Competition Corner: Tis the Season for Holiday Car Shows, Gateway Dirt Nationals, Winter Jam, Daytona KartWeek and More!

It’s cold out. You’re miserable. And worse yet, that winter project is on hold until the delivery guy can stop using evidence of a snowflake in your driveway as an excuse to not deliver your parts. So, what do you do? Worry not, for even in December, Competition Corner has plenty of activities to get you ready for a real party. We’ve got the Winter Jam drifting festival, Daytona KartWeek, Gateway Dirt Nationals, and much more.

16th Annual Motor4Toys Charitable Exotic Car Show

You may remember us talking about this event last year. But, just in case you don’t, this is one of the biggest charitable toy drives in the world—started from just a small car show outside a coffee shop! Now in its 16th year, the annual Motor4Toys car show promises thousands of cars and tens of thousands of toys.

Entrance is free to the event, so grab a toy, book a flight to California for December 1, and do some good! Click here for more details.

42nd Annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade

Who says our passion is simply limited to cars? Chances are if you’re a gearhead, motorcycles are right up your alley too. Well, if you’re a bike enthusiast (or just a car enthusiast looking to shake things up), you should check out the 42nd Annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade in Chicago.

Each year, 40,000 to 50,000 motorcycle riders attend, making the event the largest motorcycle parade in the Midwest. So, if you’re ready to see some of the sickest rides on two wheels, pack your bags and head to the Windy City for the first Sunday of December. Do it for the bikes and do it for the kids!

52nd Annual Snowball Derby

Cold temps and two wheels not really your thing? How about some stock car action?! Consider heading down to sunny Pensacola, Florida for the 52nd Annual Snowball Derby. Running December 4-8, this is the most prestigious short track stock car race in the USA. And it’s just in time to keep you from losing your mind!

Therefore, let’s hit the link, saddle up and get you ready for 4 whole days of stock car awesomeness.

Mecum Kansas City

For many of us, reruns of Mecum auctions at home or the local dive bar are what’s keeping us alive in this crappy time of the year. No, it’s not white-knuckled, action-packed racing but it certainly is an inspiration to see and you’re bound to learn a lot. (Not a bad way to pass the time if you ask me.) This December 5-7, check out a live event running from Kansas City. It’s not the biggest on the roster, but you’re bound to see some kick-ass rides nonetheless.

And, if you’re ready to live beyond the tube, why not click the link, plan a trip, and get some culture under your belt?

Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show

Forget that delivery guy taking forever to get your parts to you. Jet over to beautiful Pomona, California for the ultimate swap meet and classic car show. Festivities only last one day (December 8) and run from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm. But with tens of thousands of enthusiasts from across the world, you better plan to wake up extra early!

If you miss this event, don’t worry. The Pomona Swap Meet is held seven times a year, so check out the 2020 calendar and get your tickets!

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show

You sell a lot of car parts, work on cars, build cars—in short, speed is your business. And you know that to be successful in the game, you have to stay on top of the latest trends, gadgets, and supplies on the market. The Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Tradeshow is dedicated to keeping you achieve this, by bringing all the top names in the industry together to show off what’s new and hot—or even just traditional and effective.

Admission is free, but you must prove that you own, manage, or are employed by a racing business. If that sounds like you, clear your schedule December 12-14, and register here.

Gateway Dirt Nationals

Dirt racing is something that will steal your heart. Believe it or not, some of the top names in the world of automotive racing—such as a plethora of NASCAR drivers and even Mario Andretti—got their start on the clay. I’ve tooted this horn many times, but the action of Open Wheel Modified, Midgets, and Super Late Models is something you need to see in person to truly appreciate.

December 19-21 will be a cold, boring weekend for you, normally. So road trip it to St. Louis, Missouri and watch these drivers go nuts in person at the Gateway Dirt Nationals!

Winter Jam Drifting Festival

This one’s for a crowd that is all too often ignored—drifters! December 21-22, the Winter Jam is going down in Sonoma, California. And, as Northern California’s largest drifting festival, you can expect killer builds, insane stunts, and some of the most fearless and talented drivers around. (Watch the video for last year’s shenanigans.)

It might be cold outside, but the action promises to be hot. So, quit reading, hit the link, and let’s head west.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks LIVE

When that Christmas high begins to wear off and the stark reality that is your holiday credit card bill begins to sink in, bring back the magic with a little Hot Wheel Monster Truck action. That’s right, WE’RE TALKING MONSTER TRUCKS.

ARE YOU READY FOR HORSEPOWER, GIANT TRUCKS, AND CARNAGEEEEE???? Great! Because the Cure Insurance Arena has some good crushing fun that you and the whole family can enjoy. December 27-29 in Trenton, New Jersey—get your tickets here!

Daytona KartWeek

Remember when Gran Turismo forced you to run Karts to qualify for a license? Well, that may have seemed redundant, but it actually opened you to a whole new world of motorsports. Karting is often declared as the foundation of motorsports, as it is the first step many great racers will take on their road to glory.

So, why not join hundreds of racers from the World Karting Association to celebrate the 45th Annual Daytona KartWeek at the Daytona International Speedway. Running December 27-30, we can’t think of a better way to round out 2019 than by honoring one of the cornerstones of the great world of racing! Click here for more information.

So, what’ll it be? Drifting at the Winter Jam, dirt racing at the Gateway Dirt Nationals, or karting at Daytona KartWeek??