Autoblog

All around the world, thousands upon thousands of automotive enthusiasts wait with baited breath, remote controls, YouTube clicks and torrent downloads for new episodes of Top Gear. Some satiate their cravings with Final Gear in the meantime, but as Clarkson and company seek to rebuild the British empire one commercial deal at a time, soon we'll have two new series to keep our interests piqued. Because not only are we getting our own version of Top Gear here in the United States, so our own mates down in Australia.

While the American pilot has already been shot, Down Under they're just gearing up, and they're now accepting applications for tickets to the filming of the first episode of Top Gear Australia. So if you live in the Outback, put down your boomerang and ride your kangaroo Holden over to the Special Broadcasting Service website to fill out the form.

[Source: SBS via FinalGear.com]

For 20 years, a mass of automotive enthusiasts has descended upon Atlanta Motor Speedway for the NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow. NOPI, a Georgia-based aftermarket parts and accessories dealer, built a loyal following with their Nationals Supershow, attracting upwards of 90,000 attendees each year. Through the success of their car and trucks shows the company also took on the task of running a nationwide drag race and drifting series more, but this year NOPI won't be filling Atlanta Speedway's infield for the 21st year this September, as the Nationals Motorsport Supershow has been canceled. In fact, all remaining 2008 NOPI events from car shows to drag racing and drifting, have been called off.

According to NOPI, the rationale behind the decision is due to the tough times currently being endured by the automotive industry. With vehicle sales in the dumpster, one can only image that accessory purchases are also being cut from most consumers' budgets. Compounded with the rising fuel prices and reduced event attendance, finishing out the event schedule did not make economic sense for NOPI. It is sad to hear of such a staple event forced to shutter. Hopefully NOPI can weather the storm and bring back the debauchery another season.

[Source: NOPI]

We've told you about the weekly Cars and Coffee car meet in Irvine, California before. Heck, we're regular attendees whenever we are in town. Well, the Irvine C&C meet isn't the only caffeine and horsepower combo in the country. Similar gatherings have been taking place all over this great nation, some of them even adopting the C&C moniker. The latest to join the list is a new event starting in Las Vegas on June 14. What makes this one special besides the location is that somewhere along the way, someone trademarked the Cars and Coffee name. This Las Vegas event is only the second official Cars and Coffee show in existence. Just like many of the others, it will be free to entrants as well as the public. Expect a similar eclectic mix of exotics, hot rods, muscle cars, classics and sports cars to the original Irvine event. It will run from 7AM until about 10AM at the Sansone Park Place shopping center at 9500 S Eastern Ave (215 and Eastern). Go to the official Cars and Coffee Las Vegas website for more info and directions to the show. And check out a gallery from a previous show that played host to the Ford GT National Rally II.


[Source: Cars and Coffee Forum]

If you're in the New York metropolitan area and don't have any plans this weekend, you might want to shoot up I-95 (or jump on Metro-North) to Greenwich, Connecticut, where Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom will be putting on the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. This is a spectacular event that's held over two days. Day 1 is Saturday, June 7, which will focus on American autos from every era. When Saturday wraps up, all the American metal drives off and the Europeans take over the premises for Day 2 on Sunday. As always, a supercar display will be on hand all weekend, as well as an impressive lineup of vintage motorcycles and one airplane.

Look for rides like the one-of-a-kind, Pininfarina-bodied 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine that sold for $1.76 million at Barrett-Jackson this past January, as well as other vehicles of interest, such as living legend John Fitch's original Phoenix sports car. Oh, and Bonhams is auctioning off a few things that register on the Cool-o-meter, too. Admission is $25/day or $40 for both days, with the proceeds benefitting AmeriCares. Kids under 12 get free admission, and the gates open at 10:00 AM on both days.

Make sure you factor in time to browse the public parking lot outside the Concours, too. It's like another show in and of itself. Dress comfortably -- it's supposed to be in the upper 80s and humid this weekend. No worries, because despite it being in swanky Greenwich, the Concours is totally casual and totally awesome. I'll be there snapping away with my trusty little camera for Autoblog, hoping to provide coverage similar to what we brought you last year.

So, if you're in the neighborhood, go. The cars are incredible, their owners usually have great stories to tell, and you'll have a good time. The 2008 entrant list is published in chronological order in the gallery below, and all three photo galleries from last year's event are pasted after the jump. See ya there.