904 Events Calendar October 27, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots.

This month, we celebrate BMW, Broncos and Custom Built/Modified vehicles in a special display within the Central Lot. Submit your ride for consideration at www.caffeineandoctane.com.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.

And check out the official photos of last weekend’s C&O as lensed by Derermer Studios.

Upcoming car events:

  Images courtesy Deremer Studios

Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Tour and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.

Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.

The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.

Cost:$100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.

For full information and to register, go here.

And the upcoming cars shows….

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for last Saturday, is postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

Creepy Car Show: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Camden County Recreation Center at 1050 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland, Ga. Presented by Heart of Benevolence and partnered with Camden County PSA, this is an annual Trunk or Treat car show. Free for spectators; show vehicle registration fee is $20

Lights Out at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Autobahn Speedway at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway. A Halloween-themed event with fog machines, laser light shows and awards for best dressed and best decorated car.

Cars for Cancer Cure Trunk or Treat: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Mission BBQ at 4852 Town Center Parkway. Presented by Duval Car Club.

Lake Hill Baptist Church Fall Festival and Car Show: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the church at 5165 County Road 214 in Keystone Heights.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

CrossRoad Church Trunk or Treat: 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the church at 10005 Gate Parkway N., with the North Florida Domestic Car Club. Classic, late model or daily drivers can come out, decorated if desired to pass out candy to children.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s 5th annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the church at 6320 Bennett Road. Free for spectators and $20 show vehicle now, and $25 day of show.

Brumos Collection Saturday Social: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, at the collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S.  Admission is $19.99 per person, tickets at showclix.com. Admission includes visits to the Brumos Collection, with extra cars displayed outside. Some unique engines will be fired up as vehicles from vintage VW buses to race cars will be on display, plus a variety of specialty cars from community members. Charity and automotive vendors will be on site, plus the University of North Florida’s Osprey Racing Team with its Formula SAE race car. Food trucks are also scheduled.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Holiday Matsuri Car Show at The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. Called the largest single day drift event in Florida, it includes a Toys for Tots toy drive. No charge to be in the car show, with free parking. Drift event tickets are $20 per person at the gate ($15 if purchased online, see link).

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

Caffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in at 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday November 5, at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

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.

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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Cast your vote for your favorite trioval grass design! The winning design will be planted for the 65th Annual DAYTONA 500!Select your favorite trioval grass design by clicking one of the options below at daytonainternationalspeedway.com/2023-fan-vote, then click ‘Submit.’

The design will be used for the 2023 DAYTONA 500 on February 1.

904 Events Calendar October 19, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots.

This month, we celebrate BMW, Broncos and Custom Built/Modified vehicles in a special display within the Central Lot. Submit your ride for consideration at www.caffeineandoctane.com.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.

And check out the official photos of last weekend’s C&O as lensed by Derermer Studios.

Upcoming car events:

  Images courtesy Deremer Studios

Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Tour and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.

Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.

The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.

904 Octane Automotive Photography by Deremer Studios, LLC

Cost: $100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.

For full information and to register, go here.

Recent car show action…

Hilary and Mark Becker’s · 

Best in Class at the 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. 1936 Chrysler C-9 Airflow Coupe.

And dozens of classics, sports cars, hot rods and more lined Centre Street for the 26thannual 8 Flags Car Show.

Ralph Thomas’ 1962 Triumph-based Formosa, built in England

Put on by the Amelia Cruizers in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it benefits local charities.

And the upcoming cars shows….

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for last Saturday, is postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

Eighth annual Southside Business Men’s Club Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Fields Cadillac, 7999 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville. Show benefits the SBMC’s Youth Achiever and JROTC scholarship programs.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the King’s Head Pub, 6460 US-1, St. Augustine. Celebrating 30 years of classic British cars, hosted this year by MG Classics of Jacksonville.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Creepy Car Show: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 28, at the Camden County Recreation Center at 1050 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland, Ga. Presented by Heart of Benevolence and partnered with Camden County PSA, this is an annual Trunk or Treat car show. Free for spectators; show vehicle registration fee is $20

Lights Out at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at Autobahn Speedway at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway. A Halloween-themed event with fog machines, laser light shows and awards for best dressed and best decorated car.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

CrossRoad Church Trunk or Treat: 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at the church at 10005 Gate Parkway N., with the North Florida Domestic Car Club. Classic, late model or daily drivers can come out, decorated if desired to pass out candy to children.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s 5th annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the church at 6320 Bennett Road. Free for spectators and $20 show vehicle now, and $25 day of show.

Brumos Collection Saturday Social: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, at the collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S.  Admission is $19.99 per person, tickets at showclix.com. Admission includes visits to the Brumos Collection, with extra cars displayed outside. Some unique engines will be fired up as vehicles from vintage VW buses to race cars will be on display, plus a variety of specialty cars from community members. Charity and automotive vendors will be on site, plus the University of North Florida’s Osprey Racing Team with its Formula SAE race car. Food trucks are also scheduled.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Holiday Matsuri Car Show at The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. Called the largest single day drift event in Florida, it includes a Toys for Tots toy drive. No charge to be in the car show, with free parking. Drift event tickets are $20 per person at the gate ($15 if purchased online, see link).

