The Race of Gentlemen: Vintage Drag Racing at Its Purest

The world of motorsport is more interesting than it’s been for some time. There’s the way Formula One has transformed from a sport dominated by a single driver and manufacturer, to race weekends full of unpredictability, and the genuine possibility of four or more drivers winning every Sunday. The World Endurance Championship is also getting its flowers, with three teams in Porsche, Toyota and Ferrari, battling for victories in the Hypercar class, with the other manufacturers Alpine, BMW, Peugeot, Cadillac and Lamborghini all vying for points. Some of the most intriguing racing happens on the fringes though, particularly with classic cars. Goodwood might be the home of vintage racing, but there are a number of exciting events happening elsewhere. One of the more interesting, certainly from a visual perspective, is The Race of Gentlemen. 

An annual event taking place on the beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey, The Race of Gentlemen showcases pre-War hot rods, race cars and motorcycles on one of America’s prettiest seaside backdrops. Thousands of enthusiasts descend to the sands every year, with the 2024 event being no exception. 1930s Ford Model As, chopped Harley Davidson’s and V8 powered go-karts all raced down the 1/8 mile, makeshift drag strip right next to the sea, with thousands of spectators looking on. 

Now in its twelfth year, the event started out on the beach in Asbury Park, NJ in 2012. New Jersey has a strong heritage of beach racing, with a notable one mile race taking place in Cape May back in 1905, so it seems only fitting it’s been reintroduced for 21st century audiences. That race saw the likes of Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet compete against one another, hitting speeds of up to 94 mph in some rather rudimentary looking, early motor cars. It’s this race, and other events around the world, that inspired the team behind The Race of Gentlemen to set up their own weekend. 

Having since moved from Asbury Park to Wildwood, it’s an event that classic car fans won’t want to miss. The new location was chosen both for its proximity to Cape May, but also because of its flatter, wider beaches that are better suited to racing. There is also Wildwood’s historic boardwalk, which has countless fairground rides and roller coasters; and the area’s 300 plus motels, which were built in the 1950s and ‘60s and help contribute to The Race of Gentlemen’s throwback aesthetic. 

Aside from the racing, which consists of a series of drag races up and down the beach, the 2024 event had plenty else going on. There were two swap meets on the Thursday and Friday, where enthusiasts could trade parts and peruse each other's motors. The Friday evening held the Night of the Troglodyte Party, which was home to a showcase of classic motorcycles as well as live music. Then the annual bonfire was lit on Saturday night, before a day of racing and live rock and roll behind Morey’s Pier. If you’re a fan of classic cars and pure Americana, The Race of Gentlemen should be high on your wishlist, both for 2025 and beyond. 

Imagery Courtesy: The Race of Gentlemen