Saturday, June 22, 2002

Cruise revs up crowds

500 cars participate in Frackville event

FRACKVILLE - The streets were on fire Friday, and the crowds loved it.

The sound of screeching brakes, the smell of burned rubber and the "cha-oo-ga" of old-fashioned car horns marked the second annual Frackville Car Cruise.

"We are so pleased with this year's response," said Kim Y. Phillips, Frackville, one of the organizers of the event, proceeds of which will benefit the building fund for the Frackville Free Public Library. "Last year we had over 400 cars, this year over 500, and we can't wait until 2003!"

The event was a mini-homecoming for many Frackville families as the cruisers wound their way throughout the borough.

"It's a great thing for the community. This reminds me of my youth when Main Street was alive with shoppers and families," said Phil Tenaglia, Frackville, who led the cruise in his pink and white 1955 Ford Crown Victoria complete with fuzzy dice and a leather interior.

Tenaglia was "honored" to be chosen as last year's winner to "lead the pack."

Lehigh Avenue turned into a parking lot as drivers let their engines cool down. The crowds then had the opportunity to check out interiors and look under the hoods while they grabbed an Italian ice or cupcake from one of the stands sponsored by local churches and civic organizations.

Sixty-five prizes were given out this year.

Robert D. Davis, Frackville, and his wife, Dorothy J., were among the group of judges for this year's event. Both are car buffs, and Mrs. Davis said they based their decisions on "crowd pleasers, appearance, modifications, anything unusual."

"Some people put as much as $65,000 to $80,000 into these cars," Mr. Davis noted.

One of their favorites was a 2001 PT Cruiser owned by James Yurick, Oneida, because of his state-of-the art sound system.

Yurick was pleased to be awarded a winner's trophy at his first cruise this year.

"I just love doing it," he said as "Where the Boys Are," the 1950s Connie Francis tune blared from his speakers.

A 1972 Chevy Nova left half its tires in front of Jeff L. Lavas' house on South Balliet Street.

"It's great to see the classics, but we love to watch them burn out," said Lavas, who sprayed down the road with water.

A sign invited drivers to "Lite 'em up" and the neighborhood went wild as drivers of street rods, muscle cars and Corvettes rose to the occasion, sending smoke into the air and leaving rubber marks on the pavement as they punched it.

"Someone did a very good job with that car," said C. Richard Drescher, Ashland, as he admired a restored cherry red 1954 Chevy.

"I just like to see them burn rubber," said Ashley A. Cuff, 9, of Shenandoah, who was watching the cruise from a high vantage point on Lehigh Avenue.

Corvettes, GTOs, Ford coupes, a Hudson, a Lamborghini and Mustangs with names like "The Bandit," "1 Sic Pony," "Shirley One," "Tina's Treasure," "1 Fast 67" and "Party Time" joined a 1930 Model T Ford and the Volkswagen "Pierogie Mobile" to make Frackville's second car cruise one to remember.