The 8th Annual ‘Race of Gentlemen’ Vintage Car and Motorcycle Beach Drag Races, an automotive carnival that celebrates American racing heritage and a homage to automobile and motorcycle history, returns to the Wildwoods’ FREE beaches Thursday, October 3 through Sunday, October 6. ‘Race of Gentlemen’ is hosted by the Oilers Car Club/Motorcycle Club.
Stultz & Son Productions will exhibit their hand-selected group of ‘Gentlemen’, who will showcase their pre-war machines at the water’s edge on the beach between Spencer and Wildwood avenues in Wildwood.
The ‘Race of the Gentlemen’, commonly referred to as TROG for short, is a one-of-a-kind vintage hot rod and motorcycle beach drag racing event and festival born from the shared interests of a group of passionate purveyors of speed; and pays tribute to a style of racing that evokes the ghosts of yesteryear.
The multi-day celebration of American heritage evokes a bygone era when hand-built pre-WWII cars and motorcycles were pieced together in backyards and garages, then tested and proven on the flat, hard sand of the beach. The vintage cars and motorcycles are hand-selected for the exhibitions by TROG’s founders and must be built using pre-WWII chassis and engines, as well as period-correct, hand-fabricated parts. As TROG.’s popularity has grown the event has seen an influx of purpose-built entries from across the country and around the world.
The fun begins on Wednesday, October 2 for the event’s “early birds” featuring a Warsteiner Beach Party at Pig Dog Beach Bar at Morey’s Mariners Pier on the Wildwoods Boardwalk from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 feature a vintage car show along Atlantic Avenue from Rio Grande Avenue to Burk Avenue from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The show also features a swap meet in Fox Park located at Burk and Ocean Avenue across from the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Friday, October 4 also features “The Night of the Troglodytes,” a rollicking chopper party, taking place at the Binn’s Motel on Atlantic Avenue from 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Races begin Saturday, October 5 (presented by Harley-Davidson) and feature pre-1934 vintage autos and pre-1945 motorcycle races on the beach from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., with live music throughout the day. A TROG bonfire and beach party will take place Saturday night from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m., with live music and Warsteiner beers.
More beach racing takes place on Sunday, October 6 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The weekend wraps up with a post-race party at the Starlux Motel beginning at 6 p.m.
No coolers will be permitted on the beach; beverages will be available for sale for your convenience. Please note that race times may vary depending on the ocean tide.
Full weekend passes are available for purchase online and at the door and are $55 for adults 16 and over, and $15 for children 7-15 years old; children 6 and under are FREE. Day passes for adults 16 and over are $35 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday, and children 7-15 years old are $10. Single-day pass tickets will only be available for purchase at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.TheRaceOfGentlemen.com or call 800-992-9732.