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

NASCAR.com

NASCAR legend gave Leonard Wood had a special gift recently for Edsel Ford, Henry Ford’s great-grandson.

And it’s a working half-scale model of the then state-of-the-art Ford Sweepstakes that Henry himself wheeled to victory against Alexander Winton on Oct. 10, 1901. That win launched Ford Motor Company from hope to reality.

Wood, a member of the legendary Wood Brothers, handcrafted the model with the same materials as the original, presenting it to Edsel Ford at the Ford Performance Technical Center. Wood and his late brother Glen, founders of Wood Brothers Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series team in 1950, each received full-size replicas of the vehicle for the car’s 100th anniversary back in 2001. Shortly after the 120th anniversary — and some three months after his 87th birthday — Wood got to work on a replica of his own.

“I looked at this thing and said, ‘What more rewarding would it be to make a half size one of these?’” Wood told NASCAR.com.

Wood took 120 photos of the original, requesting the help of machinist Benny Belcher to make the brass handles and latches, as well as its automatic oiler. Mike “Andretti” Smith paint-matched the original.

   Zach Sturniolo|NASCAR Studios

“Well, I was told it was 50 percent the size of the original car. Of course, it’s hard to comprehend what that means until Leonard drove it in,” Ford said. “And then you see it for the first time and I was overwhelmed. Then you get a closer look at it, and you see the detail that went into making it. It’s just, it’s remarkable.”

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway this Friday and Saturday. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.

For all event and ticket information, go here.

904 Events Calendar October 12, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots. In November we will have a special display of Bronco, BMW and Self built/Self Modified vehicles! Sign up at Caffeine and Octane.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.

And check out the official photos of last weekend’s C&O as lensed by Derermer Studios.

Upcoming car events:

  Images courtesy Deremer Studios

Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Tour and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.

Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.

The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.

Cost: $100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.

For full information and to register, go here.

Show update…

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for last Saturday, is postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

And the upcoming cars shows….

2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.

26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $30 day of show for display vehicles. Show benefits local charities.

Evangel Temple Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Evangel Temple at 5040 County Road 218 in Middleburg. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, held by Clay County Cruzers.

Eighth annual Southside Business Men’s Club Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at Fields Cadillac, 7999 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville. Show benefits the SBMC’s Youth Achiever and JROTC scholarship programs.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub, 6460 US-1, St. Augustine. More details to come.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Lights Out at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at Autobahn Speedway at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway. A Halloween-themed event with fog machines, laser light shows and awards for best dressed and best decorated car.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

CrossRoad Church Trunk or Treat: 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at the church at 10005 Gate Parkway N., with the North Florida Domestic Car Club. Classic, late model or daily drivers can come out, decorated if desired to pass out candy to children.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s 5th annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the church at 6320 Bennett Road. Free for spectators and $20 show vehicle now, and $25 day of show.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Holiday Matsuri Car Show at The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. Called the largest single day drift event in Florida, it includes a Toys for Tots toy drive. No charge to be in the car show, with free parking. Drift event tickets are $20 per person at the gate ($15 if purchased online, see link).

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars. For all event and ticket information, go here

904 Events Calendar October 6, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

Squareback or Thing; Beetle or Meyers Manx – the next Caffeine and Octane, set from 8 to 11 a.m. this Saturday at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, focuses on all Things VW (pun intended) presented by Tom Bush Volkswagen in the feature display area, even the Brazilian-made Puma.

The Jacksonville Mustang Club is also October’s First Coast Car Council featured car club of the month! Many thanks to Duval Ford for their support of October’s Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville.

  • Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Upcoming car events:

  Images courtesy Deremer Studios

Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Tour and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.

Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.

The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.

Cost: $100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.

For full information and to register, go here.

Recent car shows

About 85 classics, sports car, trucks and more made it to the Callahan Cruisers of North Florida’s car show last Saturday at the American Legion Post 401 in Hilliard. Hurricane Ian worried some, but the day was sunny with lots of variety – here’s but a few of them…

And the upcoming cars shows….

UPDATE – Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for last Saturday, is postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, another drive-in movie night cruise-in this Saturday at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. Cruise-in starts at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Second annual Next Generation Outreach of F.U.M.C. Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday atFirst United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. in downtown Jacksonville. Spectators are free, with $20 registration for show vehicles.

Michael Riley Car Show Fundraiser & First Responders Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. The show benefits retired, disabled firefighter Michael Riley, critically injured responding to a 2011 gas station explosion. The show also honors all first responders in the community.

2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.

26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $25 pre-registration for show vehicles by October 9, and $30 day of show. Show benefits local charities.

Evangel Temple Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, at Evangel Temple at 5040 County Road 218 in Middleburg. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, held by Clay County Cruzers.

