Chattanooga Motorcar Festival!

(Just found out about this, courtesy of "Vintage Motorsport". Unfortunately, it's the same weekend as the Petit Le Mans!)

Chattanooga, TN -- The inaugural Chattanooga Motorcar Festival will emulate the style of its European counterparts by incorporating unique events tailored to vintage/historic car collectors and racers, with the welcoming trademark hospitality of the American South. The event will be hosted by the Westin Hotel and Chattanooga's West Village.

Honored guests already include champion racer Brian Redman; F1 and Endurance racer Alain de Cadenet; automotive consultant and historian Donald Osborne; Chasing Classic Cars’ Wayne Carini; NASCAR driver Bill Elliott; and former NASCAR crew chief and now car collector Ray Evernham.

The Oct. 11-13 festival will be built around a concept originated by Byron DeFoor -- Chattanooga-area real estate developer, “car guy” and race car driver -- who’s partnering with IMSA racing champion Jim Pace. The event will benefit Chattanooga's Erlanger Neuroscience Institute.

"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 components will make up the event held on Chattanooga's Riverfront, with all events scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

• 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. Limited to 50 cars, divided into approximately 10 classes. Enter and view car eligibility.

• Rendezvous of the Greats
This Concours d'Elegance will be held on Saturday and include a display of significant vintage and historic cars following a review, acceptance and confirmation of the vehicles by Concours Chairman and award-winning automotive journalist Ken Gross. See classes and download the application.

• High Jinks Rallye
Participants will rally 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. Get the application.

(That makes for two straight weekends of automotive events there, with the Citta' Scenico event planned for the following weekend.)