THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW-NAIAS did not happen in 2020 due to …. well we all know about that. NAIAS 2021 MOTOR BELLA at the M1 CONCOURSE… happened! They, being M1, somewhat saved the New Car Show that the world watched when it was annually held in Detroit at COBO HALL… thank you. But oh those September rains that weekend.
M1 Concourse-that 1.5 mile track on Woodward and South Boulevard in Pontiac-kicks off the 2022 season with “All Things Automotive”. WOODWARD DREAM SHOW and AMERICAN SPEED FESTIVAL return for their second year and feature several enhancements including lower ticket prices, on track experiences, food trucks, and more family-focused activities.
WOODWARD DREAM SHOW is now a one-day event on Friday, August 19th so community members can enjoy the Woodward Dream Cruise the following day. Celebrating 90 years of the 1932 Ford, 100 years of Lincoln, and 55 years of the Pontiac Firebird, the event features hundreds of unique vehicles, as well as remote control off-road cars, a Food Truck Alley, and live entertainment.
New this year is the “Insiders Garage” on Friday evening. The panel discussion emceed by WCX,s Jim O’Brian features industry leaders discussing cruising and customization. Panelists include Adam Genei of Mobsteel, Kevin Byrd of Two Guys Garage, Murray Pfaff of Pfaff Designs, and others. On Saturday to celebrate Woodward Dream Cruise, M1 will host a parade of 200 vehicles through Pontiac and on Woodward. Vehicles will be selected from 20 invited car clubs and all community members can enjoy the parade.
Tickets for Woodward Dream Show are $50 for adults and $25 for those under 12. They are available at www.m1concourse.com
AMERICAN SPEED FESTIVAL celebrates 60 years of Shelby American and 75 years of Ferrari. On Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, two days of On Track racing and demonstrations return along with the opportunity for patrons to get a ride on the track with a professional driver. The weekend also features remote control off-road cars, premium food, a Lifestyle Pavillion, and live entertainment. New this year is a Speed and Style Expo Car Show and Art Exhibit on Sunday, October 2 with race cars, performance cars, muscle cars, classics, and exotics that represent and define Performance and Speed.
Tickets for American Speed Festival are $75 for Adults, $50 for those 13-17, and free for those under 12. Special Events include a Dine & Drive Tour and Motor Grille on Thursday, September 29 and limited tickets are priced separately. They are available at www.m1concourse.com.
American Speed Festival’s Master of Motorsports recipient Peter Brock, who was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in March, will attend American Speed Festival, and receive the Master of Motorsports at the Checkered Flag Ball on Saturday, October 1.
The Checkered Flag Ball is produced by the Checkered Flag Challenge, M1’s philanthropic arm. Proceeds from the Ball go to M1 Mobility, which provides transportation solutions so residents can access community resources in Pontiac. The new initiative debuted last year and was able to serve the community despite the challenges presented by COVID.
Original artwork for this year’s Ball, created by Nico Roussele, and will be part of the live auction at the Ball. Tickets for the Ball will be on sale later in May.
CYCLE RACES COMING TO M1. The Inaugural M1 Cycle Classic on Sunday, July 17 takes place at M1 Concourse. In partnership with the Michigan Bike Racing Association, the new event will feature a full day of on-track cycling events across 10 classes. On Saturday, July 16, the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation host their Detroit Cycling Championship event. Both M1 and DAC will collaborate on promoting a full weekend of cycling events in Metro Detroit.
SUCCESSFUL CARS AND COFFEE EVENTS RETURN. Additional events at M1 during the season of “All Things Automotive” include Cars and Coffee, held on the first Saturday mornings of the month (April-October). This year, there’s a speaker series called “Off The Grid” that features industry leaders, legendary racers, and more. More details are available for both free events online. A video of M1 Concourse programs for 2022 is available on M1’s Youtube channel: https://tinyurl.com/2tinefuf
