Competition Corner: 2021 September Auto Events Keep It Cool

August 27, 2021November 21, 2023 Bruce Lindermann 0 Comments 4-Wheel Jamboree, American Speed Festival, Best in the Desert, Cal4Wheel, Carlisle Events, drag racing, Eaton, Goodwood Revival, Holley, Holley LS Fest, Hot Rod Drag Week, LS Swap, Mecum, Mopar, Motor Bella, NAIAS, NHRA, NMCA, NMRA, Omix-ADA, Overland Expo, Overlanding, SCORE, Superlift, SVRA, Ultra4

Spring and summer might be the host of many automotive events, but the fun runs all year long. You just need to know where to look. Luckily, that “where” is here. September is loaded with all kinds of action. Everything from drag racing to off-road madness is on the agenda. There’s a lot to cover, so no more wasting time – Let’s get rolling!

NHRA

Let’s not try to be cute about this. The NHRA is going all out this September. Virtually every week of the month is pitting drivers against each other behind high-octane rockets.

First up is the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN, running September 1-5. Then from September 9-12, the NHRA Nationals hit Mohnton, PA. After that, drivers in Concord, NC, are going ballistic at the NHRA Carolina Nationals from September 17-19. And finally, the NHRA Midwest Nationals land in Madison, IL, to take us to the finish line on September 24-26.

With that loaded schedule, there’s no excuse – get out and see what real power is all about.

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Ultra4: The Crandon Classic

How are you spending Labor Day weekend? Maybe one last barbeque and a final dip in the pool before shutting it down? Forget that. The Ultra4 Crandon Classic is going down that weekend in Crandon, Wisconsin.

This isn’t just any Ultra4 event (as if that’s a bad thing). Both Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy are getting behind the wheel of their new Ultra4 4400 Racing truck – an 800-hp fire-breathing Bronco set to make its debut. Click this link, put in for an extra day, and pack your bags. You’re heading to Cheesehead Country September 3-5.

Cal4Wheel High Sierra Poker Run

Sitting on the sidelines not your idea of a fun time? Looking to get dirt in your teeth the old-fashioned way? Get your chance September 3-6 at Cal4Wheel’s High Sierra Poker Run in Shaver Lake, CA.

Put some mud on the tires before snow starts falling. And you can finally stop letting that $20,000 investment go to waste. This year, Cal4Wheel is proud to introduce SXS runs to the event. So, slap a trailer on the Wrangler, and click here to get all the necessary information.

Mecum Dallas

Travel off the table right now? Let the action come to you September 8-11 when Mecum lands in Dallas, TX for its next live auction event. Featuring 1,000 classic and collector cars, the event is sure to continue Mecum’s record-smashing success this year. And the best part? You can get a front-row seat from your own living room. Tune into NBC Sports Network or watch full-length coverage on YouTube.

Keep an eye out for this beauty: The only road-legal GT40 stunt car from the movie “Ford V Ferrari.”

Used in the Le Mans racing scene, this is the only one of six GT40 stunt cars built for the film that was blessed with a VIN and title. And it could be all yours… Click here for auction details.

SVRA

They don’t build them like they used to. Well, the cars, that is. The drivers are still just as nuts, as the SVRA happily proves. The vintage racing group has a couple exciting auto events on the September calendar, including the Watkins Glen SpeedTour in Watkins Glen, NY, running September 8-12 and the VIR SpeedTour in Alton, VA, going down on September 23-26.

If you want to see how things were done in the good ol’ days, these are the spots you need to check out. Even by today’s standards, these rides prove they’re still nothing to scoff at.

Holley LS Fest – East

Did you think the whole “LS Swap the World” movement died? Oh no, it’s only been getting stronger. And Holley’s LS Fest ensures all the faithful followers have a place to congregate.

A celebration of everything LS, the Holley LS Fest EAST goes down September 10-12 in Bowling Green, KY. If you even remotely like LS swaps, this is the place to be. You can see just how great the platform is as it’s subject to all kinds of cruel and unusual punishment. We’re talking everything from Autocross to burnouts and drag racing. Even if you don’t like LS engines, you should still stop by to see the best in the business go nuts. Hit the link and start planning your escape.

Hot Rod Drag Week

How does this sound? Over the course of one week, thousands of drivers take a 1,000-mile road trip in their street-legal drag cars. PLUS, they make stops at five different drag strips along the way to find who is both the fastest and best equipped to take the beating.

As the pinnacle of torture testing souped-up Hot Rods, Hot Rod Drag Week runs September 12-17 with a route that winds through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of action, and a ton of pride for anyone who sees it through. This link provides all the details needed to keep up on or partake in the event.

SCORE Baja 400

What’s better than trophy trucks? Uhh, not much. These finely-tuned, well-built, absolute tyrants are pretty much the epitome of speed and off-road capabilities. Regardless of your personal tastes, there’s no denying these monsters have something for everyone. And right in the middle of September, they’re headed south.

