JULY 2013
VOL1 • ISSUE 2
FREE!
COLOR CRAFT HOOSIER’S HOTTEST GARAGES: MIKE BATES
DAVID MATA’S
1977 CHEVY MONTE CARLO LARRY SNELL’S
REGION RENEGADE
JODY CLARK
1950 CUSTOM
MERCURY
Portage Wrestling 2nd Annual Golf Outing Four Man Scramble River Pointe Golf Course Hobart, IN SAT U R DAY, J U LY 27 T H Registration/Driving Range: 11:00 am Lunch: 12:00 Noon Tee-Off: 1:00 pm Cost: $100 per Golfer This includes Entry and a Gift Bag, 18-holes of Golf, Riding Cart, Lunch, 5 Domestic Beers per Golfer and a chance to win various prizes
Longest Drive • Closest To The Pin • Skins • Team Prizes 2 Hole-In-One chances to win a CAR!!
To register visit: www.portagewrestling.com ALL participants must be at least 21 years of age.
Like Us & See Extra Stuff on Facebook! - Facebook.com/RegionRides
A Letter from Your Editor IN THIS ISSUE
Cruise & Show Schedule Works of Art in Progress
5 6
SHOW STOPPER
Chad MacInstosh’s Custom Skull-Clad Chopper
GREEN DREAM
David Mata’s 77 Monte
LABOR OF LOVE
Larry Snell’s ‘50 Mercury
HOOSIER’S HOTTEST GARAGES Mike Bates Color Craft
CRUISE BENEFIT
Cruisin’ for a Cause
REGION RENEGADE Jody Clark
8 12 16 20
26
Monster Trucks Come to NWI 30 4th Annual Car Show
Plus, we’ll be covering the all this summers events and going on location to bring you show and cruise night action, with pics, articles, award winners and even videos. But for now, enjoy this month’s issue and let us know what you think. - RR
24
MONSTER TRUCK SHOW WINFIELD CAR SHOW
THIS past month has been a great experience; diving into the custom Ride culture of NWI. The talent that’s in our small area is astonishing and we cannot wait for you all to see what we have in store. MORE custom choppers, 4x4’s, trucks, hot rods, ratrods and... may God help me... Imports. I posted a picture of an import on our facebook page this past week and boy did I catch flack. But the way we see it, if you can bust your knuckles on a Ford or Harley you can bust your knuckles on a Honda.
32
NWI MOPAR ASSOC.
OUR TEAM Interested in Advertising? Sales@RegionRides.com or Call: 219.200.3877 Got a Cool Ride? Rides@RegionRides.com
Celebrating 20 Years
CHRISTENSON CHEVY CAR SHOW 3rd Annual Car Show
36 38
Rolando Martinez PUBLISHER
Jeremy Daniels
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Chris Jackson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Betty LeBeau
2nd Annual Picnic & Cruise 34
CALUMET HARLEY DAVIDSON
Mark Halliar
FOUNDER • PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This month’s cover is Mike Bates in front of his shop, Color Craft, in Hobart, along with two of his custom, award winning, Rides. Shot on location by Jerome Hindmon
Alex Ortiz
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jessica Halliar
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jerome Hindmon
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Designs by Mark
PUBLICATION & AD DESIGN
Region Rides is a monthly publication by Region Rides LLC. All rights reserved. Production without permission is strictly prohibited. All photographs & articles submitted become the sole property of Region Rides Magazine.
