Attention in the pits: Drag racing is underway at the 15th Anniversary Holley LS Fest East. Racers have filled the iconic Beech Bend Raceway Park with an insane variety of straight-line automotive mayhem, under the common theme of the mighty LS (and LT) powerplants. Topping the roster is the Callies No Time Shootout, featuring the fastest small-tire cars on the property in a heads-up, no-time, limited-prep format.READ MORE
Raw power is only half the story at LS Fest East. Welcome to the precision and punch of autocross. This isn't just a race; it's a high-octane symphony where split-second decisions meet razor-sharp car-control skills. Picture a sprawling parking lot reimagined as a performance stage, with cones standing sentry, demanding meticulous maneuvers that meld art with adrenaline. Pilots of taut LS- and LT-powered machines serenade the asphalt in a captivating clash of agility and horsepower, where every turn is a test of skill, and the quest for automotive glory unfolds in split seconds.READ MORE
When the potent output of LS motors is combined with killer off-road machines, the result is a crowd-pleasing spectacle of slipping, sliding, and soaring. The Beech Bend dirt track is tailor made to showcase the wide range of vehicles that make the scene for LS Fest East, with participants running the gamut from stock SUVs to full-on trophy trucks. Joining these burly off-road rigs are the wild engine-swap creations people expect to see at LS Fest, bringing an extra dose of creativity to the brash spectacle of down and dirty showmanship at the event. It’s a must-see for spectators of all ages and interests.READ MORE
The 2024 iteration of the Drift Challenge at LS Fest East surpasses itself once again as having its largest field of entrants to date. Ultimately, 32 of the 50+ drivers in attendance will make the competition cut and that will narrow to the top sixteen for the main competition Saturday night. For those not familiar, drifting is a judged sport and scores are awarded by three judges in as many categories – line, angle and style. Some drivers play it safe in qualifying to get enough points to make it into the competition and then let it all hang out, others are hell bent on nailing a 100-point run their first time out. READ MORE
Although fast-paced action and wild motorsports antics are a vital part of LS Fest East, some of the coolest things at the show are barely moving at all. We’re talking about the LS Fest East car show. This multifaceted gem sprawls throughout much of the show grounds, covering nearly every inch of the central area at beautiful Beech Bend Raceway Park. It’s here that you can expect to see the unexpected. If it has an LS or LT engine, you’ll probably find it in the LS Fest East car show. That can mean vintage trucks, engine-swapped foreign machines, muscle cars, sleepers, street freaks, new stuff, old stuff, and who-knows-what-it-is stuff. Whatever you’re into, you’ll can see it in the car show just waiting for your emphatic approval.READ MORE
The LS Fest East Burnout Challenge is an explosive spectacle, where adrenaline soaked rubber slingers let it all hang out for the ultimate smoke-filled frenzy. In this competition, the spectators are the judges, critiquing each fiery display on the thickness of the smoke, the excitement of the performance, and the competitor’s willingness to break any and every part of their machine to take the victory. It’s a thrilling adventure where passion meets precision and showmanship, with every shred of tire contributing to a momentous celebration of automotive artistry.READ MORE
The 3S Challenge stands for Speed, Stop, and Steering. This unique segment combines elements of autocross and speed-stop courses, pushing the limits of both car and driver. It’s a true test of balance, blending power, suspension setup, brakes, and driver skill to achieve the fastest time. On Sunday, the autocross course is transformed into the 3S Challenge. It’s a standalone event that's included for autocross competitors and a vital piece of competition for Grand Champion competitors. It’s a true test of balance, blending power, suspension setup, brakes, and driver skill to achieve the fastest time. READ MORE
Get ready for the ultimate showdown at LS Fest East – the Grand Champion competition. This isn’t just a test of horsepower; it’s a brutal gauntlet of man versus machine that takes over the skidpad, road course, and drag strip. Competitors throw down in a multi-faceted battle for glory, packing epic talent in autocross, a pulse-pounding 3S Challenge, and drag racing. Spectators are treated to a real spectacle, where vintage beasts, late model muscle cars, and rugged trucks find their footing on the asphalt in a no-holds-barred fight for superiority. In this gloriously chaotic arena, only the most versatile machines can claim the storied title of Grand Champion.READ MORE
LS Fest East isn’t just a car show – it's a wild congregation of gearheads, misfits, and adrenaline junkies who live the joyful, chaotic spirit of motorsport culture. This electrifying event draws car enthusiasts from all walks of life, showcasing a diverse mix of personalities that make LS Fest East a true spectacle. Beyond the rockstar mojo of racers and influencers, the heart of LS Fest lies in the passion of everyday fans who fuel this gathering – a mosaic of unique characters that breathe life into the festival. Each participant adds to the rich narrative, proving that the spirit of motorsport thrives in the hearts of everyone, creating unforgettable memories in a shared obsession for speed.READ MORE
