Streets of Thunder will feature actual race cars and drivers that currently race with NHRA, NASCAR, USAC, INEX Racing and more.  See displays of dragsters, stock cars, sprint and midget race cars, drag racing boats and a beautiful display of nostalgia race cars including cars from the Wally Parks NHRA Museum, Riverside International Automotive Museum, and the Automotive Driving Museum.  Feel the excitement as you hear the roar of racing engines that will be started during the event.

Streets of Thunder will continue the excitement with displays of custom and vintage cars and motorcycles.  Enjoy lunch at the gourmet food trucks and the beer garden while listening to live band music from The Bixby Knolls, Jared James Nichols and Kenley Shea.  Shop the many vendors while the children play in the children’s activity area.  This is a great day for the entire family!  Sponsors include, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, BJ’s Restaurant and Brew House, Lazy Dogs, Complete Printing Solutions, Lifestyle Cycles, Dave’s Bad Ass Coffee, and Lucky 7 Motorsports.

Visit a very special display that will touch the hearts and memories of all Americans; The 911 Angel Tribute Cars.  These cars, brought by Kevyn Major Howard from the film Full Metal Jacket, are an American tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

This year Streets of Thunder will benefit the Fisher House Foundation.  The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

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Wondering what this event is like? Check out our photos from the Inland Empire Auto Show 2011. If the setup is like last year, entrance to the food truck fest will be free!

Show goers who test drive a car in the auto show’s Ride & Drive event will also receive a free food truck voucher while supplies last. The Inland Empire Auto Show takes place Friday through Sunday, August 24-26, 2012 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif. For tickets for the show and to get one’s fill at these acclaimed food trucks, log onto www.IEAutoShow.com. Tickets are also available at the door.

My Delight Cupcakery offers a traveling array of confectionary treats, sure to satisfy the most discriminating sweet tooth. Pastry Chef, Naomi Moreno, whips her delectable mini-cakes flavors such as “birthday” – a take on the classic birthday cake with sprinkles – and the “late night breakfast” – a waffle-inspired cupcake with fried chicken on top of buttermilk frosting. “By far, the single best thing I [tried] was the Breakfast Cake from My Delight Cupcakery in Ontario. It was like a buttermilk pancake, whipped maple syrup and bacon in a cupcake. I can’t believe that I didn’t buy a dozen,” said a Los Angeles Times writer. Cupcakes range from $2.00 to $4.00.

For those looking to cool off at the auto show, stop by one of the southland’s most sought-after food trucks,

A RockIn Ice. Recently on the Food Network’s online Great Food Truck Race, A RockIn Ice serves up refreshing Hawaiian shave ice in a rainbow of both tropical and decadent flavors.

For the carnivorous show goers, Slammin’ Sliders serves up a mouthful of meat goodness hot and ready between two buns. “Slammin’ Sliders is the expert, serving gourmet sliders: delicious, inventive, crave-worthy sliders that will have you coming back again, and again, and again,” according to Foodtrucktalk.com.

One of the most anticipated food trucks at the Inland Empire Auto Show is The Grilled Cheese Truck. With an inventive spin on the childhood favorite grilled cheese sandwich, The Grilled Cheese Truck has been named the number one food truck of 2011 by the LA Hotlist, and their Cheesy Mac & Rib sandwich was called one of the Most Outrageous Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in the Country by Dailymeal.com.

The Red Robin Yummm Mobile serves up the favorites of their all-American brick and mortar restaurant in a convenient, on the go style. Everything from gourmet hamburgers to BBQ chicken sandwiches and fresh-tossed salads grace the Yummm Mobile’s menu.

According to the Dogtown Dogs website, each hot dog on the menu presents a sophisticated variation of traditional favorites with an innovative spin. These dogs’ soulful flavors elicit a sense of nostalgia and with more than 7,000 Twitter followers, the Dogtown Dogs food truck is on its way to becoming a So Cal favorite.

Thai 1 On comes all the way from sunny San Diego with a claim to fame as the city’s first food truck. Thai food lovers will be in luck at the IE Auto Show because this food truck serves up delicious eats inspired by Thailand’s street food culture.

Bacon fans rejoice because the BACON MANia truck will be at the Inland Empire Auto Show all three days serving unabashedly American, unapologetic man-food from a fun, friendly and a little bit funky nomadic food truck.

