Hot Rods and Hot Rides Take Focus in Car Show Posted 11/03/2006 By Tim Sramcik "I'm just amazed we didn't do this before." Undoubtedly, many NACE 2006 attendees have shared NACE Marketing Manager Pamela Miller's view of the NACE Auto and Cycle Alley, a car\truck\motorcycle show making its first appearance at NACE. Obviously, a vehicle show makes perfect sense at a trade show dedicated to the body repair industry. And now auto repair professionals have the opportunity to show off their skills and their labors of love to their colleagues. Geralynn Kottschade, NACE 2006 chairperson and vice president of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankato, Minn., calls the Auto and Cycle Alley the "brain-child" of the current Attendee Advisory Council, a group Kottschade describes as "professionals dedicating their time and energy to raising the bar and increasing the core value of NACE events." This excitement apparently has spread to several dozen entrants from across the nation (no easy chore for anyone who has attempted to move a vehicle by trailer). Dana Teague, NACE 2006 senior show director, notes, "We expected to see entries from the Las Vegas and California regions, but we also have a number of entries from Washington, Oregon, Nebraska and the Midwest." Entries will be on display during Exposition hours. NACE attendees have voted on the categories of Best Car, Best Bike and Best Truck. Entrants from all areas of vehicle restoration and design were invited to participate - hot rods, muscle cars, classic cars, tuners, etc. "We didn't create separate vehicle classes because this is our first year holding the event and we didn't know what to expect. Also, right now the emphasis is on having fun," says Teague. Along with "Best Vehicle" categories, a People's Choice Award will be given out to top overall vote-getter. Also, a Celebrity Pick Award will go to the vehicle judged best of show by a panel of celebrity judges. The panel includes: Chip Foose, an expert painter and host of The Learning Channel's (TLC) Overhaulin' Jon Kosmoski, custom paint legend, teacher of writer of numerous book on the custom paint field Stacey David, custom vehicle builder (including go-karts constructed with 440 snowmobile engines), 4-wheel drive and off-road aficionado and original host of Spike TV's most popular long-running show TRUCKS! Troy Trepanier, hot rod builder and owner of custom shop Rad Rides in Manteno, Ill. The Celebrity Pick and People's Choice Awards will each carry $3000 cash prizes while the "Best Vehicle" categories each will offer $2000 cash prizes. Miller says entries will be judged on areas such as style of paint, job quality and overall quality of the restoration. Engine mechanics will not be taken into account for judging considerations. Prizes will be awarded during tomorrow's Town Hall Breakfast. Entrants must be present. CCC Information Services and WIZARDS Products are sponsoring the awards.