Fall is upon us which means it’s that time of year again. No, not pumpkin spice everything season, but one of the most unique events of the year: The Race of Gentlemen!
Since 2012, The Race of Gentlemen (or T.R.O.G. as it’s commonly known) usually takes place every October in Wildwood, New Jersey. Anything but a typical car show, T.R.O.G. is instead a throwback hot rod and motorcycle drag racing event. The legendary Oilers Club, which has celebrated hot rods and classic motorcycles for more than 65 years, put on the event. Held on the wave-lapped sands of the Jersey Shore, it’s a spectacle unlike any other.
We mention they’re usually held in October only because the races occasionally take a brief hiatus. That happened in 2020 because of COVID restrictions and last year when a storm washed away most of the beach. But no major forces of nature could dampen the turnout this year. In fact, we heard it was the largest attendance the show has ever seen.
Stepping onto the sand at this show is akin to walking back in time. The race cars must be pre-1934 bodies with power plants from no later than 1953. Organizers similarly restrict bikes to those from 1947 or older. From the official T.R.O.G. site, “The idea is to recreate the look and feel of bikes that would be drag racing in the streets in the late 1940s and 1950s.”
You won’t see any billet here. And the old-timey aesthetic doesn’t end with just the builds. A ton of attendees don their old-school denim and leather to fully live in the moment. We recently dove into this topic a bit and discussed it on an episode of the DIY Garage podcast.
Beyond the grandstands you’ll also find an array of tents with merch, libations, or side shows. Our favorite was the Wall of Death, which featured multiple daredevils defying gravity while riding inside a bowl, perpendicular to the ground.
Finally, when you’ve had enough of the exhaust fumes and sand you can head up to the historic Wildwood boardwalk. Here, you can get a bite, do some shopping, or play arcade games. You might come for the racing, but the boardwalk ensures everyone else also has a good time at the shore.
Make sure to reserve some space on the calendar for early October 2025 for this must-hit event! For more information: https://www.theraceofgentlemen.com/