Show goers can check out the hottest cars and trucks from top auto manufacturers such as Toyota, Subaru, General Motors, Chrysler, Fiat, Volkswagen and many more at the Inland Empire Auto Show. When attendees feel the hunger pangs set in, the Food Truck Zone awaits with an entire array of tastes.

For tickets or more information on the Inland Empire Auto Show, visit www.IEAutoShow.com. Follow the show on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/InlandEmpireAutoShow or on Twitter @IEAutoShow to get insider news and announcements from the Inland Empire Auto Show.

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San Bernardino County Fairgrounds
14800 7th St, Victorville, CA
Phone (760) 951-2200

Friday, August 10th, 2012 from 12p-6p   &   Saturday, August 11th, 2012 from 10a-8p

$5.00 Admission, children 5 and under are free

**Trucks are subject to change**

Baconmania, WTF Pizza, Thai 1 On, My Tornado Potato, Frysmith, Devilicious, ZZ Truck, Germanys Famous Bratwurst, Wild Wings, Meat the Greek, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Chubby’s Rolling Sushi Van, Mangia on Wheels, Calbi, Uncle Lau’s Island BBQ, Corn Heaven, Grill Sergeant, Pierogi Truck, Da Burger Boss, The Flip Truck, Garlicscapes, The Big Chewy, Cousins Maine Lobster, Meet N Potatoes, Gravy Train Truck, Steel City Sandwiches, Breezy Freeze, Tropical Shave Ice, Mustache Mike’s, Maui Wowi, We Heart Froyo, Cupcake Place, Random Treats

The post Taste of 66 – Food Truck & Wine Festival- August 10 & 11 appeared first on Things To Do Inland Empire.

Classic Cars and good folks seem to go hand in hand and Route 66 is no exception. Every year they seem to do bigger and better things to get more people into what they’re doing. They’re already listing all of their awesome contests for those who want to take home some classic car prizes! This year they actually have a brand new Burnout Contest and a Charter Communications Park for the Kids. If you love classic cars and good people then you’ll definitely want to check out what’s going on at this years Route 66! Visit their webpage for updates and see how you can volunteer or even sponsor the event.

The post Route 66 @ San Bernardino appeared first on Things To Do Inland Empire.

The beer will be provided by the popular “Hanger 24 Craft Brewery”, located in Redlands. Try a pale ale, or a bold handcrafted lager, and then cheer on Hanger 24 (or any other of your favorites!) as they compete in the chili cook-off!

End your day with a stroll through the car show, while listening to the live music. For a fun local event, bring your family to the “2012 Redlands Optimist Car Show & Chili Cookout” on May 19^th from 9:00am to 4:00pm located at Sylvan Park. Suggested donation: $3. Children 12 and under are free.

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There’s going to be so much going on at Ink-N-Iron this year that there’s almost too much to list right here. It’s definitely worth it to check out all the events they have planned for this years festival. It’s also a good idea to make sure your favorite tattoo artists will be there as well and maybe get some new ink! In fact, some of the great artists from Empire Tattoo Studios and folks from Fusion Ink will be there representing the Inland Empire. Shawn Warcot, the infamous leader of Empire Tattoo Studios, will be there as well so make sure you can get any and all tattoo appointment booked as soon as possible.

The event is all ages and really won’t break the bank. Kids tickets are between $7 and $15 dollars. Adult day passes are $40 while a three day pass only costs $90. So whether you want to go a little or a lot they’ve got you covered. Covered in the cost of the ticket is all the great things that will be available at Ink-N-Iron like: Vintage fashion Bazaar, The Boiler Room Big Top, Cabaret shows, and the Motorama Car show! There are some other events planned and you read all about them on their website. All in all, this looks like it’s going to a great festival and it’s something you definitely won’t want to miss!

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• Click here for discount tickets from Goldstar
• GROUPON TICKETS – Up to 52% off.
• Visit any AAA branch by March 12th, show your membership card and receive a voucher for two (2) tickets to NASCAR Qualifying Day. Take the vouchers along with your membership card to any open ticket window at Auto Club Speedway on Friday, March 23rd to get your ticket.

