Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Caffeine and Octane
The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots. And this time, it’s all things VW in the feature display area, from Beetle and Bus to Scirocco or Thing, even the Brazilian-made Puma (that yellow convertible).
Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August C&O. And look for literally hundreds of vintage and classic cars, muscle cars and so much more.
Official Caffeine and Octane merchandise is on sale at all Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville events.
Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!
Upcoming car events:
Images courtesy Deremer Studios
Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Adventure and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.
Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, with more than 1 million lights, 45,000-plus on a holiday tree alone! Participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.
The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles and will include a stop along the way and an outdoor patio reception at the Courtyard Jekyll Island.
Cost:$100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Drivers also get a digital photo of their vehicle by Deremer Studios, LCC.
For full information and to register, go here.
And the upcoming cars shows….check their Facebook and websites in case some Saturday events are postponed due to weather!
UPS Fall Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at UPS Customer Center at 5255 James E. Casey Drive in Jacksonville. Free.
Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.
UPDATE – Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.
Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.
Rescheduled — J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday October 8, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. The movie starts at dark – $10 per carload, or $5 per staff and student carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Second annual Next Generation Outreach of F.U.M.C. Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. in downtown Jacksonville. Spectators are free, with $20 registration for show vehicles.
Michael Riley Car Show Fundraiser & First Responders Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. The show benefits retired, disabled firefighter Michael Riley, critically injured responding to a 2011 gas station explosion. The show also honors all first responders in the community.
2022 All Pontiac Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South. More details to come.
26th annual 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 15, on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators, it is $25 pre-registration for show vehicles by October 9, and $30 day of show. Show benefits local charities.
The British Car Classic (All British Car & Bike Show): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the King’s Head Pub, 6460 US-1, St. Augustine. More details to come.
Suwanee High School NJROTC Boosters Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Suwanee Coliseum at 1302 11 Street in Live Oak. Free for spectators, $20 for show entries.
Trunk Or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. Free for spectators and $20 car and bike registration. Live music from Fratello; presented by Callahan Cruisers.
38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.
11th annual Cars for our Troops Exotic and Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday November 5, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Funds raised this year will help provide a mortgage-free, specially adapted home for Master Sgt. Christopher Blauvelt, seriously injured in 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. To register, go to: Cars For Our Troops – Welcome to Cars For Our Troops.
Hobos, Hotrods, and Heroes Festival, Car Show and Veterans Appreciation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at the West Nassau Historical Society at45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan.
20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.
Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.
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.
All the Cruise-ins
Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.
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.
Staker Productions X event at Autobahn Speedway: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday at 6601 Executive Park Court N. Autobahn is off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard, with the cruise-in outside, and electric go cart racing, axe throwing and more inside.
Postponed until next month– North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.
NEW – Caffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in returns at 7 to 10 a.m. this Saturday at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. FYI – a detour has blocked Western Way between Baymeadows Road and J-Tech, so access the site from Southside Boulevard at Western Lake Drive. House rules – “respect the property.”
Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.
First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed
The Part’s House/The Brothers Banter Podcast Cruise-in: The renamed White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in at the same time – 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at 405 Lane Ave. N.
Callahan Cruisers: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan.
Auto Legends Amelia Cars and Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon every second Saturday at Mocama Beer Company, 629 S. 8th St. in Fernandina Beach.
Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.
Cruise Fruit Cove: 3 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.
Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.
Yulee Cars and Coffee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every third Sunday at the Sonic Drive-In at 463939 Florida 200 in Yulee.
Clay County Cruzers’ 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 Fleming Island at 1803 E. West Parkway; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
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: 8 a.m. every fourth Sunday of the month at 2310 Village Square Parkway, Fleming Island.
New cruise-in: 6 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Mission BBQ, 8440 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville, hosted by Modern Mustangs of Jacksonville.
New cruise-in: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Saturday at the Rockin’ 50’s Eatery at 3501 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine.
New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 in St. Augustine.
Show and Tell, 6 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday at Advance Auto Parts at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
And finally…
The BMW M Hybrid V-8 had its public premiere this week at a launch event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, the first prototype developed by BMW M Motorsport in 25 years. It sports an avant-garde livery with the iconic BMW M colors when it competes in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023. Four core drivers will take their place at the wheel of the two BMW M Team RLL cars – BMW M works drivers Connor De Phillippi (USA), Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR). When the car makes its race debut at the 61st running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (USA) on January 28-29, IndyCar series driver Colton Herta (USA) joins the teams.
“We are proud that, parallel to the 50th birthday of BMW M, we are returning to the big motorsport stage with the BMW M Hybrid V8,” BMW M Motorsport head Franciscus van Meel said. “We are delighted that this adventure begins in North America, the most important international market for BMW M GmbH. After all, the BMW M Hybrid V-8 is more than just a race car, it is paving the way for an electric future for BMW M, by emphatically demonstrating how dynamic and emotional electrified M Power can be.”
“There is no doubt that we understand and appreciate the level of commitment and dedication it will take on the part of RLL to be successful in this new venture,” added BMW M Team RLL Principal Bobby Rahal. “BMW M Motorsport is providing us with a great car, great engine and great driver lineup, of which we are very pleased. We understand the scope of the challenge in front of us and look forward to meeting it head on.”
The design of the livery for the 2023 racing season also comes from BMW Group Designworks under the program leadership of Michael Scully, Global Director, Automotive and Advanced Design. The works livery carries BMW M Motorsport’s now-signature matte black extension ahead of the cockpit beneath the driver’s side of the windscreen; thereby extending BMW’s interior design hallmark of driver orientation to the exterior of the car for enhanced driver focus.
The layout of the laser-lit kidneys coincides with the open, flow-through architecture of a modern prototype race car, and the air which passes beneath and through them is fundamental to the aerodynamic performance of the car; both in terms of cooling, but also for efficiency of downforce. The front of the car invokes the faceted hood, nested BMW logo, and inverted ‘Y’ configuration between the kidneys of the BMW M Vision Next. These elements, flanked by signature twin headlights on each side, make the front of the car unmistakably a BMW, the company says.
The BMW M Hybrid V8 began its testing schedule in the U.S. earlier this week at Sebring International Raceway, and will also be on public display at the upcoming Petit Le Mans IMSA season finale.
Autocross, drag racing and a car show as the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack returns to Gainesville Raceway on October 22 and 23. The formula for this event is simple – build a car for less than $2000, enter it in the 9 a.m. Saturday autocross, then in the 6 p.m. drag race to see if money equals speed and agility. Here’s just some of what’s been brung and run in recent years:
Watch this video to see what some of the action was like at that 2017 Challenge.
Spectators are welcome at the $2000 Challenge at the track, paddock, pits and more.
The racers also show their creations during Sunday’s 9 a.m. $2000 Challenge concours, joined now by the Cars & Caffeine Powered by Hagerty on Sunday at the famed dragstrip at 11211 N County Road 225 in Gainesville. Registration is free, and all cars are welcome – includes free spectator entry (Sunday only) for everybody in your car. Attendees must pre-register here due to our limit of 500 cars.