About Us

​

Car Shows Are in Our Blood

Group Promotions produces World of Hot Rods and other car shows built on one idea: bring the best cars, the best builders, and the best products together under one roof, and give enthusiasts a day they’ll talk about for years.

It’s an idea we inherited.

​

A Legacy Seven Decades in the Making

Our story starts with our father, Bob Larivee Sr., a Michigan racer and promoter who founded the Detroit Autorama in 1953. That first show, about 45 to 50 cars at the University of Detroit Field House, was a fundraiser to help build Michigan’s first official dragstrip, and it was a hit. Bob went on to serve as that track’s first manager, learning show promotion and racing side by side.

​

By 1959 he had formed Promotions Inc. with his brother, and by 1960 a profitable Toronto show proved the model worked. In 1962 he headed to Southern California to build relationships with the hot rod world’s biggest names, including Vic Edelbrock, Ed Roth, and Wally Parks of the NHRA. Promotions Inc. grew to 15 shows almost immediately.

Bob never stopped innovating:

​

• He founded the Detroit Autorama and the Ridler Award, two cornerstones of the custom car world that still define the top of the sport today.

• He founded the International Show Car Association (ISCA) in 1963 to bring fair, consistent scoring to vehicle judging. The ISCA remains North America’s leading judging body today.

• He put the biggest names under one roof. Legendary builders, music, TV, and film all shared the floor, and Detroit’s Big Three used his stage to debut vehicles like the first Ford Mustang.

• He grew Promotions Inc. to roughly 100 shows a year, with books, souvenir programs, and sponsorships from the industry’s leading specialty-equipment manufacturers.

• He wrote the book on it, literally. His book Show Car Dreams tells the story of the car show, and he started the fine art exhibit at the SEMA Show.

 

For his contributions to the industry, Bob was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame.

​

The Next Chapter

​

Group Promotions is led by the Larivee sisters, Tracy Larivee and Janine Carlson, a longtime car show operator. Bob remains a critical part of our efforts as a consultant and advisor. Together we combine decades of hands-on experience with fresh energy and a simple goal: shows that are worth the trip for attendees and worth the investment for the businesses that exhibit and sponsor.

 

Our Vision

Our vision is to keep the excitement and passion that made car shows what they are, the rumble of an engine, the gleam of fresh paint, the thrill of seeing a build you’ve only dreamed about, while launching confidently into the future. We honor where this culture came from and we’re building the shows, the experiences, and the partnerships that will carry it forward for the next generation of enthusiasts.

​

What We Believe

• Cars come first. Great shows start with great vehicles and the people who build them.

• Fair competition matters. Our roots are in leveling the playing field for car owners.

• Shows are for everyone. Families, lifelong gearheads, and first-time visitors should all leave excited.

• Partners are part of the show. Our exhibitors and sponsors connect directly with an audience that loves what they sell.

​

Work With Us

Whether you want to show a car, exhibit, or sponsor, we’d love to hear from you.

 

​