Classic car aficionados had miles of praise for Hot July Nights Car & Bike Show organizers in 100 Mile House, July 11-13.
The culminating Show 'n Shine event in Centennial Park on July 13 saw about 220 classic and souped-up rides from all over British Columbia on display, and about 200 vehicles, about half of them from the 100 Mile House area, registered in a variety of categories for prizes.
The Jack Barnett Memorial Award, which went to best-in-show, was awarded to North Delta resident Keith Biddlecombe, British Columbia Hot Rod Association (BCHRA) president, for his 1932 Ford.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, who presented the award named after her late husband, was herself bestowed in a tearful scene with a separate honour acknowledging her husband Jack's significant contributions to the local muscle car community.
“My gosh that was emotional,” says Jim Williscroft, a Hot July Nights organizer and close friend of the MLA.
“It was an emotional thing that everyone who probably knew Jack was waiting for, and they showed a sign of respect by not saying a word. That was perfect.
“The respect for Donna at that show was immense,” he adds.
Although the severe heat kept a number of out-of-town drivers of older model cars away, the number of entrants and visitors were in line with what organizers expected, and Williscroft says the weekend was a successful one.
“I'm going to remember all the nice things people had to say. It was an absolutely fantastic weekend.”
In particular, he mentions praise from BCHRA director Tom Whiffin.
“[Whiffin] said this is one of the finest shows he has ever seen. The location, how it was put together, he couldn't say enough good about it.”
Williscroft estimates 400 hours of work done by the eight-member Hot July Nights organizing committee since January. He thanks Save-On-Foods for a donation of 1,000 water bottles, which were handed out free to the “parched public” in Centennial Park, where the temperature reached at least 34 C, about 10 C higher than average.
“100 Mile has a good footing, a good show provincially,” Williscroft adds.
List of winners by category:
1920-1929: first, Jason Tasko, Kamloops, 1926 Chevy Produce Truck; and second, Gordon Moyer, Cache Creek, 1925 Overland Willy
1930-1939: first, Keith Biddlecombe, North Delta, 1932 Ford; and second, Fred and Ev Rilcoff, Pitt Meadows, 1937 Ford
1940-1949: first, Dave Purcha, Penticton, 1941 Willys; and second, Ken Green, Burnaby, 1946 morris 8
1950-1959: first, Arde Vaugeois, 100 Mile, 1956 Chevy Truck; and second, Tony Poole, Williams Lake, 1955 Ford T-Bird
1960-1969: first, David Erickson, Quesnel, 1968 Shelby GT500; and second, Dale Purcha, Hinton, Alta., 1969 Dodge
1970-1979: first, Darren Heppner, Quesnel, 1971 Chevy Camaro; and second, Stan and Darlene Bandsma, 100 Mile, 1973 Mustang Fastback
1980-1989: first, Doug and Rosanne Parchomchuk, Lac la Hache, 1989 Mercedes 560SL; and second, Ed Harris, Burnaby, 1986 El Camino
1990-1999: first, John and Chery Christianson, 108 Mile Ranch, 1992 Corvette; and second, Karen Rogers, Williams Lake, 1991 Nissan Figaro
2000 and newer: first, Al and Adelle Coates, Abbotsford, 2005 Chevy Corvette; and second, Al LeStage, Penticton, 2014 Chevy Corvette
Japanese bike: first, Chris Kempling, Kamloops 2001 Kawasaki Drifter
American bike: first, Tyler Jorgenson, 150 Mile, 2005 Harley
European bike: first, Dave Guimond, 100 Mile, 2010 Ducati Street Fighter