Fifth-annual Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show honors the Snakemeister’s legacy

Photo courtesy Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show.

Racer turned automotive entrepreneur Carroll Shelby died on May 10, 2012, but his name lives on with sports car and muscle car enthusiasts worldwide. Since 2013, the Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show has honored his memory with a display of all things Shelby, from Cobras to Shelby-tuned Mustangs, both new and old. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, May 20, at the headquarters of Carroll Shelby International in Gardena, California.

The event is free to attend, though those wishing to enter the judged car show must pay a $55 registration fee, which includes entry fees, a pancake breakfast for car show participants, a gift bag of Shelby merchandise and a commemorative plaque. Awards will be presented for the top-25 vehicles, along with the Best of Show and the Shelby Award.

Drag racer Don Prudhomme and Cobra driver Allen Grant will be on hand signing autographs, as will author Art Evans, selling signed copies of Carroll Shelby: A Collection of My Favorite Racing Photos. The event will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Shelby G.T.500’s launch, and Shelby American will debut a pair of new models.

For kids of all ages, the new Carroll Shelby Foundation game room will feature a racing simulator, while a “Team Shelby Racing” competition will pit adults, on tricycles, in head-to-head competition on a specially designed autocross course (with several high-profile showdowns already booked).

Neil Cummings, co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International, CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing and co-president of Carroll Shelby Foundation, said of the event,

We feel that the best way to honor Carroll Shelby is to continue his legacy with exciting cars and events for the enthusiasts whom he loved so much. On the fifth anniversary of his passing, we’ll recreate the remarkable celebration of Carroll’s life held at the Petersen Museum in 2012 with a special retrospective. It will be an incredibly uplifting day filled with many of the things Carroll loved most.

Shelby owners unable to make the event are still asked to participate in spirit via a “Rev Your Engine salute,” taking place at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Those in reasonable proximity to Gardena, California, can get more information (or register a Shelby vehicle for display) at CarrollShelbyTribute.com.