FuelFest is rolling into Chicagoland this weekend, putting the city’s car culture in the spotlight
In addition to celebrity appearances, FuelFest will feature professional drifting demonstrations, drift ride-alongs with professional drivers, motorcycle stunt performances, live music, interactive exhibits and a showcase of screen-used vehicles from the Fast & Furious films.
Walker said the event is designed to appeal to more than die-hard automotive enthusiasts.
“This is a living, breathing animal that just doesn’t let up,” he said. “If you’re not a car person when you walk through the door, you’re going to be.”
That philosophy also extends to families. Children ages 12 and younger receive free admission, a decision Walker said is intended to introduce the next generation to car culture.
“As a child that grew up in a household where cars were always a topic of discussion, I’ve always been interested,” Walker said. “To help capture the attention of the next generation — because they’re our future — that’s everything.”
While FuelFest has grown into a global event, Walker said its charitable mission remains at the heart of everything they do.
A portion of every ticket sold benefits Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), the disaster relief nonprofit founded by Paul Walker after he organized relief efforts following Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. Since then, the organization has responded to disasters around the world. FuelFest has helped raise more than $1 million to support its work.
“Paul was the heart and soul of the whole thing. He funded it 100% on his own. He kept it close to his chest,” Walker said about his brother who passed away at age 40. “Six years after he passed, I created FuelFest and I went, man, this is the stuff that I love. Can I make something that would then benefit Reach Out Worldwide because I’m not a millionaire,” Walker said. “I can’t float what my brother did, so I created FuelFest.”
For Gibson, that combination of cars, community and service is what has kept him involved since the festival’s beginning. “I can’t really compare FuelFest to anything I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “It’s not anything to sell. We’re just literally putting the most amazing event ever on people’s radars.”
As FuelFest prepares for its first Chicagoland event, Walker said he’s eager to see what local enthusiasts bring through the gates.”We’re excited for year one,” he said. “To see how you guys do it in Chicago.”
