Competition Corner: Big Summer Lineup Includes the Syracuse Nationals, 24 Hours of Lemons, and the Tijuana SCORE Desert Challenge

Welcome back to Competition Corner! This month we’ve got a summer lineup jam-packed with fun events for gearheads of all ages. From the Syracuse Nationals car show, across the Midwest for the Corvette Funfest and Woodward Dream Cruise, on down to Baja for the Tijuana SCORE Desert Challenge, and up the coast to the 24 Hours of Lemons, there really is something for everyone. So, check out our list below and see what’s happening in your neck of the woods!

Syracuse Nationals – July

Eight. Thousand. Hotrods. The Syracuse Nationals is self-declared as the largest car show on the East Coast. Old school cars, tech seminars, and even the Motor Drome Wall of Death are all to be seen at this massive event. It’s safe to say that this is the place to be if you’re looking for something you’ve never seen before. The show runs from July 19-22 and tickets are on sale now, directly from the website. If you’re interested in registering your own car for the event—get on it right here!

Illinois Corvette Funfest – September

There are plenty of American cars thoroughly loved by wide groups of people. But anyone who argues that one car is loved more than the Corvette would be in for a fight. Need proof? Well, the Corvette Funfest in Effingham, Illinois should be enough to back the idea. How so? By bringing 14,000 Corvettes together for a 4-day event! The schedule runs from September 20-23, and registration is now open. You’ve got some time on this one, but why wait?

Remember the 1st Annual Corvette Fun Fest?

Woodward Dream Cruise – August

This is the largest single day auto event in the world. At the Woodward Dream Cruise, tens of thousands of classic cars get together and travel from Detroit to Pontiac. And about 40,000 cars and 1.5 million people attend this historic event every year! And the best part? There’s no fee to check out the cars or even to join the cruise. If you’ve got a hotrod, and you’ve always dreamed of driving with tons of other awesome rides on the historic Woodward Avenue, then everything you need to know is right here.

Did you make arrangements yet to attend the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Tijuana SCORE Desert Challenge – September

SCORE International Offroad Racing is the same association responsible for providing the world with the BAJA 500 and the BAJA 1000 races. But between these popular events we can find a little something special: the Tijuana SCORE Desert Rally. This is a 24-mile, long lap, off-road course located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the event and it will be held from September 19-23. Full details of the event are still TBA, but we recommend keeping a close eye on it if you’re ready to see the ultimate off-road machines pushed to their limits. For more information, registration, and tickets to this event, visit their site.

Ironman 55 – August

Sprint car racing is something of the red-headed step child of auto events these days, but it sorely deserves more credit. Sprint cars are lightweight machines with high-powered engines, ridden by drivers who will blast through dust for glory. The Ironman 55 at the Federated Auto Parts Speedway at I-55 in Pevely, Missouri is the longest and toughest race in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, consisting of 55 laps of nonstop action. There are two events for spectators to attend: a prelude on 8/4 and the main attraction itself on 8/5.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix – July

Ten days of car shows, racing, parades, and celebrations of vintage road racing is something worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime. Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix stands as the reigning king of vintage road racing. Spanning from July 1-14, this event has something for anyone with a passion for cars. Price of admission and registration vary on the event attended. But not to worry, they have a complete breakdown of daily schedules and admission fees available here.

Hot Import Nights – August

Hot Import Nights is a series of automotive festivals that celebrate the hottest import rides and the pop culture that defined the lifestyle. With events scheduled all over the United States, this is the place to be for those with a love of imported performance cars and unique builds. Hot Import Nights hits San Jose, California on August 18, 2018. Registration, tickets, and complete event info can be found here.

ChampCar Sebring 14 Hour Enduro

The ChampCar Endurance Series is a schedule of racing events that prides itself on getting the Everyman out on the racetrack, by making it easy for anyone to enjoy an authentic road racing experience. Whether you build, buy, or even rent a race car, the organization has achievable requirements for anyone looking for some track time. September 21, ChampCar makes its stop at the legendary Sebring International Raceway for the 14 Hour Enduro. To learn more and register for this upcoming event, check the site.

24 Hours of Lemons

“In a nutshell, Lemons is wheel-to-wheel racing for cheap cars, that’s open to drivers of all experience levels. The “typical” customer is either the car enthusiast who always wanted to try wheel-to-wheel racing but was put off by the expense/requirements of other series, or the experienced racer who wants to do something more laid back,” says Nick Pon, the Associate Perpetrator of this legendary series of events.

24 Hours of Lemons hits the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington July 28-29. “This is a really great event, at a relatively new venue outside of Olympia (about equidistant from Seattle and Portland),” says Pon. Registration for cars is currently closed, but spectators are welcome to attend this one-of-a-kind event. “Our racers are the friendliest anywhere in motorsports, so spectators should feel free to bum around the paddock and chat with the racers about their cars and experiences,” adds Pon. For more information on 24 Hours of Lemons, or others that may be closer to you, stop by their site!

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