Central Valley Motorsports

November 22nd 2014
By Paul Hinkle

                 21st Annual San Joaquin Valley  Mopar Fall Finale
     The Central Valley gathering of Mopars started Friday evening October 10th with the ‘Friday Night Cruise In’ held at Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The Finegan Family and their staff again prepared a great BBQ for everyone in attendance.  At 8:00 pm after a great evening of food and music, everyone got in their cars and cruised across town to the Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership to finish off the night.

     Saturday, October 11th  Mopar car owners and enthusiast gathered at the Lions Town & Country Park in Madera for the 21st Annual San Joaquin Valley Mopar Fall Finale car show. This annual event has developed into the largest Mopar show in the Central Valley with cars coming from all over the state. Their club has members from as far away as San Jose.

     The Best of Show award was given to Wade Ogle from San Jose for his 1971 “Rallye Red” Plymouth Hemicuda convertible. It is powered by a 425hp, 426ci, 727 Hemi Auto. This is the only one remaining out of the original 11 Hemicuda Convertibles produced in 1971. It is one of only two Autos with Super Track Pack Option. Nicknamed the “Missing” Cuda since it was the last of the 11 to publicly surface. The build date is Thursday, March 25, 1971.

     With the wide variety of Mopar’s at this show, there is something of interest for everyone, from a 1934 Dodge pickup to 1970 Plymouth SuperBird’s and everything in between. Each year the judges find it harder to choose class winners, the quality of cars is outstanding.  Small details set each apart and you will surely appreciate the ingenuity of the car owners.

EVENT WINNERS:
Best of Show – Wade Ogle 1970 Hemi Cuda, A-Body – Daniel Costilla 1970 Plymouth Duster, B-Body – Bruce Garlock 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, E- Body – Ron Schuller 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, Young Guns – Randy Keeler 1974 Dodge P/U, Under Rest – Cesar Cabrera 1974 Plymouth Duster, Chrysler LX – Ann Howell 2005 Chrysler 300C, Charger LX – John Trimboli 2007 Charger SRT8 SuperBee, Challenger LC – William Katric 2012 Challenger, Small Block – Diana Sheets 1969 Plymouth Sports Satelite, Race Car – Mike Owen 1968 Dodge Dart, Convertible – Steve Vanderschaff 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, Truck/Van – Bill Nichelson 1934 Dodge Pickup, Daily Driver – Dan Rivera 1965 Plymouth Barracuda, Special Interest – Mike Codd 1965 Plymouth Sports Fury, Hemi/Max Wedge – Larry Snow 1970 Plymouth Superbird, Street Rod – Chris Pistoresi 1934 Plymouth Coupe, P.T. Cruiser – John Angelos 2004 G.T. Turbo, Neon – Gary Basada 2004 Dodge SRT4, Top Gun – Ron Nobile 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda.

     If your club or organization is putting on a car show or motorsports event, please send your information to clovisparkinthepark@gmail.com or call me at (559) 970-2274. I’m always looking for interesting cars, people and events to share. For more information on upcoming events & past events and articles, go to clovisparkinthepark.com.