Competition Corner: Turn Up the Heat This Summer with the Ultra4 Holley EFI Clash, Trucks Gone Wild, Le Mans, and MORE

YEAH BABY! This time on Competition Corner we are highlighting all-out vehicular warfare. From Ultra4 trucks butting heads at the Holley EFI Clash and good ol’ fashioned mudding at Trucks Gone Wild, to the preeminent endurance racing performance that is Le Mans and the refined taste of the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance, there’s seriously something for everyone on this list.

So get your wheels polished and your heart pumping, because this summer is gonna be one for the books.

Race Wars USA

If you’re like me, Race Wars in the Fast and the Furious franchise was something you were always curious about and dying to see more of. (Although, the return to the event on film was a little disappointing, with a single race and a clumsy rapper cameo.) Why not check out the real thing, then? On June 2, this enthusiast-run part car show, part drag racing event, and part trade show will be hitting the black top in Ennis, Texas, for some safe, controlled, and especially FUN racing entertainment.

If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start living, click this link!

Trucks Gone Wild

So you love the sound of a screaming engine, the feel of a real challenge, and the sight of a kickass build. The catch is, you have no interest in street warfare. Then what do you do? Well, you get yourself a set of Super Swampers and head over to Polar Bluff, Missouri for Trucks Gone Wild, running June 6-9.

Mudding is an all-American shindig and should always be enjoyed for its raw enthusiasm, tough nature, and sick trucks. Personally, I can’t imagine a better way to kick off the month of June.

Ultra4 Holley EFI Clash

It’s probably safe to say that Ultra4 has become the pinnacle of off-road racing. For those of you already familiar with this aggressive sport, well, you probably stopped reading and clicked the link. Those of you who are new, these vehicles tackle everything from endurance desert racing to competition-style rock crawls, showcasing incredible speed, quick-thinking, and mechanical know-how.

While the season involves a variety of different racing series, this is the third time that Ultra4 is heading to the Cross Bar Ranch in Oklahoma for the Holley EFI Clash. Running June 14-15, this family-friendly spectator event nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains is a perfect reason to plan a weekend getaway. Do yourself a favor: follow the lead of the other Ultra4 fans and gear up, because it’s about to get rowdy.

Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance

I like gritty, I like raw, and I like traditional—an automotive style that admittedly tends to bleed through these Competition Corners. But there’s another side of the industry that deserves a little love, too. For those sporting a more refined taste, the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance on June 15 might be just the right speed.

Our trusty old muscle cars and muddin’ trucks are tough, but these pristine pre-1970 classics are serious business. Plus, the entire event benefits Cool Cars for Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides help and hope to children with rare birth defects. Visit Philly, be blown away by some beautiful vintage iron, and support treatment research for some great kids.

87th 24 Hours of Le Mans

Eighty-seven years of racing is quite a pedigree—but 24 Hours of Le Mans brings more to the table than just history. As the world’s oldest active endurance race, Le Mans is responsible for setting many standards of performance, from construction materials to design cues, suspension design, and even brake innovation. While not all of us are ready to hop a plane to France to witness this epic event, those of you who are (or just want to learn more) can get more information by clicking here.

24 Hours of LeMons

If you’ve dreamed of witnessing or even racing Le Mans but, frankly, weren’t cut from the right high-thread-count cloth—that’s okay—because we’ve got something even more heart-racing and adrenaline-packed: 24 Hours of Lemons. Yes, Lemons. Forget about some prestigious vehicle, big sponsor, or incredible track record. All you need is a somewhat-reliable hooptie, the will to put yourself to the test, and a good sense of humor. Really, there’s nothing better you could do with $500 and a few weekends worth of work this summer. Find an upcoming race here.

Ford, GM & Mopar Carlisle Shows

Alright, you, the one building a classic car. Yeah, you. We know sourcing the vertical gate shifter you’ve been dreaming of or the decklid nobody makes anymore is driving you up a tree—in addition to all the other rare parts you’re having difficulty finding. That’s why the Carlisle shows and swap meets are where you need to be. Trust us, the second you walk through those gates, your mind will melt. We’re talking thousands of cars and hundreds of vendors—all eagerly waiting to talk shop with you. Even if you don’t find what you’re looking for, the show itself guarantees a good time. Each event is make-specific, so check out this link to find out when Ford, Chevy, and Mopar guys need to roll out.

32nd Annual Summer A&A Auto Stores 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals

There’s no show like an off-road show. The enthusiasm, the venues, the variety of builds and people–it’s unbelievable. And the A&A 4-Wheel Jamborees are no exception, drawing crowds the size of most state fairs. This event promises more than 2,000 4-wheel drive vehicles battling it out July 12-14 in Bloomsburg, PA. To top things off, the people at A&A are some of the finest auto parts people in the business. They treat everyone like family and genuinely love what they’re doing. Trust us, click the link for more information and you won’t be sorry.

The OPTIMA Batteries Silver State Showdown Presented By GEICO

Everyone loves a real race to get the blood flowing, right? And by the end of July, off-road racing will be winding down, so you’ll want to get one last spectacle in before they slip away. Go big or go home with the Silver State Showdown at the Wild West Motorsport Park in Sparks, Nevada. For one night only, on July 27, come see some of the last high-flying, high-octane short track racing of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing season.

Syracuse Nationals

Believe me when I say there’s nothing more authentic than local car shows. Even if it’s a handful of old-heads showing off their cherry rides, it’s well worth an hour or two of your time. But if you’re tired of the local burger joint and seeing the same twenty cars, you need to head north. The Syracuse Nationals is one of the biggest car shows in the United States—so big in fact, that even people who don’t like cars will still have a blast. Grab the fam, head to Syracuse for July 30, get a hot dog, and make some memories.