Competition Corner: June 2022 Auto Events Bring the Summer Fun

Spring has officially sprung and there is no shortage of outdoor fun to get into. But if food festivals and county fairs have you politely stifling a bored yawn, then maybe it’s time to find something that gets you a little more revved up. From mud-slinging Ultra4 monsters to legendary hill climbs, we’ve collected a variety of auto events during the month of June that you certainly won’t want to miss.

54th SCORE Baja 500

What makes the SCORE Baja 500 so special? Maybe you’d better ask the racers in any of the 45 competition classes that are willing to travel from 30 states and 15 countries to Baja California, MX, to compete. You’re already sold, but you know you want to learn more about the sun, sand, and madness that’s about to combine south of the border. Then, click this link for details, and clear your schedule June 1-5.

NHRA

It’s June, so you already know that the NHRA has plenty going on — and we’re not going to waste any time warming up to this threefer. First up is the New England Nationals running June 3-5 at the New England Dragway in Epping, NH. The historic track has it all, and you don’t want to skip it if you’re ready to see what 300 mph actually looks like.

After that, the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals set up shop at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN, for June 17-19. That’s right, Thunder Valley Nationals is back on for Father’s Day this year, making it the best way to celebrate daddio.

At the end of the month, June 23-26, the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals are going down at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH. Pros and sportsmen in everything from street cars to top fuel will be battling it out, and you know it’s the best way to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Carlisle Ford Nationals 2022

Got a Ford? Need parts for it? Enjoy an all-Ford car show? Just need something to do from June 3-5? You might as well head up to Carlisle, PA. The Ford Nationals gather more than 3,200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Euro Fords for a car show that respective fans can’t afford to miss. (Of course, the swap meet is nothing to skip over either.) Enjoy the largest all-Ford show in the world and find whatever it is you need for that Ford project.

GoodGuys

Goodguys events pretty much set the standard for car shows – which is why we love featuring them here on Competition Corner. Two legendary events go down in the beautiful month of June. First up is the 27th Summer Get-Together, running June 4-5 in Pleasanton, CA. Then, June 10-12 the 20th Classic Performance Great Northwest Nationals hit Spokane, WA. Whether you’re there to show or ogle, you’re sure to have a great time and meet plenty of fellow enthusiasts.

Southern Ohio Forest Rally

You might not know it, but Ohio loves itself some rally racing – and the Southern Ohio Forest Rally is proof. This is one of the largest rally events, not just in the United States, but on the whole continent! Even better, race organizers say this year promises to deliver one of the biggest turnouts, with 95 current entries. Spanning three days, June 9-11, SOFR will push drivers to their limits on technical roads that you and I wouldn’t even dare to get a little sideways on. Learn more here.

NMRA Ford Performance Nationals

Speaking of big things in Ohio… June 9-12 NMRA invades America’s Racetrack in Norwalk for the 2022 Ford Performance Nationals. The event promises heads-up drag racing, a massive car show, 4×4 Obstacle Challenge, and the original BIGFOOT monster truck. Mark your calendars and make your plans.

SVRA

Ready for another threefer? How about an SVRA threefer? Think you can handle it?

First up, is The Ridge Speedtour June 10-12 in Shelton, WA. Drivers tackle Ridge Motorsports Park’s 2.47-mile, 16-turn road course, complete with high-speed straights, long sweeping turns, tight corners, and an epic 50-foot plunge, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Rainier and Mt St. Helens.

Next, racers tear up the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy Speedtour on June 16-19. The most revered place in motorsports will play host to a wide variety of vintage and historic racing cars for the event, as well as a huge car show and the Shelby American Automobile Club’s annual convention.

Lastly, on June 23-26, drivers take on a premium event that for decades has delivered some of the most exciting competition of the season: the Mid-Ohio Speedtour. Held on the deceptively-fast Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, this vintage weekend promises large grids and great racing.

Ultra4 Racing: Adventure Off-Road Park

Nothing gets us quite so fired up as watching beastly 4×4 monsters tear it up at Ultra4 events. And if you think watching these dare-devils blast through sand dunes and up desert rock walls is exciting, just wait until you see that blast through the backwoods of the Adventure Off-Road Park in South Pittsburg, TN June 16-19. Get the details here.

The Great Race

Ready to watch history go down? Scheduled June 18-26, The Great Race will push 120 of the world’s finest antique automobiles and their drivers through a grueling 9-day 2,300-mile event that runs through a whopping 19 cities in 10 states. Phew, we’re exhausted just typing that.

Started in 1983, The Great Race is a time, speed, and endurance rally. That means it’s less about who gets to the finish line first, and more about precisely finishing each checkpoint in a pre-determined amount of time. Learn more about this super cool event and find out if some of these classic cars will be passing through a town near you!

Carlisle GM Nationals

Relax, GM nuts. Ford folks aren’t the only ones having fun up in Carlisle, PA, this month. The GM Nationals are set to go down on June 24-25 at the very same fairgrounds. Whatever you need for that restoration or race car, you’re sure to find it here – along with whatever GM car you love most.

100th Running Of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Yes, that Pikes Peak – the Pikes Peak. The epic hill climb in Colorado Springs, commonly called The Race to the Clouds. This invitational race to the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains celebrates 100 years on June 26, and promises to be worthy of its centennial celebration. In addition to the competition on the mountain, race organizers will also host a Fan Fest pre-race street festival as well as the 2022 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame Induction. It’s very much worth making a trip out of it and laying eyes on that infamous track if you haven’t already.