Article Feb. 21, 2012:

Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and other NASCAR greats are once again storming Fontanas Auto Club Speedway! On March 23^rd, 2012 the battle begins as the drivers fight for the top starting position. On March 24^th the drivers attempt to de-throne Kyle Busch as the Royal Purple 300 winner. End your weekend with the Auto Club 400, as Kevin Harvick tries once again to out thwart his competitors with another impressive finish.

General Seating tickets for NASCAR Qualifying day on March 23rd are $20/person. Kids 12 and under are free all weekend, as long as they have a “Leftys Kids Club Membership”. Green Flag Hard Card Memberships are free, and your child will get invited to fun activities all year round!  You can upgrade to a Checkered Flag Hard Card Membership for $10 and your little NASCAR fan will get an Auto Club Speedway backpack, hat, earplugs, and an Official Checkered Flag Hard Card Membership Card.

On March 24th Royal Purple 300 General Seating tickets are $30/person. Reserved Seating (Rows 24-48) is $50/person. Weekend Pit Passes are Valid Friday through Sunday and are $55/person. You must be 18 and older to enter the pits Friday and Saturday. If you are 17 and under you can check out the pits Sunday, with someone 18 and older who has a Pit Pass.

The Sprint Cup Series continues on March 25^th with the Auto Club 400. Tickets start at $35/person, and increase $10-$20 approximately every 10 rows.  Looking for more of a NASCAR experience? Participate in a Q&A series with Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon with special package offers.

Get the “Budweiser Block Party Package” and get access to the Budweiser Block Party Chalet where you can have brunch, drinks, and see Kevin Harvick & the Budweiser Girls! Amaze your friends with the “Garage Tour Package” and get an exclusive guided NASCAR garage tour!  Whatever you choose to do, you’re sure to have a great time at the Auto Club Speedway.

Get your tickets early, they may be higher at the gate. Some package offers are on a limited time bases. Certain discounts are available through AAA. Parking is free.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5500648-10872943?url=http%3A//www.groupon.com/deals/gl-the-auto-club-400

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Go-Kart Rentals

Adams makes go-kart racing easy! Just show up at one of the “arrive and race” times noted in their schedule and you’ll be set! Bring close-toed shoes and check in at the pro-shop. Ashley at the check-in desk guided us right through the process from the online registration and guiding us to pit row just a few feet away. A 15 minute ride (about 7 laps) will run you $25, though group discounts are available for birthday, corporate and other parties.

After you’re checked in, they’ll provide your helmet and jacket to make sure you’re safe on the track. They’ll also tell you all the basics about kart driving to ensure you don’t make some common mistakes. Our instructor, Antoine, showed me the ropes and was glad to answer any questions I had. The track can fit 12 or more karts at a time, so this is a fun opportunity to race your friends, co-workers and teammates.

Adams Motorsports Park Track

The track is 3/4 of a mile long, making it one of the largest of its kind in the Western United States. The track will fly by you at 50-55 miles an hour, with your body just inches off the ground! Unlike some sports like football and basketball, bigger is not better, as the standard 4-stroke motors on the rental cars will give kids and smaller folks a bit of an advantage. However, there is plenty of skill involved out there, as you’ll quickly realize as you watch your fellow racers with more skill or experience pass you in the turns.

I was quite shocked at the speed these little karts can pick up in the straight away, and the control they have around the tightest of turns. Even the disk brakes worked just like a real car.

AMP staff tell us that the thrill of racing in the outdoors with real go-karts beats the thrill of the new wave of indoor go-kart racing that has picked up in Southern California. Notably, these outdoor karts are not “toys”- the wheels are not covered (on the non-rentals) and are not made to be bumper cars. The speeds, we understand, are also notably higher. There’s only one way for you to decide which is better, so drop by Adams and decide for yourself.

The only downside of go-kart racing at Adams is driving out of the parking lot, as that first stop light reminds you that the race is over, making driving on the road seem considerably less fun than the thrill of kart racing. It’s like In ‘n’ Out- McDonald’s just doesn’t taste the same anymore! Check out the video below to see what it’s like to be on one of these incredibly fast machines!

Go-Kart Racing Academy

Racing Academy

If you’ve tried the go-kart rentals, chances are you’ll be hooked. To kick it up to the next level, you’ll want to enroll in the Racing Academy.

