THUNDER BAY - Of the hundreds who came to the Motorsports Extravaganza on Saturday, there seemed to be a consensus among them.
“It’s more fun and more interesting than last year,” said coordinator of the planning committee, Kevin Merkley.
The overall expansion of the event was evident due to the hundreds of people who poured in before the opening remarks at noon.
Jim Kircsh was one of them, and the Duluth, M.N. native was eager to show off his prized possession.
“It’s a 1968 hemi dart. I built the car to represent the original factory race cars,” Kircsh said. “Every nut and bolt and every part on this car is brand new.”
Kircsh, who came up for the show last year, said sharing space with people who love cars is what he enjoys the most.
“It’s nice just coming, talking to older folks who know more about when cars came out. Just the camaraderie, everybody has an interest in cars.”
Rob Miller says the connection between cars and camaraderie is an important one in his family.
“My father found this car in the States and spent 10 years rebuilding it,” Miller said. “He passed away last year, so we bring it to show the car off and show his work.”
Miller said the testimony to his father, and love of cars is something he hopes he can pass down to his son, Tanner, who also attended the event.
“It was just a frame in a field in Wisconsin. We ordered parts, put it together and he got to enjoy it.”
Hundreds of start-from-scratch models were on display at the CLE Fairgrounds, but they were doing more than sitting and looking pretty.
The engine blow contest, the burnout contest, and a 7:30 p.m. cruise around Thunder Bay were also on the agenda.
“The whole car family here in Thunder Bay is starting to pull together,” said Merkley. “Rather than have isolated little groups, this show does it all.”
The site at the CLE closes to the public at 6 p.m., but will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m. for show vehicles, and to the public at 10 a.m.