Region Show Schedule Christenson Superstore Car Show
All Makes & Models Car & Truck Show Sunday, July 21 • 8am to 2:30pm Christenson Chevrolet 9700 Indianapolis Blvd • Highland, IN Call Bill Gnerlich • 219.765.1933 CrownPointVettes.org for More Info $25 Registration First 50 Car Guaranteed Indoor Parking
4th Annual Winfield Ace Hardware Car Show
Saturday, July 27 • 9am to 2pm Car, Truck & Bike Show 11702 Randolph St • Crown Point, IN 219.663.7676 $15 Registration Fee
Advance Auto Parts End of Summer Car Show and JDRF Fundraiser
FREE Valpo Car Show, Swap & For Sale Corral
Iron Horse 4x4 Inc 5th Annual Beauty & The Beast Truck Show
Cruisin’ for Critters Car & Bike Show
Saturday, August 17 • 4pm to 8pm 914 North Man St • Crown Point 219.663.7846 $10 Pr-Registration $20 Registration Day of Show
Sunday, September 8 • 11am to 3pm Buddy & Pal’s & Langel’s Pizza 342 US 30 • Schererville, IN $15 Per Truck Class TJ Piccirilli • 219.996.6563
Cruise Night Schedule MONDAY NIGHTS
Applebees/Advance Auto • 5pm to 8pm 791 Indian Boundary Rd • Chesterton, IN Charley Horse Restaurant • 5pm 8940 Calumet Ave • Munster, IN Cheers Food & Drink • 6pm to 9pm 1942 45th Street • Munster, IN
TUESDAY NIGHTS
Southlake Auto Mall • 4pm to 8pm 4191 E Lincoln Hwy • Merrillville, IN Every 1st & 3rd of the Month • May thru Sept Al’s Supermarket • 5pm to 8pm Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN Pav’s Restaurant • 4pm to 8pm 642 North Main St. • Hebron, IN.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
A&W/KFC • 5pm 1475 S. Lake Park Ave • Hobart, IN Across from St Mary Hospital White’s Pit Stop • 5pm 330 E US Hwy 30 • Schererville, IN SouthSIde Pizzeria • 6pm to 9pm Parrish & 133rd Ave • Cedar Lake, IN *Rusty Nail Sports Bar • 6pm to 9pm 2420 Dombey Rd • Portage, IN Whiting Cruise Night • 6pm to 9pm Every 3rd Wednesday • 119th Street
THURSDAY NIGHTS
Courthouse Square • 5pm to 9pm Crown Point, IN
*BIKE NIGHT
Sunday, September 8 • 9am to 2pm Porter County Fairgrounds Call Mario: 219.464.9918 Best Paint • Best Engine • Best in Show $0 Registration Fee $5 Spectator Admission September 22 • 9am to 2pm Pav’s Restaurant 642 North Main St • Hebron, IN 219.996.3663 Top 50 Awards Breakfast Will be Served! $15 Registration Fee
FRIDAY NIGHTS
*Harley Davidson of Valparaiso • 5pm 1151 W Morthland Dr • Valparaiso Finnegan’s Pub • 6pm to 9pm 1074 Joliet St • Dyer, IN Zel’s Restaurant • 5pm 210 US Hwy 41 • Schererville *Boomers Pub & Grub • 5pm 2522 Portage Mall • Portage, IN
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS
Simon Sez • 8pm to Midnight 2250 W Lincoln Hwy • Merrillville
WORKS OF ART IN PROGRESS
The Man
WHO: Chris Williams WHERE: Hammond
The Ride YEAR: 1993
MAKE: Honda MODEL: Civic BODY STYLE: Hatchback ENGINE: 1.8 L Stock TRANS: Bare-bones stock EXHAUST: 3” Greddy PAINT: Rhino brand truck bed liner SUSPENSION: Lowered 2” with Tein suspension RIMS: 17” Paoline Alloy TIRES: 205/15R17 by Goodyear INTERIOR: Torn out to make the car lighter SOUNDS: Orion Cobalt 130 watt speakers, 12” Dual brand subwoofer with bandpass box, Jensen 7” touch screen flipout head unit with navi, bluetooth, all the bells and whistles, Rockford Fosgate 400 watt amp, just enough to make your eyeballs rattle in your skull! “Mario at Sounds Like Security in Hammond really hooked me up.” TIME SPENT RESTORING: Chris purchased this car from his buddy Brad in 2008 and has been working on her for the past 5 years. Chris stated, “It’s taking so long because I have been working on everyone else’s cars, and I am a lazy cripple.” MODIFICATIONS FROM STOCK: Cut out and replaced both rear quarter panels, both inner wheel wells, fixed all rust holes and major dents in the hood, fenders, doors, and rocker panels. He fabricated custom tail light bezels to accommodate sedan style tail lights. Chris shaved the handles and locks, removed the badging and converted the exhaust to 3” pipe from front to back and threw out the catalytic converter (who needs ‘em?). He added after-market halo headlights and tail lights, all blue LED after-market interior lighting, after-market brakes, installed power windows, blue and white LED side mirrors, Odyssey racing battery and after-market high flow radiator. “Lunchbox will find out what I’ve done to the stock motor after we hit Illiana Speedway.” FUTURE PLANS: Interior will be refabbed and carpeted, planning on swapping out the motor with a turbo-charged Acura 6 cylinder, finish up the body work, run dual exhaust, dash swap, plans to remove all stock knobs and sliders and replace with simple switches for a cleaner look, upgrade transmission, and add performance braking system.
