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Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages. That was certainly the case with the Chattanooga O’Reilly World of Wheels this year. 102,000 square feet of space filled with over 150 of the best cars, trucks and motorcycles to be found anywhere in the country.
On Saturday afternoon a delegation of judges and show staff delivered the special “Fantastic 5” Plaques to:
Ron Tiller, 1957 Chevy Sedan
Joel Smith, 1935 Ford Wrecker
Jim McDaniel, 1955 Chevy Belair
Greg Dobbs, 1932 Ford Hi Boy
Ricky Sutton, 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28
These plaques are placed in the displays of the top five contenders for the Bill Croft Memorial Award for the Best First Time Shown in Chattanooga. This award ultimately went to Ron Tiller.
This same delegation also delivered the “Bikers Best 5” Plaques to:
Rocky Vowell, 2004 Custom Chopper
Bobby May, 1968 Harley Davidson
Freddie Arnold, 1974 Harley Davidson
Jason Grimes, 1986 Harley Davidson
Dean Mullins, 1971 Harley Davidson
These plaques recognized the top contender for the Chattanooga Charlie Memorial Award for the Best First Time Shown Bike in Chattanooga. Rocky Vowell came out on top in this competition.
Meanwhile, the show continued to rock with returning feature favorites, Von Hot Rod, a nationally know pin striper and the On the Edge Bike Team, an amazing group of bicycle stunt riders as well as a motorcycle stunt rider. Other special features included a WWE super star, personalities from top TV shows and a perennial favorite, The Texas Bikini Team.
The Tennessee Gold Cup Award that goes to the Best First Time Shown in Chattanooga from Chattanooga went to Joel Smith from Knoxville, Tennessee with his 1935 Ford Wrecker. This award is always a local favorite for obvious reasons! Other special awards included the “O’Reilly Pick of the Show that went to Napoleon Dunson and his 1966 Chevy II SS Nova, the Ford Muscle Award for the Best Ford Powered Ford going to Landon Rhinehart and his 1965 Ford Mustang and Bob Agee and his 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28 walked away with the GM Muscle Award for the Best GM Powered GM car. The Mopar Muscle Award went to Heather Long for her 1967 Plymouth Satellite and the Import Muscle Award was awarded to Brandon Griffin and his 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. This year’s “People’s Choice Award”, voted on by the show's spectators throughout the weekend, was presented to John Givens for his 1957 Chevy Belair 2 Door.
MotorSports Productions’ unique Gold Star Street Series for street driven vehicles awarded several awards in recognition of exhibitors who enjoy not only showing their vehicles but also driving them. This competition does not judge the undercarriage of the vehicle and appreciates the special efforts of those who “drive and show”. These awards include Best Interior awarded to Tom Phillips with a 1957 Chevy Belair, Best Engine going to Doug Noland and his 1970 AMX, Best Paint to Janet Black with her 1934 Cadillac 4 Dr Sedan, Best Use of Color to Royce Lippard with a 1954 Mercury, Best Bike Paint to James Harper and his 2006 Honda VTX, Best Bike going to Tim Cochran with a 2004 Hell Bound Steel Wicked and Best of Show awarded to Jeffery Rearden with his 1957 Chevy Belair.
The Chattanooga Speech and Hearing Center participates in the show each year by manning the Monster Truck Bounce House and accepting donations. 100% of these donations goes to provide services to children who cannot otherwise afford them. We’ve always known our exhibitors were the best and this year they proved it once again. Former Show Chairman, Carter Hampton worked all weekend collecting items to auction off at a special auction at the Awards Presentation. When time for the Awards Presentation finally arrived everyone had a great time participating in the auction and the Speech and Hearing Center was thrilled with the contribution to their work. What can I say…our exhibitors are the greatest!
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