If Power Wheels just don’t do it for your little ones, Adams is the place to go. They’re particularly proud to have introduced the model for teaching 5-8 year old how to drive these karts, an age that was previously thought to be too young for these fast and potentially dangerous machines. They offer various levels of instruction for these young folks who seek the thrill of racing. Don’t be fooled by the driving age for real cars- these kids drive with skill!

For everyone 8-95 years old, the essential class is Rookie Karting Fundamentals, in which AMP’s trained instructors teach students the karting fundamentals. This class is considered the first step in preparing students for additional intense racing classes offered by AMP. Most importantly, this will be your first chance to ride the “real” go-karts with two stroke engines that will send you flying down the track at 75 miles per hour- about 50% faster than the rental go-karts. The cost is $175, which includes track and lesson time.

The only down-side of these classes if that you may just become hooked even more, making all other hobbies seem second rate to the exhilaration you’ll feel at Adams.

Go-Kart Racing

Adams Motorsports Park Go-Kart Race

If you’re addicted at this sport, Adams has a full shop where you can buy a go-kart for a few thousand dollars on up, getting you started in this exciting sport. Adams can store your kart on the premises, if you’re just getting started and don’t want to invest in the add-ons that are required to lug your kart and its accessories back home.

The popular race club that meets at Adams is the So-Cal Sprinters. These go-kart enthusiasts from the I.E. meet regularly, turning the large Adams parking lot into their weekend camping spot, quite literally sleeping, eating and drinking the thrill of go-karting. Why Adams? The reason is simple. Adams is one of the best tracks in Southern California.

These races work like clockwork, as the drivers prepare in pit row, race with dads (and moms) cheering them on and end with the weigh in and inspection to ensure that every driver is playing by the rules.

This may be one of those hobbies that builds bonds between kids and parents in ways unmatched by other sports, and the parents are there every step of the way to fix the cars, cheer on their kids and meet them at the end, no matter what the outcome. The sportsmanship is unmatched.

Drifting. Photo Courtesy of KROPS.

Drifting

While karting may be a blast behind the wheel, nothing brings out the crowds like drifting, which overtakes Adams every Thursday night. This event, popular with the over 18 crowd that can drive a full size car on the street, has gained popularity over the years. These vehicles are made to slide right around the corners rather than hug the road, a technique known commonly as “drifting.”

Adams works hand in hand with Keep Racing Off Public Streets, a group of racing enthusiasts that aim to keep this thrill contained to their proper location- on race tracks like Adams and others where the public is not endangered. Find out more info on KROPS at kropsblog.com and on Facebook.

Think you might want to get into drifting at Adams or just want to see what all of the buzz is about? Check these events out every Thursday night. There’s often a nominal admission price or around $5, with many hundreds in attendance.

AMP Time Attack Courtesy of KROPS

Time Attack Racing

Another popular motorsport at Adams is time attack in which street-legal cars race around the track to reach the lowest time. Unlike drifting, these cars stick like glue to the track as drivers maneuver their vehicles around the right turns and down the long runways of AMP. KROPS also assists with Time Attack to ensure that drivers leave safely without endangering the public.

Time Attack is generally held on Tuesdays, and also brings down a sizable crowd to watch. Admission is nominal, around $5.

Check Out Adams Motorsports Park for Yourself!

Don’t take our word for how cool this Inland Empire racing venue is- check it out yourself! Figure out what you’d like to see or do and check the full schedule online to find out when it is happening.

AMP is in the center of the Inland Empire and freeway close. Just exit Market from the 60 Freeway in Riverside and head north. After you pass over the Santa Ana River, you’ll see AMP on your left. Just make a left and a quick left and you’ll be in the gates of one of Southern California’s most famed motorsports parkways.

Learn more about Adams Motorsports Park online at adamsmotorsportspark.com. They’re also as social media friendly as it gets: find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, MySpace and YouTube!

The post Adams Motorsports Park – Riverside appeared first on Things To Do Inland Empire.

For car enthusiasts, you can enter your car the Riverside Plaza Car Show & Music Fest! The car show is open to classic domestic & imports and tuner domestics & imports. Entrants can win trophies, prizes and more! Click here for the registration/entry card. The entry fee has been reduced to $10 per car, $12 day of the show. This includes a collectible dash plaque for the first 250 cars.

