M1 Concourse Plans Woodward Dream Show and American Festival of Speed

Although most public events surrounding the Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 15 have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, M1 Concourse in Pontiac is hoping to fill the void with the inaugural Woodward Dream Show, Aug. 13-15. Organizers expect it to become an annual event.
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M1 Concourse
M1 Concourse will host the Woodward Dream Show, Aug. 13-15, at its facility in Pontiac. // Photo courtesy of M1 Concourse

Although most public events surrounding the Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 15 have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, M1 Concourse in Pontiac is hoping to fill the void with the inaugural Woodward Dream Show, Aug. 13-15. Organizers expect it to become an annual event.

The Woodward Dream Show will include hot rods, muscle cars, race cars, and cruisers on display. The event will feature a juried show and competition, with food, fashion, and design elements all incorporated in the three-day weekend.

Officials say they are working closely with local authorities to incorporate the latest health and safety measures and best practices. If regulations or conditions deem it unsafe to hold the event as scheduled, contingency plans are in place, which includes alternative dates.

The event is presented by the Pontiac Motorsports Exposition, founded this year by the owners of M1 Concourse. The purpose of the exposition is twofold: Create a showcase for innovative automotive and motorsports events utilizing M1 Concourse’s 1.5-mile road course, and benefit the city of Pontiac.

“We wanted to take advantage of the rich automotive culture we have in this area,” says Tim Hartge, CEO of  the exposition. “There are just so many opportunities and resources here at M1. We are excited to offer these new events to people who love automobiles in southeast Michigan, and around the world. M1, by design, is an ideal location for these events.”

The Woodward Dream Show will be open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. Awards will be given to the best-of-the-best automobiles in 13 categories. Two additional ticketed events premier that day. They are an automotive-themed fashion show and the After Dark-Afterglow party for participants, car owners, and the public.

Friday’s programming goes from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features supercars and sports cars. Point-to-point racing will be run on the M1 performance course, followed by awards and a ticketed BBQ event.

On Saturday, special vehicles owned by M1 garage owners along with car club member entries will be positioned along the performance track for the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also, a highlight of the day’s events is a parade starting at M1 and driving around Wide Track Drive in Pontiac and back to M1.

Single-day admission to the Dream Show for the public is $35. A two-day pass for $57.50 and a three-day pass for the weekend at $85 are available. Tickets will go on sale in July. Details and tickets for all events will be available here.

PME and M1 also revealed plans to stage The American Festival of Speed, Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2021.

Patterned after the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, The American Festival of Speed will feature cars in the Speed Ring for two days. Also, planned for the 2021 event are an exclusive Motoring Tour Dine and Drive, and invite-only philanthropic Checkered Flag Ball and Exposition featuring notable race cars of the past, present, and future.

Editor’s note: Many of M1 Councourse’s condo garage owners are part of Detroit 500, our exclusive list of the top business executives in metro Detroit. To access the list, click here.