The rumble of engines roars around Wildwood: The Race of Gentleman runs along the beaches of New Jersey, ready as always to provide an unforgettable experience. This iconic motor race runs in October, and it is a festival for fans of four wheels which celebrates the tradition of American racing.
What’s the feature which makes it unique? Freedom to compete on beautiful vintage cars chosen by the founders of this stylish and powerful race. This choice favours the best in vintage automobiles, with pre-war vehicles and even rare collectors’ items from the 1920s and 1930s: great traditional manufacturers facing each other in a stylishly carefree competition.
Founded by Oiler’s Car Club in 1947, The Race of Gentlemen unites all fans of motor racing, whether professional or not, who want to race or just admire these jaw-dropping cars, bringing everyone together to pay tribute to a tradition that marks recent American history.
Race of Gentlemen is a hot rod and motorcycle beach race held by the Oilers car club. The first race was held October 19th and 20th, 2012 at the Loch Arbour and Allenhurst beach front at the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Autos pre 1935, using pre 1953 parts are allowed to race. Motorcycles are pre 1948 only. New for the year was Customs by the Sea, an all custom car show hosted by Kustomrama.
The first Customs by the Sea was held at the parking lot located at the end of Rio Grande Avenue. There will be no prizes for winning, other than bragging rights. If there was a dress code, it tended toward 1950s greaser, and it wasn’t unusual to see tattooed and pierced skin among participants, often worn in conjunction with bushy beards or flamboyant mustaches.
Wildwood, with its strip of recently renovated 1950s motels and a horde of ratty hot rods, like-new vintage pickup trucks and muscle cars cruising around, was a perfect backdrop.
The event was sponsored by Sailor Jerry, a company that sells rum as well as clothing and goods based on the tattoo art of Norman Collins, known as Sailor Jerry, and it seemed to have found a friendly crowd. Some competitors seemed to be more serious about vintage car racing than others.
Jason Ellis – known among members of the Oilers Car Club as Oiler Elrod, or the Snake Kisser – came from Dallas and said he built his car in the week leading up to the race. As the day wore on, the tide rose and the ocean advanced, gradually rising to cover part of the makeshift track and pushing competitors closer and closer together.
One of the last runs before high tide ended the racing was a wild, four-across motorcycle dash. Rear wheels spun, frames wobbled and riders jammed their feet into the sand to stay upright as the bikes sped past hooting spectators. Plenty of those watching had showed up in old cars themselves.
There was a yellow 1955 Chevrolet panel truck sitting proudly in the sandy parking lot near a burnt-orange 1967 Chrysler Newport and a handful of other muscle-car gems. Tom Rowe drove his ’37 Ford rat rod down from Long Island.
A World War I-vintage German army helmet he found on eBay – now decorated with pinstripes and rust to match the car – sat atop the engine, serving as its air cleaner housing.
