The Woodward Dream Show — designed to give Dream Cruise attendees an extended view of only the best hot rods, muscle cars, race cars and cruisers — left the starting line last year for its inaugural trip around the track. The new “hot rod” of an event, created and organized by M1 Concourse in Pontiac, crossed the finish line a winner but also with some tinkering to do in order to better bring the experience up to speed for guests and participants.
“We had a tremendous first year, and we were very pleased with how things ran and the reaction from the public,” says David Sherman, VP of Signature Events for M1 Concourse, the epicenter of all things automotive in Metro Detroit. “We are really looking forward to this year’s event.”
The 2022 Woodward Dream Show, presented by Comerica Bank, is a significant hot rod, custom, cruiser, and muscle car show with a focus on featured classes, marques, and a celebration of car enthusiasm in the heart of the Motor City. This year, the iconic 1932 Ford “Deuce” turns 90, the Lincoln brand celebrates its 100th anniversary, and the Pontiac Firebird turns 55.
“Last year was a success for M1 as well as the participants who joined us for the show,” Sherman said. “We told everyone last year that we would be changing things in year two because you always learn things in year one. We learned things by just watching things and seeing how everything unfolded. But we also sent a review out and a survey for people who came out to the show so we could get some feedback from them. It was a great way to find out what we did right and what we did wrong.”
M1 organizers, who see the Dream Show as an enhancement of the overall Dream Cruise experience, are excited again to offer visitors a chance to see these classic cars up close and talk to the owners to get the backstory on these impressive automobiles.
“We had a lot of people tell us they were more interested and drawn to the events on Friday rather than Saturday,” Sherman said. “So we have now made Friday our main focus day, and because of that, we already have over 750 pre-registered show cars. People are starting to recognize that M1 is a destination for all things automotive and car culture.”
The Woodward Dream Show also features premium food trucks, a kid zone, live entertainment, and a hospitality pavilion along with plenty of parking and shuttles.
Saturday’s big change from last year is a bigger focus on the Car Club Corrals.
“There are some car clubs that just can’t afford a spot on Woodward Avenue for the Dream Cruise so what we’ve done is reach out to them and offer a spot here free of charge as long as they have 10 or more cars in their club,” Sherman said. “We have 23 clubs bringing around 400 cars who have pre-registered to be here for Dream Cruise Saturday. We have clubs coming here from as far away as Pennsylvania.”
Also on Saturday, M1 Concourse will roll out the first Woodward Dream Show Parade, which will leave the M1 property and cruise north on Woodward through downtown Pontiac’s historic Widetrack Drive and back to M1. Each car club will present their best 5-10 cars in the parade, which will start at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets for Friday’s events cost $50 and include access to M1 Concourse property, parking, Pit Stop Alley (Premium Food Trucks), Arena Biergarten, Lifestyle Pavilion, all show and display cars, RSTEs, Insiders’ Garage, R/C off-road racetrack, Awards show, music, entertainment, and much more.
To see a full schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit m1concourse.com.
