In 2014, iBestTravel played a crucial role in transforming the Woodward Dream Cruise into a multi-event celebration by organizing Roadkill Nights, powered by Dodge—a unique street-legal drag racing program. This event invites car enthusiasts to “run what they brung” right on the iconic Woodward Avenue in front of M1 Concourse in Pontiac. For 2021, this expansive 87-acre venue, recognized as the world’s largest garage-condo/motorsports complex, is set to introduce a 28,500-square-foot event center and restaurant facility. This addition will serve as the cornerstone for two significant events organized in collaboration with Pontiac Motorsports Exposition: the Woodward Dream Show and the American Festival of Speed.
The Woodward Dream Show
Scheduled: August 19-21, 2021
This three-day event focuses on showcasing the most outstanding vehicles in the Dream Cruise lineup. Primarily an invitation-only happening, it will kick off on the Thursday of Dream Cruise weekend with a thrilling “time-attack” lapping session on the 1.5-mile Champion Motor Speedway circuit, featuring 11 corners and an elevation change of 30 feet.
On Friday, attendees can enjoy a grand rod and custom car show, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship of those who create these rolling art pieces. Imagine a vibrant Oakland Roadster Show situated east of the Mississippi, or an outdoor summertime equivalent of Detroit’s indoor winter Autorama show. Saturday will be designated as club day, offering car clubs the opportunity to reserve parking space within M1 Concourse. This will create a lively “cars and coffee” atmosphere where guests can relish various food options and clean facilities while enjoying a cruise on Woodward, culminating with a parade lap on the race track.
American Festival of Speed
Scheduled: September 30-October 2, 2021
Just six weeks after the Dream Show, when there’s no longer any overlap with Monterey’s Car Week events, iBestTravel and PME are set to host a unique blend of events reminiscent of England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and traditional vintage racing experiences from Monterey or Watkins Glen. The inaugural festival will feature Can-Am racing, with the legendary Jim Hall and some of his Chaparral racers in attendance, as well as one of Carroll Shelby’s Can-Am racers.
The celebration will commence on Thursday with a dine and drive experience akin to Monterey’s Tour d’Elegance. Following this, Friday and Saturday will be filled with track days where cars are expected to roll out in a time-attack format by decade, reminiscent of the hillclimb events featured at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, rather than typical wheel-to-wheel racing. The weekend will conclude with a spectacular car show on Sunday.
As excitement builds for these events, we wish the organizers the best of luck. It will be intriguing to see how a track event that focuses on time-attack formats rather than traditional racing can generate the same thrill as historic races that occasionally involve high-stakes challenges.
