Metro Detroit Car Shows & Cruises - June 2011

Cruise season is upon us, and this year looks to be better than ever! With new cruises and car shows popping up on an annual basis, and Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour coming to town, my vacation during the month of June couldn't come at a better time.

2011 Hot Rod Power Tour - June 10th

The final stop for this year's Hot Rod Power Tour will finish in Harrison Twp, MI. With a back drop of Lake St Clair, this is sure to be one of the more memorable final stops of the power tour.

Ultimate Outlaw Shootout Series at Milan Dragway - June 11th

1/4 mile and 1/8 mile heads up racing!
Ultimate Outlaws Shootout Series Rules

Michigan Mitten Promo Tour - June 17th-June 26th

In an effort to both get the word out about Back to the Bricks, as well as to promote Michigan Tourism, the organizers of Back to the Bricks have put together a summer tour of our lower peninsula. Kicking off June 17th, the tour starts and finishes in Downtown Flint. This is one tour I'd like to see become an annual event, as it has the tools to become another of Michigan's automotive events that can attract people from around the world.

June 17th - Friday, Leave Flint to Port Huron
June 18th - Saturday, Leave Port Huron to Bay City
June 19th - Sunday, Leave Bay City to Alpena
June 20th - Monday, Leave Alpena to Mackinaw City
June 21st - Tuesday, Leave Mackinaw City to Traverse City
June 22nd - Wednesday, Leave Traverse City to Ludington
June 23rd - Thursday, Leave Ludington to Holland
June 24th - Friday, Leave Holland to Brooklyn
June 25th - Saturday, Leave Brooklyn to Sloan Museum Auto Fair
June 26th - Sunday, 5pm End of the Road party, Downtown Flint

Motor Muster at Greenfield Village - June 18th & 19th

Located on the grounds of Greenfield Village, one of the premier outdoor museums in the country, vintage cars built between 1933-1976 are set to mingle with Ford's Model T's roaming the grounds. As a member, I can say that the Village alone is one of Detroit's finest gems. Pack it was vintage autos and it's a grand slam!

Cruisin' Gratiot - June 18th

One of the longer running local cruises, Gratiot would be considered "right sized" in my book. Stretching a few miles up Gratiot, it is a walkable size with plenty of cars and places to eat.

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals - June 23rd-26th

Hop on the freeway and head south to Ohio and you'll discover one of the country's top drag racing facilities in Norwalk. During June 23-26th you can bare witness to the ground shaking 8,000+ hp nitro monsters.

Cruisin' Downriver - June 25th

Another long time favorite of mine. While noticably bigger than the Gratiot Cruise, it is much more walkable/cruisable than the Woodward Dream Cruise. Traffic does get congested later in the day, and parking spots seem to be at a premium, so get there early.

Sloan Museum Auto Fair - June 25th & 26th

The Sloan Museum Auto Fair is a fun-filled two-day show with plenty of music, exhibits, food vendors, entertainment, swap meet, craft vendors, food vendors, vehicles for sale, and of course automobiles! The Flint Cultural Center campus becomes home to more than 700 of the best looking cars, trucks, and motorcycles around. The visitor gates open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vehicle registration opens at 8:00 a.m. both days, Dash plaques for the first 500 vehicles. On Saturday registration closes at 4:00 p.m.. On Sunday vehicle registration is as follows: registration for judging ends at noon, for entry into the show 1:00 p.m., awards ceremony starts at 3:00 p.m.

The Saturday Cruise leaves the Flint Cultural Center at 5:00 p.m. sharp going to The Hot Dog Stand in Grand Blanc. Show car parking at The Hot Dog Stand and at Physician’s Park. Physician’s Park is located directly behind The Hot Dog Stand. There will be cruise dash plaques for the first 250 participants. Your vehicle must be registered for the Sloan Museum Auto Fair in order to participate in the cruise.

Camaro Superfest - July 1st, 2nd, & 3rd

Camaro Superfest is an event I attended with my Camaro back in the late '90's a few times. For a Camaro enthusiast, it's about as good as it gets. Formerly held at Domino's Farms back in the day, it has since relocated to the much more scenic Depot Towne in Ypsilanti. While I'm not sure I can fit it in, considering it's the holiday weekend, it's worth a visit if you're in the area.