By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Super Run Car Show was hosted by Mesquite Gaming at the Casablanca Resort with a jam-packed 3-day week-end featuring vintage autos, custom and new vehicles on display for all car buffs to enjoy.
The Las Vegas Cruisin’ Association once again brought the Super Run to Mesquite, said Mesquite Gaming Assistant General manager Christian Adderson.
“Mesquite Gaming is just honored to host it,” he said.
There was plenty of activity on Mesquite Blvd in front of to the Casablanca Resort over the weekend. There were police barricades and plenty of traffic control for safe crossing and directing parking.
Playing host to car shows is not new to the City of Mesquite. “Our Volunteer Citizens Patrol does an excellent job of handling traffic control and keeping everyone safe for these events,” said Sergeant Wyatt Oliver, Public Information Officer for the Mesquite Police Department. “We also have uniformed officers on hand in case someone does not want to follow the rules.”
Beside admiring the classic and custom automobiles, there was lots of other competitions going on. Each day, attendees could see and hear the Nostalgic Thunder Fire-up and the open headers cruise, slow drags and burn outs. Car show participants also saw cash prize drawings of $3,000, as well as trophy awards.
The Progress talked with Cecil Moore from Las Vegas who brought his vintage 1929 model A with a 1969 350 Engine. It was a shiny maroon color with a canvas top. Painted on the back were the words “Built not Bought.”
Moore had a photo of the rusted junk heap he originally purchased. He restored the car doing about 95 percent of the work himself. It took him 18 months.
The previous owner of the car had it for 12 years with good intentions of restoration. He had also purchased a lot of the parts for the project. Moore said that the car had the original engine and two sets of tires to go with it. But it was Moore’s labor of love that put it all together.
Steve Underdahl, fearless leader of the Virgin Valley “Over the Hill Gang” car club told The Progress that he and many members had numerous cars entered in the show. The club participates in all car events in the surrounding area. The club also gets together for weekly breakfast.
“Most of the members are not that interested in winning awards,: Underdahl said. “We just love our cars and like being around like-minded people to have fun.”
Asked why he is called Fearless Leader Steve by club members, Underdahl responded, “I guess I am just too stupid to be afraid.”
Frank Burdett is part of the local Scenic Seniors car club. He was showing his 1959 Ford Fairlane at the Super Run. Burdett said he is in the process of restoring a model A that he bought when he was 16-years-old.
“I hope to have it finished before I have to get handicap plates for it,” he laughed.
Showing autos is not just for the guys. Women are into this scene too. Kitty Miya is part of the Over the Hill Gang and was showing her red corvette at the show.
“It’s fun to get an award but it is nice to mingle with like-minded people,” Miya said.
In the evening, car buffs and participants enjoyed the music of Lara Ash & Inferno in the Skydome Lounge at the Casablanca.
There were 638 entries in the Super Run this year. The awards ceremony was held Sunday afternoon where the people’s choice award and all other cash prizes were handed out. For a Total of $8,000. Mayor Al Litman was on hand to award the prizes.
The People’s Choice award and $1,000 went to Randy Cothran from Las Vegas for his 1969 Chevelle.
Participant’s Pick and a $2,000 award went to Dale & Rozanne Buck, from Mesa Arizona for their 1937 Chevy pickup.
The Best of Show award along with a $3,000 prize, went to Nick Hofus from Grand Junction, Colorado for his 1936 Chevy custom truck.
