Everything from hot rods and vintage cars to motorcycles and even tricked-out trucks helped make this year’s Ozarks Tech Car and Motorcycle Show a resounding success.
With nearly 120 vehicles and multiple vendors, each year the event continues to grow in popularity for the college and community. The show started in the 1990s and is now hosted and organized by students of the Ozarks Tech Transportation Department.
While the vehicles may take the spotlight, the show has become an increasingly valuable learning experience, fundraising opportunity and community engagement event for the department’s students. Ozarks Tech students handle show registration and judging as well as work with vendors, local employers and attendees who take part in the daylong event.
“It is a great event all around, but the students win in many areas because putting on a car show of this size and caliber ultimately helps them with their organization and leadership skills,” said Gabe McLaughlin, Ozarks Tech Transportation Department Chair. “We have a great time, and the students feel good about putting on an event that the community really looks forward to and supports.”
The 2024 Ozarks Tech Car and Motorcycle Show raised approximately $2,000. Special thanks are extended to Rick’s Automotive, Reliable Cars, Ozarks Antique Auto Club and O’Reilly Auto Parts for their generous support.
The show benefits the Transportation Department and helps with the cost associated with SkillsUSA membership and competitions. Ozarks Tech students take part in SkillsUSA, a national group with 440,000 members that prepares students for technical, skilled and service careers, including health fields. The mission is to help members become skilled workers, leaders and responsible citizens. It includes competitions at local, district, state and national levels. At the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, students compete in more than 100 skill areas.
Picked by Ozarks Tech students, the 2024 Car and Motorcycle Show Special Awards included:
- Chancellor’s Choice: Dean Hoover – 1955 Chevy 210
- Dean’s Choice: Robert Stephenson – 1969 Cadillac Eldorado
- Student Choice: Cecil Daniels – 1974 Plymouth Cuda
- Instructor Choice: Timothy Goller – 1965 Chevy C10
- Sponsor Choice: Chris Merrifield – 1941 Willys Coupe
- Best in Show: Dave & Mary Chapman – 2017 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport Collectors Ed
- Best in Show (Motorcycle): Bill Middendorp – 2014 Harley Davidson Softail
- Best Under Construction: Ben Nesler – 1994 Buick Roadmaster
- Rat Rod Attention to Detail: Steve Jones – 1950 Chevy 3100 Pickup
To learn more about the Ozarks Tech Transportation Department, which includes the Auto Collision Repair, Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology programs, visit https://academics.otc.edu/transportation/
