North Turn Legends Beach Parade set for Feb. 6

Posted On: February 4, 2021

Local racing history will once again be on display at the 10th annual Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, in Ponce Inlet.

Before the start of the parade, more than 40 vintage racecars will stage on the beach between the North Turn beach approach and Winterhaven Park. After a flyover and national anthem at 10:15 a.m., cars will make their way north from the beach to South Atlantic Avenue, where they will travel south, access the beach via the Beach Street ramp, and head north on the beach to complete their lap and exit at the North Turn beach approach.

Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Linda Vaughn, known as “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter,” will lead the parade in a 1972 Hurst/Olds; the model was the first and possibly only Hurst/Olds to pace the Indy 500. Vaughn will ride in the Roarin’ Relic, from the Motorsports Hall of Fame, which paces Saturday’s event. The car is owned by Bruce Smith and was used during a ceremonial parade before the 1972 Indy 500 to transport the top three qualifiers of the event—Mark Donohue, Bobby Unser and Peter Revson.

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey will drive the No. 8 1930 Ford Speedster. State Sen. Tom Wright and County Council District 2 Representative Billie Wheeler will ride in a 1935 pace car owned by Paul Lienbohm. Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile will drive a 1950 Olds Coupe owned by Marshall Griffith. Original beach racers Dink Widenhouse and Johnny Allan will also take part in the parade.

Attendees are encouraged to park at Toronita Avenue Beachfront Park. Votran will provide shuttle service from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. between Toronita Avenue Beachfront Park and Winterhaven Park and Racing’s North Turn. Per an order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 29, face masks are required on Votran buses.

To ensure the safety of attendees, individuals are encouraged to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no program during this year’s event.

The annual parade is a cooperative partnership among Volusia County Government, the Town of Ponce Inlet and Racing’s North Turn restaurant. Sponsors include Busch Beer, Miller Light and PowerTrac Machinery.

For more information about the parade, email northturnbeachparade@gmail.com or call Rhonda Glasnak of Racing’s North Turn at 386-566-1167.