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Inaugural Cookstown Cancer Classic supports patients with cancer in Simcoe County

August 18, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The first annual Cookstown Cancer Classic Car & Truck Show took place on Saturday, August 13 at the Georgian Bay Steam Show grounds in Cookstown.

The event, a fundraiser for the Simcoe/Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at the Royal Victoria Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie, drew approximately 300 spectators, with 500 cars, trucks and special interest vehicles on display.

Organizer Rick Sharples says he was pleased by the turnout, especially the number of vehicles that arrived on the day of the event without pre-registering. At press time, total funds raised had not been announced.

During the 2 p.m. awards ceremony, following brief words from local dignitaries, awards in the following classes were presented to:

Mayor’s Choice – Innisfil Beach Cruisers – Walter Meyer

Mopar Award – Jim Toye

Trillium Ford Award – Judy Gallant

Paul Sadlon Award – Stoville

Modern Truck Award – ZEHR Insurance – Don & Debbie Luxton

Classic Truck Award – Black Barn Golf Cars – Rick

Special Interest – Cookstown Pharmasave – Vince Scacca

Best Paint Award – Radical Restorations – Carrie Kennedy

Modern Import Award – Allpro Professional Auto Service – Matt Denuelo

Hot Rod Award – Super E Bikes – Brad Watson

Modern Muscle Award – Sandy Cove Marine Services – Grant Conely

Sports Car Award – The Cookstown Pub Co. – Logan O’Dorico

Interior Award – Zenetec Car Wash – Reg & Deb Dougan

Engine Award – Maidens Family Auto Care – Glen M’Cullagh

Oldest Vehicle – Georgian Bay Steam Show – John Morton

Napoleon Home Comfort Award – Schatz & Stewie

Custom Award – Canadian Tire (Alcona) – Andrew Everett

Classic Import Award – Containers 4U – Melissa Roberts

Special Interest Award -–1 Church Street Bar & Grill – Dick Mahoney

Convertible Award – Sobeys – Jim Morton

Under Construction Award – Pump My Tank – Al Provencal

Rat Rod Award – MARRIK Floor – Brian Joan

Special Interest – Yesterday’s Speedways – Dan Mumagh

Promoters Choice – Big Yellow Bins – Iv Sauder

“We are hoping to do this again in 2023 and for years to come. That being said, we need to talk with all parties involved and make sure everyone is on board going forward,” Sharples told The Times. “There are a few places that need tweaking. This was the inaugural show and we learned of a few things we need to change.”

Sponsors for the event were: Town of Innisfil, Montana’s, Mr. Cool, Black Barn Golf Carts, The Flag Store, REMAX, Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd., 400 Chrysler, Paul Sadlon Motors, The Cookstown Pub Co., Big Yellow Bins, Sobeys, Hugger Covers, Dave Franks Photos, ZEHR Insurance, Canadian Tire (Alcona), Maidens Family Auto Care, Napoleon Home Comfort, Super E Bikes, Containers 4U, Sandy Cove Marine Services, Pump My Tank, 1 Church Street Bar & Grill, MARRIK Floor, Allpro Professional Auto Service, Zenetec Car Wash, Pharmasave Cookstown, Lions Club Barrie, Radical Restorations, Neighbours Country Depot Alliston, Glasvan Great Dane, Georgian Bay Steam Show, Innisfil Beach Cruisers, Yesterday’s Speedways, Cookstown Firefighter’s Association, and the Simcoe County Paramedic Association.

Additional in-kind donations were received from: the Georgian Bay Steam Show – venue and grounds preparations; Innisfil Beach Cruisers – sound system, front gate, registration, parking cars; Kris Zegota – raffle ticket sales and award sheets; Barrie Lions Club – parking spectator vehicles and helping where needed; and Yesterday’s Speedways – (Rick Sharples & Bill Samuel), organizers.

“Many car clubs were also represented from all over Ontario including the Innisfil Beach Cruisers, Barrie Mustang Club, Highway 11 Cruisers, and Wasaga Beach Cruisers,” said Sharples. “Their support is much appreciated.”

Mr. Sharples had previously disclosed on Facebook that he has been battling cancer himself for the past several years and during that time has received excellent care from the Simcoe/Muskoka Regional Cancer Center at RVH.

“I decided that I wanted to give back somehow but knowing I couldn’t make much of a difference on my own, I decided to organise the Cookstown Classic Car Show,” said Sharples, who further stated that it was his goal to involve as many local businesses and industries in the Simcoe Muskoka area as possible.

“Most of us, if not all, have known someone close that has had to deal with cancer, let’s make this a community effort and get behind this event,” he said.

Information on the 2023 event and final fundraising numbers can be found on Facebook by searching “Cookstown Cancer Classic” or check back in with The Times for more information as it becomes available.

By Wendy Gabrek

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