Region's coolest vehicles will be 'Cruisin' for Courtney'

May 08, 2008 12:20 pm

— By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
The local car-cruising season gets a boost Sunday with an event geared toward raising money to help others.
Cruisin’ for Courtney III will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on the Conemaugh Township Area High School campus in Davidsville.
The show has earned a reputation of attracting the region’s coolest street rods, hot rods, muscle cars, antiques, classics, restored modifieds, rat rods, trucks, tuners and motorcycles.
“You name it, these enthusiasts are coming together for a fun-filled afternoon of great music, delicious food and terrific camaraderie in a beautiful setting,” said Michael Sotosky of Conemaugh Township, event coordinator.
This is a celebration of the life and spirit of Courtney Lynn Rummell, the 15-year-old Conemaugh Township High School student who battled cancer before eventually succumbing to the disease on May 14, 2006.
Proceeds will benefit the Courtney Lynn Rummell Memorial Scholarship fund and Birthright Inc.
“Her life and her spirit lives on and continues to be an inspiration to so many throughout the region,” Sotosky said.
The number of cars entered each year has increased since the event’s inception in 2006.
That event attracted 162 show cars the first year and 257 last year.
“Three hundred would be great this year, but the price of gas may certainly affect the number of participants coming from outside the immediate Johnstown/Somerset area,” Sotosky said.
It’s difficult to determine what vehicle category of car causes the most buzz.
“Whether it’s the street rods, or muscle cars that will be on display, or the new generation of street rodding which is the ‘tuner’ crowd, they all draw a tremendous amount of attention,” Sotosky said.
He claimed that the display of huge, state-of-the-art race-car rigs and haulers also is a crowd favorite.
The Characters, an oldies and classic rock band, will perform from 1 to 4.
Disc jockey Walt “The Mopar Music Man” McClelland will greet spectators at 11 a.m. with sounds from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
Various foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, meatball sandwiches and porkettes will be available.
Baked goods donated by area residents also will be sold.
The Classic Clowns of Johnstown will entertain spectators.
Children may participate in a race-car coloring contest for a chance to win two free passes to a Bedford Speedway event.
Onlookers will be able to choose the fan’s choice “Cruiser of the Year” awards with the top five vote getters receiving trophies.
“The winning car will be featured on an official event T-shirt that will be created, printed and made available for public sale, later in the summer,” said Sotosky.
Local stock-car racing standout Dave Whetstone will allow fans in attendance to sign his street-stock race car.
The 2007 East Coast late model driver of the year, Bo Feathers, has designed an exclusive and commemorative Cruisin’ for Courtney door panel that will adorn his race car at Bedford Speedway for two races following the cruise-in.
This commemorative door panel will be on display for fans and well-wishers to sign.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet numerous race-car drivers, including Pennsylvania stock-car racing legend Larry Wright, who will have his super late model on display.
Admission is free.
A portion of the proceeds raised from concession sales, Chinese auction and the race-car signings will benefit the Courtney Lynn Rummell Memorial Scholarship Fund and Birthright of Johnstown Inc.
The scholarship has been established at Conemaugh Township.
“There is a little extra meaning and emotion among her classmates and community because she would have been a senior this year and graduating,” Sotosky said.
The Cruisin’ for Courtney scholarships will be presented during awards night on May 19.
The rain date for the event is May 18.

Fundraiser
What: Cruisin’ for Courtney III car show/cruise-in.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Conemaugh Township Area High School campus, Davidsville.
Admission: Free.

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