Week of September 14, 2021

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar:

The Hagerty Driving Experience — Saturday, September 18, 2021
Young drivers can learn the feel of a manual transmission on a classic car as The Hagerty Driving Experience comes to The Brumos Collection on Saturday for two sessions, at 9 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. Hands-on-the-wheel training sessions teaching manual transmission operation will be available free to licensed drivers ages 16-25 for a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. Register here for the free experience. Since 2011, Hagerty and its volunteers have trained more than 4,000 students how to drive a manual transmission through initiatives like its Driving Experience and Driving Academy, a series of more than 40 events nationwide that teach safe, proficient driving skills and the art of rowing through a gearbox with a clutch. These skills are essential for driving enthusiast vehicles. And many drivers have not had the chance to drive a manual gearbox since so few newer cars are so equipped. No prior experience is required, and participants will be encouraged to enjoy The Brumos Collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S., just a right-turn exit off Butler Boulevard. The museum tour is complementary; for more information, go to thebrumoscollection.com.

Inside the 59” episode premieres — Speaking of The Brumos Collection, it’s released the latest episode of its popular “Inside the 59” video series, profiling the fastest production Porsche ever manufactured: the 2015 plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder. One of dozens of classic, specialty and racing machines on display at the museum at 5159 San Pablo Road S., it is a big draw for visitors, and now plays a starring role in the latest edition of the popular video series, complete with a factory paint job featuring the iconic red and blue Brumos sweeps.

“Every vehicle in our collection has earned its spot thanks to the historical significance it brings to bear. While this 918 Spyder isn’t old, the innovations it pioneered are undeniably historic for Porsche and for the world of racing,” said Brandon Starks, Executive Director of The Brumos Collection. “Many of its features are borrowed from its predecessors, such as its carbon fiber chassis, which was initially developed for the Carrera GT, and its all-wheel drive, which harkens back to the 959. At the same time, it features innovations such as a brand new cooling system and a hybrid-electric engine configuration that sets the standard for the hybrids of tomorrow.”

The video piece is on The Brumos Collection’s three social media sites: Facebook: @thebrumoscollection; Instagram: @thebrumoscollection; and YouTube: The Brumos Collection. It shows the 918 Spyder exercising its horses both waterside and amid scenic greenery, with close-up detail shots of the supercar as facts about it are expounded upon.

Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville –– The fourth edition of the new Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville cruise-in rolls along from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sat. Oct. 9 at the Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. This edition will celebrate vintage and/or modified Volkswagens in a special display within the Central Lot. Submit your ride for consideration at https://www.firstcoastcarculture.com/contact-us. Admission is free.

Car Shows 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day/Car and Bike Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Sept. 18, at the Chapel of the High Speed Pass at 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway at Cecil Field. Sponsored by the Veterans Councils of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, the show is free to spectators and $20 for all display cars, with proceeds go to the National POW/ MIA Memorial Fund. The American Legion Florida members also hosts a POW/MIA Remembrance Ride, departing at noon Saturday from the Veterans Memorial Wall at 1145 E. Adams St. The police-escorted ride will cross all of the city’s seven bridges before ending at the car show at the Chapel of the High Speed Pass, on the former home of Naval Air Station Cecil Field. The ride is free.  

North Jax Baptist Annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat. Sept. 18th, 8531 N. Main St. Free to both spectators and car entry, the burnout contest returning this year.

Cars and Cannons Vintage Car Show at Fort Clinch: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat. Sept. 25, at Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Ave. in Fernandina Beach. More than 50 vintage and classic cars will be displayed inside the historic 19th Century fort. Park entry fee is $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), or $4 single-occupant vehicle along with $2.50 per person for fort admission. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, while the fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on registering a pre-1996 show vehicle by a Sept. 21 deadline for $35 per car, go to www.friendsoffortclinchinc.org. There will be no day of show registration. Registered participants receive a one-year membership with the Friends of Fort Clinch which includes 12 FREE park visits for the year.

Jacksonville’s MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) annual Peace Ride for Life: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, starting at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Registration for the police-escorted motorcycle ride will be that morning at the dealership, kickstands up at 10:45 a.m. Rider registration is $10 per motorcycle and $5 more for a passenger. Registration can also be done via email at maddadsjacksonville@gmail.com. The annual ride circles through the city past sites where people have been murdered, organizers said.

Shindler Drive Baptist Church Community Cruise-in/Car Show: 8 to 11 a.m. Sat. Sept. 25, at the church at 7100 Shindler Drive.

Cruisin’ to the Creek 2021: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 2, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

American Legion 401 Car, Truck and Bike Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. Oct. 2, at American Legion Riders Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida, spectators are free and show vehicles are $20, proceeds to benefit Wreaths Across America and 5 Star Veterans.

Azalea City Cruisers Car & Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 2, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free to spectators and $25 per show vehicle day of show.

Buggies on the Beach 7:  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Show ‘n Shine show on Sunday, Oct. 3, at Kraft Athletic Club, 961023 Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach. The Volkswagen show includes a Poker Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, proceeds going to the Nassau Humane Society. 

Clay County Shrine Club Oktober Fest Car Show and Craft Market: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. Oct. 9, at 2471 Russell Road in Green Cove Springs.

25th Annual Amelia Cruizers 8-Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 16 along Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach. Free to spectators and $25 for show vehicle if pre-registered at bit.ly/2UsiI9l. The annual show benefits the Justin Hess Scholarship Foundation.

Evangel Temple Assembly of God Middleburg Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. Oct. 16 at the church at 5040 County Road 218. Spectators are free; show vehicles are $20 per, the event hosted by Clay County Cruzers. 

Annual Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat. Oct. 23, at Paxon Revival Center Church, 5461 Commonwealth Ave. Free.

St. Augustine Fall Fling Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the St Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 Florida 207 in Elkton. Free to spectators and $20 day of show for display vehicles.

Dixie Chapter Pontiac Club Fall Classic: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Nov. 6, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Open to all Pontiacs, Overland or GMC truck, it’s free to spectators and $25 for show vehicles day of show.

Jtech Cars, Stars and Stripes Car Show and Drive-in Movie: 3 p.m. Sat. Nov. 6, at Jtech at 8813 Western Way. Double feature with “Cars” and “Thunder Road, starts at dark, $15 per car. Hosted by First Coast Car Council

The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): Open Track Days held most weekends at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke.

Cruise-ins

First Coast Car Council, Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.

Jacksonville Caffeine and Gasoline: 7 to 10 a.m. on every first Saturday at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road in Orange Park. 

Clay County Cruzers’s other events: 3 to 6 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd.; 3 to 6 p.m. every second Saturday at Dick’s Wings, 1803 East-West Parkway in Fleming Island; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 9 to 11 a.m. every fourth Saturday at Nicole’s Café, 2216 S. Mimosa Ave. in Middleburg; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.

First Coast Car Council: 5 to 8 p.m. every first Saturday at Mission Barbecue, 8440 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville; and 5 to 8 p.m. each second Saturday at Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.

Cruise Night at Beachwalk: 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at the Beachwalk Amenity Center, 1000 County Road 210 in St. Johns.

Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

Cruise Fruit Cove: 4 to 8 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.

Amelia Cruizers: 4 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.

Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine monthly cruise-ins: St. Augustine Cruiser’s “Cruise In” from 5 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday, and Cars and Coffee from 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday, both at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine.

Cars and Coffee Fleming Island: 7 to 10 a.m. every third Sunday of the month at the New Vision Theatre at 1820 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island.

White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in: 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at 405 Lane Ave. N.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S. 

Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.