News

Annual MC C.A.R.S. Club Car Show on May 6

posted Apr 19, 2006 in CAMPUS EVENTS

Once again, classics, custom cars and hot rods will grace the streets of downtown McPherson for the annual Main Street Cruise-In from 6-8 p.m. on Friday May 5. The Cruise-In sets the stage for the 7th annual C.A.R.S. Club Car Show held on Saturday May 6th on the McPherson College campus from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m. This year more than 150 cars are expected to be on display.

There is no charge to attend the show. To enter a car in the event, the fee is $15.00; registration is from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Some vehicles are entered for display only, while others are entered in one of seven categories to be judged. Awards for the winning cars will be presented at 3:00 p.m.

1911 Stanley Steamer race car

"Two cars will be featured on display for this year’s show: a 1911 Stanley Steamer race car, and a 1950 Ford Woody Wagon. According to Ross Barton, president of the C.A.R.S. club, there will also be three Lamborghinis and a 1922 Stanley Steamer on display this year. "People always love to see the Lamborghinis but we’re also going to have other really great cars at this year’s show," Barton said.

The show is sponsored by the C.A.R.S. Club, a student club at McPherson College (C.A.R.S. stands for College Automotive Restoration Students), and is the largest, by far, of several other events each year. According to Jonathan Klinger, director of automotive restoration development, "A tremendous amount of work goes into the annual car show. The students work very hard and do a great job of putting on a first-class show. It’s always a really enjoyable day."

To help raise money for the club, T-shirts, designed by Ryan Heller, a freshman from Wylie, Texas, will be available for purchase at the show. There will also be a raffle with various fancy car parts going to the winners.

Adding to the enjoyment of the day, live music by local group "Fortune" playing "America’s hit music" will be performed between noon and 3:00 pm. The McPherson College Jazz Ensemble will also appear. Tours of Templeton Hall, the home of the automotive restoration program, will be open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by the local Optimists Club.

McPherson College's Automotive Restoration Program is internationally recognized for the excellent preparation it provides students in this field. The primary goal of the program is to teach automotive restoration at its best. The faculty and students share a common goal of striving for authentic restorations based on extensive research. Restoration students learn by integrating theory with hands-on restoration work on vehicles from all eras including antique and classic cars. Classes promote an appreciation and respect for automotive culture and its history. The internship program has created many outstanding opportunities. Restoration facilities and museums consistently provide professional work settings for students to demonstrate the skills and knowledge acquired in the program.

For further information please contact Jonathan Klinger at 241-0742 ext. 1254, or email cars@mcpherson.edu