Chattanooga Motorcar Festival on Oct. 11-13, 2019
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 12, 2019) - A world-class lifestyle event aimed to engage, excite and entertain families, racers and automotive enthusiasts alike will make its debut in downtown Chattanooga on October 11-13, 2019.
The inaugural Chattanooga Motorcar Festival borrows the style of its European counterparts by incorporating unique classic car events tailored to the vintage/historic car collector and racer, and the welcoming hospitality that is the trademark of the American South. Each day will provide spectators different ways to enjoy the experience. It is hosted by the Westin Hotel and Chattanooga's West Village.
The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival is a concept originated by Byron DeFoor, regarded as a visionary in local real estate development and the healthcare industry, a philanthropist, "car guy" and race-car driver, along with IMSA racing champion Jim Pace. The Festival will benefit Chattanooga's Erlanger Neuroscience Institute, the region's only certified academic Neuroscience Center. It focuses on a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that enhances quality of care for patients and families. "As developers of the Westin Hotel in Chattanooga and, of course, die-hard fans of all things automotive, my brother Ken DeFoor and I were thinking ahead to the future and added green grass pads on the north plaza of the hotel, perfect for showing cars," said DeFoor. "Holding this event in the heart of the city, with the full support of Chattanooga's mayor Andy Berke and the Chattanooga Visitors Bureau, provides an inviting venue for families and car fans to enjoy the city and see a great car show. We're also delighted to help support the Erlanger Neuroscience Institute."
Byron DeFoor is also known for his philanthropic efforts in partnership with AC/DC musician Brian Johnson, a fellow car collector and racer, in DeFoor's Fifty-Plus Racing Foundation IMSA racing team. Since 2012, the Foundation has helped raise money to find cures for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Three distinct components make up the three-day weekend of the Festival held on Chattanooga's Riverfront, with all events scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
While Sunday is a "wind-down" day for participants to pack up and leave, other activities will be made available to the public, which will be announced soon. Between the Bridges Time Trials:
A competitive event each day for authentic vintage and historic cars. One car against the clock will compete on a 1.5-mile circuit on Riverside Drive. The event, dubbed "A Driver, A Vehicle, A Clock," will be limited to 50 cars, divided into approximately 10 classes.
To enter and to view eligible cars, go to ChattanoogaMotorcar.com/timetrials
"A Juried Contest of Elegance." This Concours d'Elegance will be held on Saturday only. It will include a display of significant vintage and historic cars following a review, acceptance and confirmation of the vehicles by Concours Chairman Ken Gross, an award-winning automotive journalist. Entries must be driven onto the event venue. To enter, go to ChattanoogaMotorcar.com/concours
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High Jinks Rallye:
"A Driver, A Navigator, A Challenge." Participants will rallye through parts of Chattanooga that are hidden from the bustling downtown and beyond. Each day will have a new challenge and route for the driver and navigator to face. Applications are available at ChattanoogaMotorcar.com/rallye
Motorsports and automotive celebrities will be honored guests, and include Brian Redman, world-renowned champion sports-car racer; Alain de Cadenet, Formula 1 and Endurance racer and TV commentator; Donald Osborne, automotive consultant, historian, TV commentator and opera singer; Wayne Carini, of Chasing Classic Cars TV fame and master car restorer; Keith Martin, writer, publisher, TV commentator and founder of Sports Car Market magazine.
Also part of the celebrity contingent will be former NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, and former NASCAR crew chief and now car collector Ray Evernham.
"We are excited to introduce this inaugural event not only to the residents of Chattanooga, but to car fans around the world," said Pace. "We believe that this is only the beginning of a long-term relationship with the City of Chattanooga and the vintage and historic car collector community and fans around the world. We want to build on this event and make it an annual destination for all lovers of cars and great hospitality."
Other events throughout the weekend round out the dynamic schedule, including lifestyle classes, interactive experiences for children, collector vehicle corrals, antique and classic boat presentations, a fundraising Garden Party for Erlanger on Friday night, and many other family-friendly events. Tickets for the Friday night Garden Party may be purchased at www.chattanoogamotorcar.com/garden-party
For more information, go to www.ChattanoogaMotorcar.com or contact the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival at info@ChattanoogaMotorcar.com [mailto:info@ChattanoogaMotorcar.com].
The Chattanooga Westin Hotel, site of the 2019 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival.
