By Kimi Nash
Director, Sweet Home Sweet Ride Charity Car Show for Kids
The Sweet Ride Charity Car Show For Kids was a success!
We were hustling to make it work this year.
We were granted our insurance around June 4, so we were scrambling to make this show work!
The weather was brutal with heat indexes soaring past the 100-degree mark. Due to COVID, we had to do away with the stage and sitting area for patrons this year.
We had a documented 212 vehicles (on site) registered in the show with many more unregistered. Unfortunately, we had 34 registered vehicles unable to attend due to either “the vehicles won’t make it or the individuals won’t.”
The generosity towards our charities of focus continued to amaze me. The vehicle participants included cars and trucks from all eras, 4x4s, motorcycles, mini trucks, semi-trucks and vintage campers. We gave 93 out of 104 trophies this year! Some individuals had to leave (heat) but we will get their trophies to them.
The burn-out pit was a success, with the proceeds going to the ABC House.
We continued with
“Vendor Alley” in the middle of the show and the food court on the outskirts. New this year was a 24- by 24-foot misting tent.
Plans are already in the making for next year, including a second misting tent and additional awnings for patrons near the stage.
I want to thank all the sponsors and vendors for supporting our event. I cannot boast enough about the 29 volunteers that pulled this show together.
It was hot and some volunteers couldn’t make it due to the heat. This show had so many moving parts and without “the gang” it would not have been successful.
As the director, I am humbled and honored to once again say we had another great year and I can’t wait for next year!
Hopefully, it will be a bit cooler. This event was awesome!
Special thanks to the amazing volunteers who spent two days braving the intense heat. Also, thanks to Scott with Bucks Sanitary Service and Joe with Sweet Home Sanitation for pulling off a very important part of the show, and “Shelly” Carpenter for being my assistant.
Trophy/Award Winners
Poker Walk Winner – Kelly Smothers with 4 of a Kind (A’s)
50/50 Raffle Winner – Brian Stadler – $134
In Memory of Bill Elliott – 1956 Ford F100 owned by Sam Marshall of Sweet Home
Sweet Home Police Department – Most Likely To Get A Ticket – 2009 Ford Mustang Tribute Car owned by Gary Alexander from Canby (Officer stated if driven on the road, the use of its emergency lighting and sound effects would distract drivers… or might be pulled over to check out the awesome graphics!)
Oregon State Police – Most Likely To Get A Ticket – 2020 Chevy Corvette owned by Stan Czerniak of Eugene (495 HP)
Kids Pick Trophies (Chosen by Doernbecher kids and friends: Carter Dixon, Ty Jewell, Mason Krenz, Hunter Krenz, Ava Nash, Shasta Tenbusch, and Sadie Lizama) –
– 1973 Jeep J400 owned by Rebekah Woody of Sweet Home
– 1947 Plymouth Coupe owned by Frank Moser of Eugene
– 1955 Chevy Bel-Air owned by Duke S. of Salem
– 2016 Kenworth owned by Robert L. Rice/Driven by Tim Seth of Sweet Home
– 2018 Kenworth owned by JK Pickle Trucking/Driven by Brian Stadler of Sweet Home
– 2020 Chevy Corvette owned by Steve Roman of Eugene
– 1964 Nova II owned by Raymond Johnson of Lebanon
Best In Class Winners
2021 Best In Show – 1951 Chevy Deluxe owned by Gary and Nancy Burnett of Springfield
Best Model A 1928-31 – 1931 Model A owned by Larry Norton from Springfield
Best Model A Coupe/Sedan – 1931 Model A Sedan owned by Gary Linkel of Sweet Home
Best Model A Commercial – 1915 Ford T owned by Michael Hubler of Foster
C1Corvette – C6 and Newer Corvettes
C1 – 1959 Corvette owned by Kevin Der-owitsch of Salem
C2 – 1964 Corvette owned by Terry and Sue Thompson of Albany
C3 – 1972 Corvette Roadster owned by Tim Hindmarsh of Sweet Home
C4 – 1984 Corvette Coupe owned by Scott Watne of Albany
C5 – 2003 Corvette Coupe 50th Anniv. owned by Robert Kidd of Albany
C6 – 2007 Corvette owned by Bob and Bonnie Wood of Albany
C7 – 2019 Corvette Grand Sport owned by Jim Garboden of Eugene
C8 – 2020 Corvette owned by Steve Roman of Eugene
Thunderbirds – 1965 Thunderbird owned by Ken Phillips of Florence
Mustangs – 1966 Ford Mustang owned by Peter Rocksvold of Lowell
Camaros – 1974 Chevy Camaro owned by Rick Autry of Sweet Home
Firebirds – 1968 Pontiac Firebird owned by Jeremiah and Julie Fisher of Sweet Home,
Chevelles – 1967 Chevy Chevelle owned by Doug Montgomery of Eugene
