Octane Autofest Launches at BIR June 5–7 with CboysTV Collaboration
- Brainerd International Raceway
- May 8
- 5 min read
A new multi-discipline motorsports festival blends drifting, driving, music, and camping into a full weekend experience
Brainerd, MN — With just 30 days until gates open, Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) is set to launch Octane Autofest June 5–7, 2026—now in collaboration with CboysTV, one of the fastest-growing automotive and lifestyle channels in the country.
The Minnesota-based group, known for turning everyday ideas into high-energy automotive content, will bring its audience to BIR for a full weekend of motorsports, car culture, and hands-on participation. For many of their fans, this will be their first time experiencing a facility like BIR in person—something the event was intentionally built to support.
Developed by BIR alongside Chris Forsberg and Forsberg Racing, Octane Autofest is a new multi-discipline motorsports festival designed to connect traditional racing with a new generation of drivers and fans. The June event marks the first of a two-event series in 2026, with a second weekend scheduled for September 11–13.
For more than 50 years, BIR has built its foundation on traditional motorsports—from the original 3.1-mile road course constructed in 1968 to a championship drag strip that has produced multiple national records over four decades of NHRA national event competition. Octane Autofest represents the next step in that evolution—creating a space where experienced drivers, first-time participants, and fans of automotive culture can all find their way onto the property and be part of the action.
“Octane Autofest is about opening the doors a little wider,” said Kristi Copham. “We’ve always had strong participation here. This is about expanding that—bringing in new people, new energy, and giving them a place to experience it the right way.”
Throughout the weekend, the focus remains on participation, with multiple ways for drivers to get on track regardless of experience level. High Performance Driving Experience (HPDE), autocross, and standing start timed competition will take place on the road course, all hosted by BIR’s longtime partners at Central Wisconsin Sports Car Club. At the same time, drifting will operate across three separate courses, creating opportunities for both new and experienced drivers to be part of the action.
You don’t need to be a pro to be part of it—you just need to show up.
That same energy carries across the spectator experience, with activity happening throughout the facility at all times. Chris Forsberg will headline pro-level drifting on the main-stage course, joined by additional drivers showcasing the sport at a high level. Watercross racing on the BIR pond, presented by the International Watercross Association, adds another unique element, while a lineup of competitive mud trucks will take over the dirt and mud track inside the Zoo campground for exhibition runs throughout the weekend.
For those looking to participate off-track, the CboysTV Car Show provides an accessible entry point into the weekend. Designed around participation first, the show invites attendees to bring their builds, park within the event footprint, and be part of the overall experience rather than a traditional judged format. Saturday night will feature a burnout competition hosted by the CboysTV crew, with vehicles selected directly from participants throughout the weekend.
When the track goes cold, the weekend doesn’t.
With more than 200 acres of camping available on-site, Octane Autofest is designed as a full weekend experience rather than a single-day visit. All multi-day tickets include access to BIR’s well-known “Zoo” campground—a first-come, first-served, rustic camping environment that has been part of the facility’s culture for decades.
From tents to RVs, the Zoo gives guests the opportunity to settle in and stay close to the action. Generators are permitted, and auxiliary pit vehicles are allowed with proper registration, making it easier to navigate the 600-acre facility and remain connected throughout the weekend. VIP camping sites with full hookups sold out within the first day of ticket sales, reinforcing early demand for the full-event experience.
Live music Friday and Saturday night adds to that atmosphere, giving those staying on-site additional entertainment after track activity concludes for the day. Rather than making the drive for a few hours, BIR encourages fans to plan ahead, stay for the weekend, and take full advantage of everything the event has to offer. Daily parking will be limited as the raceway utilizes nearly every available area of the property to support the scale of Octane Autofest.
Momentum for the event continues to build following its initial announcement, with engagement extending well beyond the Midwest. Early traffic has shown interest from across the country, including Texas, Arizona, Idaho, and New Hampshire—an indicator that Octane Autofest is already reaching a broader national audience.
“BIR built the playground. Forsberg brings the credibility. CboysTV brings a new generation through the gate,” said Sara Walker, General Manager of BIR. “That combination is what makes this event something special—and something people won’t want to miss.”
Tickets for Octane Autofest are on sale now. Car show registration is open, and fans can opt into a waitlist for limited CboysTV meet-and-greet opportunities. A second Octane Autofest weekend is scheduled for September 11–13, 2026, with additional details to be announced later this season.
Buy tickets and plan your full weekend at BIR https://bit.ly/4f1gGEo
About Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), located in Brainerd, Minnesota, is one of the Midwest’s premier multi-discipline motorsports facilities. For more than 50 years, BIR has hosted national and regional competition across drag racing, road racing, drifting, autocross, and performance driving programs. Home to the NHRA Nationals and a full season of grassroots and professional events, the facility features a 3.1-mile road course, a championship drag strip, and dedicated drift and performance training infrastructure.
As a family-owned destination venue, BIR continues to evolve its programming and facilities while honoring its racing heritage—investing in new disciplines, expanding participation opportunities, and creating motorsports experiences that connect generations of fans, racers, and automotive enthusiasts across the Midwest.
About Forsberg Racing
Forsberg Racing is the professional motorsports team founded and led by three-time Formula DRIFT Champion Chris Forsberg. Competing at the highest levels of professional drifting, production class off-road and road racing, the team blends elite competition performance with technical development, brand partnerships, and experiential motorsports activations.
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Forsberg Racing works alongside Nissan North America, leading automotive manufacturers, performance brands, and technical partners to develop cutting-edge competition vehicles while creating content and live experiences that engage fans both on and off the track.
The program’s mission is to grow drifting by balancing professional excellence with grassroots accessibility—supporting driver development, hosting track programs, and collaborating with facilities nationwide to expand opportunities within the sport.
About CboysTV
CboysTV is a Minnesota-based automotive and lifestyle YouTube channel with more than five million subscribers, known for high-energy builds, off-the-wall challenges, and a style of content that prioritizes participation over perfection. What started as a group of friends creating videos has grown into one of the most engaged audiences in the automotive space.
Their content centers around real-world experimentation—pushing limits, trying new ideas, and bringing viewers along for the ride. That approach has built a loyal following that doesn’t just watch cars, but wants to be part of the experience.
At Octane Autofest, that energy moves off-screen and into the real world—connecting their audience with a facility built for doing, not just watching, and introducing a new generation to motorsports in a way that feels accessible, authentic, and fun.
