The Ultimate Car Enthusiast’s Guide to Planning a Car Show
Car shows are a popular way for car enthusiasts to come together and showcase their prized vehicles.
Whether it’s a vintage classic or a modern sports car, car shows offer a unique opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the beauty of automobiles. But planning a successful car show takes careful planning and preparation.
In this guide, we will take a comprehensive look at what it takes to plan and execute a memorable car show that both car enthusiasts and the community will enjoy. We’ll cover everything from choosing a location and date to promoting the event judging and awards, and more.
Planning and Preparation
Planning and preparing for a car show is no small feat, but with the right research and preparation, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Choose a location and date for the car show: When searching for a venue, make sure it can hold the expected number of participants and has necessary facilities such as restrooms. Also, keep in mind accessibility and parking. Additionally, choose a date that works well for both participants and attendees and avoid scheduling conflicts with other events.
Determine the type of car show: Determine whether the car show will be a judged event or a non-judged event. If judged, please decide on the categories and criteria for judging. Additionally, you may want to consider having a theme for the show to attract a specific audience, such as muscle cars, hot rods, or vintage vehicles.
Create a budget and identify potential sources of funding or sponsors: Create a budget plan by estimating expenses for venue rental, advertising, awards, and concessions. Look for potential funding sources like registration fees, sponsorships, or donations. Prioritize the expenses based on their importance and set a realistic budget.
Decorate the venue: To make the venue more attractive, consider using decorations like banners, flags, and lighting. Renting tents and tables can also help create a festive ambiance. Adding inflatables, games, or music can also make the atmosphere more cheerful, especially if children are attending. The tent rentals is an excellent way to keep the children entertained and can be a great addition if you plan on hosting the event outdoors.
Recruit volunteers and organize committees: Create a group of volunteers and assign them to different areas such as judging, concessions, parking, etc. It would be helpful to provide the volunteers with training and support to better prepare them for their respective roles.
Promoting the Car Show
Develop a marketing plan and promotional materials: Develop a marketing strategy that covers print, online, and social media channels. As part of this plan, create promotional materials like flyers, posters, and banners that highlight the event’s key aspects. Moreover, make use of popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to increase the event’s reach to a larger audience. Leverage partnerships with car clubs, dealerships, and other organizations: To increase awareness and participation, it is recommended to promote the event among local car clubs and dealerships. Additionally, partnering with non-profit or charity organizations can help draw a larger audience.
Consider offering early registration discounts or other incentives to attract participants: To motivate participants to register ahead of time, you may want to provide early registration discounts. Additionally, you could offer other perks like reduced hotel fees or exclusive event merchandise for those who register or attend the event early.
Day of the Car Show
Set up registration and check-in areas for participants: To ensure a smooth and efficient registration and check-in process for participants, implement a clear and organized system. Distribute information packets containing the schedule, map, and other crucial details. Additionally, have staff members available to address any inquiries and provide assistance with any issues that arise.
Organize parking and signage for spectators: To make parking easier for participants and spectators, we should establish a clear and organized parking system. We can use signs and maps to guide attendees to the parking lots and the event venue. It is also a good idea to assign specific areas for different types of vehicles or themes.
Ensure safety and security measures are in place: To ensure safety during events, it’s important to have an emergency plan in place and make sure staff receive appropriate training. Additionally, first aid stations should be provided and staff should be trained to handle basic medical needs. To further enhance security, hiring personnel to protect attendees and vehicles on display is recommended.
Provide entertainment and activities for attendees: To ensure attendees are refreshed throughout the event, please arrange for food and beverage vendors. Additionally, you may want to hire a DJ or live band to provide entertainment. To keep attendees engaged and excited throughout the day, consider organizing raffles or other activities.
Judging and Awards
Determine the judging criteria and categories: The judges will decide the standards for evaluating the vehicles such as appearance, condition, rarity, etc. Furthermore, they will set up categories for various vehicle types including vintage, sports cars, and trucks. They will also determine the number of winners in each category and the procedure for dealing with ties.
Identify qualified judges and provide training if necessary: To ensure fair judging, it is recommended to hire judges with experience or knowledge of the types of vehicles being showcased. Proper training should also be provided to judges so that they understand the criteria and process for judging.
Select and present awards to the winners: To ensure a successful event, make sure to either order or design awards that match the occasion and the level of accomplishment. Establish a process for announcing and delivering the awards to the recipients. You may also want to consider organizing a dedicated ceremony to acknowledge and present the awards to the winners.
In conclusion, planning and organizing a successful car show takes careful planning, preparation, and execution. From choosing a location and date to promoting the event to judging and awards, there are many important factors to consider. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can create a memorable experience for car enthusiasts and the community alike. We encourage you to take the lessons learned and start planning your own car show, and to reach out to local organizations for additional resources and support. With the right team and resources in place, you can bring together car enthusiasts and create an event that celebrates the artistry and engineering behind these vehicles.
