Classic car fans are gearing up for the return of the 32nd Annual Copperstate 1000. The goal of this annual event is to celebrate the cultural legacy left by automobiles by featuring some of the best vintage, classic, sports, racing, and grand touring vehicles ever made. The vehicles that take place in this event are all manufactured before 1974.
The event takes participants along a route through Arizona, covering 1,000 miles. Local car dealerships are stoked to be so close to the starting location at the Tempe Diablo Stadium in nearby Tempe.
Where To Catch The Copperstate 1000
While the route hasn’t been made public just yet, viewers know when and where it all starts. For 2022, the Copperstate 1000 starts on Sunday, April 3rd, during the Roadrunner event at the Tempe Diablo Stadium. All of the drivers and their teams will depart at 10:00 am. Onlookers can see all 90 vehicles pass by in an almost parade-like fashion.
The Roadrunner event and Copperstate 1000 is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. Everyone can come and enjoy seeing some of the most classic vehicles still on the road today.
Which Cars To Look Out For
There’s bound to be a slew of amazing classic and vintage cars driving just a stone’s throw away from your favorite local spots in Arizona. Of those vehicles, there are a couple of special automobiles that you won’t want to miss.
The first car to keep an eye out for is a 1952 Cunningham C2 Le Mans race car, often simply called the C2. Briggs Cunningham, an American entrepreneur, drove the C2 in the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour race. You’ll know this vehicle by its large tubular frame, de Dion rear axle, and drum brakes utilizing the rear-mounted inboard on the differential.
The other vehicle you won’t want to miss is the 1953 Studebaker Commander. Industrial designer Raymond Loewy created the Studebaker Commander with a quick-to-notice low-slung design. This car has been a favorite for over 70 years, thanks to its smooth movements and stylish look.
Why The Copperstate 1000?
The Copperstate 1000 was originally created in 1990 as a fundraiser for the Phoenix Art Museum. The event is just as exciting today as it was three decades ago. They’ve even managed to keep the route fresh and full of new landscapes.
Joel Coen, the next president of The Men’s Arts Council, loves having this event each year. The Copperstate 1000 continues to raise the bar for excellence and automotive appreciation.
How To Get Involved
While the Copperstate 1000 is open to the public, the event only allows a set number of vehicles to enter. The entry fee is $8,000 and covers meals and double-occupancy lodging for the driver and co-driver. Vehicles should be from pre-1974, but there are some special cases made for later vehicles. Reproduction and tribute cars are not eligible.
There is also an opportunity to be part of the Roadrunner Car Show. This show offers free admission and will show off 200 cars.
If you’d like to know more about this event, check out the event website.
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