Two-day auto tuner car event draws sizable crowds to North Charleston, surrounding area

By JIM PARKER

The Post and Courier

Organized in a few weeks, Auto Clubs Royale attracted tuners, luxury sports models and dozens of other cars to the Charleston area this month.

The weekend event Feb. 2-3 brought together car clubs from the Charleton area and Columbia among other places. In a growing trend, the groups focus on tuners and other high-performance vehicles preferred by younger car enthusiasts.

Part show, part cruise-in, the event used as its home base the parking area at Festival Centre at the corner of Ashley Phosphate and Dorchester roads. Cars on hand included Ferrari, Audi TT and various souped up Japanese sports models.

A mobile kitchen supplied food, while a portable dynomometer tested horsepower on numerous cars.

Meanwhile, Showzone Motorsports rolled out car parts for sale, including quick disconnect steering wheels.

A warm up of sorts to Auto Clubs Royale was an impromptu tuner cruise-in held in the fall at Festival Centre.

The two events underscore the growing interest in “Fast and Furious” style cars and trucks among 20s and 30s age drivers and securing places to show off their tricked-out vehicles while gathering socially.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.