2025 Events Schedule

Join the fun as, each day, 50 lucky drivers, and their passengers drive beautiful mountain “less traveled” roads and experience the comradery with the “One Lappers”. The annual “One Lap of The Mountains” driving tours have become the one of festival’s most popular events.  One Lap tours will be held on both Thursday June 12 and Friday, June 13. The Thursday "Grande" drive will travel over 195 miles and is the longer route. Friday's "Petite" will cover less than 100 miles making Friday the shorter route of the two days.  These exhilarating driving adventures are technical rallies as opposed to timed rallies, designed to give drivers a chance to enjoy the scenery while staying together as a group.  Event organizers annually plan different courses for each day on roads chosen to provide the ultimate mountain driving experience.  Driving tours are 'Rain or Shine' events. Participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the drivers meeting to allow time for check in and merchandise selection. 

Thursday, June 12, 2025:

One Lap of the Mountains 'Grande'

Group A Drivers meeting at 8:15am. Group departs at 8:30am.

Group B Drivers meeting at 9:15am. Group departs at 9:30am.

Friday, June 13, 2025

One Lap of the Mountains 'Speciale'

Group 1 Drivers meeting at 8:15am. Group 1 departs at 8:30am

Group 2 Drivers meeting at 9:15a.m Group 2 departs at 9:30am. 

 Check in and driving tour departure from:

 Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

411 Pine Street

Highlands NC 28741

Join us for a parade of classic cars on Main Street in Highlands as hundreds of enthusiastic spectators enjoy this opportunity to see these classics in motion.

Participants will gather in K-H Park at starting at 5:00pm. The parade cars will depart K-H Park at 6:05pm. Registration is not required.

Highlands Motoring Festival’s® centerpiece event, Classics in the Park judged car show, occurs on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, just steps from Main Street.  The Featured Theme for 2025 is "The Cars of Enzo Ferrari".  Organizers expect 80 total entrants, including approximately twenty examples of some of Enzo Ferrari's finest work. More than 2,500 visitors are expected on show day. Entry is by invitation only, either directly or through application. “Cars in the Park” focuses on autos from the pre-computer car era; the model years prior to 1990.  

Previous year’s shows have featured such diverse classics as pre-war and brass era, post-war American and European, and race cars including BMW M1, 502, 507 and 328, Ferrari 166MM, Bugatti Type 35, Indy cars, rare muscle cars, and a corral of original Shelbys and Cobras. In 2016, a trio of Mercedes 300SL Gullwings was on display.  Italian-car lovers have brought cars from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, and Lamborghini. Race cars have included Lotus, Lola, Shelby, Porsche, Lister-Jaguar Ferrari, BMW, Pantera, Morgan, Ginetta and McLaren, including multiple Le Mans winners.

 Judging Criteria for “Classics in the Park” 

The Highlands Motoring Festival is honored to have a distinguished group of judges, with national judging experience, and who graciously provide their expertise, and continued support. Note that neither judge’s cars, nor cars owned by Highlands Motoring Festival committee members, are eligible for judging and award.  At the Highlands Motoring Festival, we employ a modified French judging method. Please note, this is not as rigorous as what would be found at a marque specific concours, (JCNA, PCA, BMWCCA, etc.), nor AACA standards. Correctness to the most minuscule detail is not our focus; Our judges are knowledgeable car collectors/restorers, but they will not be inspecting for correct screw heads on your thermostat housings, for example.  Judges also may, at their discretion, consider an owner’s knowledge of their car, and additional presentation effort, ( factory brochure, period accessories or attire, etc. ).Highlands Motoring Festival is more than a car show; it is a 4 day event that includes driving. We’d like that anyone may participate in those experiences, and if accepted, also display their car on Saturday. Our judging process, and criteria, reflects that objective. Cars will be judged on overall quality of restoration, authenticity, provenance, and presentation. Areas that will be judged on correctness, and cleanliness are: exterior fit and finish of paint & body, interior, engine compartment, and trunk, if applicable. The automobile’s under body and chassis, as viewed from underneath, will not be judged. Many of the automobiles on Saturday will be trailered, however we recognize that many collector cars are driven regularly. Consequently, modifications for safety are given special tolerance when our judges consider originality.  Acceptable modifications are, seat belts/shoulder straps, upgraded brakes, battery, hoses, belts, and tires. Vehicles with deep modifications will be grouped into a Modified/Custom display collection. These modifications include: engine type, wheelbase, suspension, transmission/drivetrain, and body lines. On behalf of the Highlands Motoring Festival, we look forward to getting to know you, and your car. We sincerely appreciate your support, and happy motoring! 

PUBLIC ENTRANCE GATES OPEN AT 9:30AM. FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND DONATIONS WELCOME.

Spend the evening socializing with others who share your passion for classic automobiles. Dress for a resort casual atmosphere. This year this event moves to the Vinyard at High Holley.  Enjoy spirits and spirited conversation, dinner, silent auction, and a program featuring a special guest speaker, Mr. Bill Warner, and a discussion about his experiences as a life-long enthusiast in his presentation entitled "The Cuban Car Culture". 

6pm to 9pm

PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE MERCHADISE TABLE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025

 $150.00

Winding up a perfect Highlands Motoring Festival® weekend is a second car show, the annual “High Octane” at 8:30 A.M. on Sunday, June 9, at the Kelsey Hutchinson Park. All vehicles are welcome at this more casual event. Cars of any age are invited – there is no registration, entry fee or judging. Old and new friends will find this the opportunity to exchange contact information, tell one more story, make plans for HMF2026, and bid each other a fond farewell.