Cam’s Show ’ n’ Shine
Massive events sure to please whether you’re in the mood to buy, or just watch the cars race
The warm weather is back and so are shows and races; Cam Hutchins reports on this weekend’s features — some of the best events of the year.
This weekend features two of the biggest car events in the province. In terms of swap meets, the 43rd Coastal Swap Meet at Tradex in Abbotsford is unparalleled, with all things automotive for sale and a car corral where you can park your car and try to sell it.
If it’s racing that turns your crank, the Lordco NHRA BC Nationals is as big a racing event held in B. C. since the demise of the Vancouver Molson Indy a few years back.
The swap meet requires comfortable shoes and a thick wallet because you will see things you need and you’ll want to cover lots of ground. Lots of the sellers have just returned from the big Monroe swap meet and no doubt will have new stuff, meaning they’ll be looking to unload their old stuff. The Tradex parking lot will be brimming with cool cars driven to the swap meet by deal hunters, with many of the vehicles not regularly seen at local shows.
Going to the Lordco NHRA BC Nationals also requires comfortable shoes — and good hearing protection. These higher classification cars run well over 7,000 horsepower, with each part of the engine stressed to the max. Failure is not an option.
Rebuilds are done between races out in the open, while the engine is still hot, for the paying public to watch. It is really an experience to see one of these rebuilds and know that a simple mistake by one of the mechanics can cause catastrophic results on the track.
These cars accelerate to 100 km/ h in well under one second and they can reach speeds of over 435 km/ h at the Mission track — in just over five seconds.
Set against these two massive events are a number of newer car shows and some favourites.
Jeff from Audiomotion has joined with Cartunes and they are continuing the Charity Car show at the Cartunes location.
Art Dickenson knows a thing or two about Slalom racing and Sunday at the Surrey King George Skytrain Station parking lot Art’s team will be holding a training session and slalom and the public is invited to watch and participate and learn how to live peacefully with cones. I think Art would love a few Hot Rods to come out to test their skill. There is a small fee to “race,” but the fun factor is very huge and is a very safe way to get into motorsports.
I did see a few flowers at the Van Dusen All British Show ... they reflect nicely off the shiny car’s paint. So make sure you find some excuse to get out of the garden to do some car stuff! I know the weeds will wait. SHOWS May 25- 26 43rd annual Coastal Automotive Swap Meet Showtimes: Friday, 2 to - 10 p. m.; Saturday 8 a. m. to 4 p. m. Admission: $ 5 per day Parking: $ 5 per day Western Canada’s largest indoor automotive swap meet featuring 500 indoor and 260 outdoor stalls. Car corral spots available for selling cars. Tradex, Abbotsford Info: 604- 540- 6141; info@ coastalswapmeet. com; www. coastalswapmeet. com Saturday, May 26 City of Richmond Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtime: 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: Drop- in free registration. Open to all vehicles. This is the Richmond Public Works Open House with a smaller number of classic cars on hand. Richmond Operations Yard, 5599 Lynas Lane, Richmond Info: 604- 276- 4067; www. richmond. ca Lynn Valley Days Car Show Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Awards at 3: 30 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: 7 to 9 a. m. $ 10 per vehicle Hot Wheels Drag Racing for the kids noon to 3 p. m. Pancake breakfast 7: 30 to 10: 30 a. m. Lynn Valley Park, 3500 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver www. lynnvalleylife. com
20th Annual T- Bird Show & Shine Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: $ 20 per car, Open to T- Birds only. City Park, Downtown Kelowna Info: 250- 769- 6064 and carolynandbob@ shaw. ca; www. vtci- pnwc. com Midway Car Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtimes: 11 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m. Admission: $ 2. Under- 12 free with adults. Registration: 9 to 11: 30 a. m. $ 20 per vehicle, includes dinner. Open to all vehicles and motorcycles. Frank Carpenter Memorial Park, Midway Info: Doug 250- 449- 2403 Sunday, May 27 Charity Car Show & Bbq Showtimes: 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: 9 to 11 a. m. $ 10 per vehicle, all funds to charity. Open to all vehicles. Cartunes, 2700 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam Info: Jeff at 604- 942- 1686; www. cartunes. ca Vancouver Island Mustangs All- Ford Spring Spectacular Car Show Showtimes: 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: $ 15. Open to Fords only. 410E Island Hwy, Parksville Info: 250- 248- 2062, 250- 881- 1423 and thevima@ gmail. com; www. vima. stangnet. com 2nd Annual Maple Ridge high school Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: 9 to 11 a. m. $ 10 per vehicle Open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles. 21911 122nd Ave., Maple Ridge Info: 604- 463- 4175; denkim@ shaw. ca VI Cruises Rendezvous # 2 Showtimes: 10: 30 a. m. onward Admission: Free Registration: Free drop- in registration for hot rods, customs, classics, sportscars and bikes. First Nations Campgrounds, Old Island Highway, Qualicum Bay Info: 250- 338- 6134, 250- 248- 7384, Flleigh@ telus. net; Vicruises@ gmx. com 5th Annual East Vancouver Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtimes: 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: 10 a. m. Minimum donation $ 10 for cars, $ 5 for motorcycles. Proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Whip Gallery Restaurant, 209 East 6th Ave., Vancouver Info: 604- 874- 468, rose@ thewhiprestaurant. com; erin. rideout@ gmail. com www. thewhiprestaurant. com 2nd Annual The Frog & Nightgown Pub Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: 8 to 10 a. m. $ 15 per vehicle, open to all vehicles. 1125 Falcon Dr., Coquitlam Info: 604- 464- 1949 and frognightgown@ shaw. ca www. frogandnightgownpub. com
Ride to Live Classic Car and Motorcycle Show ‘ N’ Shine Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Admission: Free Registration: $ 10 per vehicle Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino, 17755- 60 Ave., Surrey Info: Steve at 604- 240- 9610, 604- 9228176 and stewilli@ shaw. ca www. vancouver. ridetolive. ca Lakers Car Club Spring 18th Annual Spring Round- up Show ‘ N’ Shine. Showtimes: 10 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m. Registration: 8: 30 to 11 a. m. $ 10 per vehicle, open to all vehicles. 3rd Avenue and Borland Street, Williams Lake Info: 250- 392- 3214 and wjpotter@ shaw. ca; www. lakerscarclub. ca COMPETITION May 25- 27 LORDCO NHRA BC NATIONALS Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Admission: Friday: $ 15; Saturday/ Sunday: $ 25. Children 12 and under free with an adult. Mission Info: 604- 826- 6315 and 1- 877- 8266315; www. missionraceway. com Saturday, May 26 Western Speedway Oval Racing Race time: 6: 30 p. m. Admission: $ 30 per carload Victoria Info: 250- 474- 2151 and george@ westernspeedway. net; www. westernspeedway. net Saratoga Speedway Oval Racing Time: Gates open at 5 p. m.; racing starts at 7 p. m. Admission: Adults $ 12; Students $ 10; Children $ 5 Courtenay Info: 250- 923- 2982 and race@ saratogaspeedway. bc. ca; www. saratogaspeedway. bc. ca Sunday May 27 Pacific Jaguar Enthusiasts Group Preseason School Starter Slalom. Competition: 1 p. m. to approx. 4 p. m. Registration: 10 a. m. $ 50 for members, $ 60 for non- members. A lunch is included in the entry fee. Scott Road Skytrain Station parking area, Surrey Info: 604- 465- 7244 and silver007@ telus. net