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Car show draws record numbers

by Paul Olson

"Fantastic.”
That was committee member David Vaughan’s one-word description of the annual Manistique Merchants Association Car and Antique Vintage Snowmobile Show held on South Cedar Street last Saturday.

With great weather and the MMA’s growing reputation for hosting one of the best-run shows on the circuit, car owners came from far and wide to exhibit their vehicles.

A total of 138 cars officially entered Saturday’s event, setting another new show record. There were 44 snowmobile entries, short of the record in that category, but up from the number of sleds exhibited in 2005.

Vaughan said everything about the day went well, with organizers, exhibitors, spectators and vendors all pleased with the event.

That included groups such as the Manistique Public Safety Department, which moved its annual bicycle auction to the car show and had their best sale ever, and the Manistique High School cheerleaders, who sold over $5,000 in 50-50 tickets throughout the day.

“I can’t think of a single glitch,” Vaughan said. “In fact, there weren’t any glitches. Everything went perfectly from beginning to end.”

Other activities included the eighth annual kids’ tractor pull and the car “blow up” contest, where spectators tried to guess how long an old vehicle would run without oil.

This year’s blow-up car, a battered old Chevy donated by Turek’s, finally shuddered to a stop at 10 minutes and 1/100th of a second. That was almost three minutes longer than last year’s time but still far off the record of nearly 33 minutes set in 2002.

Cindy Kayser was the jackpot winner in that event.

Also returning this year was the Outlaw SPL (sound pressure level) Contest, sponsored by Midwest Sound and Security. The contest pitted audio enthusiasts against each other to see whose vehicle system could generate the biggest sound.

The winners of that event were:

300 to 600 Watts

1. Paul Hardy, 146.8 decibels.
2. Ryan Johnson, 146.5 decibels.

600 and Over

1. Chris Larson, 149.3 decibels.
2. Dan McLachlan, 146 decibels.

Pro Class
1. Mike Ryerse, 152.5 decibels.

The day ended with the presentation of show prizes. The following awards were announced:

CARS

Merchants Best of Show

Neil Aaberg, Escanaba, 1967 Nova SS.

Mayor’s Choice

Thomas J. Wells, Powers, 1949 Willys Jeep and flat bed.

Kewadin Casino Best of Show

Tom and Sandy Yates, 1956 Chevrolet 210

Renze Ford Best Ford

Don Benoit, Wells, 1935 Ford Deluxe Sedan.

Curran Best GM

Don and Joanne Bougie, Escanaba, 1958 Chevrolet Impala.

Ken’s Auto Best Mopar

Jeff Skewis, Negaunee, 1973 Plymouth Duster.

Suzy’s Shadow Box Best Paint

Tim Bosanic, Manistique, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Participants’ Choice Awards

Class A

First place, Don Benoit, Wells, 1935 Ford Deluxe Sedan; second place, Lloyd Pirlot, Wilson, 1936 Chevrolet Coupe.

Class B

First place, Joe Giotto, Ishpeming, 1932 Ford three-window coupe; second place, Jim Brown, Garden, 1933 Plymouth two-door sedan.

Class C

First place, David Granquist, Iron Mountain, 1956 Ford Thunderbird; second place, Larry Murray, Bark River, 1955 Ford Thunderbird.

Class D

First place, Don and Joanne Bougie 1958 Chevrolet Impala; second place, Jim Sovey, Gladstone, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan.

Class E

First place, Doug Potvin, Cooks, 1967 Corvette; second place, Dake abd Vicki Kurian, McMillan, 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS.

Class G

First place, Neil Aaberg, Escanaba, 1967 Nova SS; second place, Drew Baker, Manistique, 1967 Ford Mustang.

Class H

First place, Fred McNally, Escanaba, 1972 AMC AMX; second place, JoAnn Baker, Manistique, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro.

Class J

First place, Guy Hubble, Manistique, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro; second place, Tim Bosanic, Manistique, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Class K

First place, Dave and Lynn MacGregor, Manistique, 1975 Bricklin; second place, Don Kuehl, 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II.

