Zafir Nagji, Sports Editor & Liam Rockliffe, Features Editor | 

As Porsches get put in garages, brave souls equip their winter tires, and BMWs begin drifting in snow covered parking lots, the car community in Calgary has never been stronger; and just because winter is coming, doesn’t mean your automobile passion has to die with summer.

The Calgary Sports Car Club (CSCC) shifts its engine-roaring focus from paved roads of the summer, to snow-flinging adventurous rally races. On Nov 3rd and 10th, two rally races are being held by the CSCC. The first is the Dirt Cup 1,  will be held west of Cochrane at the AG Society. This event will open up the season of rally driving and should be an action packed event to join, or just watch from the sidelines. The final stage of the year for the CSCC is the Kananaskis Rally held in Kananaskis, Alta., and will be a perfect opportunity to slide through turns and spew ice. 

Heading 

into winter, one of the biggest rally events will be held in February. Nitrocross is a huge event that travels all over North America. It was initially created by Travis Pastrana and features incredible tracks and big air throughout all seasons. More details on the Calgary event should be available closer to February.

Family

Car culture in Calgary isn’t all about racing and events, for the most part, it is about the community —as Vin Diesel would say, family. Discussing builds and body kits, dream cars and aspirations for current barely-running beaters, are all part of the car community. To join these discussions one does not need the fanciest car or the sleepiest Honda — just like minded souls who enjoy living life one wrench turn at a time.

The car community can be divided into different sects based on each group’s individual interest of choice. Fans of Japanese vehicles, for example, come together at shows like Tuner Spirit and Matsuri to display their cleanest, most elaborate builds. Show cars like the ones at these events are often not designed for hard driving on the race track and feature body kits, interior modifications, elaborate paint jobs, and many other distinct elements. Owners of these vehicles express themselves through their cars and compete against each other in a series of categories to win awards and have their cars become nationally recognized.

For petrolheads with more discerning tastes, Euro Cars and Coffee has become a staple in the city when it comes to gathering some of the finest, rarest automobiles around. Now hosted at Endorphin Exotics, a rental car company specializing in fine European vehicles, Euro Cars and Coffee gives people an exclusive opportunity to see Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and many more of the most desirable supercars and luxury automobiles. Calgary is home to some of the rarest vehicles in the world, such as the Koenigsegg CCR that’s been spotted at Euro Cars and Coffee events and Chinook Mall. With only 14 of them in the entire world, seeing one is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as is seeing the Porsche Carrera GT, Lexus LFA, and Bugatti Chiron Supersport, all of which are rare, expensive, and powered by some of the most iconic engines of all time. Seeing them all cruising around the city is exhilarating, but getting an up-close and personal look at them truly provides an unforgettable experience, so check out Euro Cars and Coffee for all the rare and exotic vehicles you can handle.

The most important aspect of these events and groups is their ability to bring the community together as a whole. Regardless of which vehicles garner an individual’s interest, each event is welcoming to the entire community of car lovers. Petrolheads can attend, associate and amicably converse about any vehicle-related topic and find solace in being among their own kind. For those with the money, time, and passion to build out their own cars and compete or display their vehicles at events, the opportunity to win awards and receive recognition for the hard work and late hours that go into each build is too good to pass up on.