What separates the inaugural Chattanooga MotorCar Festival from other car shows that roll through Chattanooga?
Chattanooga MotorCar Festival is the only car event to offer a Concours, a Rallye and time trials on a closed circuit - not to mention multiple family activities.
It all takes place in downtown Chattanooga's West Village and on the riverfront when the first MotorCar Festival, presented by DeFoor Brothers and sponsored by Volkswagen of America, takes place Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12.
Hundreds of exotic, significant, one-of-a-kind cars - some from as far back as the early 1900s - are rolling into town Thursday to compete in the time trials and/or be shown in the Concours on the grounds of the Westin Hotel.
Of the 120 cars accepted for the Concours, expect to see a 1928 Isotta Fraschini 8A Super Sprinto, a 1966 McLaren M1B Can-Am race car, a rare 1952 Porsche 356A 1500 Super America Roadster and Wayne Carini's Moal Speedway Special.
If you go
* What: Chattanooga MotorCar Festival* Where: West Village and Riverfont Parkway* When: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12* Admission: $35 one-day pass, $55 two-day pass, $145 two-day VIP Package, ages 15 and younger are free but their admission to events will match the ticket level of their accompanying adult* For more information: https://www.chattanoogamotorcar.com
Photo by Mitchell Harley from RVRB / The Westin Hotel and surrounding area of the West Village will be the site of street parties both nights of the Chattanooga MotorCar Festival.The time trials each day on the 1.5-mile circuit will provide drama and excitement as drivers compete against the clock at high speeds along Riverfront Parkway.
Auto racing and automotive celebrities will be on hand for autographs, photo-ops and chatting with fans.
The Kids Zone will have face painting, balloon artists, inflatables, Herbie the Love Bug, Disney movies showing and appearances by Professor Gig-A-Watt and Looie the Lookout. Shops and restaurants in the West Village will be open during the festival.
(Read more: Chattanooga MotorCar Festival will feature automotive stars, dignitaries)
There will be free access to the street party on Friday night where visitors can dance to the Malemen Show Band. Additionally there will be food trucks, laser shows and the unveiling of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
VIP ticketholders also receive free access to the Tennessee Aquarium and Tennessee Aquarium Imax Theater.
Proceeds from this festival will benefit Erlanger Neuroscience Institute.
"This is such a special event for the city, and we are excited to help bring a unique celebration of cars and fun family activities to the Scenic City," says Byron DeFoor, festival founder. "It truly is a happening that should not be missed."
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, OCT. 11
8 a.m.-2 p.m. High Jinks Rallye, starts at Coker Tire, returns to Coker Museum
9 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m. Time trials on Riverfront parkway
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Cars & Coffee at West Village
10 a.m.-3 p.m. West Village Kids Zone
5:30-9 p.m. West Village street party
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Rallye starts and returns at Coker Tire
3-5 p.m. Rallye awards ceremony at The Westin Hotel
8 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. Tanner Foust Drift Demonstrations at Riverfront Parkway
8 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m. Time trials on Riverfront Parkway
3-5 p.m. Time trials awards ceremony at The Westin Hotel
9 a.m.-3 p.m. West Village Kids Zone
5:30-10 p.m. West Village street party
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Classic boat show at Erwin Marine
12:15-12:45 p.m. Classic boat parade on the Tennessee River
Rallycross champ Tanner Foust giving drift demonstrations
Tanner Foust, three-time U.S. Rallycross champion, winner of four X Games gold medals and two Formula Drift Championships, will be a featured celebrity driver at the inaugural Chattanooga MotorCar Festival. Foust, lead driver for Andretti Rallycross in the 2019 America Rallycross Championship, driving the No. 34 Rockstar Energy Drink Volkswagen Beetle, will perform dramatic drift demonstrations for spectators on the 1.5-mile time trials circuit in a custom 900-HP, V8-powered Volkswagen Passat. The demonstrations will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12. He will also participate in autograph sessions and other events. More information can be found at www.ChattanoogaMotorCar.com.
Photo Courtesy of General Motors Heritage Collection / As part of the Chattanooga MotorCar Festival, a display of vintage and concept Corvettes will be presented by GM Heritage Center of Warren, Michigan; the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky; and the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida. "America's Sports Car" will be represented by early models to the latest mid-engine C8. Shown is the 1959 Corvette Stingray.