Cucamonga Animal Shelter Car Show

Bugs Bunny once said:
Train leaving on Track Five for Anaheim, Azusa and Cuc-amonga!

Today was no regular day in the sleepy town made infamous by the cartoon rabbit. Today was the prestigious stop on the professional car show circuit. If "Knott's" was the "U.S. Open", then "Cucamonga Be Kind To Animals Carnival" would best be described as the "Masters". The big names turned out in force, as a trophy in Cucamonga would assure one a spot in next year's world championships. John Brooks (Johnex), Steve Moriarty (Factory Five), Ryo Miyaki (Robnell), Scott Miller (57 Chevy), and Andy Dunn (JBL), were all fiercely competing to bring home the hardware.

Cucamonga is now actually Rancho Cucamonga because some idiot politician in the 80's decided it had to have the snooty "Rancho" prefix added. Cucamonga is right where the 15 freeway meets the 10 freeway. It's about an hour from Los Angeles, and 3.5 hours from Vegas and 2 hours from San Diego. Its very close to Pomona's drag strip and Fontana's Nascar California Speedway. The city has 100,000 people and has a great little animal shelter. My wife, Sanya, volunteers at this shelter each week. Last year, the shelter started a fund raising car show event to help find more dogs and cats homes.

This year was a great success - 80 cars, 23 dogs, $2500! Last year, the show had 17 cars and found 17 dogs new homes and raised $400. Today, there were over 80 cars, over 23 dogs and cats found new homes, and over $2500 raised! The show also helps increase local awareness of the Rancho Cucamonga Shelter. A car show would not be a car show without the cars! There were vette's and chevy's and ford's and even 4 cobras! Competition was fierce....check out this creamy SS 396. Even the imports were represented by a 4wd, twin turbo with twin DVD with twin screens! My car show mentor and veteran, Scott "Little Buddy" Miller, was representing the 55,56,57 Chevy crowd.

John Brooks began to take an early lead when he broke out the liquid spray wax and began buffing like a wild man. Here he is trying to hide his bottle of wax, but I have witnesses. He was using some secret formala, banned in Olympic competition.

The torrid pace of the car show circuit began to take a toll on Ryo and wife. They claimed they were too tired to do that 20th coat of wax this morning. Instead, they would have to settle with the 19 coats applied 2 days earlier. This could be a big disadvantage in the finals. Ryo had one trick up his sleeve. In order to regain lost ground, he produced a foam laminated, professional build sign with car details...this would surely win points with the judges. The Butcher broke out the rule book and submitted a formal protest. Turning to page 37, rule 12.78b, the butcher stated that Ryo had heavily borrowed the butcher's sign layout and therefore it should be disallowed in competition. The judge ruled in favor of Ryo "the sign stays". Later that afternoon, John Brooks was heard secretly talking to Ryo and asking where he can get one of those signs for his own cobra".

Steve Moriarty was in fine form. Steve was coming off a big win at Knott's and was looking to double dip. Moriarty, the veteran, pulled out all the stops and had the judge's in his back pocket when he produced the "green frog". The frog melted the judges hearts as this was an event for pets. The Butcher got in trouble early and was separated from the snake pit. He would have to duke it out with Chevy's and GTOs on either side of him. Dog and cats were adopted. Money was raised. Pizza was eaten. Sno-cones were slurped. It was now time....Time to call out the winners of this year's Cucamonga Classic.

Rookie of the year and first to win gold is none other than Ryo Miyaki and his metallic silver with blue striped Robnell. Ryo picked up the coveted "Quick As A Bunny" trophy. There is no doubt that his HOC hand crafted 359 windsor is very quick. Time passed and more awards were given out. The cobra lads began to feel anxious. Could anyone else finish in the medals?

Jumpin John Brooks! Come on down! John was the next cobra lad to win with his traditional blue with white striped Johnex. If there was one award sought after by all cobra owner's across the land, this was it. John took the highly regarded "Slick as a Snake". The sun began setting in the west. There were only 2 or 3 names left to call. Of the approximately 15 trophies, could cobras take 3?

Steve Moriarty and Kermit! This crafty car show veteran takes GOLD two weeks in a row! Steve and his brilliant british racing green Factory Five take home the "Fierce as a Tiger". Well done AND the trophy is green. Just when we thought all the trophies had been awarded, they called one more name. "Scott Miller"! Scott, not only a car show legend, also one hell of a nice guy, donated all the signs and banners for the event, and was given a special award as thanks. Rumor has it that Scott Miller is close to purchasing a FFR MKII. I think this time next year, he could be adding to the already deep field of cobra competition at this legendary event. By the way, if you saw the JBL booth at Knott's, Scott's Swifty Sign did the signs and banners for it as well. If you need signs, banners, meatballs, windshield decals, static cling or more, drop him an email or give him a ring. If Dave from FFR ever reads this, want to trade Scott?

It was a terrific day and it was damn fun having 4 cobras at the event. The judges liked the cobras so much that they made John, Steve, and Ryo all fire-up and rev their engines! Thanks to everyone who came out and made this event such a great success...23 adopted dogs and cars and $2500 raised and climbing. Got a cobra near Cucamonga? Maybe you car to compete with the big boys at next years event.