Competition Corner: January 2023 Auto Events

December 30, 2022March 30, 2023 Bruce Lindermann 0 Comments 24 Hours of Daytona, Auto Mania, Autorama, Barrett-Jackson Auction, Best in the Desert, Cal4Wheel, CES, CES 2023, Competition Corner, Desert Racing, Dragfest, Mecum Auction, Off-Roading, Swap Meet, Winter Fun Festival

Guess what? You don’t actually need to stick to that New Year’s resolution. That is, unless your resolution is to go to way more automotive events in 2023! In which case, you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s get going – here are the must-see January auto events for 2023.

Mecum Kissimmee

We’ll start nice and easy with Mecum’s Kissimmee Auction. It’s the perfect way to spend hours engulfed in the industry without even having to leave the house. But in case leaving is on the agenda, you’ll need to make it to Florida January 4-15. (Not the worst place to be during winter!)

A whopping 4,000 classic and collectible cars are set to cross the block – including a 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Center Seat, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57, a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster and a rare Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible.

A rare Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible set to hit Mecum Kissimmee Auction in January. — Last year’s Mecum Kissimmee auction achieved a record $217 million in sales to become the first-ever live collector car auction to exceed $200 million. You can help them make history again!

CES 2023

Whether you like it or not, high-tech lifestyles are now a part of our world. In auto, everything from smart devices to electric vehicles are driving the modern industry. And if you happen to work for said industry (or a related trade), then you qualify to attend the Consumer Electronics Show – the biggest tech-oriented U.S. tradeshow of the year.

As traditional auto shows go the way of the Dodo — along with analog vehicle controls, internal combustion engines, and a host of other ‘old ways of doing things’ — CES looms ever larger on the calendar. This year, there will be more than 2400 exhibitors and an attendee goal of 100,000 people, not to mention several innovative auto tech debuts. (Watch for RAM’s first electric pickup, the Revolution.)

If any of this sounds interesting to you, then capitalize on your chance to watch sci-fiction become reality January 5-8.

Dragfest – Drag Racing Showcase and Custom Car Show

Pennsylvania, while cold and uninviting for the most part this time of year, is absolutely packed with automotive enjoyment for 2023. Don’t believe it? You’d better check out Dragfest then.

This event offers more than 60 awards for race-themed show cars, all inside of the Lebanon Valley Expo Center. Even better? This is not an invitation-only event. That means, anyone who owns a drag racing car, truck or bike can submit an application to be a part of the show. Your chance to check it out is January 7-8.

Cal4Wheel Winter Fun Festival

Like you really need me to tell you that escaping to the Nevada desert in your 4×4 sounds like a good time. If you’re an off-road fan, then there’s a good chance you already know what’s up with Cal4Wheel Winter Fun Fest. This legendary trek into the High Sierra offers three different historical and narrated SUV trips, plus 10 separate 4X4 runs for experienced drivers. The Frostbite Extreme trip on Saturday is always a favorite for those seeking an experience in deep snow.

If you’re interested, register early, as Cal4Wheel expects to have 600 participants this year. The fun goes down January 13-15.

Winter scenes showing Odyssey batteries, Weego jump starters, and CTEK battery chargers — Don’t get caught out in the cold! Odyssey batteries will still work at temperatures well below freezing, while pocket-sized chargers and jump-starters from CTEK and Weego ensure you’ll always have on-the-go power at arm’s reach.

Cincinnati Cavalcade of Customs

Those of you a little closer to the Great Lakes don’t need to go far for some indoor automotive goodness. Gracing the calendar of must-see January auto events this year is the Cincinnati Cavalcade of Customs. Every kind of killer hotrod is set to appear at the 63rd annual running of this show, and even Jeff Lutz himself will be making an appearance. Get ready to hit the Buckeye State January 13-15.

Winter 4×4 Jamboree

Itching for a little hardcore rock crawling in the new year? Then it might be time to blow into Hurricane, Utah for the annual Winter 4×4 Jamboree. Take your pick of more than 35 different trails in the glorious southwestern U.S., and climb your way up the craggy side of Mother Nature’s face. Put your rig to the test and enjoy gorgeous views of Zion National Park, Pine Valley Mountain, Sand Hollow Reservoir, and more.

Really, do we need to keep selling this event? Grab your off-roader (full-size rigs only, please), scrounge up $50, and go west January 18-21.

Carlisle Auto Mania Indoor Collector Car Flea Market & Corral

Oh yeah, Pennsylvania is dialing it up with the return of Carlisle Auto Mania. This is the state’s largest indoor (heated!) automotive flea market that’s absolutely packed with all kinds of goodies. It’s the place to be if you’re after hard parts, speed parts, or memorabilia of the era. And when you’re done checking out the vendors on January 20-22, the farmer’s market next door is a killer spot to pick up some dinner. It’s a win, no matter what.

Pittsburgh World of Wheels

Pennsylvania is truly a hotspot of January auto events, adding an autorama to the list as well. Mark your calendars and plan for a nice weekend in the Steel City, as January 20-22 the 62nd Pittsburgh World of Wheels is going down at the David Lawrence Convention Center. Whether you’re stopping in for work or play, there’s no way you won’t get the experience you’re craving. (Along with that Primanti’s sandwich and a cold I.C. Light.)

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

That’s right – we’ve got another glorious auction to close out the month. This time, Barrett-Jackson’s running the block with all the timeless classics you could dream of. This is the legendary Scottsdale auction, too. So, you know it’s going to be a banger. Get ready to land your dream car or get inspiration for your dream builds this January 21-29.

Rolex 24 at Daytona

Rolex 24 at Daytona is just a new name for 24 Hours of Daytona, which is Florida’s response to that French race nobody can seem to get enough of. The Rolex 24 is a fantastic spectacle as some of the best drivers in the world wage war to determine who’s the fastest, most determined, and best equipped with the greatest car.

It delivers an all-star driving lineup consisting of IMSA regulars, plus drivers from other racing disciplines such as NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, WEC, and more to create an event experience unlike any other. This is a true endurance race, and that means every last inch of anything involved will be tested. Yes, you’ve seen it in the movies. And yes, you need to see it in real life. Clear that calendar January 28-29.

Arizona Outdoor Adventure Fest

We’re closing out our January auto events with an absolute outdoor banger. Clear that schedule, because January 28-29 is your chance to take on Arizona the way the off-road gods intended. The Arizona Outdoor Adventure Fest is all about celebrating the outdoor lifestyle, whether that be on wheels or not. (But wheels are a big part of it.) What better way to set the tone for a big year?

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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.