Competition Corner: December 2023 Auto Events

Winter’s here and 2023 is winding to a close. Many garages are quieting down as gearheads take a break from their nitro-fueled passion and focus on the holiday season. That doesn’t have to be you. Sure, you should still make the holidays special – but that doesn’t mean you need to walk away from what you love! Especially not when there’s a ton of action to get in on. Competition Corner is the right place to be when you’re in search of automotive madness to keep your motor running all winter long, as we’ve got plenty of it to go around. Check out this list of must-see December 2023 auto events.

Snowball Derby

What says “winter is here” more than the Snowball Derby? Especially when this year’s race has a record purse of $35,000. You already know that’s going to have drivers running harder than ever down at Five Flags Speedway. This three-day bash down in Florida, raging December 1-3, is the best way for stockcar racing fans to kick off December and send 2023 off with a bang.

Nemadji Trail Rally

Some of you like your racing with a little sense of danger; the Nemadjia Trail Rally should suffice. As if rally racing wasn’t wild enough, the nutcases in this event are darting across gravel trails through the heart of Minnesota on December 3rd. Yeah. It’s going to get pretty intense as drivers tackle 33 miles of madness. There’s simply no other event to scratch the itch if you need some serious action in your life.

2023 Dirt Expo

Speaking of dirt and chaos, it’s off-roading season. Shouldn’t there be more of that going on? The 2023 Dirt Expo has you covered. This expo rounds up vendors and veterans of all things off-road, from UTVs to trophy trucks. It’s the place you need to be if the hottest and latest industry news is your business for any reason. Book your flight to Scottsdale, Arizona because it’s going down December 2-3.

24 Hours of Lemons

You already know 24 Hours of Lemons lays down for no one. No matter the time of year, they’re ripping it up at the track, and this month they’re hitting you with the ol’ hooptie twofer —credit goes to my editor on that one. First up is the Yokohama Arse-Freeze-Apalooza, running December 2-3 at the Sonoma Raceway. Second is the The Kim Harmon Scrotium 500, which gives drivers the chance to rip up Road Atlanta December 9-10. No excuses not to have fun now.

Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show

By now, you know everything your hotrod needs to be a total show-winner. The problem is finding all those rare parts to make it happen. Luckily for you, the Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show is firing off on December 3rd. The legendary show is the place to be to find whatever parts you need to build any dream car. Heck, you might even have the chance to buy your vision at one of the six car corrals if building will take too long.

Don’t turn to fly-by-night companies when it comes to your safety. Brands like Eibach, Hawk Performance, and G-Force Racing can provide the handling, stopping power, and protective gear you need at a price that won’t break the budget.

PRI 2023

SEMA is a great place for enthusiasts and business owners who like a little bit of everything. But if speed is your business, then PRI 2023 is the December auto event to see. This expo cuts away anything else, giving industry pros the room they need to hone in on all things high performance. It doesn’t really need much of an introduction, though. You just need to know it’s hitting Indianapolis December 7-9.

SNORE Rage at the River

And we’re back to some off-road action. Only this time, we’re staying down south. If you’re over those northern winters and need some gritty action in your life, SNORE Rage at the River is where you need to be this December 8-10. This legendary race puts racers in the middle of the Nevada desert to battle it out with the gnarliest machines around. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

FuelFest

Who says car shows need to be leisurely experiences? FuelFest is all about giving you a dose of the regular car show vibes, along with some high-paced drifting action to keep your blood pumping for months to come. There’s all kinds of live entertainment, celebrity appearances, and vendor showcases on the agenda as well. Oh, and it even benefits the Reach Out Worldwide Foundation, which the late and great Paul Walker set up. We know where you’ll be this December 9th.

Winter Jam

Back-to-back madness with a display from Hoonigan up next. You know, the folks who are known for wilding out in anything on wheels? Winter Jam is all about that life. It’s a drift event that puts drivers of all skill levels on the iconic Sonoma Raceway for a display of sheer psychotic behavior like you’ve never seen. If tire frying is your business, be there on December 16-17.

DAYTONA KartWeek

Who doesn’t love kart racing? If you said “me,” now’s the time to change that tune. With Daytona KartWeek coming up December 28-30, you can finally see what all the fuss is about. It’s the largest karting event in the world that puts drivers in anything to the test on everything from asphalt to dirt. Yeah, there’s a lot going on here, and you need to check it out.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that car culture is meant to shared. Competition Corner is a monthly column in which we, auto enthusiasts, give you, our fellow car lovers, the rundown on what’s what in the world of upcoming events across the country. From racing to off-roading, car shows to swap meets, we aim to include something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re eager and ready to get out and experience the action, check out these must-see listings and be sure to tune in next month for another round-up.

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