4
6
THANKS: “To my wife, Elizabeth, for being OK with me putting 5 times more into a car than I paid for it, I love you.”
Got a project you’re working on? Send us pics and a brief description to: Rides@RegionRides.com
REBUILT THE BODY. KEPT THE ENGINE. Stacked logo with gold drop and slight gradation on red
Stacked logo with gold drop and no gradation on red
SHOW S
SHOW CHOPPER TURNED STREET POUNDER - CHAD MA
Written By: Betty LeBeau
SKULL-LADEN, mean lookin’, chest rumblin’, head turnin’, and “Man! I want that bike!” are just a few of the things that come to mind when you see this custom chopper. This sexy beast belongs to Chad McIntosh of Michigan City, IN. She was assembled by and purchased from Insane Choppers out of New Berlin, WI. “Basically, I bought it because the artwork was pretty bad ass.” 8
Photos By: Jessica Halliar
Southern Motorcycle Works in Oklahoma built the frame. They stretched it 4 inches and added 1 inch on the backbone. She has a 42-degree rake. The back rim is 18” in diameter wrapped in a 250 mm Avon Venom 2 tire. Her seat is classic black leather and has a height of a mere 23 inches off the ground! Chad said that super low seat height one of is favorite things about his chopper. What’s his other favorite thing, you ask? “Its fun
to blow away the crotch-rocket bikes!” She is not just a pretty face Region Riders. A 113 cubic inch Ultima motor, backed by a 6 speed Ultima trans and an S & S Super G carb; all of which gives her the power to leave those crotch rockets in the dust! According to the manufacturer’s specs, this Ultima motor has 120 foot-pounds of torque. Those specifications were, of course,
STOPPER
ACINTOSH - MICHIGAN CITY
10
before Chad got his hands on it. He just replaced exhaust with a daisy cutter (made by Southern Motor Works, expertly installed by Chad himself). Once he is able to rejet the carb to suit the new exhaust, he plans to have it dynoed. He also upgraded the 1 1/8 inch drive belt to a steel chain and sprocket, to make use of every bit of power the motor is pushing out. The brake rotors front and rear have been changed out from show chrome
to stainless, with the addition of the beautiful union of knuckleWilwood calipers. busting hard work, classic style, and gut crushing power, won Chad would like to send a big him Best in Show at Party at the thank you to his dad, Richard Lake 2010 (Sponsored by The McIntosh, who owned a small Wall Gang). When asked if the engine repair shop when bike is “finished”, he replied, “A he was a kid. “Pretty much chopper is never finished, there since around 6 years old, I’ve will always be little things here been tearing stuff apart and and there to do on it. If someone trying to put it back together.” doesn’t like to tinker with things, That know-how really shines then a custom chopper is not the through in this mean machine! bike for them.” - RR This incredible example of
Ride Specs WHO: Chad McIntosh WHAT : 2008 Custom Chopper WHERE: Michigan City, IN ENGINE: 113 cu inch 120 horsepower BRAKES: Wilwood Four Piston Caliber TRANS: 6 Speed Ultima - LSD
WHEELS & TIRES: Rear: 250mm by 18” Front Tire: 21” diameter, 3 ½” wide. Rims are aluminum, made by Wicked from SNW SUSPENSION: Soft Tail PAINT & FAB: Insane Choppers - New Berlin, WI EXTRAS: 42 degree raked frame. Front forks are standard chrome – triple tree, tribal pattern
GREEN D
David Mata’s 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Landau Edition Written By: Alex Ortiz
12
David Mata, a firefighter in East Chicago, has always dreamt of owning a 1977 Monte Carlo. “I’m sitting in front of station 5 on 151st and this guy drives by in this sea foam green ‘77 Monte Carlo, Landau edition, 2-door coupe,” Mata said. “So I flagged him down, asked if
by some chance his car was for sale, and he said yes. I couldn’t believe it.” Mata knew THIS was the car that was meant to be. “It was made the year I was born and that’s what I’ve been looking for. Finding his Landau Sport
Coupe, for David, was like finding a diamond in the rough. Much to his surprise, he was only the third owner. “It had been in a garage for 8 years, it only had 38,000 miles on it so I knew I had found a real gem, or rather it found me.”
