Tee Pee Car Prix
The car show at the Tee Pee Drive-In brought close to 100 vehicles despite dark clouds. In the late afternoon, the weather cleared up for the movies. Photo by R. Stephens
by Richard Stephens, Jr.
Cars for judging. “Cars” to watch. The Tee Pee Drive-In co-hosted an Oklahoma Route 66 Association Centennial Car Show, drawing 126 vehicle registrations, and showed Disney Pixar’s first “Cars” movie on Sept. 26.
Additionally, Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Café in Stroud, talked about being the inspiration for Sally Carrera in the “Cars” movies and Holly Embry, with Wonderworks Tulsa, painted faces of children and adults alike.
The event was planned and held by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association itself through its Events and Marketing Committee, headed by Samantha Extance. Planning and execution was also organized by Michael Jones, Gasoline Alley Classics owner and a board member of the Association, and Derek Fritz, an employee of Oral Roberts University and car-show veteran.
“The Tee Pee Drive-In is a fantastic space,” said Extance. “It's a fun, family, friendly atmosphere. There’s the kids play area…And what a perfect place to show a special showing of Pixar Disney's cars film, which turns 20 this year. And it's a movie that inspired a lot of young people to love and be interested in Route 66.“
Online registration for the car show was $25 in advance and $30 on-site. Britney Wilson, assistant show director of America Car Shows, and her team organized the car show and awarded Top 3 plaques in more than sixty categories, plus special interest awards.
Shane Bevel of Tulsa brought his 1967 Ford Mustang. He rebuilt the car in time for Tulsa’s Capital Cruise. Then, with his wife and two children, they traveled the entire length of Route 66 this summer. “They loved it. I had an absolute blast,” said Bevel. “It was absolutely a family vacation, and then my mother came and met us for the Shamrock [Texas] to Santa Fe portion.” Bevel’s uncle and his children also traveled with them in California. They chronicled the journey with two posters (known as “Boomer Boards” in car show terminology) with over 50 photos glued to it and highlights written by his children.
Displaying their 1969 “General Lee” Dodge Charger is still special for Thad and Dawn Reaser from Sapulpa. Their son, Justin, got leukemia when he was 16 years old. The Make-a-Wish Foundation painted the Charger’s exterior orange with other markings and replaced the interior. Justin thought the foundation was painting his pick-up truck. Instead, he got a big surprise when his father handed him the car keys to drive it. Fortunately, Justin is still alive and has three boys.
Ed Fogle was also in attendance; you may remember stories about his journey earlier this year as he and his wife traveled Route 66 in their 1926 Hupmobile. Ron Jones, the Tattoo Man of Route 66 and long-time Route 66 supporter, was also there with his red, white, and blue 1956 Chevy. His car was featured on the official event t-shirt!
Dropping in while cruising the Mother Road was a group of six motorcyclists from Portugal and two Japanese visitors. Several travelers from England also came by to see the cars as they cruised west.
Alisa Labbe of Shawnee won Best of Show award with a glossy blue and white 1973 Ford Bronco. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association Centennial Car Show was held at the Tee Pee Drive-In. Photo by R. Stephens
At 1:00 p.m., Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, announced winners. Alisa Labbe of Shawnee won Best of Show with a glossy blue and white 1973 Ford Bronco. Winning the President’s Choice Award was Kenny Robinson, who drove a 1966 Ford Falcon Futura Station Wagon. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell’s Champion’s Choice went to Shane Bevel of Tulsa.
Dawn Welch, John Dillon, and Beverly Thomas with John’s “Sally” Porsche. Photo by R. Martin.
As the Tee Pee Drive-In switched from car show to movie screening, John Dillon arrived with his Porsche that represented the same color and model that Sally is in the film. Dawn Welch and Rhys Martin told stories before the screening of “Cars” (which was paired with “Heart of the Beast” as a double feature.) One person asked how Sally Carrera’s Porsche got a tattoo. Welch answered by saying as a 24-year-old owner of the Rock Café, she realized she was in the tourism business.
When bikers showed up, she wore “biker shorts, biker boots, and this fringe Route 66 shirt. And I also went to Spencer’s [Gifts] and bought black widow fake tattoos…and every time the motorcycles would come, I put that black widow tattoo on my belly. And I would call myself the Black Widow Waitress….I would take on her character.” Welch told this to Disney when their research team stopped by the cafe in the early 2000’s. The animators then added the pinstripe to Sally Carrera’s lift-up spoiler, which suggested she once had a racy “fast lane past.”
After the discussion, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association awarded several door prizes to attendees, including a set of toys from the “Cars” film, a Pixar backpack, water bottle and lapel pins, a Route 66 sign, and more to lucky ticket holders.
As daylight faded, "Cars" showed brightly on the big screen to complete the day's events.
Matt Pinnell was pleased with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association's role overall. “We couldn't do everything that we're doing in the state of Oklahoma without…our Oklahoma Route 66 Association. They've really paved the way…We really take a lot of direction and advice from Rhys and the Association. I'm really here for the Association, because again, Oklahoma wouldn't be the leader of the pack of these eight Route 66 states without the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.”
