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All the United States New Jersey Wildwood The Race of Gentlemen

The Race of Gentlemen

Vintage cars and motorcycles race for glory in a throwback motorsport celebration on the Jersey shore.

Wildwood, New Jersey

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victorialhthompson
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Racers   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
Racers at the start   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
Period specific signage   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
The Wall of Death   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
Don’t miss the Saturday night beach bonfire and party.   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
Racer   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
The photographer truck   victorialhthompson / Atlas Obscura User
Lift Off! by Steve Shelley @ ssshootphotography.co.uk   ssshoot / Atlas Obscura User
Final Adjustments by Steve Shelley at ssshootphotography.co.uk   ssshoot / Atlas Obscura User
Halo! by Steve Shelley at ssshootphotography.co.uk   ssshoot / Atlas Obscura User
Line ‘em up! by Steve Shelley at ssshootphotography.co.uk   ssshoot / Atlas Obscura User
Who won?! by Steve Shelley at ssshootphotography.co.uk   ssshoot / Atlas Obscura User
The Race of Gentlemen - by Liz Leggett Photography   StrangeLizzzy / Atlas Obscura User
Side by side on the Wall of Death.   Anna Minster / Atlas Obscura User
TROG 2015   motorjunkie / Atlas Obscura User
The Race of Gentlemen - by Liz Leggett Photography   StrangeLizzzy / Atlas Obscura User
Cars and bikes in the staging area.   Anna Minster / Atlas Obscura User
The Race of Gentlemen - by Liz Leggett Photography   StrangeLizzzy / Atlas Obscura User
The Race of Gentlemen - by Liz Leggett Photography   StrangeLizzzy / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Before racing became an institutionalized affair with sponsors, crews, R&D budgets and big money at stake, it started out with drivers pitting their personally modified cars against others just to see who had the fastest machine. 

The Race of Gentlemen (affectionately known among the initiated as TROG) takes you back to this time, with a weekend of racing on the beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey. 

Carefully curated, "period correct" cars and motorcycles compete for glory in this history lesson that also serves as an unforgettable automotive carnival weekend. To qualify, cars must have been produced before 1935 and cannot include any parts made after 1953, while motorcycles must predate 1947 and have a tank shifter, aka a "suicide clutch."

Three classes compete at TROG: bangers (four-cylinder engine cars); flatheads (flathead V-8 engine cars); and bikes. Contests line up two-by-two to wait their turn to go head-to-head on the one-eighth-mile long beach track. Winners earn bragging rights; losers take solace in the fact that they get back in line and have another go to redeem themselves. All contestants wear period clothing, while the staging boss wears a tuxedo and top hat and the checkered flag is dropped each time by a famously high-jumping flag wielder. The racing continues thus until the rising tide overtakes the course.

Started in 2012, The Race of Gentleman is hosted by The Oilers Car Club / Motorcycle Club, which trace their lineage back to 1947 and were co-founders of the National Hot Rod Association in 1949. The race attracts contestants from across the country, and has included luminaries like Jessi Combs, who holds the women's land speed record (not, admittedly, set at TROG).

Related Tags

Cars Races Automotive History Beaches

Know Before You Go

Buy tickets ahead for quick entry.

Get to the gates early on the first day so you are sure to get a good vantage point. There are some stands but most viewing spots are on the sand.

Look on the TROG website before hand to get details for parties, car/motorcycle shows, and other events happening throughout the weekend.

Community Contributors

Added By

victorialhthompson

Edited By

RHyzer, StrangeLizzzy, ssshoot, Anna Minster...

  • RHyzer
  • StrangeLizzzy
  • ssshoot
  • Anna Minster
  • motorjunkie

Published

June 29, 2016

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Sources
  • http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/10/06/back-to-the-basics-the-lure-of-the-race-of-gentlemen/
  • http://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/index.ssf/2015/10/the_race_of_gentlemen.html
  • http://johanneshuwe.com/the-race-of-gentlemen/
The Race of Gentlemen
Wildwood Boardwalk
Entrances at Spicer, Lincoln, and Garfield Avenues
Wildwood, New Jersey, 08260
United States
38.985439, -74.812604
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Wildwood

Wildwood

New Jersey

Places 2

Nearby Places

Tributes and Traditions

Wildwood, New Jersey

miles away

Menz Restaurant & Bar

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miles away

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Cape May, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Wildwood

Wildwood

New Jersey

Places 2

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