DREAM
n - 38,000 Original Miles - A True Diamond in the Rough Photos by: Jerome Hindmon
“The paint was dull, so I wet sanded the entire car, buffed it out and got the factory paint looking glossy,” he said. David wanted to keep the car as original as possible so everything is stock except the sounds, wheels, tires, and
hydraulics. The hydraulic system is a 2 pump CCE set up that consists of 6-1100cca group, 31 series batteries, and 6 solenoids all controlled by 10 switches. He has 8 inch cylinders up front with 3 ton springs, and 12 inch cylinders in the rear with
2 ton springs. “The guys from my lowrider car club, Suenos Divinos, came out and helped me put in the hydraulics,” he said. “We also changed it to 13 x 7, 100 spoke chrome rims by LA Wires.”
“When I bought it in March of 2012, the owner said I was only the second person to drive it..... it had been in a garage for 8 years.” - David Mata Jr Within three weeks, his Monte Carlo was show ready. Mata has plans to make future modifications to his lowrider, but they will be minor. “I haven’t done any engine mods, just minor tune-ups to my stock engine.” The engine is a V8 Chevy small block 305 cubic inches with 140 horsepower.
14
“My plan is to refurbish the car – repaint it the same original color, chrome everything out, redo the seals, upgrade factory white vinyl interior to white leather. I don’t want to change a lot because of how rare it is, I want it to look like it rolled of the assembly line in 1977 but with the lowrider touch.” - RR
See More of David’s Monte Carlo on Our Facebook Page - Facebook.com/RegionRides
Ride Specs WHO: David Mata Jr WHAT: 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo Landau WHERE: East Chicago, IN ENGINE: Stock 305 V8 - 38K Miles BRAKES: Stock Front Disc Brakes & Rear Drums TRANS: Stock Automatic REAREND: 8.2GM 10 bolt INTERIOR: Factory white vinyl; sliding split bench front seats.
WHEELS & TIRES: 13x7” Hunter Spoke Chrome Wheels made by LA Wires wrapped in P155/80R13 Milestar Touring SE whitewall tires SUSPENSION: 3 ton springs/8” cylinders up front & 2 ton springs/12” cylinders in rear. Suspension powered by a 2 pump CCE Hydraulic setup with (6) 11oo cca group 31 series batteries and (6) solenoids controlled by a switchbox with 10 switches PAINT & BODY: Original sea-foam green paint with limited edition vinyl top and limitied edition pinstripe and lower white paint pattern EXTRAS: 2 Pioneer 6 ½” 2-way rear speakers and 2 Pioneer 4” dash speakers powered by a 200 watt Polk Audio amplifier and a Pioneer head unit
Written By: Betty LeBeau
Photos By: Jessica Halliar
IN 1983 Larry Snell of Lowell, IN rescued this super sleek 1950 custom Mercury Sport Coupe from the mud it was buried beneath. “I paid $500 for this car. When I first bought it, I had to throw half of it away. It was a scrap car.” Larry busted his knuckles for 22 months to get this beauty road ready. “I’d come home from work, and work on it for a couple hours every day. “She was painted a two tone blue, had spiffy new interior, new shoes, a clean body, and was ready for cruizin’. Twenty-six years later Larry made the decision to customize his Merc’ further, “The car was getting tired.“ In November of 2009, his sexy sled got a second makeover to make her the magnificent machine you see before you today. He swapped out the Flathead V8 for a 350 cubic inch Chevy crate motor with 250 horsepower. Larry said, “I wanted air conditioning and the crate motors are easier to adapt.” He then put the icing on the cake with an Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor. The transmission is a 700R with automatic overdrive, topped with a Lokar shifter. The block is painted gold and is boasts an impressive amount of chrome. All of the chrome work under the hood was done by his buddy of 30 years, Paul Mathes, Jr. of Kouts, IN. “He is a great detail guy”, Larry stated, and we at RR wholeheartedly agree! Larry entrusted all of the paint and body modifications to Pat Walters of Kool Motor Shop in Hebron, IN. The handles are shaved and all of the badging is removed adding to the smooth as silk appearance of this Merc’. He chopped 3” off the top in the front and 4” in the rear and slanted the b-pillars a bit further. The side moldings are from a ‘55 Chevy and the front and rear bumper guards are off of a ‘55 Pontiac. I know what you are thinking, loyal Region Riders, “there is something awesome going on with those headlights, I just can’t put my finger on it.” They are off of a 1953 Ford and have been flipped upside down and Frenched. That striking red paint is a GM color, Dark Jewel tint code 80. The firewall and inner fenders have been painted ivory to match the dash. 16
