For Hometown News
A 5,000 horse-power dragster that runs on jet fuel is just one of the new attractions lined up for this year's Daytona Turkey Run car show and swap meet on Thanksgiving weekend.
The largest in the U.S., the four-day show kicks off at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at Daytona International Speedway and runs through Sunday, Nov. 25.
The jet dragster, which was designed and built by Larsen Motorsports and students at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, will be unveiled at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23. Driver Elaine Larsen, one of only three women licensed to drive jet-powered dragsters, will be on hand to sign autographs and answer questions.
"One of the best things about this show is it attracts fans from around the world who attend year after year, without fail," said James Brady, director of vendor relations and promotions for Daytona Beach Car Shows, which oversees the event. "In order to keep them coming back, we have to raise the bar every November and give guests something new and exciting to experience. This year is out-of-this-world exciting."
In addition to the jet dragster, visitors will also see:
The Spirit of Daytona Racing Team's 2013 Corvette Daytona Prototype, which completed its first year of racing in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Racing Series;
Grave Digger, one of the most influential and iconic monster trucks of all time;
The Miss Geico Offshore Powerboat, a sleek, 50-foot racing boat powered by a six-time world championship racing team;
A Sports & More Memorabilia Auction where you can see and bid on some of the most famous and history defining items from NASCAR;
"Big Daddy" Don Garlits, the beloved father of drag racing and the first driver to surpass the 270 MPH mark in the quarter mile; and
A Veterans' Tribute Event at noon Saturday, Nov. 24, honoring the men and women in military service.
The Turkey Run will feature more than 5,000 vintage, classic, muscle and racecars, and trucks on display and for sale, as well as a massive swap meet in which vendors sell and trade hard-to-find auto parts and accessories. There also are arts and crafts, and a full midway of food vendors.
The Turkey Run is sponsored in part by Bright House Networks. Admission is $15 Thursday through Saturday and $10 on Sunday with free parking. Children younger than 11 are free when accompanied by an adult. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Daytona Turkey Run, visit www.daytonabeach-carshows.com.