Best of Bantam

Saturday June 14:
Judging and mandatory participant meeting starts at gate closure at 10 AM
Trophies awarded (Class 1 & 2 at History Exhibit) at 2:30 PM
Trophies awarded (Class 3-13 in show field) starting at 3 PM

Maximum Jeep Participants:  425
Cost:  $30 (includes preferred parking in the Best of Bantam area on Saturday only) 

Is your Jeep one of the Best of Bantam? This activity will have a new simplified format and peer judging in 2025. There will be fewer classes based on registration numbers in previous years and for participants to more easily evaluate potential winners. The participants in each class will judge each other's Jeeps. That way those who know the model the best (the owner's themselves) will decide who wins the coveted Bantam trophy for their class. This new process will also reduce the time it takes to judge the classes so those who want to participate in other Festival activities can experience more fun with their Jeeps.

All Jeeps in Class 1 and Class 2 below will also be parked together near the Jeep History Exhibit on Saturday.

Classes/Trophies

Class 1: Bantam Jeep/Trailer, Military Jeep MA/MB/GP/GPW, Military Jeep: m38/m38A1/700 series trucks (2 winners)              

Class 2: CJ-2A/3A/3B/DJ (2 stock winners; 1 modified winner)            

Class 3: CJ-5 (1 stock; 1 modified winner)              

Class 4: CJ-7 (1 stock; 1 modified winner)

Class 5: CJ-6/CJ-8/ FC Trucks/Willys Pickup/J-Series Truck/Comanche/Stationwagon/Delivery/ Jeepster/Wagoneer (1 stock; 1 modified winner)

Class 6: Cherokees 2004 & earlier (1 winner)

Class 7: Cherokees 2005 & newer/Grand Cherokee/Commander/Liberty/Compass/Patriot/ Renegade (1 stock; 1 modified winner)

Class 8: YJ Jeep (1 stock; 1 modified winner)              

Class 9: TJ Jeep (2 stock; 2 modified winners)              

Class 10: JK Jeep (1 stock; 2 modified winners)              

Class 11: JK Unlimited Jeep (1 stock; 2 modified winners)          

Class 12: JL and JL Unlimited Jeeps (1 stock; 2 modified winners)          

Class 13: JT Gladiator (1 winner)

A trophy for Best Encampment Jeep will also be awarded.

Stock - original vehicle with refinished items including but not limited to upholstery, paint, body work (new metal or filler), engine, tires, etc. Up to two modifications

Modified - three or more modifications made to original vehicle

See specific Best of Bantam rules on our Rules and Waivers page