Competition Corner: April 2021 Events Hit the Ground Running
Rainy days (and even a few snowstorms) may dominate April forecasts, but the season of automotive joy is in full swing. Believe us when we say the go-fast calendar is JAM-PACKED with events you won’t want to miss. Expect a hiccup or two as organizers work to put the doom and gloom of canceled fun in the rearview. But for now, get out your schedule and fire up a PTO form because the rumble of Ultra4 buggies, top fuel dragsters, hot rods, and even lemons is closing in.
Ultra4 East & West Series Events
The month of March may roll in like a lion and out like a lamb, but Ultra4 ensures April opens up with roar. Two events kick off the season. The first – King Shocks Area BFE Beatdown (April 2-3) in Moab, Utah – launches the Lasernut Western Series, and the second – Battle in Bluegrass (April 16-17) in Rush, KY – gets the 4WP Eastern Series rolling.
Even if you’re not registered to drive, it’s worth attending these events – especially if you’re a nut for all things off-road. Click here for up-to-date details and registration info.
24 Hours of Lemons
The clever folks behind 24 Hours of LeMons might be dealing with a later-than-usual start to the 2021 season, but their spring lineup comes out swinging. April 3-4, drivers in Sonoma, CA have a chance to break out their low-dollar chariots and battle it out for glory in the Yokohama Sears Pointless 2021. Then, April 17-18 the honor passes to endurance hooptie racers on the East Coast for the The Pitt Maneuver 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Unfortunately, spectators still can’t attend these events. But to that, we say – all the more reason to get involved in the racing! Buy and track-prep a beater for $500 or less and you’re in. (We guarantee it will be way more fun than standing on the sidelines.) Click here for details and up-to-date info on the spectator rules.
Mecum Houston
If you can’t afford a priceless classic, you can always tune into a high-dollar auction and dream about how you’d use your lottery money. Besides, Mecum auctions are a great source of inspiration for project builds – real or fantasy. They also help you keep your finger on the pulse of the current market, and if you’re lucky enough to have the money to invest, you can’t afford to miss out.
April 8-10, the Wisconsin-based auction house hits Houston, Texas – and you just know the oil money’s going to be slinging. So, if you’re ready to get your hands on a classic, or tune in to see how Texans roll, you should click here.
NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals
Two of the most prominent sanctioning bodies for quarter-mile pleasure are the NMRA and NMCA. If only we could see them both in the same place for a weekend of total euphoria.
Wait. That’s exactly what the All-Star Nationals is all about!
That’s right – if you’re looking to roll with the wildest drag race nuts in the country, the Atlanta Dragway brings them all together April 8-11. From streetcars to dragster titans, experience the ultimate in grassroots auto enthusiasm. Click here for ticketing and event info.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
There’s nothing quite as disappointing as watching all your favorite events be postponed or canceled in a single year. The NHRA seems to agree, as the organization has a truly packed schedule from now until October. April, in particular, has some exciting events on the docket including the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals (April 16-18), and the NHRA Southern Nationals (April 30-May 2).
Unfortunately, the Winternationals – scheduled for April 9-11 – have been postponed again, as the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona is currently being used as a vaccination site.
Click here for schedule updates and ticket information.
Goodguys
Seeing a trend, here? Lots of condensed schedules making up for lost time! Just like NHRA, Goodguys are getting their fix this April too. The 11th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals goes down April 16-18 in Scottsdale, AZ and the 6th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals is set to run April 23-25 in Raleigh, NC. That means that there’s plenty of opportunities to show off your trick paint job and autocross skills – which is a good thing because we’re sure that your neighbors are tired of you talking up a storm and knocking over cones in the cul-de-sac! Click here for details on the full Goodguys schedule.
34th Annual SCORE San Felipe 250
If the roar of trophy truck engines blasting through the desert is your idea of old-fashioned sun and sand, then maybe it’s time to check out the 34th Annual SCORE San Felipe. This 250-mile off-road race goes down April 14-18 in sunny Baja California.
Sure, you can tune in to social media to keep up with the event… or you can burn up those vacation days based on the info you find here!
Gila Monster UTV Fest
The Gila monster has long been a symbol of the desert. And, like the Gila monster, the majestic UTV knows a thing or two about trekking the sand – albeit at a noticeably faster pace. If you’re looking for a way to put your four-wheelin’ tyke to the test, grab your gear and get to Globe, Arizona April 16-18 for the Gila Monster UTV Fest. There’s going to be plenty of guided trail riding, scenic camping, and – most importantly – a cornhole tournament! You know you can’t miss out, so click here.
Spring Carlisle
With many of our team members dwelling in the Northeast, we’re likely to take a few days ourselves and scope out the Spring Carlisle April 21-25. As one of the largest automotive flea markets in the world, this event is a bit like Christmas around these parts. Folks from all over the Tri-State area and beyond gather to show off their cherry rides and partake in the thrill of the hunt – at the legendary swap meet, that is. With 8,100 spaces of vendors selling a vast array of automotive parts, accessories, cars, collectibles and memorabilia, it’s almost certain that you won’t go home empty handed. Start making that list now, and click here for more information.
SVRA
By now, you get the drill: APRIL IS PACKED. So many significant automotive events are going down, and the SVRA is no exception with two major back-to-back events reminding us just how rad the classics are. First is the Sonoma SpeedTour April 22-25 in Sonoma, CA and second is the TransAm SpeedFest April 28-May 2 a mere 150 miles away in Monterey. If you’re a nut for old iron, you have no choice but to head out and partake in the enjoyment first hand. If California is a little out of your travel circle, check out the full list of events here, and find something a little closer to home.
BITD: Jimco Racing Silver State “300”
Can’t make it to San Felipe for SCORE’s season opener, but still need some sun and sand in your life?
No worries – you’ve got the Jimco Racing Silver State 300 April 29-May 2 to look forward to. This throwdown is absolutely packed with every kind of vehicle you can imagine slinging sand in the desert. We’re talking dirtbikes, UTVs, trucks, and cars of all shapes and sizes. Between the rooster tails and roaring engines, you’re going to be every bit as satisfied as you deserve to be after such a crappy year.
Don’t just read about it, though. Click here and start practice your best sick voice for that phone call to the boss man.
Detroit Autorama
Where’s the one place you expect to see more timeless rides than anywhere else? Motor City, baby. Detroit is ground zero in terms of American classics, so you can count on seeing every last one of the most impressive models from the Big Three there. The Detroit Autorama runs April 30-May 2 at the Cobo/TCF CENTER, and promises two floors of over 800 hot rods and jaw-dropping custom builds. If you attend, be sure to stay for the Ridler Award, which honors new creations and is only eligible to cars shown for the first time. Click here for more event info.
Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion
Last, but certainly not least, is the Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion running April 30-May 2 in sunny Arizona.
Celebrating classic Americana, this event is packed to the gills with classic cars and fun folks who appreciate the living daylights out of hot rod culture. So if you’re jonesin’ for some retro vibes, click here for more information.