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Ford Performance is heading to the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the all-electric SuperVan 4.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winds up 156 turns & 4,725 ft. to a finish line sitting 14,115 ft. above sea level.
Ford vehicles have been competing at Pikes Peak since the first event in 1916, which saw a Model T racing up the mountain.
For 2023’s effort, motorsports icon Romain Dumas will pilot SuperVan 4.
For over 100 years, Ford vehicles have been competing in the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) held just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. For 2023 and the 101st running of the event, Ford Performance is heading to America’s Mountain with the all-electric SuperVan 4.
The race was first held in 1916, and a Ford Model T made the climb up to the finish line sitting 14,115 ft. above sea level in a time of 28 minutes and three seconds. SuperVan 4 aims to continue Ford’s storied tradition while looking to shave more than a few minutes from the Model T’s time.
“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the perfect next stop for Ford Performance, and is the perfect place to take SuperVan 4, as both have long, storied histories that ignite the imagination of racing fans all over the world,” stated Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Both have evolved over time, and it’s time to take our electric vehicle technology and put it to the test on the mountain against some of the most impressive performance vehicles in the world.”
In 101 instances of the PPIHC, Ford vehicle have competed prominently with a variety of nameplates ranging from a 1916 Model T to current generation Mustangs, including a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE campaigned by Shelby American in 2022.
Over the years, several iconic drivers have piloted Fords up the mountain, from Stock Car Division records set by Curtis Tanner and Parnelli Jones in the 1960s, to the late Ken Block’s incredible Hoonicorn run up the mountain for Climbkhana.
For 2023, SuperVan 4 will be piloted by motorsports icon and PPIHC record holder Romain Dumas, who among other notable accomplishments is also a three-time Le Mans winner and holds several EV-powered lap records.
“Fords latest generation of Electric vehicle technology is the perfect match for America’s Mountain” said Dumas. “With high altitudes cutting power in traditional ICE powered vehicles, the electric powertrain of SuperVan 4 has no loss at elevation and will be a healthy competitor in this year’s race.
This will be Dumas’ ninth appearance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, originally starting his time on the mountain back in 2012.
“We’re always excited to see what Romain is racing next in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He consistently arrives in unique builds that are serious contenders and fun to watch,” shared Melissa Eickhoff, PPIHC Executive Director. “This year is no different. The Ford Performance SuperVan 4 is sure to be a crowd pleaser.”
SuperVan 4, built as a joint effort between Ford Performance and STARD, takes to the mountain this year sporting an all-wheel drive system powered by a 50kWh ultra high-performance cell battery. Top the powertrain with carbon composite body features, an FIA specification roll cage, and adjustable regenerative braking, and it’s quite the hill climbing capable machine.
This marks EV and R&D specialists STARD’s most recent project with Ford Performance over a five-year relationship, including other high performance EV powertrains found in vehicles such as the Fiesta ERX™, the first line of FIA certified EV rallycross vehicles.
“SuperVan 4 is equipped with one of the world´s most powerful electric powertrains ever developed,” said STARD CEO Michael Sakowicz. “It has gone up the hill at Goodwood, rallied over WRC tarmac stages and more. Now, to send it to one of the world´s most iconic and unique events is very exciting and STARD is proud to be a part of it.”
Ford Performance will have more details to share about this year’s special effort as the event approaches.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is set to take place on Sunday June 25th, 2023. For more information on the event, visit https://ppihc.org/.
Hagerty, an automotive lifestyle brand and leading specialist insurance provider hosts a number of renowned automotive events around the world, with its leading UK events including the Festival of the Unexceptional, Radwood UK and the Hagerty Hill Climb.
Launched last year, the inaugural 2022 Hagerty Hill Climb was such a success that it returns to the iconic Shelsley Walsh Hill climb for two days of hill climbing action taking place on the 27th and 28th May, lining up some of the country’s finest road and competition cars alongside legends of Group B and WRC rallying. A must-see spectacle for any automotive enthusiast.
A rarely seen collection of motorsport stars will take to the iconic hill route including a Audi Sport Quattro, an ex-Tony Pond MG Metro 6R4, Petter Solberg’s Subaru Impreza and a Ford RS200 all of which will perform fast and furious demonstration runs. Other confirmed rally stars include a Group B Ferrari 308 GTB, Lancia 037 and BMW E30 M3 along with a Group A Ford Escort Cosworth and Mitsubishi Lancer. A rare Ford Escort 1700T and RS200 will also be presented as part of a static display
Cars like these need to be seen and heard for the full experience, and the 2023 Hagerty Hill Climb provides a rare opportunity to see and hear these wonderful racers up close while being used as intended.
