Competition Corner: July 2022 Auto Events Heat Up

June 24, 2022February 28, 2024 Bruce Lindermann 0 Comments Carlisle Events, Competition Corner, Conversion Van, drag racing, Goodguys, NHRA, NMCA, NMRA, Overland Expo, Overlanding, Overlanding Events, Rocky Mountain Overland Rally, SRX, Street Car Takeover, SVRA, Ultra4

The greatest month of the year is finally upon us. More than just the height of summer, July delivers the automotive events we’ve been waiting for all year long. There’s a lot on the docket, so we’ll dig right in.

Note: The bigger, regularly-scheduled events you already know about have been moved to the bottom of the list. Not because they don’t deserve any love, but because we don’t want you to gloss over the slightly smaller but equally rad events on this month’s calendar!

Superstar Racing Experience (SRX)

Just days before the greatest holiday in American history, the Superstar Racing Experience is going down in Stafford Springs, CT. In this unique new series, founder Tony Stewart joins an all-star cast of drivers, including Michael Waltrip, Ernie Francis Jr., Marco Andretti, and Hailie Deegan, to battle it out in a series of short races at short tracks around the country.

Watch them take speed beyond the traditional stockcar style with a random pairing of drivers and crew chiefs to keep things interesting. If you’re busy pre-gaming for Independence Day on July 2nd, don’t feel bad, there are plenty more SRX races set to go down throughout the month.

Overland Expo Pacific Northwest

Overlanding is getting bigger and bigger. And more and more amazing events can grow to legendary status because of it. If you’re on the West Coast and enjoy putting yourself to the test in the great outdoors, Overland Expo Pacific Northwest is your destination come July 8-10. Adventure rigs, inspirational slide shows and programs, roundtable discussions, product demos, over 350 vendors, and hundreds of hours of training – all designed to make you a better overlander – await you at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center in Redmond, OR.

Ford Bronco 4-door kicks up mud at Overland Expo event. — The Ford Bronco Ridealong is coming to Overland Pacific Northwest this year.

Visions Off-Road

Mark your calendars, as Visions Off-Road 2022 hits this July with a much-needed dose of Ultra4 racing. This 5-day event running July 13-17 in Jay, OK , is packed to the gills with all kinds of off-road chaos. Whatever flavor of Ultra4 racing you prefer, it’s going on here. NRRA Hill climbs? You got ’em. MAO and Ultra4 endurance racing? Got it. Bull fighting? Didn’t see that coming, but it’s on the list. What are you waiting for? Head to the event’s main page for more information.

Street Car Takeover – Indy

Fulfill those dreams of ripping around a premier race track at the Street Car Takeover, July 15-16. This unique two-in-one car show and drag racing event hits the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for a weekend packed with street car excitement. No prep racing, night meet, roll racing, prepped drag racing, car show and huge cash payouts and awards – what’s not to love? Click here for more info.

Carlisle Chrysler Nationals

You Mopar nuts should expect to be in Carlisle, PA, July 15-17. Nowhere else in the world will have as many classic and modern Chrysler muscle cars (2,800+ vehicles are expected to attend) and parts on those days. That’s because the Chrysler Nationals has finally returned. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll find it here, and even if someone happened to scoop it up just moments before you arrived, you will still have the time of your life.

Aeroquip Teflon Fuel Hose — Your fuel lines are the link connecting your fuel supply to the mouth of the monster, so take the time to set up a bulletproof system that’s sure to keep it screaming. Aeroquip’s Teflon fuel hoses offer superior fluid compatibility, excellent abrasion resistance, and braided stainless steel protection. Inside and out, this is the toughest fuel line you can add to your car.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

July in Pennsylvania is an amazing thing. Not only are the folks there assembling all the Mopars, but the biggest vintage street race in the nation is happening at about the same time. From July 15-24, the Pittsburgh Grand Prix is celebrating its 40th annual race through the streets of Schenley Park. In addition to 10 days of racing, attendees can enjoy car shows, parties, parades, and motorsport events – all organized to raise funds for autistic and intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region.

Sno*Drift Summer Rally

Summertime rally driving – you actually need to know more to get excited? The Sno*Drift Summer Rally brings together upwards of 30 drivers each year from all over the U.S. and Canada to wild out on winding dirt roads in the big Michigan wilderness.

Even if you’re not much for spectating, there’s no doubt that watching the action go down in Montmorency County on July 16 will get your blood pumping. This is a “tulips only” rally, which means teams get no opportunity to recon the roads. Instead, they have to read the tree lines and drive with their eyes.

Click here to learn more about this very cool event.

Adventure Van Expo Eagle, CO

Adventure Vans are a way of life, and the Adventure Van Expo in Eagle, CO, is all about celebrating. If you’re new to this whole segment, you might be surprised just how deep the rabbit hole goes, and this is the best way to gauge its depth. These 4×4 vans are armed to the teeth with gadgets and gizmos that make for builds you’d never even dreamed of, and once you see them this July 16-17, there’s no coming back.

NMRA/NMCA Power Festival

The NMRA/NMCA Power Festival is finally hitting the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI, on July 21-24. Everything from hot street cars to Xtreme Pro-mods will be making appearances. And before you write it off as a Ford and Chevy event, you Mopar folks should be happy to know true Hemi racing is on the agenda as well.

Rocky Mountain Overland Rally

Gunnison, CO – that’s right where you’ll be when you finally admit you can stand to learn a few things about overlanding. The Rocky Mountain Overland Rally will link you up with other like-minded individuals as well as instructors, vendors, and industry professionals who can get you up to speed with this iconic segment. And even if you know it all, it’s just a great excuse to finally head out and see the iconic I-Bar Ranch on July 28-31.

GoodGuys

The premier folks in car shows have three events planned for July. First is the 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals July 1-3 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Then, organizers mosey over to the Ohio Expo Center the following weekend, July 8-10, for the 24th Summit Racing Nationals. And then they wrap up the month, July 22-24, at the Washington State Fair Events Center for the 34th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest.

SVRA

There are two SVRA events on July’s calendar: the Portland Speedtour July 14-17, and then the New Jersey Speedtour July 29-31. For those of you who are new to SVRA, this association is all about keeping classic race vehicles on iconic tracks. It might not be the fastest racing on the roster, but it’s every bit as intense.

NHRA

Busy July for these guys! First, NHRA heads to Morrison, CO July 15-17 for the Mile-High Nationals. Teams will begin the three-race series in the mountains outside of Denver, forcing crews to make changes to established power-making combinations and battle lack of downforce to tackle the environs and a chance to sweep the Swing. Then, they head to wine country July 22-24 for the Sonoma Nationals. And, finally, they wrap things up in Washington for the Northwest Nationals, July 29-31, capping the month with high-horsepower excitement against the majestic backdrop of Mount Rainier.