| Some people seem to think that the number 13 can be bad luck, and that fear even has an official name - Triskaidekaphobia. Well we here at Mike Kelly’s Cruise News host our annual Beach Blast car show, which this year turned 13, and there was certainly nothing to fear - just good times to be had by all! The event took place on Sunday, May 20th at the Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Resort, and was blessed by good weather, 200 cool cars and trucks, and lots of smiling faces. The festivities were once again possible thanks to our main sponsor, Ron Hassel of All-Midwest Sales, a major parts manufacturers’ representative company. The co-sponsor was again Advance Discount Auto Parts, who everyone is of course familiar with due to their huge presence in Florida, and they were also the main door prize sponsor. Valvoline and Eagle One also contributed items to be given out as door prizes again. So please think of all these companies when it is time to buy things for your car or truck and support those that have given so much back to our hobby over the years, as well as supplying dynamite products.
We officially host the show on Sunday, but as everyone knows by now the “unofficial” festivities actually start several days earlier due to many participants arriving early to stay at the host hotel and take in all the area has to offer. That includes the world famous Cocoa Beach itself, nearby Kennedy Space Center, Ron Jon Surf Shop just two miles north on A1A, casino cruises out of Port Canaveral, and many other possibilities. Combine that with the great Holiday Inn facilities (including direct beach access, a huge swimming pool, and adjoining children’s “Pirate Ship” mini water park) and it truly has become seen as a “must attend” annual event for not only car owners, but their whole family as well since there is indeed something for everyone.
We park as many vehicles as we can on the lushly landscaped winding brick promenade that leads back to the Ocean Deck, and on Saturday afternoon we moved in the cars and trucks that arrived early enough to receive promenade vouchers. Butch and Jennifer Johnston of WJBJ Cruisin’ With The Classics then pumped out the cool tunes that helped make our Saturday night “Cruise-In” a fun place to be, as well as heading up a 50/50 raffle. Security was provided overnight for the many vehicles that remained on the premises, and then things got cranking again on Sunday morning when the remainder of the participants showed up. Door prizes were given out Sunday at 3:00pm on the Ocean Deck, followed by the awards. Again we had unique trophies we put together utilizing cool die cast cars mounted on a wood base, with the event artwork done by Adam Icenogle on a beautiful upright plaque printed by Daytona Trophy (who also printed the event T-Shirts and magnetic dash plaques).
As always a HUGE “Thank You” goes out to the dedicated guys who help make the event run smoothly by parking the vehicles, staying up long hours, and basically doing whatever it takes. They are Bob Arnold, Jack Messemer, Billy Craft, Ed Fitzpatrick, and Dave Smart. We’d also like to thanks C&D Golf Carts in Titusville (321-268-4882) for again providing us with some great looking golf carts, which really come in handy over the 3 or 4 days we spend at the Holiday Inn.
Due to space restrictions the Beach Blast has been limited to the first 200 vehicles for many years, and sells out through pre-registration every year. We open pre-registration the beginning of January, and all of the 2007 spots were gone by the middle of February. So if you want to attend for 2008 look for the magazine ad to appear next January when we start pre-registration, or visit www.CruiseNewsOnline.com at that time and click on the “Beach Blast” button at the top for more info, and be sure to act very early to get your vehicle registered.
We want to once again thank all those who came out to Beach Blast 13 for sharing their cool cars and trucks, Ron Hassel of All-Midwest Sales and Advance Discount Auto Parts for making the show possible. We hope to see everyone again next year, and continue the tradition of fun in Cocoa Beach! CN
Additional Beach Blast pictures on:
Hot Rod Hotline (4 pages)
and by WJBJ Cruisin' With The Classics
SPECIALTY AWARDS:
Under Construction: Chip Fair • 1932 Ford Roadster
Best Paint: Anita Rivera • 1954 Chevy 3100 Pickup
Best Engine: Gary Streeter • 1969 Camaro (560ci Supercharged)
Best Interior: Jerry Weckel • 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Tomm Staggs Memorial: Peggy & Mike Defrancisco • 1968 Dodge Charger
Cruise News Choice: Sam Mascia • Mercury Custom
Best Of Show: TJ & Tim Brown • 1972 Chevy C-10 Pickup
TOP 40:
Ken Fisher • 1967 Chevy Corvette
Fred Golsner • 1952 Chevy Complete Custom
Gary Collins • 1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL
Kenneth DeLeau • 1969 Chevy Chevelle
Tim & Debbie Brown • 1967 Chevy Camaro RS
Carolyn Taylor • 1957 Chevy Bel Air
Kirk Husselman • 1968 Chevy II Nova SS
Duane Collins • 1970 Plymouth Road Runner
Keith Ward • 1967 Chevy Camaro
Wayne & Judy Newkirk • 1957 Ford Custom 300
Bob Gilliam • 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
John Nobles • 1955 Chevy 210
Don Shollenbarger • 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2-Door Sedan
Jack & Julie Anderson • 1923 Ford T-Bucket
Don Raker • 1955 Cadillac 62 Series
Karel Watkins • 1938 Lincoln Zephyr
Brian Moss • 1965 Chevy II Nova
Linda Rais • 1968 Ford Torino GT
Rolly & Jean Ahearn • 1955 Ford Fairlane
Gary Moore • 1950 Ford Woodie Wagon
Gregory Buchardt • 1930 Ford Town Sedan
Robert & Sandie Carpenter • 1968 Ford Mustang
John Canepa • 1962 Chevy Impala
Dennis & Mary Baker • 1951 GMC Panel Truck 4X4
Matt & Margaret Mattingly • 1967 Chevy Camaro
Les Miles • 1961 Chrysler 300-G
Steve & Debbie Peel • 1939 Ford Custom Convertible
Sandy & Lynda Cordova • 1963 Chevy II Nova SS
Howard & Sue Krusey • 1932 Ford Roadster
B.L. (Larry) Hamblett • 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II Hemi
Tom Brown • 1948 Chevy C.O.E. Pickup
Mike Pocquette • 1937 Ford Convertible
Robert Manley • 1955 GMC 100 Stepside
Mike Duckworth • 1940 Ford Coupe
Mike Guido • 1962 Minissau ZSX6
Al Burzo • 1959 Chevy El Camino
Bruce Arnold • 1969 Chevy Camaro
Otto Horvath • 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Ron & Pat Kellinger • 1930 Ford Phantom Vicky
Mickey Hill • 1948 Lincoln Continental
|