Novas – 1972 Nova owned by Donald Getz of Sweet Home
GTOs – 1969 Pontiac GTO owned by Dave Herring of Sweet Home
Street Rod – 1947 Plymouth coupe owned by Frank Mossa of Eugene
Rat Rod – 1971 Volkswagon Bug owned by Ken Brenner of Lebanon
Muscle Car – 1972 Chevy pickup owned by Mike Hanshew of Jefferson
Modern Muscle – 1967 Mustang coupe ownd by Joe Thompson of Coburg
Wagon and Deliveries – 1955 Chevy Nomad owned by Ken Jones of Springfield
Pro Street – 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster owned by Bob Case of North Plains
Tri-5 Chevy – 1963 Chevy Bel-Air owned by John (last name unavailable) of Portland
Ford – 1996 Crown Victoria owned by Chris Hays of Sweet Home
Mopar – 1963 Plymouth Fury owned by Brad Newberg of Sweet Home
Imports – 1969 Volkswagon Bug owned by Chris Simmons of Sweet Home
Work-in-Progress – 1928 Model A owned by Danny Wilson of Sweet Home
Best 20s Car – 1929 Chevy sedan owned by Carolyn McDermed of Sweet Home
Best 30s Car – 1931 Chevy five-window coupe owned by Bob and Bonnie Wood of Sweet Home
Best 40s Car – 1947 Chevy Aero sedan owned by Bobby McDermed of Sweet Home
Best 50s Car – 1957 Chevy four-door 210 owned by Jackie Davis of Lebanon
Best 60s Car – 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible owned by Randy Corrigan of Albany
Best 80s Car – 1989 Cadillac Allante owned by Dick Thoma of Lebanon
Best Stock 4×4 – 1972 International Scout II owned by Bonnie McCollum of Sweet Home
Best Modified 4×4 – 1978 CJ7 Jeep owned by Cortney Nash of Sweet Home
Best Obscenely Modified 4×4 – 1978 Chevy K10 pickup (Skittles) owned by Devon Dixon of Sweet Home
4×4 Work in Progress – 1971 Jeep J2000 pickup owned by Travis Dunbar of Sweet Home
Best 20s Pickup – 1929 Ford pickup owned by Shawn Anderson of Sweet Home
Best 30s Pickup – 1934 Ford pickup owned by Burlon Miller of Sweet Home
Best 50s Pickup – 1957 Chevy pickup owned by Leroy Garrett of Lebanon
Best 60s Pickup – 1967 Chevy pickup owned by Sandy Coyne of Florence
Best 70s Pickup – 1975 Chevy pickup owned by Dave Claussen of Lebanon
Best 80s Pickup – 1981 Chevy pickup owned by Mike Zanona of Sweet Home
Best 90s and Newer Pickup – 2018 Chevy pickup owned by Josh Mathews of Eugene
Best Custom-Built Motorcycle – 2017 Harley street rod owned by Wade and Kylie Campbell from Sweet Home
Best Trike Motorcycle – 1998 Chevy V8 trike owned by Danny Murasko of Redmond
Best Highway Truck – 2018 Kenworth W900 operated by Brian Stadler, owned by JK Pickle Trucking of Sweet Home
Best Log Truck – 2018 Kenworth W900 operated by Brandon Foote, owned by Kisselburgh Trucking of Sweet Home
Best Mini Truck – 1979 Datsun 620 pickup owned by Devon Dixon of Sweet Home
Best Vintage Trailer – 2009 Shasta camper owned by Debbie Jewell of Lebanon
Hard Luck Trophy – 1978 Kenworth Log Truck Rat Rod owned by Roy Carpenter from Sweet Home (after many failed attempts to get the motor fired up, the carburetor finally died. Had to purchase a brand new one to get it to the show.)
Chick Magnet Trophy – 1956 Ford F100 owned by Vaughn Blasingame of Scio
Best Investment – 1931 Ford pickup owned by Burlon Miller of Sweet Home
Best Make-Out Car – 1955 Chevy Bel-Air owned by Dallas Womack of Sweet Home
Best Oldie But Goodie – 1950 International L-110 owned by James Mulanax of Mapleton
Best Interior – 1955 Chevy Nomad owned by Ken Jones of Springfield
Best 6 Cylinder – 1926 Dodge sedan owned by Dick Thoma of Lebanon
Best Paint – 1964 Chevy Impala owned by Tom Selander of Dexter
Coolest Flames – 1963 GMC pickup owned by Craig Putney of Lebanon
Best Convertible – 1951 Chevy Deluxe owned by Gary and Nancy Burnett of Springfield
Best Chrome – 1956 Chevy two-door roadster owned by John Clarbau of Sweet Home
Best Engine – 1974 Chevy Camaro owned by Rick Autry of Sweet Home
Best Military Vehicle – 1944 Willys Jeep owned by Louie White of Lebanon
Most Patriotic – 2005 Ford Mustang from Gary Alexander fof Canby,(Tribute to patriots, America and first responders)
Burn Out Pit Crowd Favorite – 1972 Chevy Pickup owned by Mike Hanshew of Jefferson ($200 gift certificate from O&M Tire)
Fun Ride – 1926 Dodge Sedan owned by Dick Thoma of Lebanon
Hidden Jewel – 1923 Ford Bucket owned by Blane Blood of Albany
Best Graphics – 1934 Ford Pickup owned by Burlon Miller of Sweet Home
Longest Distance Driven – 1965 Malibu Chevelle owned by Greg Willison from New Plymouth, Idaho (365 miles one way)
Club Participation – Rollin’ Oldies of Lebanon (club receives $100 towards charity of choice)