Photos: Import car ‘Face-Off’ revved up Irwindale Speedway
2008 Kias Rio with Marvel comics on the hood was seen at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
2020 Honda Accord has a Kobe Bryant theme seen at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
2017 Lexus RC F seen at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Custom wheels on a 2017 Lexus RC F at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Owners clean up their cars at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Trophies were awarded at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Superman is seen on the side of this 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback sport at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Nico Newel, 2, drives around looking at cars at the Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Import Face-Off (IFO) originated in 2001 and is the largest, continually running national Import show in Irwindale, CA on Jan.15, 2022. Photo by John McCoy
Droves of import car enthusiasts gathered at Irwindale Speedway on Sunday, Jan. 15, for a day of showcasing the best of their shiny machines.
The Import Face-Off originated is said to be the largest, continually running national Import show and race series in the U.S., with Irwindale being a stop among more than 40 events from coast to coast each year.
The massive meet-up prides itself on its car, truck, bike show exhibitions, its 1/4-mile drag racing, its stereo crank-it-up contest, model expo, burnout contest, DJs, among others.
On the event’s website, Cliff Wallace, the event’s founder, from Baton Rouge, La., said he started the event in his hometown after he and local import enthusiasts got tired of only bracket racing for trophies against domestic cars every weekend at their local drag strip. The track would never host an import event, so “I decided to step up, rent the track out, and host one myself.” That was 2001.
Now, he’s got events lined up from Irwindale to New York and many placed in between, with the Irwindale event kicking off the year.
