The highly anticipated Tampa FuelFest car festival is roaring into Tampa for the first time, bringing high-octane excitement and Hollywood star power. The event will feature “Fast & Furious” actors Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker, brother of the late Paul Walker and founder of FuelFest. Taking place at the Florida State Fairgrounds on March 1, this festival is set to attract car enthusiasts from all over.
A Global Phenomenon with a Charitable Mission
FuelFest is no ordinary car festival—it’s a world-traveling spectacle that has thrilled fans in West Palm Beach, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, and Abu Dhabi. More than just a showcase of high-performance vehicles, the event is also a major fundraiser for Reach Out WorldWide, a nonprofit founded by Paul Walker. To date, FuelFest has raised over $600,000 to support disaster relief efforts, recently aiding communities in Asheville, North Carolina, and Englewood, Florida, after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Tampa Welcomes FuelFest for the First Time
Now in its seventh year, FuelFest is shifting gears and making its Tampa debut. For the first time, the event will include judged car show sections, where enthusiasts can showcase their custom builds. Cody Walker expressed his excitement, noting that fans in Tampa have been eagerly awaiting the festival’s arrival.
“It’s always a melting pot of people who like the muscle cars and show cars and race cars. Then there’s the drag racers and drift races,” said Walker. “It’s all part of Paul’s legacy. The idea of FuelFest was to find a fun and creative way to support the mission.”
An Action-Packed Lineup
FuelFest promises a thrilling experience for attendees, featuring nearly 1,000 street racecars, live-action drifting, live music, and over 800 custom and exotic cars and trucks. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness drift ride-alongs, allowing them to experience high-speed action firsthand.
A Taste of Tokyo in Tampa
One of the most exciting aspects of FuelFest is the Taste of Tokyo exhibit, which immerses fans in Japan’s underground car culture. With uniquely styled vehicles and open-access drift pits, attendees can even ride alongside professional drivers for a pulse-pounding adventure.
Continuing Paul Walker’s Legacy
Cody Walker played a key role in finishing Paul’s final scene in “Furious 7” after his tragic passing in 2013. Following this, he founded FuelFest as a way to honor Paul’s dream of having an agile and responsive nonprofit dedicated to disaster relief. Through Reach Out WorldWide, FuelFest ensures that Paul’s mission lives on.
If You Go to FuelFest
- Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa
- Date: Saturday, March 1
- Time: Gates open 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Admission: Starts at $35; Kids 12 and under enter for free
- Website: FuelFest.com
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled day where Hollywood meets horsepower—FuelFest Tampa is an event no car enthusiast should miss!
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