Eighth annual Southside Business Men’s Club Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at Fields Cadillac, 7999 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville. Show benefits the SBMC’s Youth Achiever and JROTC scholarship programs.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub, 6460 US-1, St. Augustine. More details to come.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Lights Out at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at Autobahn Speedway at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway. A Halloween-themed event with fog machines, laser light shows and awards for best dressed and best decorated car.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th Annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s 5th annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the church at 6320 Bennett Road. Free for spectators and $20 show vehicle now, and $25 day of show.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Holiday Matsuri Car Show at The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. Called the largest single day drift event in Florida, it includes a Toys for Tots toy drive. No charge to be in the car show, with free parking. Drift event tickets are $20 per person at the gate ($15 if purchased online, see link).

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Jacksonville’s EV Rider – aka Bill Bortzfield – just did a cross-country trip in his Mustang Mach-E, doing more than 4,800 miles. And in his travels, he found another EV – a 108-year-old Elwell-Parker electric baggage at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Check it out here.

Maserati presents its new GranTurismo, and it will be available as a gas-powered GT coupe, and a full EV.

The GranTurismo coupé is Maserati’s first car to adopt a 100 percent electric powertrain, keeping the classic proportions of the brand’s cars – long bonnet and the central body intersected by the four fenders. Conversely, the roof line drops dynamically to emphasize the curve of the pillar that features the iconic Trident logo, it says. The coupe was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and produced at the Mirafiori manufacturing hub in Turin. One version comes with its 3-liter V-6 Nettuno engine, available with 490-hp or the high-performance Trofeo version with 550-hp.

Alternatively, the GranTurismo Folgore adopts 800-volt technology derived from Formula E, and three powerful 300-kW permanent magnet motors.

The EV system is good for 760-hp to the wheels, the battery pack, known as a ‘T-bone,’ forming part of Maserati’s “zero compromise” approach that do not place the modules under the seats.

Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.

For all event and ticket information, go here.

904 Events Calendar September 28. 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots. And this time, it’s all things VW in the feature display area, from Beetle and Bus to Scirocco or Thing, even the Brazilian-made Puma (that yellow convertible).

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Upcoming car events:

  Images courtesy Deremer Studios

Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Adventure and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.

Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.

The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.

Cost:$100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.

For full information and to register, go here.

And the upcoming cars shows….check their Facebook and websites in case some Saturday events are postponed due to weather!

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

UPDATE – Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

Rescheduled — J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday October 8, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Second annual Next Generation Outreach of F.U.M.C. Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. in downtown Jacksonville. Spectators are free, with $20 registration for show vehicles.

Michael Riley Car Show Fundraiser & First Responders Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. The show benefits retired, disabled firefighter Michael Riley, critically injured responding to a 2011 gas station explosion. The show also honors all first responders in the community.

2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.

26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $25 pre-registration for show vehicles by October 9, and $30 day of show. Show benefits local charities.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub, 6460 US-1, St. Augustine. More details to come.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

Staker Productions X event at Autobahn Speedway: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday at 6601 Executive Park Court N. Autobahn is off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard, with the cruise-in outside, and electric go cart racing, axe throwing and more inside.

Postponed until next month– North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

The BMW M Hybrid V-8 had its public premiere this week at a launch event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, the first prototype developed by BMW M Motorsport in 25 years. It sports an avant-garde livery with the iconic BMW M colors when it competes in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023. Four core drivers will take their place at the wheel of the two BMW M Team RLL cars – BMW M works drivers Connor De Phillippi (USA), Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR). When the car makes its race debut at the 61st running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (USA) on January 28-29, IndyCar series driver Colton Herta (USA) joins the teams.

“We are proud that, parallel to the 50th birthday of BMW M, we are returning to the big motorsport stage with the BMW M Hybrid V8,” BMW M Motorsport head Franciscus van Meel said. “We are delighted that this adventure begins in North America, the most important international market for BMW M GmbH. After all, the BMW M Hybrid V-8 is more than just a race car, it is paving the way for an electric future for BMW M, by emphatically demonstrating how dynamic and emotional electrified M Power can be.”

“There is no doubt that we understand and appreciate the level of commitment and dedication it will take on the part of RLL to be successful in this new venture,” added BMW M Team RLL Principal Bobby Rahal. “BMW M Motorsport is providing us with a great car, great engine and great driver lineup, of which we are very pleased. We understand the scope of the challenge in front of us and look forward to meeting it head on.”

The design of the livery for the 2023 racing season also comes from BMW Group Designworks under the program leadership of Michael Scully, Global Director, Automotive and Advanced Design. The works livery carries BMW M Motorsport’s now-signature matte black extension ahead of the cockpit beneath the driver’s side of the windscreen; thereby extending BMW’s interior design hallmark of driver orientation to the exterior of the car for enhanced driver focus.

The layout of the laser-lit kidneys coincides with the open, flow-through architecture of a modern prototype race car, and the air which passes beneath and through them is fundamental to the aerodynamic performance of the car; both in terms of cooling, but also for efficiency of downforce. The front of the car invokes the faceted hood, nested BMW logo, and inverted ‘Y’ configuration between the kidneys of the BMW M Vision Next. These elements, flanked by signature twin headlights on each side, make the front of the car unmistakably a BMW, the company says.

