Lots of show and shine to see at Valley Street Rods event

Sonja Drinkwater, Alberni Valley Pennyworth
Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009

The shine was on over 160 vehicles at Chances Rim Rock last Friday. Once again, the Valley Street Rods presented an outstanding Show n' Shine on Thunder in the Valley weekend.

Along with the looking, a number of winners in various categories were chosen. The Rim Rock Ride went to Blaine Carmena of Victoria for his 1973 De Tomaso, while Bruce Tateham of Port Alberni took home the Participants Choice trophy for his 1941 Willys. A former Valley resident, Pete Wilson, who now lives in Victoria, won the Valley Street Rod Choice category with his 1970 Dodge Charger. Bill Gould of Vancouver, another former Port Alberni resident, left town with the Stock 1960's trophy for his 1966 Chevelle and Emile Nobert kept the Stock 1950's award in town with his 1957 Thunderbird.

Other Choice award winners included Peter Siomkiw of Parksville taking Choice Import with his 1972 Datsun 240Z; Dave Foudewyn of Victoria won the Choice Late Iron trophy with his 1971 GTO, and Choice Bike went to Gary Miller of Shawnigan Lake for his 2008 U-built Chopper, the same motorcycle that won him the 2008 Canadian Biker build off championship.

Under the watchful eye of his granddaughter, Dakota Rayner, Mayor Ken McRae presents Daniel Cyr with the "Mayor's Choice" trophy for his 1956 Chev Belair hard top.View Larger Image View Larger Image
Under the watchful eye of his granddaughter, Dakota Rayner, Mayor Ken McRae presents Daniel Cyr with the "Mayor's Choice" trophy for his 1956 Chev Belair hard top.

Some of the Modified winners were: Les Woodward of Burnaby for his 1939 Chrysler in the 1935-49 category; Modified 1950's went to Joe Fort of Nanaimo for his 1956 Chev and Port Alberni's Trevor Higgins won the Modified 1960's with his 1969 Dodge Dart.

The MS Society Central Island Chapter, which serves Port Alberni, was back at the Show n' Shine with their "pedal car" raffle. This year, the choices were a tow truck, which was won by Jessica White and a limited edition fire truck that went to Joe Stemler of Parksville.

"We raised approximately $3,000 and the money will be going to the swim, gym and yoga program in Port Alberni," Yvonne Hedley, the chapter's administrator/fundraiser remarked. "Anyone wanting more information on what the MS Society offers can go to our website: www.mssociety.nisa.com pr call 1-888-844-2047."

The event organizer, Valley Street Rods, can be contacted at: a.v.rods@shaw.ca