O.C. Auto Show lures car guys with bikini contests, poker pro and mixed martial arts
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Beginning Thursday afternoon through Sunday evening at the Anaheim Convention Center, the one-weekend-only Orange County Auto Show will open and close its doors. Known as the West Coast’s earliest auto show of the season, show attendees will see current 2010 models, some of last year’s concept cars and pretty much any car or truck that’s currently in dealerships.
Over the years, the show has had a very small showing of national and global new model announcements, but none are expected this year. Instead, a decidedly ‘exotic’ theme seems to be running through the show activities -- targeted directly at male car enthusiasts.
Exotic vehicles including Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, SSC Ultimate Aero and a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Convertible will be on display for your drooling pleasure. And in the same vein, the show’s schedule of events, includes, not one, not two, but three bikini girl contests -- Miss Hawaiian Tropic Model Search, Hottest Hooters contest and Velvet Ring Girl contest. There’s also a live mixed martial arts cage matchup and a drawing to meet and go head-to-head with Absolute Poker pro Matt Vengrin, who has won more than $1.7 million playing the game.
The show’s co-director, John Sacrison, says the emphasis on entertainment for men was a key strategy: ‘This show is more than an auto show as we have the kind of entertainment car enthusiasts like.’
Beyond the whirlwind of live staged activities, people of all genders and ages will be able to get up close and personal with some of the cars that have been in the headlines of late like the Mini E Concept, the 2011 Ford Fiesta, Acura ZDX, Cadillac Converj Concept and the Tesla Roadster. There will also be an opportunity for all attendees to personally test drive several models from Ford, Mazda and Toyota.
Admission is cash only, adults for $10; senior citizens 62 and older for $6; students with ID $5 and kids under 12 are admitted for free.
Hours: Thursday, Oct. 15, 4 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16, noon to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-- Joni Gray