The BMW M Hybrid V8 began its testing schedule in the U.S. earlier this week at Sebring International Raceway, and will also be on public display at the upcoming Petit Le Mans IMSA season finale.

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.

For all event and ticket information, go here.

904 Events Calendar September 15, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots.

Last weekend, slammed or lifted vehicles were the featured fun in the central display area, along with lots of other stuff – take a gander here:

.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Upcoming car events:

Nitro Extreme 2022 Tour: Thursday, September 22 through Sunday, September 25, at the Orange Park Mall at 910 Wells Road. To quote organizers, the show brings “Big-Budget Movie Stunts” such as high-speed spins, two-wheeled driving, jumps over obstacles and pyrotechnic explosions as well as motorcycle tricks and acrobatics.

Image courtesy Nitro Extreme

Tickets can be bought here — they are $40 for adults and $15 for children, with VIP admission at $55 for adults and $40 for children. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; plus 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday and a 4:30 p.m. Saturday show.

And the upcoming cars shows….

Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.

Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach. All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.

North Jax Baptist Church Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the church at 8531 N. Main St. Free.

Rev Out Cancer Car, Truck and Bike Show: noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Free to spectators and $20 for show vehicles. Presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

MAD DADS Jacksonville Ride to Raise Violent Crime Awareness: The motorcycle ride starts at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. It ends at Edgewood and Highway avenues. This ride is all about our families and bringing attention back to the unsolved murders and violent crimes in our city. Registration for the police-escorted ride can be made by emailing MADDADSJAX@gmail.com.

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

Rescheduled — J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday October 8, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Second annual Next Generation Outreach of F.U.M.C. Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, atFirst United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. in downtown Jacksonville. Spectators are free, with $20 registration for show vehicles.
Michael Riley Car Show Fundraiser & First Responders Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. The show benefits retired, disabled firefighter Michael Riley, critically injured responding to a 2011 gas station explosion. The show also honors all first responders in the community.

2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.

26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $25 pre-registration for show vehicles by October 9, and $30 day of show. Show benefits local charities.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub. More details to come.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

Staker Productions X event at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. every fourth Friday at Autobahn at 6601 Executive Park Court N. Autobahn is off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard, with the cruise-in outside, and electric go cart racing, axe throwing and more inside.

NEW SITE – 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.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Jacksonville’s Bill Warner exercising his Group 44 Triumph TR8/ Photo courtesy of Targa Sixty Six

For 31 years, Targa Sixty Six has allowed owners of classic and vintage race cars to drive fast and safe on some great race tracks around the country, not racing, but just enjoying what their cars can do with expert guidance.

Founded by racing legend Brian Redman, with sone James helping out, the 2022 Targa took place in February at the now defunct Palm Beach International Raceway, aka Moroso. With one of the largest and most varied turnouts in recent years, with BMW Classic entering eight including the legendary BMW V12 LMR and the E46 M3 GTR. IMSA’s winningest driver, Bill Auberlen, was on hand to put them all through their paces. Bill and Brian (see photo) were joined by legendary driver/past BMW pilots David Hobbs, John Fitzpatrick, Derek Bell MBE and Danny Sullivan for a get together at the Rahal Letterman BMW compound.

Photo courtesy of Targa Sixty Six

So where’s Targa Sixty Six going to be on Feb. 17, 18 and 19 in 2023?

Hey Floridians – Homestead Speedway. in February.

Homestead has a large paved paddock; garages and 30 garage stalls with room for 120 cars; easy access by transporter only 90 minutes south of Palm Beach International Raceway and the southern end of the Florida Turnpike close to Miami International Airport. There’s a large hospitality suite above victory circle and pit lane, quality hotels less than two miles from the track and motorhome spots with power in the paddock.

Oh yes, the 2.21-mile Miami Homestead Speedway is also home to IndyCar and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, among others.
It’s going to be fun.

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.

For all event and ticket information, go here.

904 Event Calendar September 7, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, and slammed or lifted vehicles are the featured fun in the central display area.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

FYI – Caffeine and Octane could use some volunteer attendants for its Porsche Corner, Gate 4 and Exotics rows from either 6:30 to 9 a.m., or 8:45 to 11 a.m. Seek out Chris Brewer or other senior volunteers at the checkered flag tent.

Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Recent car event happenings:

A steamy day at last weekend’s revived Caffeine and Gasoline, first Saturday of the month cruise-in from 7 to 10 a.m. at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. Here’s a few of the rides:

Upcoming car events:

Nitro Extreme 2022 Tour: Thursday, September 22 through Sunday, September 25, at the Orange Park Mall at 910 Wells Road. To quote organizers, the show brings “Big-Budget Movie Stunts” such as high-speed spins, two-wheeled driving, jumps over obstacles and pyrotechnic explosions as well as motorcycle tricks and acrobatics.