Hill Climbing is one of Britain’s oldest forms of motorsport and Shelsley Walsh is regarded as one of the best hill climb venues in the world. Set in the stunning Worcestershire hills it opened in 1905, and has held events continuously since then, only pausing for World War II and the COVID 19 pandemic. Over the years, 1000s of cars have competed at Shelsley Walsh, with drivers such as Stirling Moss having tried their luck on the course. The fastest time ever on the hill was recorded in 2021 when Sean Gould completed the 1000-yard (910m) course in just 22.37 seconds.
Shelsley Walsh is also the perfect place to watch cars in action, set in stunning countryside it offers numerous places from which to spectate, and a short walk up the hill offers outstanding views of the cars and surrounding scenery. Away from the action, there will be plenty of great options for food and drink, including a fully-licensed bar, coffee shop and a number of food options to make this a great day out.
Tickets start at £25 per car, per day, meaning a family can enjoy a full day of motorsport action for less than the price of a trip to the cinema. For those who want to get even more from the day, a Driver’s Enclosure ticket us available for just £35 per person from which guests can enjoy grandstand access, complimentary food and drink and the chance to chat with drivers and owners about their cars.
For those who prefer to be a part of the action, Hagerty offers the chance for guests to drive their own car up the hill climb course priced at just £135 per day, which guarantees at least 3 hillclimb runs as well as complimentary food and drink.
Hagerty International Managing Director said “Hagerty caters for all types of motoring enthusiast from fans of modern classics and unexceptional-era cars to multi-million collections and professional motorsport teams. Events like this bring together all types of Hagerty members with a relaxed, inclusive, and interactive weekend of automotive action. This promises to be an exciting two days and I encourage guests to book tickets early to ensure entry.”
Gates open at 8.30am, with the first cars away from the start line at 9.00am. Tickets are strictly limited across all categories. To book, click here.
All 2023 Hagerty UK events, comprising Hagerty Hill Climb, Festival of the Unexceptional and RADwood UK, are open for sponsorship and exhibitor enquiries. Interested parties should email Hagerty directly for more information.
Goodwood Revival to take place later this week in consultation with the UK Government and in line with official protocols.
Don’t miss a moment – how to watch the Goodwood Revival over the weekend.
Last chance to join us at the event – only Friday tickets remain.
In consultation with the UK Government and in line with official protocols, the Goodwood Revival will go ahead with appropriate measures in place, this coming weekend Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September.
There will be special moments throughout the weekend to acknowledge Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her incredible reign.
Honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The Goodwood Revival is due to go ahead this weekend with special dedicated moments to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In keeping with the period style of the event, Goodwood staff will be wearing black armbands throughout the Revival weekend and all visitors are welcome to do the same. There will be a book of condolence at the Motor Circuit for people to sign throughout the weekend and all Union flags will fly at half-mast. We will be showing a very special short film of The Queen at Goodwood over the years on each day of the event, which can be viewed across the site on the various big screens. Following the dedicated short film we ask guests to join us in a minute’s silence.
Across the weekend you can expect to see:
Vintage fashion As well as some of the most exquisite classic cars, the Goodwood Revival offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in iconic vintage fashion. The Revival is defined by its period dress code with tweeds and trilbies for men and pin curls and petticoats for the ladies. Every outfit has a story behind it as the Revival community thrifts, borrows and restyles items in order to embrace the glamorous styles from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Dress to impress as the ‘Best Dressed Competition’ judges will be on the lookout for authentic outfits across the weekend with the Best Dressed Competition held at 3pm each day on the Richmond Lawn.
Le Mans at Goodwood Goodwood is delighted to announce that the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary Trophy will be on display at Revival. We’re looking forward to hosting the trophy on its epic relay around the world ahead of the special centenary celebrations at the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023.
On display at various locations across the event, the trophy joins 15 drivers who have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 44 times between them. Continuing the Le Mans theme, the Rover-BRM Turbine that competed at Le Mans in the 60s will appear at the Motul Garage in the Chicane Paddock and will also take part in the Graham Hill celebrations across the weekend.
Classic cars As always, the Goodwood Revival will showcase some of the most exquisite classic cars, motorcycles and planes as we celebrate with an extraordinary weekend of historic racing. On track, the Freddie March Memorial Trophy will host stunning sportscars from the late-1940s to early-1950s including the Jaguar C-Type, Aston Martin DB3S and the Allard J2X. Also set to race across the weekend are the likes of the Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 250 SWB, Aston Martin DB4 GT and an impressive 30 MG Bs, taking part in their own dedicated race, the Lavant Cup. Earls raceway will also play host to a fleet of 1932 Fords for their 90th anniversary.
Around the event There’s something for everyone at Revival from Over The Road, to the Revive & Thrive Village.
