the center with shift-up light, plus boost gauge or G meter display.
The new Z’s center stack put three analog pod gauges on the instrument panel (boost, turbo speed, volt) within the driver’s eyesight. Both the manual and automatic shift levers are new, Nissan says.
Nissan says the Z Coupe Sport 6MT or 9AT starts at $39,990, while the top-level Z Coupe Proto Spec starts at $52,990.
The next Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville rumbles into life from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots. Jeep vehicles will be showcased in the central lot. An estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks and more usually come to the all-makes, all-models free 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.
Along with the Z, there were some other spectacular, rare and intriguing vehicles at C&O last weekend, including quite a Saab story, a new Rivian EV pickup, a rare Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer and a Toyota fire truck…check it out:
Last Saturday’s feature cars included a lot of Chevrolet SSs, as well as the Australian GM cousin that donated most of itself to make the Chevrolet – the Holden Commodore SS:
And there were swarms of the other featured special display vehicle – Toyota Supra.
As always, there will be a Porsche section, and an exotics area at the June 11 C&O. And look for literally 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.
Now the Car Shows:
Waldo Community Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Waldo City Square at 14450 NE 148th St. Free to spectators and $25 per show vehicle.
Different Dimensions Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at 1302 11th Street in Live Oak. Spectators are free; show vehicle registration is $20 per, proceeds to Crosses For Our Community.
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.
Lorenzo’s Memorial Car Show: 3 to 8 p.m. onSaturday, June 4, at South Point Community Church, 7556 Salisbury Road, in collaboration with Kindred Impulse. Spectator admission is $5 per person, and $10 for show vehicle display. Proceeds will benefit his family.
Third annual Duval Car Club Cancer Awareness Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, at BJ’s Steakhouse at 15022 Max Leggett Parkway. Show vehicles are $20 day of event.
Rockabilly Car and Bike Show: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Co-presented by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida, it is free to spectators and $20 registration for show cars, trucks and motorcycles from 1989 or earlier.
Conviva Callahan Car and Truck show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at Conviva Care Clinic, 449621 U.S. 301 in Callahan. Presented by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida,
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.
First Coast Car Council: Beaver Street Farmers Market first Saturday cruise-in suspended. The second Saturday cruise-in continues from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville Caffeine and Gasoline: Cancelled
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s new cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month beginning June 4 at the PDQ at 4816 Gate Parkway.
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.
Callahan Cruisers: 5 to 8 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan
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.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 3 to 6 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd. The Cruzers’ other events: At 3 to 6 p.m. on the second Saturday, the cruise-in returns to Dick’s Wings Fleming Island at 1803 E. West Parkway; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday back at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.
Yulee Cars and Coffee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Sonic Drive-In at 463939 Florida 200 in Yulee.
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. this and every fourth Saturday, both at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine.
Cruise Fruit Cove: 3 to 7 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.
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 Missions 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.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
And finally…
There’s another Porsche readying to tackle Pikes Peak, and it’s a Hoonigan from Ken Block.
Or officially – the Hoonipigasus.
Courtesy Hoonigan Racing
Built by BBi Autosport in conjunction with Hoonigan and Hoonigan Racing Division, it’s got 1,400 hp with all-wheel-drive, specially designed for the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. And its all-new livery was created by artist Trouble Andrew, a.k.a. Guccighost, paying homage to the famous 1971 Porsche 917/20 “Pink Pig” race car.
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an invitation-only automobile hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado on Sunday, June 26. It’s the 100th running on a 12.42-mile course with 156 turns to finish line at 14,115 feet above sea level. It’s not Block’s first pass up Pikes Peak, racing in 2005 in a lower-class Group N rally car. Block also piloted his 1,400hp, twin-turbo, methanol-fueled 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2 in 2017 in the “Climbkhana: Pikes Peak” film.
Hoonipigasus was specifically built to suit Block’s driving style and features a transmission tunnel, known as the “Chorizo Tunnel,” that goes from shoulder height down to the front axle, resulting in a lower center of gravity. Weighing just 1,000 kg, the machine features GPS Height-adjusted suspension based on previous year’s telemetry. This year, the car will be competing in the PPO (Pikes Peak Open) class with hopes of adding an overall victory to BBi’s 8 podiums with 5 class wins at the PPIHC.
“The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is one of the big reasons as to why I’m a rally driver,” said Block, co-founder of Hoonigan. “The list of drivers who have raced and won this hill climb includes many of my heroes: Walter Rohrl, Ari Vatanen, Michelle Mouton, Sebastien Loeb and Rod Millen to name a few. I’ve always wanted the chance to race Pikes Peak at the top level and compete for an overall win – and with our team and BBi Autosport creating this amazing Porsche, we’ve got a good shot!”
Photo courtesy Steve Toman/The Brumos Collection
In case you forgot, Brumos Racing of Jacksonville hits Pikes Peak in June as well with driver David Donohue at the wheel of a Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport prepared in the iconic Brumos red, white, and blue livery. And now, The Brumos Collection has a t-shirt to go with the car.
This event is the first competition for Brumos since 2013, when it retired from 50 years of competing in a variety of series and classes.
The Brumos Collection
The PPIHC is Donohue’s 120th race driving for Brumos. Of note, he was part of the team that brought Brumos its fourth overall win at the 24 hours of Daytona in 2009, more than 30 years after three Brumos victories in 1973, 1975 and 1978.
The Brumos Collection, opened in 2020, is a 35,000 sq. ft. interactive museum at 5959 San Pablo Road S. Ultimately, the new Brumos GT2 RS Clubsport will join the many cars at the Brumos Collection in Jacksonville.
The t-shirt is $35, available at The Brumos Collection online store.