By OLIVER GOOD

Staff writer

In its 19th year, Route 56 Classic Cruisers car show drew a record number of participants Saturday at Memorial Park in Hillsboro.

“It was one of the best shows we’ve ever had; it was really close to record attendance, but probably the best we had in 15 years,” club president Kim Abrahams said. “There were some really, really nice cars there, and a lot more spectators than normal.”

He said 99 cars and 6 motorcycles were on display. They lined the park’s circle drive, adding vibrant color to the breezy, shade-dappled park as Motown and car-inspired songs played over a speaker system.

Favorable weather factored into the event’s success.

“There are just so many cool cars here, and the weather is beautiful,” Abraham’s brother, Rex, a Route 56 club member, said. “I think it was a big factor in the turnout.”

Kim agreed.

“I was surprised that we had so many people because it looked like it was going to rain in the morning, but it turned into a nice day,” Kim said. “Sometimes some car owners don’t even want to take their cars out if it rains the night before an event because they might not think it is worth it to get their cars muddy.”

New participants from Herington, Salina, Abilene, Ellis, Manhattan, Wamego, and Garden City attended.

The annual event is a fundraiser, the proceeds of which go to Marion County Toy Run. Kim said the total raised had not been tallied but he anticipated a “really good” total.

Results

Best of show — Gene and Karen Weaver, Wichita, 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air.

Ray Abraham’s memorial award —Merlin Dorrell, El Dorado, 1931 Chevrolet 2-door Coach.

Dave Unruh memorial award — Jim Kelly, Wichita, 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air gasser.

Best GM — Victor Enns, Wamego, 1938 Chevrolet Master Truck.

Best Mopar — Swede Swenson, Chapman, 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.

Best Ford — Kendall Heinrichs, Park City, 1969 Ford Mustang fastback.

Best import — Mischelle Dush, Hillsboro, 1963 Volkswagen dune buggy.

Best high performance — James and Pam Meeks, Abilene, 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.

Best other — Charlie Hennin, Sedgwick, 1959 Desoto Fire Dome.

Best GM truck — Max Manor, Wamego, 1957 Chevrolet pickup.

Best of show motorcycle — Joe Bartel, Hillsboro, 1948 Whizzer H.

“Hard to Catch” award — Dave Funston, Wichita, 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS.

“Wow” award — Kendall Heinrichs, Park City, 1958 Edsel Pacer.

“Cool ride” award — Randy and Donna Booth, Kechi, 1935 Ford pickup.

“Bad to the Bone” award — Lowell Unruh, 1928 Ford roadster.

“O@%Z#” award — Calvine Duerksen, Goessel, “Smoking Cuda” dash on fire on the way.

Student award — Riley Dush, Hillsboro, go cart.

Long distance — Tom Klassen, Garden City, 1934 Ford three-window coupe.

Ladies choice — Richard Lake, Marion, 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

Club choice — Dave and Maureen Henning, Wichita, 1937 Ford Tudor humpback sedan.

Top ten — Billy and Rohani Alcorn, Ramona, 1949 Hudson Super Six; Charles Chamberlin, El Dorado, 1938 Chevrolet Master Town; Mick and Dody Franklin, Salina, 1947 Hudson Club Coupe; Steven Clore, Herington, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro; Stan and Carolyn Schmidt, Newton, 1957 Chevrolet Corvette; Butch Ashcraft, Newton, 1932 Ford Roadster; Joe Smiley, Newton, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air; Doug and Beth Reinecker, McPherson, 1972 Chevrolet Nova; Fred Gilmor, Sterling 1970 Plymouth Cuda; and Doug Pierson, McPherson, 1962 Chevrolet Corvette.