The bands will include Cucamonga Cruisers, Mirage Groove and The Brock Party.  The Star Spangled Banner to be sung by Cyrena Rios of Mirage Groove.

Want some food or something to drink? You’ll have more than a dozen choices in the Riverside Plaza, including Killarney’s just steps away!

A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to Operation SafeHouse, a shelter for runaways and teens in crisis. For more info, contact Sean at sean@shopriversideplaza.com or 951.683.1066, ext. 113.

Check out the Riverside Plaza’s events at shopriversideplaza.com/events.php.

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The 89th anniversary L.A. County Fair arrives Labor Day Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 3 and continues until Sunday, Oct. 2. The nation’s largest county fair promises 23 days of excitement for all by offering an eclectic mix of world-class concerts, educational, diverse and interactive exhibits, mouth-watering food, unique shopping, exciting horse racing, a thrilling carnival and a complete collection of arts, crafts and agriculture that will wow any guest.

With the L.A. County Fair located in Pomona, which many consider part of the Inland Empire, Riverside and San Bernardino residents have no excuse not to drive just a few miles to what is for most the closest county fair to these metro areas.

The 2011 lineup of fun includes:

• L.A. County Fair ‘s End of Summer Concert Series has 19 nights of grandstand entertainment—an eclectic concert lineup and three nights of monster trucks, high flying freestyle motocross competition and a wild demolition derby. Highlight acts include OneRepublic, En Vogue & Salt-N-Pepa, Xtreme Muzik The Tour starring Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, Gloria Trevi, The Beach Boys and Earth, Wind & Fire among others.
• Guests can also sample award-winning wines and beers from the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Marketplace. The fair offers no shortage of drinking options, with the recently added Beer Tavern becoming the official beer garden with numerous winning local brews from the Fair’s commercial beer competition. Plenty of wine tasting options are available for your wine lovers! A full review is offered online through PubClub, with the official info available through Fairplex. The winners of the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition are online as well. See the pictures below for the full microbrew beer selection that will be available!
  

• Food Trucks will be rolling by every weekend! See the full schedule of food trucks.
• Sunday Night Chef Fight competitive cooking performance on Sunday, September 11th and 18th at the Cullinary Quatro
• Our Body: Live Healthy returns following a banner debut in 2010. This year the exhibition, featuring more than 50 actual human bodies and organs, will include samples of both healthy and diseased organs, with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle.
• The Millard Sheets Center for the Arts, curated by Tony Sheets, presents “ECLECTIONS” The Art of Collection, a fascinating and detailed journey through the history of collections.
• The Flower & Garden Pavilion, an event of its own showcases the beauty of our country with The Wonders of Nature: A Tribute to America’s National Parks.
• Guests are huge fans of food and shopping, and this year’s Fair delivers. New products join returning favorites and one-of-a-kind items. Also, the sight and aroma of specialty foods, healthy foods and traditional dining experience join an impressive variety of gourmet food trucks to offer a plethora of treats. From deep fried watermelon to hair feathers, the Fair has it all.
• Shark Encounter, new to the Fair’s lineup, brings a tank filled with live sharks and an informative exhibit with shark experts on hand.

The L.A. County Fair opens Labor Day weekend and is closed subsequent Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening weekend hours are 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Hours for the remainder of the Fair are: Wednesdays-Fridays open at noon; Saturdays & Sundays open at 10 a.m. Closing on Wednesdays and Sundays is at 10 p.m.; Thursdays 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays close at midnight. Live thoroughbred horse racing at Fairplex Park runs Sept. 9 to 25, dark Mondays and Tuesdays.

If you haven’t been to the fair recently, you’ll notice a change in the setup. The shopping that used to populate the area between the grandstands and the home and garden area has been converted into a playground of the hottest fair rides in the nation. This cuts down on walking and places all of the fair closer together. The shopping is now almost entirely indoors, so you can shop and check out exhibits in air conditioned halls.

Want to know 10 ways to save at the fair? The Fairplex put out their own list with plenty of free ways to get in that don’t involve jumping any gates or dressing up as a vendor! The rides at the L.A. County Fair are perhaps the best in the nation, so look out for those discounts to enjoy the best head-spinning adventures!

Visit lacountyfair.com for admission prices and promotions.

Also, check out our previews and reviews of the Riverside County Fair and Date Festival, San Diego County Fair and Orange County Fair.

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