On May 29th, 2004, the Jacksonville Rod Runners hosted their 33rd Annual Memorial Day Rod Run, which was once again a spectacular event for auto enthusiasts. The Friday night Kick-Off at the host hotel, Ramada Inn of Mandarin, included registration and a free Bar-B-Q for all registered participants catered by Woody’s of Mandarin. The amazing collection of cars in the parking lot that night could have passed for a car show itself.
Bright and early on Saturday morning a multitude of vehicles representing all makes, models, years and colors started arriving at the tree lined show field adjacent to the Orange Park Mall. All participants received a goody bag and a dash plaque, then kept checking their registration numbers all day for the many door prizes presented. Show participants parked their entries on the grass, the sun was overhead, and tents were put up as the sun rose higher. Rodding stories were shared, which just seemed to get a little more exciting each time they were told. The day was simply beautiful!
There were many items on the agenda to keep people entertained all day, besides looking at the beautiful cars. DJ’s Butch and Jennifer Johnston were spinning great tunes for the crowd, and all day long Jennifer could be seen with 50/50 tickets around her neck, as she is quite the salesperson. Vendors offered some hard-to-find parts, accessories, supplies, show T-Shirts, memorabilia and model cars for sale. Food and beverage vendors were also on hand with a variety of items for lunch or snacks. The Orange Park Mall seemed to be a favorite place for many participants to visit throughout the day.
A Chinese Auction held this year was a big hit and enjoyed by all from 10:00am to 1:00pm, with numerous items including car shirts, books, gold jewelry and more. A raffle was held for a new fire engine pedal car, and the winner was an excited grandmother who plans to make her grandchild very happy.
For some the highlight of the Rod Run was the awarding of the Top 40 and nearly 40 Specialty awards (see below for a full list of winners). A transmission and a carburetor were given away, with two lucky winners. Car numbers were also drawn to give away $3,000 in cash, with winners receiving $50, $100 or $200.....and one lucky person received $500!
The Jacksonville Rod Runners would like to say THANK YOU to all of the participants for making this year a fabulous show, with proceeds benefiting a local Toys For Tots charity. Please make plans to attend next year’s Memorial Day Rod Run - same time and place, on May 28, 2005. CN
Specialty Awards:
Best Engine: Dwight Foster • 1934 Ford Coupe
Best Paint: Don Peckham • 1954 Pontiac Chiefton
Best Interior: Joe Lanzo • 1932 Ford Hiboy
Best Under Construction: Harold Prince • 1934 Ford
Best Steel Body Car: David Wade • 1939 Ford Coupe
Best Use Of Color: Jack Dempsey • 1993 Mustang
Best Flames: Doug Hines • 1966 Chevy Nova
Best Graphics: Ron Pokrinchak • 1964 Buick Riviera
Best Corvette: Bob Proctor • 1965 Chevy Corvette
Best Chevrolet: Bruce Perreault • 1965 Chevy Corvette
Best Chevelle: Chip Parman • 1967 Chevy Chevelle
Best Classic 55-56-57: John Nobels • 1955 Chevy
Best Classic Camaro: Ben Fault • 1968 Chevy Camaro
Best Chevy Street Rod: Ray Copeland • 1932 Coupe
Best Monte Carlo SS: John Tibbets • 1973 Monte Carlo
Best Impala SS: Frank Lee • 1967 Chevy Impala
In The Weeds: Terry Wheeler • 1954 Ford Pickup
Best Ford: Joanne Hardcastle • 1932 Ford Coupe
Best Classic Mustang: Pat Smith • 1965 Ford Mustang
Best Contemporary Mustang: Louis Mills • 2001 Mustang
Best Ford Street Rod: Jim & Wanda Ring • 1933 Ford Coupe
Best Sport Truck: David Ashley • 1967 Chevy Pickup
Best Mopar: Chris Scholar • 1969 Dodge Charger
Best Roadster: Frank Rodrigues • 1932 Ford Hiboy Roadster
Best Street Rod Pickup: Dan Stiner • 1935 Ford Pickup
Best Street Rod: Ferrell Burkett • 1932 Ford Roadster
Best T-Bucket: Ken Stratton • 1923 Ford T-Bucket
Best Nostalgic: Whitey Shumar • 1956 Ford Hardtop
Best Modified Suspension: Ron Hassle • 1937 Ford Roadster
Best Mercury: Bob Odom • 1950 Mercury 2-Door
Best T-Bird: Ron Storn • 1956 Ford Thunderbird
Long Distance: Al & Gwen Estep (975 miles) • 1961 Impala
Club Participation: Jax Rods & Customs
Lady’s Choice: Ron Hassle • 1937 Ford Roadster
Hard Luck: Jason Davis • 1957 Chevy 2-Door
Best Club Banner: Jax Rods & Customs
Goodguys Rep Pick: Gary Bradford • 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup
Goodguys Rep Pick: Ken Wales • 1967 Pontiac GTO
Best Of Show: Tom & Sandra Brown • 1936 Packard Sedan
Top 40 Awards:
Barry Martha • 1932 Ford Hiboy
Herb & Jean Foley • 1951 Ford Convertible
Larry Stake • 1936 Chevy 2-Door Sedan
Jim Wallace • 1936 Ford Slant Back
Roger Altman • 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Mark Richardson • 1961 Chevy Impala
Gary Hartter • 1940 Ford Coupe
Tim & Tami Bailey • 1972 Chevy Chevelle SS
David & Linda Veres • 1967 GMC Pickup
Bill & Cindy Gordon • 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe
Buddy & Betty Conley • 1956 Chevy Belair
Kenny Nolan • 1955 Chevy Belair
Tim & Paulette Elder • 1962 Chevy Belair
Rich & Gara Roberts • 1967 Ford Shelby Cobra 427 Replica
Rodney & Becky Hutto • 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS
Harland Kananen • 1941 Willys Coupe
Don Parker • 1930 Ford Model A Coupe
Kenneth Parker • 1951 Ford Truck
Ron Smith • 1937 Chevy Coupe
Alan Switzer • 1939 Ford Sedan Delivery
Paul Valera • 1956 Ford F-100
Dot Copeland • 1932 Chevy Deluxe Sport Coupe
Jim & Laurine Richardson • 1959 Chevy Impala
Sharon Lang • 1968 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible
Gerald Copeland • 1962 Chevy Corvette Convertible
Danny Bryant • 1950 Buick Century
Danny Bryant • 1957 Chevy Nomad
Bud Davis • 1910 Ford Model T
Tommy & Ruby Christie • 1957 Chevy 2-Door Sedan
Larry & Pauline Thomson • 1969 Ford Mustang
Kenneth Ashley • 1968 Chevy 1/2 Ton Pickup
Henry Marcum • 1966 Chevy Nova II
Jim & Angela Hansen • 1941 Willys Pickup
Bob Walczak • 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Diana Edwards • 1957 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria
Russell & Eva Griffin • 1961 Chevy Pickup
Bill & Pat Edmonson • 1965 Ford Mustang
T. Roberts • 1949 Chevy Fleetline
Elaine King • 2003 Chevy Corvette
Francis & Carol Fleming • 1934 Plymouth 4-Door Sedan