Images courtesy Nitro Extreme

Tickets can be bought here — they are $40 for adults and $15 for children, with VIP admission at $55 for adults and $40 for children. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; plus 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday and a 4:30 p.m. Saturday show.

And the upcoming cars shows….

7th Annual Freedom Fest Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday outside the JCPenney at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. This year presents the Truck and Off-Road Edition, although show vehicles of all kinds are invited. The show highlights the service that firefighters, police officers, active duty, reserves armed forces, and first responders provide. Free to spectators, registration is $25 in advance and $35 day of show here.

International Ford Model A Day: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at Black Knight Financial Services at 601 Riverside Ave. Open to all 1928 to 1931 Ford Model A cars and trucks in original style – no hot rods please.

MOVIE NIGHT POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER 8, 2022

POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER 8, 2022: J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.

Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach. All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.

North Jax Baptist Church Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the church at 8531 N. Main St. Free.

Rev Out Cancer Car, Truck and Bike Show: noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Free to spectators and $20 for show vehicles. Presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

MAD DADS Jacksonville Ride to Raise Violent Crime Awareness: The motorcycle ride starts at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. It ends at Edgewood and Highway avenues. This ride is all about our families and bringing attention back to the unsolved murders and violent crimes in our city. Registration for the police-escorted ride can be made by emailing MADDADSJAX@gmail.com.

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

Second annual Next Generation Outreach of F.U.M.C. Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October8, atFirst United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. in downtown Jacksonville. Spectators are free, with $20 registration for show vehicles.
Michael Riley Car Show Fundraiser & First Responders Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. The show benefits retired, disabled firefighter Michael Riley, critically injured responding to a 2011 gas station explosion. The show also honors all first responders in the community.

2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.

26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $25 pre-registration for show vehicles by October 9, and $30 day of show. Show benefits local charities.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub. More details to come.

Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.

Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

Staker Productions X event at Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. every fourth Friday at Autobahn at 6601 Executive Park Court N. Autobahn is off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard, with the cruise-in outside, and electric go cart racing, axe throwing and more inside.

NEW SITE – 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.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:

Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.

Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.

The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.

For all event and ticket information, go here.

904 Events Calendar September 1, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 10, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, and slammed or lifted vehicles are the featured fun in the central display area.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

Gentle reminder – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Recent car event happenings:

Took a wander down to the Staker Productions X Autobahn Speedway in between raindrops last Friday, and the traffic into it, held from 7 to 10 p.m. every fourth Friday at Autobahn at 6601 Executive Park Court N. was backed up for a bit with cars and folks coming in. Here’s just a sample:

Autobahn is off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard, with the cruise-in outside, and electric go cart racing, axe throwing and more inside.

And the upcoming cars shows….

Car Show Fundraiser for Funeral Expenses for Laci Laycock: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Management Division at 495 N. Temple Ave. in Starke. Laci Laycock, 16, passed away from a short illness. She was a member of the Bradford County Sheriff Explorers program, recently promoted to sergeant. Proceeds will help the family with funeral expenses.

7th Annual Freedom Fest Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, outside the JCPenney at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. This year presents the Truck and Off-Road Edition, although show vehicles of all kinds are invited. The show highlights the service that firefighters, police officers, active duty, reserves armed forces, and first responders provide. Free to spectators, registration is $25 in advance and $35 day of show here.

International Ford Model A Day: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday September 10, at Black Knight Financial Services at 601 Riverside Ave. Open to all 1928 to 1931 Ford Model A cars and trucks in original style – no hot rods please.

J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday, September 10, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.

Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach. All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.

North Jax Baptist Church Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the church at 8531 N. Main St. Free.

Rev Out Cancer Car, Truck and Bike Show: noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Free to spectators and $20 for show vehicles. Presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

MAD DADS Jacksonville Ride to Raise Violent Crime Awareness: The motorcycle ride starts at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. It ends at Edgewood and Highway avenues. This ride is all about our families and bringing attention back to the unsolved murders and violent crimes in our city. Registration for the police-escorted ride can be made by emailing MADDADSJAX@gmail.com.

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): October 22, at the King’s Head Pub. More details to come.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s new cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the PDQ at 4816 Gate Parkway.

NEWCaffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”

Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Jan Brundage (right) with his father, Hubert, in front of the original Jacksonville dealership in 1959Photo courtesy of The Brumos Collection

Jan L Brundage, son of Brumos founder Hubert Brundage, has died at age of 87, according to The Brumos Collection and the Brumos Racing Fan Club. Mr. Brundage was president of Brundage Motors/Brumos from 1960 to 1962, then moved to Pompano to start his own VW dealership, and then later Brumos Pompano, which eventually became Champion Porsche, the club states.

Jan Brundage in a Formula Vee race car Photo courtesy of The Brumos Collection

The Brumos Collection also posted a sad farewell to Mr. Brundage, writing that he “witnessed the very beginnings of Brumos, seeing his dad and grandad strike an interest in racing and later founding Brundage Motors.”

