Drive Fest dream car event returns to iconic track north of Bowmanville this weekend
Published September 3, 2024 at 9:00 am
Drive Fest is back this weekend in Clarington, the fourth annual true car lover’s ultimate dream event.
The event is being held at a speedway, and though the only ‘racing’ that will happen at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park September 6-8 will be done by professionals at the Dream Car Speed Run, there will be plenty of opportunities for attendees to get behind the wheel and drive at three test drive tracks.
And if just looking at a glittering lineup of exotic, classic and iconic cars up close is your jam, the Drive Festival is your chance to see the best of automotive culture on display.
Drivers waiting for their turn at the Dream Car Speed Run. Photo Glenn Hendry
The heart-pumping outdoor auto extravaganza at the former Mosport track north of Bowmanville delivers maximum sensory overload for car lovers – whether you’re watching the cars speed by on the race track or behind the wheel yourself on one of the test drive tracks: The PRO-SERIES Manufacturer Test Track, the Performance Test Track and the Nokian Tyres Off-Road Test Track.
The interactive festival is expected to draw more than 30,000 autophiles through the three-day run, with visitors seeing the latest in new manufacturer automobiles and vehicle technology, electric and hybrid cars, SUVs, trucks, new and modified motorcycles, ATVs and Side x Sides.
Drive Festival will also include the Canadian debut of the 2025 Ford Maverick, which the company is calling the “new canvas” for modern street trucks, and Aviva Electric Avenue, which is a showcase for the latest EV models from Audi, Mercedes, Tesla and Genesis.
The family-friendly event also has the Family Fun Zone with ride-on electric cars for the kids.
“As we grow we want to bring new and interesting features to car lovers – whether you’re in the market for a new vehicle, a collector, a racing fan or simply looking for a fun family activity,” said Drive Festival Director Adam Ruppel. “We think attendees are going to be blown away with some of the features we’ve got in store.”
Even the cops get in on the action at Drive Fest. Photo Glenn Hendry
The venue has more than 900 acres of space for exhibitors and car clubs to show off exotic, race, vintage and rare cars.
This year’s new features include:
- Nokian Tyres Off-Road Expo: This attraction features an off-road test track with new manufacturer vehicles, as well as a Kawasaki Side x Side ride-along adventure.
- Hagerty Show & Shine: Collectors can register to bring their cars to this first-ever exhibit where attendees will vote for their favourites.
- Aviva Monaco Pavilion: A collection of some of the most impressive cars in the world including supercars, exotics, race cars and collectibles from Pagani to McLaren.
In addition, this year Drive Festival has partnered with popular Throttle House YouTubers, James and Thomas, who will meet with fans on Saturday and also rip it up on the Mobil 1 Dream Car Speed Run.
Drive Fest also boasts the ACE – Ontario Tech University Innovation Zone, which offers public access to a $125 million research facility that has made the Oshawa university a world leader in automotive testing and validation. The testing site for Project Arrow – Canada’s first zero-emission vehicle – university-owned ACE has conducted thousands of tests with OEM’s, Tier 1’s, tech startups and researchers from around the world and provides aerodynamic and thermal testing, as well as the in-demand ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel.
The event also has a racing kart experience, an Autocross Hot Lap Ride – where attendees can drive Lambos and Ferraris for about $150 (an “affordable luxury” for some, noted Ruppel), a Micro Mobility showcase, a skilled trade fair for those interested in the auto glass field, an Expo area, food trucks and more.
About 17,000 auto fans attended ther first Drive Fest in 2021 (while the pandemic was still a thing) and more than 25,000 visitors experienced last year’s event. “People loved the concept,” Ruppel said three years ago. “Seeing their dream cars being driven at speed, people really loved it.”
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is located at 3233 Concession Rd 10, just north of Bowmanville. Drive Fest show hours are:
- Friday, September 6: 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, September 7: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday, September 8: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information and tickets visit www.DriveFestival.com.
The finish line. Photo Glenn Hendry