The 2nd Annual SCORE Baja 400 takes a trip to Ensenada, Mexico September 14-19 for a little madness in the desert. We’ll just leave this link right here for anyone interested in tuning in – or potentially making a last-minute escape across the border!

Northeast Overland Festival

The Northeast Overland Festival puts drivers to the test on over 650 miles of trails in the Pennsylvania wilderness. With plenty of presentations and vendors on standby to provide insight and instruction, this is the event for those looking to learn what Overlanding is really all about. Held September 16-19, you get the added bonus of watching all those leaves change color while you tackle the wild. Camping is included for weekend pass holders and will be primitive – a true overlanders’ paradise! Click the link for more details.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree

The season for hotrods might be slowly winding to an end, but there’s no end in sight for 4x4s. The 40th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree rolls into Indianapolis September 17-19 bringing together thousands of mud nuts for a powerhouse off-road weekend filled with show-n-shines, dyno challenges, mud bogs and more. Click the link for more info.

The Goodwood Revival

Think Americans are the only ones who love vintage cars? Think again. Our friends across the pond are hosting the Goodwood Revival Festival September 17-19. It’s an event all about vintage racing, and they celebrate it a lot like we do – only, they require you to dress the part.

That’s right – there’s a full-on dress guide for those who plan to partake in the racing, shows, and entertainment. Perhaps you won’t jump on a plane just to visit this event, but all the details you need to catch up on everything great about it can be found at this link!

Holley’s MoParty

Thank God for Bowling Green. That’s a town that knows a thing or two about automobiles. One week after the LS Fest blows through town, Holley’s MoParty kicks off. Dedicated to everything Mopar, attendees can enjoy an autocross, 3S Challenge, drag racing, burnout competition, show-n-shine, and more.

There’s no better way to make up for all the sinners with LS-powered Chargers. So, hit the link and clear your weekend September 17-19.

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Motor Bella

Let’s slow it down from all the high-octane action and enjoy some updates on all-things-auto-industry. Since COVID placed the North American International Auto Show on pause for 2021, event organizers got a little creative. Often referred to as the Detroit Auto Show, this year’s running was transformed into an outdoor enthusiast event – albeit with a shortened schedule. Dubbed “Motor Bella,” the event will be held at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan and runs September 23-26. The reimagined auto show promises plenty of excitement, from Camp Jeep test tracks to autonomous car rides. Click the link for ticket information.

NMCA/NMRA

September is already getting your blood flowing, and we still have a good bit to cover – including this twofer! Sister organizations, NMCA and NMRA are dedicated to giving folks a real reason to hop up their hotrods. This month, both are holding shootouts, meaning we’ll get a good bit of action from every class out there.

First, the 20th Annual NMCA World Street Finals hits Indianapolis, IN September 23-26. Then, the month closes out with the 23rd Annual NMRA World Finals + Holley Intergalactic Ford Festival in Bowling Green, KY, from September 30-October 3. We know. You are getting more than your fair share of drag racing this month, and we couldn’t be happier.

Overland Expo WEST

Finally, the world is catching up to all those cancelled events. One of them being Overland Expo WEST. The flagship event is back on and ready to get everyone caught up on the lowdown. This event is dedicated to showcasing industry-leading products, teaching newcomers what Overlanding is all about, and even taking folks out into the wild for some good ol’ camping. Better yet, the fun goes down in Flagstaff, AZ, so you don’t have to worry about freezing your pants off September 24-26. Click here for all the details.

Fall Carlisle

What’s the best part about the winter? Winter projects.

It’s almost time to park that fine piece of machinery and begin tearing out all the odds and ends you’ve set aside all year. The only problem is that finding parts can be a bit of a trick, unless you’re willing to wait weeks for eBay sellers to get on the ball.

Well, Fall Carlisle is one of your last-ditch efforts to stock up on everything you think you’ll need. This is Carlisle Events’ final throwdown for the calendar year – held September 29-October 3 – so, you can bet that all the vendors will be there and ready to make a deal. There’s also an awesome car show and plenty of good food to go around. Long story short, if you’re in the northeast, click here for more info.

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BITD: Laughlin Desert Classic: “Duel in the Desert”

What’s the best way to beat the cold? By running away from it. What a better place to seek haven than the desert? Head out to Nevada and the BITD: Laughlin Desert Classic, held September 30-October 3, is sure to keep your blood flowing.

This mad event has drivers hauling out trucks and cars to hash out who’s truly the best over a 17-mile loop sure to inspire some adrenaline. But we already know you don’t need a rundown of what to expect from BITD. You just need the “when and where,” which is right here.

American Speed Festival

WOOOO. This has been a heavy edition of Comp Corner, but we aren’t done just yet. We’ve got one last event for you. This one is for the folks who love to see classic American iron take advantage of that cool, oxygen-dense air.

The American Speed Festival sees drivers battle it out on M1 Concourse’s 1.5-mile road course September 30- October 3. On top of that, visitors can check out all eras of automotive racing at the exposition, get in on some fine dining, and even see who has proven their worth during the Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. There’s no better way to close out the season for motorsports enthusiasts, so click here to learn more!