21st Century Special
The 8th annual 21st Century Car Show has come and gone just as fast as the vehicles taking part in the events. Our team is grateful to have spent the weekend spanning across Prescott, Jerome, and the beautiful AZ89 interstate. We wanted to take the opportunity to share the story of the 21st Century crew and when you can expect to see them next. Check out our coverage and interview of the team leader Charles Hicks!
Interview with Charles Hicks (The Start Up)
Q. For those who don't know, when was the start of the 21st Century crew, and what did the early days look like?
A. 21st Century Car Show started in 2018 immediately after I graduated from high school. Our annual show continued to grow year after year, but remained in downtown Prescott. We eventually sprinkled some rallies into our calendar, and in combination with our annual 21st Century Car Show we began to pull some very hot cars. In 2022 our display topped 140 vehicles on the streets of downtown Prescott, which showed me that we had a real shot at making a year-round commitment out of our principles. By combining the shows and rallies into the same weekend the 24 Hours of Octane was born. Now we have a group of volunteers that organize a series of specialty events, out of the passion they have for cars, that culminates with the 24 Hours of Octane. We consider the 21st Century Car Show to be the main event of the 24 Hours, which now operates on an 'application and acceptance' format, and donates all proceeds to charity.
Some spend their time or money on yarn to crochet, or pencils to draw - we spend our time and money on exclusively modern automotive events, and pocket absolutely none of the proceeds. This is our hobby.
Q. What was the most memorable part of your team's journey?
A. Transitioning from only hosting the 21st Century Car Show on an annual basis, to the entire 24 Hours of Octane in 2023, showed me that the concept of exclusively modern automotive events was too strong to be forgotten when I started dental school. Assembling a team to organize the 24 Hours was the most memorable sector in the development of the 21st Century Car Show. We could tell the scale and prominence of our events was about to increase in magnitude, filling us with ambition and hope for a long lasting future filled with shows, drives, photoshoots, and now track experiences.
Q. Did you ever imagine you would be closing off Downtown Prescott, AZ-89, or AZ-51 through Phoenix?
A. Yes - that has always been [part of] the goal: bring modern exotic, luxury, and muscle cars to areas that they previously wouldn't be able to enjoy in style by which we provide. We are proud to have planted such public footprints for our events while still operating purely off a hobbyist/grassroots perspective.
Interview with Charles Hicks (The Main Event)
Q. What is your ideal size for an event? How many people would you like to see showcase a car?
A. I prefer our single day events to remain at 25 vehicles, however we like to see 80 cars come showtime at the 24 Hours! Despite our specialty events selling out in a matter of days, I feel it still provides drivers with a healthy dose of 21st Century, but leaves enough excitement on the bone for the 24 Hours of Octane every summer. By utilizing an 'application and acceptance' registration process we can ensure that (a) every driver in attendance truly wants to share the road with us, and (b) every vehicle is of the quality we are after.
Q. Will pre-2000 vehicles ever be allowed?
A. No - however if you've got a Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari F40, or equivalent I suppose we can bend the rules...again.
Q. When is the next time the Phoenix scene can expect the return of the 21st Century Car Show?
A. We'll visit the valley this winter as we churn through our series of specialty events leading to the 24 Hours of Octane next summer. However, the main event, the 21st Century Car Show, will most likely never return to Phoenix. Northern Arizona, Prescott specifically, has an incomparable charm when the latest exotics are splayed out on the streets of the Yavapai County Courthouse Square. Not only is the small town feel, and environment, more aesthetically pleasing to me, but plenty of enthusiasts, drivers, organizers, and spectators would back me when I say the valley is desensitized to unique, exotic, rare, and legendary automobiles. It's incredible that the Phoenix scene has blossomed into what it is today, but we feel our time is better spent bringing vehicles to communities of enthusiasts who have yet to see their dream car in person.
Q. What are your future plans with Phoenix Children's and Operation Smile?
A. Our visit to Phoenix Children's was a pioneering one-time affair. The memories we made sharing our cars with kids in the hospital's driveway is something our entire committee will never forget, it was truly moving.
Because my brother and I are pursuing surgical specialties in dentistry, we are excited to transition from financially supporting Operation Smile with 21st Century events, to potentially becoming the primary providers for life changing cleft lip and cleft palate procedures.
Q. Has planning begun for the next event?
A. Because we have such a reserve of ideas in the backseat, we're able to stay at least an event ahead of the present day. The entire blueprint of next year's events is already laid out, and, I believe, continues to elevate the style and quality of gatherings we're organizing.
Interview with Charles Hicks (Pit Stops)
Q. How does this year's 24 Hours of Octane compare to past gatherings? What about compared to the last time in Prescott?
A. We believe the 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Octane was our finest gathering yet! We had great weather, incredible cars on display both at the show and on the road, respectful drivers, great media coverage, and great venues to enjoy each other's company. America's 16th President made it clear that you can't please all the people all the time, but generally speaking the experience has been reviewed more positively than anything we've organized in the past. The best part is: we're getting ready to do it again!
Q. What were some of the highlights from this past weekend?
A. Of course the main event, the 8th Annual 21st Century Car Show, was a major highlight. We were very pleased with both the quality and quantity of vehicles in attendance. Prescott was loaded with spectators that have never seen a Ferrari F8 Spider, Lamborghini Huracan STO, or a Ford GT Carbon Series - we were thrilled to provide such a great display to the enthusiasts of northern Arizona!
It was also a real privilege to share the new 21st Century Headquarters with some of our closest drivers. Although the asphalt was only a week old, the epoxy still smelled of chemicals, and we were no where near fully moved in, I'm glad drivers could get a glimpse of where to find us in the future.
Q. What can be expected with the future of the 21st Century Headquarters?
A. Expect Prescott's largest automotive enthusiast clubhouse to become part of 21st Century events moving forward. Not only does it serve as our event planning facility, but also a private venue for rally launches, vehicle photoshoots, invitational Cars & Coffee, and catered dining experiences. Although it will only be open to the drivers of 21st Century events, we are thrilled to have such a large, private space at our disposal to build a tight knit community of modern automotive enthusiasts.
Recap
A message from the 21st Century Crew - "Incredible cars, great weather, very light traffic, and friendly people made for a great weekend in Prescott. We extend a gracious thank you to everybody that made the 24 Hours possible, and can't wait to return to the action! From dining on Mt. Vernon, and driving the high desert countryside, to wrapping around the Yavapai County Courthouse for the 8th Annual 21st Century Car Show, we are very proud to host our current gatherings, still driven by grassroots motivation. Local spectators are given a sight to behold, and drivers get to experience the charm of northern AZ from behind the wheel. Although we pushed the boundaries of what's possible in Prescott and the surrounding areas, get ready for an even sweeter offer for next year's 24 Hours of Octane."
We want to take another moment to give thanks to Charles and the entire 21st Century team. Being able to capture our perspective and share their story has been a great privilege. We hope to return with another special for their event next summer!
Making art and showing our perspective to the world is far more than a job, but a deep passion. We are just as grateful for the car owners at the weekend cars & coffee events, as any inquiries you send. The media allows us to constantly reminisce of peaceful, petrol-filled mornings. We hope that you can join us and see where the road leads.