The J40 Motor Company is offering free Austin J40 pedal car rides for children aged between 5-10 years old. The sessions will be available from 9am – 6pm each day, including a photo moment and the all important driver’s briefing. This wholesome opportunity will be available to book on the day via a first come, first served basis over at the J40 Motor Company stand near the Woodcote Paddocks.
New for this year, the Revive & Thrive Village will become a fundamental new part of Revival. The Village will offer visitors the chance to get involved with vintage workshops including how to make a reusable face wipe, how to craft a vintage headband and how to quilt a mug rug. Meanwhile, the Revive & Thrive Stage will host the likes of Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage, Onyi Moss, Charlotte Jacklin and Juliet Uzor, whilst Dominic Chinea, Micaela Sharp and Zoe Murphy are set to inspire crowds with upcycling and restoration demonstrations.
Bonhams Sale A firm favourite amongst the Revival community is of course the Bonhams Sale. Each year a collection of extraordinary classic cars get ready to go under the hammer. This year, a car close to Goodwood’s heart will be auctioned at the Sale: the Aston Martin DB3, which won the first Goodwood 9 Hours race back in 1952. The auction will take place on Saturday at 1pm, with entrance to the preview on Friday by invitation or catalogue, while only those with a catalogue can enter the auction. The Bonhams marquee, located Over The Road, will be open to all on Sunday.
Join us from home Here is everything you need ahead of the event. Don’t miss our timetable, entry list and event map to help you make your way round the event. Please also find our timetable of workshops and talks for the new Revive & Thrive Village.
If you can’t make the event, you can still tune in below:
Saturday 17 September, 2-4pm, ITV Main featuring:
Official Practice: Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration
Ferrari Track Parade
Race: St Mary’s Trophy Presented by Motul – Part 1
Race: Goodwood Trophy
Sunday 18 September, 2-4pm, ITV Main featuring:
Military Vehicles Track Parade
Race: Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration
Race: Lavant Cup
Thursday 22 September, 8pm, ITV4
Revival Highlights
Sunday 25 September, 9:55am, ITV4
Revival Highlights
Final few tickets for the Friday of the Goodwood Revival are available at goodwood.com.
Hagerty will entertain clients and showgoers at the 2022 Goodwood Revival situated in the in the ‘over the road’ section of the event
Rare 1954 Pegaso Saoutchik Coupe promises to be one of the star cars of the event
The glamorous coupe is one of just 18 cars bodied by Saoutchik between 1952 and 1954
The display Pegaso was originally shown at the 1954 Paris Salon Motorshow, and returned to Paris, 65 years later, for the 2019 Rétromobile event after a full restoration
Hagerty returns to the Goodwood Revival in style for 2022 with one of the rarest cars of the event due to be the star of the Hagerty stand.
The stunning 1954 Pegaso was built in the old Hispano-Suiza factory and features an all-alloy 90-degree V8 with four overhead camshafts. The V8 revs to 9000rpm, and a variety of carburetion set-ups was offered from new, including a single Weber for touring, twin carburetters for amateur competition, or a race specification with four carburetters.
The glamorous Z-102B on display is one of 18 cars bodied by Saoutchik between 1952 and 1954, a coachbuilder which had a long tradition of creating some of the most spectacular-looking automobiles. Founded by Jacques Saoutchik, a cabinet-maker turned coachbuilder, the company made its mark in the 1930s with a succession of designs for the likes of Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes-Benz and Bucciali.
The Hagerty display car is chassis 0146, originally shown at the 1954 Paris Salon in the Grand Palais, where it was purchased by Jean-Claude Lamy. Lamy subsequently entered the car into several competitions including the ’54 Rallye PanArmoricaine and the Rallye Sablé-Solesmes. Later, the Saoutchik coupe found its way to America, eventually being sold to Bill Harrah, who added the Pegaso to his ever-growing collection in Reno, Nevada. Harrah kept the highly original Z-102B in his 1450-car museum until his death in 1978. Then, the Pegaso was acquired by Ralph Engelstad for the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in Las Vegas. In February 2019, 65 years after its debut in the Grand Palais, the Saoutchik coupe returned to Paris to appear at the Rétromobile event.
In addition to the wonderful Pegaso, the Hagerty stand, situated ‘over the road’ at the 2022 Goodwood Revival Meeting, will also feature a Hagerty lounge and bar, a racing simulator and members of the Hagerty team available to offer advice and guidance on their range of specialist insurance and membership products.
Mark Roper, Hagerty International Managing Director, said, “What a privilege it is to be custodians of such a rare and beautiful car for the duration of the 2022 Goodwood Revival. Not only will our stand offer a relaxed environment for guests to explore our enthusiast-led products and services, but it will also provide a rare opportunity to see the Pegaso Saoutchik Coupe up close, where every detail can be savoured. I look forward to welcoming guests to our stand throughout the Revival weekend and presenting this special car.”
