Hyperfest kept the tracks hot at the VIRginia International Raceway last weekend – the annual motorsports festival’s 16th Anniversary brought thousands of automotive enthusiasts together by entertaining various niches in the hobby. It was an unforgettable weekend where vastly different car cultures united as one.
Hyperfest is the ultimate event on the East coast, and we could barely contain ourselves: even just walking through the gates caused an energy rush straight to the brain. This year's agenda juggled many activities including drifting, National Auto Sport Association road racing, and various ride-a-longs, such as drifting with Formula Drift pro-drivers, off-road exploration, and supercar, rallycross and monster truck experiences. While the tracks were hot, the off-road experience allowed for rig owners to gain knowledge back on the trails. Among all of the excitement, there were also karting, motorcycle races, helicopter tours, and car corrals. Saturday’s big day was rounded off with an epic burnout contest.
Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. has been a Hyperfest participant since 2003. His passion for the festival is evident, and considering his reputation as a professional fun-haver, his words are held in high regard. VGJ’s face was glowing with anticipation for the weekend; “If any place is the epitome of automotive culture, this is it. Hyperfest is a relaxed event full of fun-seekers like me. There are so many activities to choose from, and it’s great to see everyone bringing their rides out and just enjoying the culture. There’s racing during the day and then partying at night. This is the place to be.”
Vaughn's iconic 900-hp Monster Energy Ford Mustang RTR is the equivalent of a 9-second drag car that’s set up for drifting, and it shook the grounds during every nail-biting run around the course. VGJ was giving Slide-a-longs to drift fans all weekend, and participants could be heard saying; “That was the biggest adrenaline rush of my life!”
Intermediate to pro-level drifters left their mark on the VIRginia Raceway’s 1.1-mile Patriot Course, a smaller circuit located inside the perimeter of the full course. Street Driven was this year’s host for the drifting portion of Hyperfest. Drivers defied the laws of physics by side-sweeping around the course, leaving the essence of smoked tire and rich fuel in their wake, and the fans cheered in their midst.
In addition to the bash-style drifting, competitors also took part in mini-games. Favorites included hard parking, where a driver is allowed two attempts to drift down a portion of the track and stop in time to avoid a barrier of jumbo cardboard boxes. Whoever stops with the least distance between the boxes without touching (or obliterating) the boxes wins. Drift soccer was another crowd-pleaser that challenged competitors to drift into and (hopefully) hit a neon yellow soccer ball with their rear tire, to then (hopefully) score a goal.
Hyperfest’s festivities were surrounded by VIR’s 3.27-mile, 18-turn full course, where NASA-sanctioned road racing and time trials ran all weekend. The diverse lineup included series such as: American Iron, German Touring, Factory Five Racing, the BMW Spec E30 and the new BMW Spec3 Series, the Camaro/Mustang Challenge, Honda Challenge, and the Spec Miata Challenge. (Whew!) As if the track wasn’t hot enough, scheduled HPDE times gave new-to-intermediate drivers an opportunity to throttle it out around the course with an instructor.
A walk around each paddock area was a car show in itself, but with a different feel. There’s something about being in the presence of a freshly raced vehicle; it’s as if remnants of energy from the track follows the car back. Passerbys instantly react to the rev of an engine in the paddock by abruptly turning and walking towards the corresponding noise.
More eye candy was parked in the car corrals, which lined the inner circle of the full racecourse. The vehicles on display were diverse and included the Mustang Fan Club, the dazzling Japanese Classics of Virginia, and an area for off-road vehicles, exotics, and classics. To put it simply: Hyperfest really does have something for everyone.
Just outside of the track’s perimeters was a full off-road experience. On Friday, certified team sessions from UORTC (NC) and NORA (NY) had 25-minute private off-road driving instruction. For Saturday, guided exploration courses were offered for off-road vehicle owners. Obstacle courses and trails were all located around the Dan River, which is a cool, peaceful getaway from the blistering sun reflecting off of hot pavement. Or if you get really overheated, the off-road ride-a-longs will bring you through the shady trees and through the mud. These Jeeps have some big treads, and the owners just might give you an extra mud splash if you ask nicely.
Exedy Rally Ride-a-longs and Rage Buggy rides kicked up dust and dirt in the overgrown fields around the nearby outskirts of the VIRginia Raceway. Attendees were lined up for the alternating rides, eager to get strapped in and racing around the rugged terrain.
Up the hill from the Rally cars were alternating bike and karting races. According to VIR, the karts are equipped with ungoverned Honda GX 270cc motors and are capable of speeds in excess of 50-mph, which means that these are the fastest go-carts around, perfect for the paved 5/8 mile, 24-foot-wide circuit.
The tire massacre came just in time. Nearing the end of Saturday’s festivities, a steadily moving blanket of low, thick dark clouds (the beginning signs of a massive downpour) started to move in. Despite the threat from Mother Nature, the burnout contest commenced, and a select few competitors gathered their vehicles, each eagerly waiting for their turn on the burnout platform. Every remaining spectator in the park joined the masses to witness the carnage. The atmosphere reverberated with high revs and tire smoke billowed into the air, often to the point of the car being completely engulfed in clouds of steamy rubber. The audience cheered in unison, which seemingly lifted the smoke higher. (Or maybe it was the incoming storm.)
Those final moments sealed the deal for us, and there's no doubt about it: Hyperfest is the epitome of what automotive culture is all about. Check out the gallery for a closer look.