Mr. Brundage passed away on August 19 at home in Seattle, his obituary said. He worked as parts manager for Brundage Motors in their first building, and in Miami Springs, where they sold Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, and Austin Healey automobiles, his obituary states. Jan ultimately became president of Brundage Motors and moved to Jacksonville. “Brumos,” as it was by then known (after the telegraphic shortening of “Brundage Motors”), was subsequently sold to Peter Gregg, and thereafter to the Dan Davis family, the obituary states.

Some of America’s greatest automotive museums will take part in the “Cruise-In: America’s Automotive Trust – The Drive Home to The Mustang Stampede” starting with a September 6 cruise-in at LeMay/America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, WA. The cross-country drive will team up with Ford Motor Company to Detroit for Ford’s global debut of the all-new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang 8 p.m. on Sept. 14, at the Detroit Auto Show.

The parade of cars will have multiple stops across the country including the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum on Sept. 13 in Indiana, members of the public invited to join America’s Automotive Trust with all six generations of Ford Mustangs.

The annual cross-country road trip winds up in Detroit on September 14 with a parade from Ford World Headquarters to The Stampede and will join forces the Detroit Auto Show and then with Cars & Community at Comerica Park and the Detroit Concours d’Elegance at the Detroit Institute of Arts on September 17 & 18.

904 Events Calendar August 25, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 10, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, and slammed or lifted vehicles are the featured fun in the central display area.

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

Gentle reminder – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

Recent car event happenings:

  • More than 50 cars and trucks of all kinds, from classic to exotic, showed up last Saturday’s Exchange Club of Jacksonville’s Family Center Car Show at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church at 12760 Beach Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles. The judges selected Jonathan Walter’s 2017 Lamborghini as the Best Modern, while Tina Saris’ 1967 Volvo P1800S sports car was the best classic. Here’s some of the winners:
  • Cruise Fruit Cove was a sunny oasis surrounded by storms, with a myriad of classics, rare hot rods, some Firebirds and Pontiacs, and a cool bunch of trucks on line for this traditional every third Saturday of the month cruise.

And the upcoming cars shows….

Staker Productions X Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 26, and every fourth Friday at Autobahn at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard. Hosting “a safe place to bring out your cars, enjoy some great food, race high speed go carts, throw axes and much more!”

Car Show Fundraiser for Funeral Expenses for Laci Laycock: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office’s Emergency Management Division at 495 N. Temple Ave. in Starke. Laci Laycock passed away from a short illness. Laci was only 16 years old and a student at Bradford High. She was a member of the Bradford County Sheriff Explorers program, recently promoted to sergeant. Proceeds will help the family with funeral expenses.

7th Annual Freedom Fest Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, outside the JCPenney at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. This year presents the Truck and Off-Road Edition, although show vehicles of all kinds are invited. The show highlights the service that firefighters, police officers, active duty, reserves armed forces, and first responders provide. Free to spectators, registration is $25 in advance and $35 day of show here.

J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday, September 10, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach. All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.

The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): October 22, at the King’s Head Pub. More details to come.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s new cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the PDQ at 4816 Gate Parkway.

NEW – Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed

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: 4 to 7 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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

Returned cruise-in: Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Latham Plaza, 11 Ocean Front N. in Jacksonville Beach. Thanks to the support of the City of Jacksonville Beach, the Sea Walk Pavilion and Latham Plaza (across from the Pavilion between 1st and 2nd St on the corner of 2nd Ave. North can be used to showcase pre-registered cars.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Last week we had some good news/bad news for MOPAR fans.

First – Dodge is offering a chop-top version of its 2022 and 2023 Challenger, the third-party modifications done by Drop Top Customs via dealerships, as part of the last hurrah for the Dodge Charger and Challenger – as we know them now.

The bad news – the Charger and Challenger as we know them will be gone soon. But Dodge had some electrifying news – pun intended – straight from the mouth of Dodge Brand Head Tim Kuniskis as he introduced the electric Dodge Charger Daytona SRT.

Photos courtesy Dodge

Dodge said it is taking a giant step forward on the performance brand’s road to an electrified future, reimagining what a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) can be. The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept offers a glimpse at the brand’s electric future through a vehicle that drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge and sounds like Dodge, it said. The 2-door concept was unveiled at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, during the third day of the three-day Dodge Speed Week event series. A new propulsion system drives the Charger Daytona SRT Concept with performance that exceeds the Dodge brand’s famed SRT Hellcat engine, Dodge said, accompanied by an industry-first BEV exhaust sound.

Exterior styling incorporates subtle Dodge heritage cues from the original Charger, with aerodynamics. That includes the R-Wing, a unique aerodynamic pass-through design on the nose. It also a “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust) An EV exhaust sound that can be revved up to 126 dB, making it as loud as a Hellcat-powered Dodge. It also has “eRupt,” a multi-speed transmission with an electro-mechanical shifting experience “that’s pure Dodge,” the company said.

