Gear heads are in for a bountiful summer in North America. It’s a full throttle lineup that includes everything from an auction of the world’s most coveted cars from a Formula One race on Canadian home turf. Put the pedal to the metal and get yourself to these awesome happenings.
Canadian Grand Prix: June 7-9, Montreal
A five-year contract ensures that Montreal will see Formula One action this year and next. After that, who knows? That’s why you’ve got to be there. On the track, Brit driver Lewis Hamilton will try to take top spot on the podium yet again – this time as part of the Mercedez Benz team, not McLaren having announced his departure in September 2012. The city use the F1 event as an excuse to ramp up its partying – okay in our books. It’s your only chance to see F1 racing in North America this season. Next year will see the United States Grand Prix return to Austin, Texas and its sleek new Circuit of the Americas course.
Motor Muster: June 15-16, Dearborn, Michigan
If you dig cars with a bit of history under their engines, head to the Henry Ford Museum for a weekend that pays homage to American automobiles from 1933-1976. A plethora of chrome and shiny metal, from military vehicles to Model Ts, are on display with a parade of four-wheeled machines taking place through Greenfield Village. Any time of year, the Henry Ford is a car geek’s paradise with concept cars and historical vehicles (like a collection of presidential limousines through the ages) on hand.
Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport: July 19-21, near Bowmanville, Ontario
On its only Canadian stop, only, the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport of American Le Mans Series features sexy, exotic prototype and GT race cars. All the big names come here to compete, including Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lotus, Mazda, Porsche and Viper. Off the track, autograph sessions with ALMS teams, beer, food, and buckets of souvenirs to buy make this a weekend worthy of any speed freak.
Barrett-Jackson Car Auction: August 8-10, Reno, Nevada
At least once in your life, you have to attend a Barrett-Jackson auction. The rarest, most collectible vehicles on the planet land here to be sold to the highest bidder. It’s not unusual to see cars sold at six-figure prices, say a 1968 Shelby GT convertible ($330,000 US). The odd one nets a million bucks and up, like a first production 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible. Even if you’re not buying, being there to soak up the action is high-octane fun.
World’s biggest demolition derby: August 18, Erie County Fair, Hamburg, New York
The crunch of metal meeting metal is a seductive sound during a demolition derby. It evokes flinches both of delight and dismay. Multiply that sensation times 100 when you have a seat in the grandstand at the world’s biggest demo derby. Flames, smoke, and scattered car parts revs up the excitement factor in the quest to be the last car moving.