Class M

Dave Menard, Escanaba, 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS; second place, Jeff Skewis, Negaunee, 1973 Plymouth duster.

Class N

Pat and Nicole Filgo, Commerce Township, 2005 Roush Stage 1 Mustang; second place, Michelle LaVigne, Manistique, 1999 Chevrolet Camaro.

Class P

First place, Allen LaVigne, Manistique, 1997 Mazda Miata MX5.

Class Q

First place, Chris V. Case, Munising, 1946 Chevrolet pickup; second place, Thomas J. Wells, Powers, 1949 Willys Jeep and flat bed.

Class T

First place, Jerry Baker, Manistique, 1954 Ford pickup; second place, Scott Baker, Manistique, 1952 Chevrolet pickup.

Class V

First place, Bill Reed, Manistique, 1968 Ford F-100; second place, Jack Hoag, Manistique, 1994 Chevrolet pickup.

Class W

First place, Darrell Dixson, Manistique, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado; second place, David Shope, Rapid River, 1966 GMC.

Class X

First place, Karl and Susan Krumrey, Manistique, 1998 BMW M-Roadster; second place, Kelli Smith, Manistique, 1999 Pontiac Grand Am.

Class Z

First place, Widdis Racing, Manistique, 2006 Pontiac stockcar; second place, Jerry Mattson, Romeo, 1939 Plymouth two-door.

Snowmobile award results were not available at press time.

The MMA has posted a gallery of photos on its Web site, showing the vehicles that were on display and other show highlights. To find it, go to
www.manistiquemerchants.com.

Tractor pull results

by Paul Olson

The Manistique Merchants Association has announced the results of its eighth annual Kids’ Tractor Pull, which was held on Walnut Street Saturday, Sept. 2, during the MMA Car and Antique-Vintage Snowmobile Show.

During the event, 29 children from 5- to 11-years-old competed.

As always, some of this year’s competitors pedaled the tractor and weight sled to “full pulls” of 45 1/2 feet. When more than one person in an age group pulled the full distance, the division results were decided by having them pull again, sometimes several times, with increasing amounts of weight added to the sled.

The top pullers received MMA gift certificates donated by the association and the Manistique Area Kiwanis Club.

The final results, as reported by race officials:

5-year-old girls: first place, Emily Sundling (11 feet); second place, Cheyenne Herro (10 feet).

5-year-old boys: first place, Jack Krumm.

6-year-old girls: first place, Stephanie LaFoille (11 feet); second place, McKenna Golat.

7-year-old girls: first place, Lauren Page (30 feet); second place, Syera McDonald (14 feet, 6 inches).

7-year-old boys: first place, Wyatt McKenna (31 feet); second place, Preston Schrier (19 feet, 6 inches).

8-year-old girls: first place, Saige Hastings (full pull); second place, Nicole Brock (18 feet, 6 inches).

8-year-old boys: first place, Tanner Gonzalez (three full pulls); second place, Trevor Ayotte (two full pulls; 35 feet); third place, Billy Christenson (34 feet, 6 inches); fourth place, Hunter Golat (11 feet, 6 inches).

9-year-old girls: first place, Alice Krumm (full pull); second place, Hailey Hoholik, 27 feet).

9-year-old boys: first place, Braxtyn Swagart (two full pulls); second place, Cole Gonzalez (full pull; 42 feet, six inches); third place, Austin Fleck (31 feet).

10-year-old girls: first place, Alyssa Minarit (full pull).

10-year-old boys: first place, Cameron Page (full pull).

11-year-old girls: first place, Sam Lynts (full pull; 43 feet, 6 inches); second place, Jordan Kowalski (full pull; 40 feet); third place, Elizabeth Hulla (full pull; 38 feet, 6 inches); fourth place, Cassie Walters (full pull; 37 feet).

11-year-old boys: first place, Trevor Chaperon (two full pulls; 38 feet, 6 inches); second place, Zavier Gonzalez (two full pulls; 37 feet); third place, Robert Ayotte (40 feet, 6 inches).