Oh, and Dodge said that the brand’s first-ever electric car isn’t called the Charger Daytona SRT Concept by coincidence — like the famed Charger Daytona model that was the first vehicle to break 200 mph on a NASCAR track in 1970, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept packs a performance punch. The 800V Banshee propulsion system makes it faster than a Hellcat with standard all-wheel-drive system. The concept also has a PowerShot push-to-pass feature. Activated by the push of a button on the steering wheel, PowerShot delivers an adrenaline jolt of increased horsepower for a quick burst of acceleration. It even has a hatchback.

Photos courtesy Lincoln

Lincoln revealed its vision for electric autonomous mobility with the debut of the Model L100 Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was the featured marque as part of the brand’s 100th anniversary.

“Lincoln has been one of the most enduring and stylish automotive brands in the world and in many ways, it is perfectly positioned for a second century defined by great design, zero-emissions and technology-led experiences,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “Lincoln has always been special to me and my family, especially my father and my grandfather. If there is one secret to Lincoln’s longevity, it is the brand’s ability to balance its core values with a desire to innovate and create the future.”

The Model L100 Concept uses next-generation battery cell and pack technologies, which will deliver game changing energy density and enable efficient, structural integration by treating the entire vehicle as a system, Lincoln said.

The aero-shaped design is low to the ground, with a K-tail execution efficient in guiding the air over the vehicle. The glass roof and reverse-hinged doors lift to give a true sense of welcome, with the signature Lincoln Embrace. Smart wheel covers help to advance the Embrace even further, utilizing lighting and sensors to communicate motion, battery life and human presence.

On the exterior – designers used metallic paint and frosted acrylic in lieu of chrome with a satin digital ceramic tricoat – highlighting a warm, soft white that transitions into cool, open-air blue. And a crystal greyhound hood ornament, originally selected by Edsel Ford in the 1920s, symbolizes grace, elegance and speed and is visible through the transparent hood, capturing depth and illumination.

An interactive, center console chessboard features a jewel-inspired chess piece controller that captures light and depth by redefining the vehicle controls inside the cabin. The controller replaces the traditional steering wheel in this autonomous concept vehicle, making the vehicle experience intuitive and effortless. The front row seats can be flipped forward to create a social setting. And the digital floor, canopy and ambient lighting all harmonize to create a personalized experience that can enhance your mood.

The Model L100 Concept celebrates the brand’s design heritage and harkens back to the 1922 Model L which was built after Ford Motor Company’s purchase of Lincoln. The 1922 Model L was highly regarded for its outstanding engineering, serving as the foundation for the design transformation and the beginning of Lincoln luxury.

Courtesy: RM Sotheby’s

The Porsche 911 Sally Special sold at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on Saturday evening for a record $3.6 million (auction hammer price), the final winning offer coming from a telephone bidder. The price was a record for a new Porsche sold at auction, according to the auction house. The sale reunited members of the original “Cars” film team who created both the car in the Disney/Pixar film and the life-size Sally Carrera, based on a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera. That team included actress Bonnie Hunt, the voice of Sally Carrera; Jay Ward, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar Animation Studios; and Bob Pauley, Production Designer for “Cars,” who sketched Sally for the first time 20 years ago. They were joined by Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America and key members of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s Sonderwunsch team including Alexander Fabig and Boris Apenbrink.
The 911 Sally Special was accompanied by a one-of-one Porsche Design custom-built Timepiece, designed specifically to match the unique configuration of this iconic sports car, with Sally Blue Metallic highlights and exclusive details created in collaboration with Pixar.
Proceeds benefited Girls Inc. and USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

904 Events Calendar August 19, 2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

British cars were the celebrated class of classics and moderns at last weekend’s Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville

And look at the special compact car on display in the feature area – a 1983 Honda Civic Wagon once owned and customized by Rutledge Wood. That’s the same “Rut” who starred in the U.S. version of Top Gear, and does field reporting at NASCAR races.

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 10, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, and slammed or lifted vehicles are the featured fun in the central display area.

An estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks, motorcycles and more come to the all-makes, all-models free show, with all parking spots first come/first serve. Here’s just a tiny sample of last weekend’s variety…

Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August 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.

Gentle reminder – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!

And the upcoming cars shows….

Exchange Club of Jacksonville’s Family Center Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church at 12760 Beach Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

Staker Productions X Autobahn Speedway: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, August 26, at Autobahn at 6601 Executive Park Court N., off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard. Hosting “a safe place to bring out your cars, enjoy some great food, race high speed go carts, throw axes and much more!”

7th Annual Freedom Fest Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, outside the JCPenney at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. This year presents the Truck and Off-Road Edition, although show vehicles of all kinds are invited. The show highlights the service that firefighters, police officers, active duty, reserves armed forces, and first responders provide. Free to spectators, registration is $25 in advance and $35 day of show here.

J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday, September 10, at J-Tech at  8813 Western Way. More details to come, but it will be $10 per carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.

UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.

Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.

Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.

Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.

Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.

38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.

20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.

Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach. All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.

Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

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.

