ARTICLE BY CALLIE JONES-JOURNAL ADVOCATE

STERLING — Northeast Colorado’s finest cars, trucks and motorcycles were on display at Northeastern Junior College last weekend. The college’s annual Auto Show drew a number of people, from auto enthusiasts to those who just wanted to get a look at all the cool vehicles.

NJC Auto Tech Program Director Kent Wright said they aren’t sure how many people came or how much money was raised, as they’re still counting. However, he said he’s anticipating that the numbers will be about the same as last year, hopefully a little bit better.

Wright said he thinks Saturday’s weather might have helped to draw in some people because they wanted to get out of the wind.
This year the Auto Show kicked There was a wide variety of cars, trucks and motorcyles on display at NJC's Auto Show last weekend. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)off with a pancake dinner and auction on Friday for the Skills USA/VICA secondary automotive program at NJC.

Richard Moon, coordinator of the program, said they had about 200 people come and about $700 was raised.
“A special thanks to the parents and community members who came out to support the Auto Tech students,” he said.
They also want to thank the sponsors: Ok Auto, NAPA Auto, Checker Auto, Sterling Livestock, Royal Printing, Clays Appliance, Donlin Auto, Village Inn, TJ Bummers Kitchen, J and L Café, All Area transmission, Flatlanders Car Club, Grocery Kart and Block-Head Machine.

For those who attended the Auto Show, there were plenty of vehicles to see.
“We definitely had a lot more variety compared to last year,” Wright said.
This year’s Auto Show included 54 entries and 47 of those entries were judged. There was also a model car show with categories for ages 6 to 12, 13 to 16, and 17 and older.

Wright said some of the main attractions helped draw people in.
One of this year’s big attractions was a monster truck known as “Last Call,” built, owned and operated by Sterling resident Sam Bartholomew. The truck stands at just over The People's Choice Award, voted so by the spectators who came to view the 2010 NJC Auto Show, was awarded to a 1955 Dodge Power Wagon entered by Mike and Sheila Kerker of Sterling. (Courtesy Photo)11 feet tall and is almost 13 feet wide.

People were excited to see the truck from the moment they first came in. Wright said several children asked “Where’s the monster truck? Where’s the monster truck?” when they didn’t see it right away.

Dave and Edie Cox’s “The Bus,” a Chevrolet custom school bus, was also on display again this year. “The Bus,” with a logo that says “Be Kool… Stay In School,” made its first debut anywhere at last year’s Auto Show and Wright noted that since then it has been traveling across the country visiting schools and other places.

Wright also noted that this year the Coxes made some handcrafted awards they planned A couple of spectators get a look at some of the cars that were on display for the model car competition. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)to give out themselves. He said they really wanted to give those who maybe don’t have has much money to spend on their cars a chance to win an award.
Vehicles that are entered to be judged are judged based on a number of different categories and most of the judging is done by the Auto Show contestants themselves.

Wright noted that one category people seem to like a lot is the People’s Choice award, which is based on votes by spectators who attend the auto show.
“It seems to mean a lot,” he said.
Auto Show results were:

Top Awards
People’s Choice — 1955 This 1952 Harley Davidson, part of the Abate of Colorado District 1 display, was one of several motorcyles on display at this year's Auto Show. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)Dodge Power Wagon, Mike Kerker, Kerker
Club’s Choice Award — 1933 Ford 5 Window, Rod Aagesen, Yuma
Best Display — 1953 Studebaker Commander, Bob Pimple, Sterling

Top 20 Winners
2008 Ford Shelby GT500, Steve Hargus, Sterling
1997 HDMC Road King, Larry Ertle, Sterling
1934 Ford Woodie, Cherie Brungardt, Sterling
2000 Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle, Jim Jacobson, Sterling
1956 Ford F-100, Bob Klein, Sterling
1964 Ford Galaxy, Lee Rhodes, Sterling
2005 HD ElectraGluide, Dave Hoselton, Sterling
1955 Dodge Power Wagon, Mike Kerker, Sterling
1967 Chevy Camaro, Rick and Nancy Wagner, Sterling
1936 Ford This 1956 Ford F-100 was one of several trucks on display at this year's auto show. It was also one of the top 20 award winners. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)Pickup, Don Cullip, Sterling
1969 Ford Mach 1 Mustang, Doug and Sherry Burnett, Montrose
1934 Dodge Convertible, Jim and Pam Dorland, Eaton
1970 Plymouth Road Runner, Kevin Means, Yuma
1933 Ford 5 Window, Rod Aagesen, Yuma
1953 Custom Bus Chevy, Dave and Edie Cox, Lakewood
1976 Ford Gran Torino, Conrad Bostron, Sterling
1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Dick and Wendy Thompson, Woodland Park
1939 Chevy Coupe, Larry Hilty, Sterling
1962 Chevy Impala Deb and Ray Hardy, Yuma
1967 Chevy Camaro, Dusty parsons, Burlington
Special awards provided by and selected by Dave and Edie Cox:
Best Engine — 1967 Chevy Camaro, Dusty Parsons, Burlington
Best Pro Street — 1967 Chevy Camaro, Brad Armstrong, Sterling
Best Use of Parts — 1955 Dodge Power Wagon, Mike Kerker, Sterling
Best Restored — 1926 Ford Model T, Dave and Norma Wagner, Sterling
Best Engineering — 1934 Dodge Convertible, Jim and Pam Dorland, Eaton

Model Car Contest Results
Special Awards
People’s Choice — 1958 Chevrolet Impala, Mark Walters, Sterling
Best Display — 1934 Ford Mail Truck and International Cola Truck, Jolene Donnelly, Sterling
Special awards provided by and selected by Dave and Edie Cox:
Future Rod Builder — 1937 Ford Coupe, Jolene Donnelly, Sterling
Future Rod Builder — 1932 Ford Street Rod, Travis Murphy, Sterling

Top Awards
Class: 6-12 years of age
First Place — 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, Rachelle Brungardt, Sterling
Second Place — 1986 Kenworth Truck, James Ward, Sterling

Class: 13-16 years of age
First Place — 1971 Plymouth Cuda, Skyler Brungardt, Sterling
Second Place — 1956 Chevrolet, Collin Brungardt, Sterling

Class: 17 years of age and older
First Place — 1958 Chevrolet Impala, Mark Walters, Sterling
Second Place — 1937 Ford Coupe, Jolene Donnelly, Sterling