Spring Break
Cars show up for club fundraiser
Michael Mette
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
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From classic Mustangs to modified Scions, non-student competitors from around Northern California showed their cars to university engineering students who judged the competition.
Competitors took home trophies in various categories, such as Best Tuck, Best Sound System, Best Classic Car and Best Interior, among others.
The car show was a fundraiser to help finance a race car the club is currently building.
Amber Kantner, sophomore English major and Hornet Racing Club marketing director, said she was surprised by the turnout considering the weather.
"Honest, our goal was to get at least one car," Kantner said. "We're hoping to make this an annual thing. So we can start with one car and build up for next year."
She said it didn't hurt sending out 150 e-mails to car clubs, car enthusiasts and local media outlets around the area to see if they would participate.
The club considered the event a success, earning about $300 towards its race car while sharing in the wide spread passion of cars.
"There are so many varieties of cars here," Kantner said. They completely match up with each person's personality. This has been absolutely fantastic."
The racing club is entering its race car into the Society of Automotive Engineers Formula race at the Auto Club Speedway in Southern California. The competition asks students to design and develop a race car.
Michael Bell, senior mechanical engineering major and president of the racing club, said the club has been participating in the Formula SAE races since the club's inception in 1996.
"The first year we raced we finished 10th, the best we have done so far," Bell said. "But this year we are getting top placement for sure."
The car show competitors ranged from lone drivers who brought their own cars, to car clubs bringing a fleet of customized cars.
Kapital Kreations Car Club member Justin Neuman said he spent about $40,000 over the past four years customizing his white Chevy pickup.
His truck won the award for Best and Loudest Sound System. The water on his truck bed cover jumped from the vibrations of his subwoofers, which he assured was turned down.
"It's a lifestyle," Neuman said. "People constantly work on what they love. Musicians play music, writers write and we customize cars."
The Hornet Racing Club members shared the same sentiment.
"This is exactly like tattoos, piercing or wearing certain clothing," Bell said. "It doesn't matter if someone doesn't like it. It's all about presenting you."
Neuman said his truck is still a work in progress, with the next modification being a 40-inch TV screen in the truck's bed. He won't be able to do it now because of money.
"My next paycheck is only $20 because of the work I put into my cars," Neuman said, "and also because of speeding tickets."
Competitor Kevin Shimabuku drove his Scion TC from Pleasanton with his car club, Scion Apocalypse. His car won the Best Interior award.
"It's always fun to talk and show off your work," Shimabuku said. "It really is art."
He said each car at the show displays its own unique style and personality. His Scion's distinctive features include Lamborghini doors, an all-blue interior and a large video screen in the trunk with a Nintendo Wii.
The smaller children at the event gathered around Shimabuku's car to play Guitar Hero and Mario Kart.
Among the newer cars with loud stereos, flashy interiors and numerous video screens, a number of competitors brought some old fashion style to the show with their classic cars.
Sac State alumnus Ray Regnani won the Best Classic Car category with his 1968 Chevy Camaro.
He said he bought the car new in 1967, but kept it stowed away in his garage until recently.
"My wife was ready to get rid of it," Regnani said. "But I told myself once I retired I would restore the car, and that's what I did."
He said gave the vehicle a new paint job, new vinyl interior and some engine work. The Camaro has its original engine and original parts, something Regnani is quite proud of.
"Most people will put a big new engine into an old car, but you really end up with a different car in the end," Regnani said.
Between the classic cars' good looks and the newer custom cars' blinding flashiness and eardrum-popping stereos, a variety of cars were represented.
With all their differences, all of the competitors still held a common belief. They consider their trade an art form.
Kapital Kreations member Michael Price agreed with the car art sentiment and believes car modifications can represent the owner's personality.
"Everyone has a way of expressing themselves," Price said. "We do it through cars. Someone who puts money into their car wants to show it off. They really want to show themselves off."
Michael Mette can be reached at mmette@statehornet.com.
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