North Florida Domestic Car Club’s new cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the PDQ at 4816 Gate Parkway.

NEW – Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.

First Coast Car Council: Second Saturday cruise-in is from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.

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: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan. This Saturday’s event is the eighth anniversary of the cruise-in.

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.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.

Returned cruise-in: Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Latham Plaza, 11 Ocean Front N. in Jacksonville Beach. Thanks to the support of the City of Jacksonville Beach, the Sea Walk Pavilion and Latham Plaza (across from the Pavilion between 1st and 2nd St on the corner of 2nd Ave. North can be used to showcase pre-registered cars.

Cruise Fruit Cove: 3 to 7 p.m. this Saturday, and every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. on this Saturday, and every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

Yulee Cars and Coffee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, and every third Sunday at the Sonic Drive-In at 463939 Florida 200 in Yulee.

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, 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 at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.

New cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Mr. Chubby’s Wings, 2349 Village Square Parkway in Fleming Island. Also presented byClay County Cruzers.

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 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.

New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 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…

Word is that 2023 is the last hurrah for the Dodge Charger and Challenger – as we know them now.

But MOPAR fans rejoice – Dodge will offer a chop-top version of its 2022 and 2023 Challenger, the third-party modifications done by Drop Top Customs via dealerships.

Dodge says Drop Top Customs is the oldest convertible coachbuilder in the U.S., and its dealers will arrange shipping of customer Challenger orders directly from Brampton Assembly Plant to the company to shorten build-to-delivery time. Orders opened this week at participating Dodge dealerships in the U.S., and the program will also include 2023 Challenger model year R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT models.

The price to do a Drop Top Customs third-party convertible option retails at $25,999, on top of the new car’s price.

The new third-party Challenger convertible process was announced at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, during the first day of the three-day Dodge Speed Week event series, which featured announcements and reveals of current Dodge muscle products.
“While we hit the throttle toward our new performance path, Dodge is also having fun on this victory lap by celebrating decades of muscle car power,” Dodge brand chief executive officer Tim Kuniskis said. “What better way to commemorate how far we’ve come than to make it easier for Dodge Challenger customers to create a throwback convertible look. We may not upfit them, but those who want a convertible Challenger can get one faster, expedited from the factory to Drop Top Customs. Owners can order third-party modifications through our Dodge dealerships, and then pick up their finished convertible at the dealer once the vehicle is complete.”
For MOPAR buffs, Challenger convertibles were offered as production vehicles for only two model years, 1970 and 1971. Now customers will work closely with Drop Top Customs and their Dodge dealership to order the vehicle. The dealerships will schedule unmodified customer vehicle orders to ship directly from Stellantis’ Brampton (Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant to Drop Top Customs for third-party modifications, providing a more efficient build time and allowing owners to take the keys after completion. For more information, go to droptopchallenger.com.

Photo courtesy of Walt Thurn

The folks at Fabulous Restorations have recreated Penske Racing’s first race car, the L88 Corvette that scored The Captain’s first win as a team owner in its 1966 Daytona 24 Hour debut. And it is now on display at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) in Daytona Beach. 

Known as the famous “flashlight” car, it shows what Penske, the 2020 honoree at The Amelia concours d’elegance, could do.

“Although the original chassis exists today, it’s been restored to a later configuration and livery,” MSHFA President George Levy said. “No one has seen this version of this incredibly historic machine, the first Penske Racing car, in over a half-century. Its arrival now is especially fitting in light of Mr. Penske’s announcement that he intends to return to endurance racing in 2023 to seek victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, perhaps the last major prize missing from his blue-chip 60+ year resume.”

Penske had retired from a successful driving career a year earlier, so the Corvette was the racing debut of the Hall of Fame inductee as well as MSHFA Class of 2023 inductee Zora Arkus-Duntov’s new 427 cubic inch L88 Corvette. In fact, Penske’s was the first L88 off the assembly line in St. Louis, with an aluminum-headed 427-cu. in. V-8, plus a factory competition package which included special brakes, suspension and exhaust, an M-22 transmission and a prototype 2:73 Positraction rear axle.

Driver Dick Guldstrand picked up the Rally Red Corvette in St. Louis and drove it, without heater, to the Penske shop in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania for it to be prepared for the race. In addition to special rectangular high-intensity Marchal headlights and a pair of Lucas Flamethrower fog lights, the team installed Corvette Grand Sport-style fender flares to cover the extra-wide racing tires Penske wanted to run.

Once at Daytona, the scrutineers nixed the flares, so the team removed them and riveted small aluminum lips to cover the tops of the tires.

In the race, the front end of the car was shorn off in an accident. One headlight was gone completely, the other knocked out of commission.

Penske told the crew to duct-tape two flashlights to what was left of the front fenders and return to the race. In the end, it finished 12th overall and first in the GT category

The ’66 Daytona Tribute Corvette will stay at the Hall of Fame through the 35th Annual Induction Ceremonies on March 6 – 7, 2023. For more information, visit the MSHFA at mshf.com.