The Race of Gentlemen, affectionately known as TROG, first run in 2012 not far from the CarShowSafari.com headquarters in New Jersey, has from the start proven immensely popular – so much so that a second event, on the California coast, is being planned for this year.
Certainly a big component of the event’s popularity is its distinctiveness: It is beach racing with an enforced vintage vibe. Participating cars must wear bodies older than 1935 and carry parts no newer than 1953; motorcycles must be American-made and older than 1947. Vintage attire is encouraged. The town in which it takes place, Wildwood, is practically a museum of mid-century architecture. TROG is a trip in the wayback machine.
The addition of a second TROG, to take place at Pismo Beach, California, is news but not a surprise. There was racing on the beach at Pismo at least as early as the 1920s, and California needs no introduction as an historically car-obsessed culture. It’s a natural.
In New Jersey, where the 2016 event has been moved from post-Labor Day to what is hoped to be a more weather-friendly June date, the schedule will include not only the beach races but also the Customs by the Sea car show. This show includes both original and modern variations on custom cars, but pre-1952 only. In California, a vintage travel trailer show will be the sidebar, and here again “vintage” is the key word; only pre-1950 trailers need apply.
Even though The Race of Gentlemen has been around only for a few years, it is quickly becoming a “bucket list” item. Here at CarShowSafari.com, we have been fortunate to have this event right down the road from us. In 2016 the west-coasters get in on the fun. TROG East is set for June 4-5 in Wildwood, New Jersey. The first TROG West goes offOctober 15-16 in Pismo Beach, California. 
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