Vintage hot rods and motorcycles are coming back to the sand behind Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, for two days of head-to-head drag racing on October 3 and 4. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days, and the racing itself will run on a 1/8-mile straightaway built right on the beach, with additional activities planned before the competition kicks off Saturday morning.
The event, known as the Race of Gentlemen, actually kicks off earlier in the week, with festivities beginning Thursday, October 1, according to PhillyVoice. The 2026 edition spans four full days, folding in swap meets and kickoff parties at local establishments ahead of the main event, per the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority. On Friday evening, October 2, the event hosts its annual Night of the Troglodytes chopper exhibit in North Wildwood, a showcase of vintage pre-1976 custom motorcycles staged in collaboration with Dice Magazine.
Strict Rules Keep the Cars — and the Culture — Period-Correct
This isn't a race for just any classic car. The Race of Gentlemen features pre-1934 cars and pre-1947 motorcycles, and event rules govern vehicle bodies, engines, tires, and other components down to fine detail, per PhillyVoice's rundown of the weekend. Those restrictions go deeper still: race cars must use pre-1934 bodies fitted with engines and drivetrains manufactured no later than 1953, and modern electronic instruments or aftermarket safety modifications are strictly prohibited, according to Whiteknuckler Brand.
The authenticity extends beyond the machines. Competitors and event staff are encouraged to wear period clothing, including vintage leather helmets, goggles, and hand-lettered racing shirts, to match the early 20th-century aesthetic, as Red Bull has noted of the event's immersive, living-history feel. Racing is also dependent on the tides, meaning the exact timing of runs on the sand can shift with the ocean.
A Century-Old Jersey Shore Tradition
Beach racing on the Jersey Shore isn't a modern invention. New Jersey's beach racing tradition dates back to August 1905 in nearby Cape May, where automotive pioneers Henry Ford, Louis Chevrolet, and Walter Christie competed in timed beach speed trials before 20,000 spectators, according to Hemmings.
The modern Race of Gentlemen has its own history of movement. The inaugural event took place in October 2012 on the sand in Asbury Park, New Jersey, before the event was held in Wildwood in 2013, as Rider Magazine reported at the time. The event is organized by the Oilers Car Club, originally founded in 1947 by World War II veterans in California — including NHRA co-founder Jim Nelson — before Meldon Stultz partnered with Jim Nelson in 2008 to resurrect the club and stage vintage beach drag races, according to Hagerty.
Tickets, Access, and What to Leave at Home
Spectators can enter through Morey's Piers at 3501 Boardwalk in Wildwood, per PhillyVoice's ticketing details. A weekend ticket costs $104.25 before sales tax, while single-day adult admission runs $63 for either Saturday or Sunday, with the single-day price including the booking fee. For children ages 6 to 16, a weekend pass costs $32.25 or a single day costs $22 before tax.
Chairs and strollers are permitted on-site, and beach wheelchairs are available with a deposit and identification, per the same outlet. Coolers, tents, outside food and drinks, drones, professional camera equipment, and pets other than service animals are all prohibited. Municipal organizers separately note that parking directly on the beach is banned during the event, along with large backpacks, glass containers, hammocks, and skateboards, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority.
An Economic Boost After the Summer Crowds Thin Out
The annual autumn event draws an estimated 15,000 spectators and participants to Wildwood, according to the Mr. Local History Project. The same organization describes the Race of Gentlemen as an event that draws vintage vehicle builders and drivers from across North America and beyond.
Once Sunday's competition wraps, an awards ceremony will follow to close out the weekend. But the celebration starts earlier than that: a post-race party is planned for Saturday afternoon at Pigdog, at the end of Morey's Pier, complete with live music for racers and spectators alike.