LS Fest East is all about personal expression. And one of the best ways to put it out there is on a vanity plate. At this event, you can’t walk a dozen feet without seeing some kind of clever wordplay on a plate, which only adds to the already abundant entertainment to be found everywhere. And so, we bring you our picks for the best vanity plates of LS Fest East 2024. READ MORE
Practically every car you see at LS Fest East is the result of someone who sacrificed, saved, or scrounged to make it a reality. Dreams rarely ever happen without passion and dedication to push them through to the end. For that reason, LS Fest East is a celebration of people as much as cars. We salute everyone who has the determination needed to bring their own unique four-wheeled vision to life for everyone to see and enjoy. Here are some of those people and their stories. READ MORE
Since 2010, horsepower fanatics from around the world have converged on Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky every September to celebrate General Motors’ LS engine platform in all its forms. These days LS Fests draw thousands of enthusiasts from every walk to life and have been ranked alongside races like the Indianapolis 500 and NHRA U.S. Nationals as one of the must-attend motorsports events of the year. Here’s how it all began. READ MORE
LS Fest is celebrating its 15th anniversary for 2024, and a record turnout of 64 drift cars is on hand for the occasion. The night before the event's official opening, the Bowling Green police department lead the annual Drift Cruise to Bowling Green’s historic downtown Fountain Square Park. The cruise is now in its third year, with an epic turnout of over 50 vehicles this year overtaking the scenic locale. READ MORE
The gates have swung open at Beech Bend Raceway Park and it's a beautiful morning as the sun rises over western Kentucky – LS Fest East 2024 is officially underway! A parade of LS- and LT-powered machines lopes through the entrance, ready to stake a claim in this automotive wonderland. The air crackles with anticipation as throngs of smiling fans pour in, filling the rolling, picturesque grounds.
This is where horsepower meets chaos – a wild spectacle that serves as playground for speed junkies, thrill-seekers, and car enthusiasts alike. Soon, the venue will explode with adrenaline-filled activities: drag races, autocross, and the burnout competition, building a delicious soundtrack of roaring engines and cheering crowds.
All the while, familiar faces from the automotive universe are everywhere, mingling among the masses like royalty at a carnival. Influencers, fans, and friends unite in this sprawling automotive arena, channeling their collective enthusiasm into an tasty vibe that’s impossible to resist. Classic muscle cars, modern marvels, and engine-swapped freak machines line up, glinting in the sunshine and shaking the bones of anyone within earshot.
It’s a high-octane paradise – a mecca for automotive aficionados who thrive on horsepower and everything that goes with it. This potent confection beckons anyone who lives for the intoxicating sights, sounds, and sensations of machines that dare to cross the limits.
LS Fest East 2024 has arrived, and the adventure is just beginning!
Every year, Holley offers informative seminars throughout the weekend at LS Fest. This year, Holley invited guest tuner and wiring expert, Devin Vanderhoof of HCR Innovations. “It’s mostly an opportunity for people to ask questions and explore options,” said Devin. “Basic install stuff, like what’s the best product for which application, when is drive-by-wire best, or maybe when do you need a Terminator X or a Dominator.”
Also in attendance is a 1999 Mustang, belonging to James Vitiello. The car drove in on a competitor’s ECU system, and James and friends installed a Terminator X in under an hour and a half, inside the tent and with limited tools. “We just had a basic start-up tune,” said Chris Vickers. “It just shows how easy it was for an average guy to do it.” The Mustang is powered by a 6.0L truck engine, with ported heads and forged internals. Boost comes way of a Forced Inductions 91/102 turbocharger. The transmission is a Turbo 400, and the new ECU is a Terminator X.
The seminars are presented at 10:30am and 4:30pm both Friday and Saturday.
New to LS Fest East for 2024 is the High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) course. Created to allow event attendees to sharpen their performance driving skills in a relatively safe, controlled environment, these lively sessions are both educational and fun for everyone attending. HPDE is held at the National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park just down the road from Beech Bend Raceway Park, utilizing MCM's grand full-course layout for the first time in LS Fest history.
Although the program is highly educational, it’s nonetheless aimed at drivers who have advanced beyond the beginner level. Accordingly, there are significant minimum requirements for drivers participating; Motorsport Safety Foundation Level 1 (at least) Certification is required, with Level 2 preferred. Drivers are also required to be familiar with the NCM Motorsports Park Grand Full Course, with a minimum of five events on the 24-turn MCM layout.
