THUNDER BAY - Despite our long and cold winters that can keep classic cars and hotrods cooped up in a garage for six months of the year, that limited time out on the road might make us love them even more.
“I think when you only get a small amount of time and you are waiting all year and when the weather is nice, you finally get to take your car out, it's special,” said Kevin Mack of History Channel’s hit show, Counting Cars. “We are spoiled. When we do it, it’s not that big of a deal. These people only get so much time to enjoy their vehicles and I think you get more out of it because of that.”
There were nearly 150 cars out and on display this weekend at the Red River Rumble. Now in its fourth year and held alongside Ribfest, organizers say it isn’t the biggest show, but it is an important one.
“It’s certainly not the largest show in Thunder Bay, but I think people like being able to park on the street, bring back memories of the 50s and 60s,” said John Trevisanutto, a volunteer with Our Kids Count. “And the other thing is they really love supporting Our Kids Count and we really appreciate that.”
Trevisanutto said he expects this year both the Red River Rumble and Ribfest will bring in more than $40,000 for Our Kids Count, which goes toward supporting programs such as the community kitchen, the children’s centre, and the parenting centre.
“Ribfest is the largest fundraiser that Our Kids Count has,” he said. “A lot of people come down for the ribs, get to see some cars, and it’s a great way to support a great cause.”
And there definitely was no shortage of cars, with 140 cars on display this year. Car lovers also had an opportunity to meet one of the biggest car enthusiasts, Kevin Mack, who was this year’s special guest and he certainly took note of what Thunder Bay and the surrounding area have to offer.
“It’s beautiful,” Mack said. “I’ve seen some cars here that I’ve never seen before. That’s what’s so neat about going to different car events. You see stuff you’ve never seen before. It’s what people love to build and what they have a love affair with. You just never know what you’re going to see.”
For Mack, building or restoring a classic car is about more than just working in the garage – it’s about family, something everyone can do together. But he admits he is a little worried that classic cars, which already roll out of history, could be a thing of the past.
“The one thing that scares a lot of us car people is that we get older, the kids aren’t into them like we are,” he said. “What worries me, is in 20 years from now, are there going to be any classic cars around?”
But he was impressed to see young and old taking in the many cars and motorcycles on display and he believes that there are more young people in Canada who are interested in classic cars and bringing those four wheels back on the road, not for the sake of driving, but something more, which Mack said makes a car a classic.
“I think it’s the owner,” he said. “I don’t mean the owner building it, I mean the passion. We don’t judge. How can you judge that car against that car? They are both beautiful. It’s a love affair for the owner.”
