The primary goal of racing may not have changed over the years but the look of it sure has. Back in the early years of automotive history, race tracks and highways were scarce. This didn’t stop human-kind from it’s inevitable need to race though. Racers took to the beaches. Beaches generally made for a safe straight away where early drag racers could line up against each other and duke it out.
You may have seen some coverage on this before here on Rod Authority but it’s a rare event and you should have more. The Race Of Gentlemen is an invitation only event that takes place in Wildwood, New Jersey and recently, they had their 3rd annual event. Oct 3-5, 2014, racers drug their pre-war-era rat rods out onto the sand for what some call “The best event on planet Earth.”
Definitely watch this video, if you haven’t already. In the one minute 52 second long video, you’ll find yourself questioning when the footage was shot. It’s clear…but black and white. And everything seen (save for a couple small things) within the frames is vintage. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this was filmed back in the 50s.
Shots of racers sans-safety equipment, 20s and 30s cars and motorcycles all over a non-descript ocean background; The filmmaker certainly did a great job compiling the 2014 event coverage that brings it straight in from an era gone-by. Dedicated men and women dressed the part and appear to have had a fair amount of fun with it.
For more info on The Race Of Gentlemen, hosted by The Oilers Car and Motorcycle Club, visit www.theraceofgentlemen.com.