From drift car ride-alongs to burnout contests and meet-and-greets with a former Ms. Winston Cup, attendees at this weekend's Pennzoil AutoFair will have plenty of fun things to do during the world's largest automotive extravaganza at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Here's a look at what car enthusiasts, racing fans and visitors of all ages will witness at this weekend's showcase of family-friendly entertainment:
A SALUTE TO THE KING: Elvis Presley's 1960 MG that was used in the movie "Blue Hawaii" will make a very special appearance at the Pennzoil AutoFair. After driving the car for the film, Elvis was so enamored by the bright red convertible that he purchased it. The MG is on loan to the speedway from its permanent home in Graceland, and AutoFair marks the first time the car has ever been on display in North Carolina. This weekend, attendees can view the car, watch "Blue Hawaii" and enjoy one of the music icon's favorite meals - a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich - courtesy of the speedway's food service partner, Levy Restaurants.
CATCH A DRIFT: There's no better place to get "slideways" than at AutoFair, where attendees can ride shotgun with a professional drift car and rocket around a specially made course for the ride of a lifetime. The Dodge Thrill Rides will be set up just outside the infield Showcase Pavilion, offering free rides Friday and Saturday. Fans can stop by the Pennzoil display in the midway for more details.
SPEED RACERS: A collection of land-speed record holders that have raced across northwestern Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats at break-neck speeds will grace the Showcase Pavilion this weekend. From Streamliners to a Studabaker, these cars have been driven at speeds most cannot even fathom - the fastest of the group clocking a mind-boggling 425mph.
STRENGTH ON DISPLAY: Guinness World Record holder JD "Iceman" Anderson will showcase feats of strength with daily shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day just outside of Victory Lane. Anderson, who has appeared on TV shows including "America's Got Talent," "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and others, will bring his superhuman strength to AutoFair, ripping license plates in half with his teeth, breaking baseball bats over his head and more.
GHOULISH GAS GUZZLER: Fans will find thousands of cars at the AutoFair, but not a single ghost, thanks to the presence of a replica 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance, Ecto-1, from the cult classic movie "Ghostbusters." Located in the Showcase Pavilion, the instantly recognizable machine is sure to turn heads.
MEET MS. WINSTON CUP: Renee White, who held the prestigious title of Ms. Winston Cup from 1996-2001 will greet fans and sign autographs in the showcase pavilion on Friday and Saturday.
ONE ROCKIN' ROCKET SHIP: The Rocket Ship Car is a converted amusement park ride that was part of Ohio's Euclid Beach Park in the mid-1950s and 60s. When the park closed, a crafty fabricator took the shell of the ride and converted it to a 27-foot roadster that seats 20.
BEST OF THE BEST: The Showcase Pavilion's "Best of the Best" display will feature some of the most immaculate show cars ever assembled. Four of the six cars making up the "Best-of" display were finalists for the Don Ridler Memorial Award at last year's Detroit Autorama. This is the Holy Grail of awards for custom car builders, and having four of them under one roof is a rare treat for car lovers.
BURNOUT CONTESTS: Exhibitors at the Pennzoil AutoFair will turn Charlotte Motor Speedway's pit road into a smoke-billowing burnout contest that's sure to thrill those in attendance - even if it costs car owners a new set of tires. The show gets underway at 11 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Pit Road Suites.
SWAP MEET: Looking for that hard-to-find hood ornament for your 1986 Oldsmobile Firenza, or maybe a rare Jimmy Spencer diecast car? The swap meet at AutoFair features an eclectic mix of wonders for fans young and young at heart.
Hours for the Pennzoil AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
TICKETS:
Single-day tickets are $13 each day for adults. Admission is FREE for children 13 and under with an adult. To buy tickets, AutoFair attendees can call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), shop online at http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets, or buy them at the gate.
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