LABO Larry Snell’s 1950 Custom
OR OF LOVE Mercury Sport Coupe is a True
18
The custom modifications don’t stop there! The frame has been modified from the firewall forward. He converted it to a coilover front end with a drop spindle suspension, specially made by Scott’s in Oxnard, CA. The wheels are by Wheel Master in California and the tires are Diamondback Radial 15” whitewalls. A 1959 Cadillac antenna has been added and the body has been built up around it. He used 2-50’s stainless Mercury grills, spliced them together, and angled them out. The steering wheel is off of a ’65 Cadillac with a ’64 Mercury head placed inside the Caddy
frame. He also added the modern convenience of power steering, disc brakes and a tape deck that only plays ‘50’s tunes! The interior is Naugahyde brand vinyl in a delicate ivory hue. The tuck and roll style is carried out back into the package tray, and the theme continues into the custom upholstered trunk. Sneaky secretthere are hidden compartments in the trunk for tools! It has onepiece carpeting, and everything from the headliner to the seatbelts matches and contrasts seamlessly. This stunning interior took two months of painstaking attention to
detail by Rensselaer Upholstery’s own Winston Sears. Larry would like to offer a special thank you to his wife of 48 years, Linda. “For being so understanding”. He would also like to show his appreciation for their hard work on this exquisite ride to Pat Walters, Winston Sears, and Jeff Longstreth. We would also like to thank Larry and everyone that helped to put this stunning piece of eye candy back on the road. Larry said it best, “You have to be really dedicated to put this much into something.” - RR
See More of Larry’s Mercury on our Facebook Page - Facebook.com/RegionRides
Ride Specs Who: Larry Snell What: 1950 Mercury Sport Coupe Where: Lowell, Indiana Engine: 350 Chevy Crate Motor Brakes: Disc Trans: 700R 4-speed Auto with Overdrive, Topped with a Lokar Shifter Rearend: 8-inch Ford Interior: Tuck and Roll Ivory Vinyl by Rensselaer Upholstery
Wheels & Tires: 15” Wheelmasters of California wrapped in Diamond Back 3” Wide White Walls Suspension: Scott’s of Oxnard California - Front Paint & Body: 3” Chop in the Front, 4” in the back, Shaved Door Handles & Emblems, Dark Jewel Tintcoat. All body & paint by Pat Walters of Kool Motor Shop in Hebron, IN Extras: ‘55 Chevrolet Spear Moldings, ‘65 Cadillac Steering Wheel with custom Mercury Center Cap, ‘55 Pontiac Bumper Guards ‘57 Cadillac Hubcaps, Tinted glass, Power Steering and the list just keeps going!
HOOSIER’S HOTTEST GARAGES
MIKE BATES C Written by: Jeremy Daniels
THIRTEEN years ago, Mike Bates had a vision of turning a cornfield in Hobart, Indiana into the Auto Body and Paint Shop of his dreams. He bought six and a half acres of land, and kept a
large corner lot on State Road 130 for himself. With so much land, Mike took to putting his master plan into motion, and before long, Color Craft Inc. was born. “I knew I always wanted to have my own shop – it started at a young age”, said Bates. “I always read hot rod magazines and I was always into models, but it was my dad who really got me into it. He always had cool cars around and he’d let me help out in his garage at home.”
For his very first vehicle, Bates purchased a 1948 Plymouth. He painted it and knew this was what he was born to do. “In High School I started working in the body shop of an Oldsmobile dealership. I worked there for 20 years until they closed up. That’s when I went out on my own.” Since Bates had so much knowledge working
COLOR CRAFT Photos by: Jerome Hindmon
in a shop, he knew exactly how he wanted his shop to be laid out, and what his specialties would include. The roughly 11,000 square foot shop is not your basic body shop; they specialize in collision repair and custom paint. “We do everything from frame straightening to state of the art down-draft spray booth,” he said. “We are
known in the region for our custom paint – we give a mirrorlike finish.”
In fact, the majority of the work done at Color Craft is collision work. Bates gets about 10-15 vehicles in his shop looking for all the bells and whistles. “We have about three complete restorations going
on right now,” he said. “We have a ’65 Mustang that’s disassembled that we are replacing all the sheet metal. We also have a ‘31 Model A Ford that’s getting a frame off restoration. The frame is getting powder coated and we are putting it all back together.”
“I knew I always wanted to have my own shop... it started at a young age...” - MIKE BATES Other vehicles they’re currently working on include a Camaro and a Chevelle. Bates wants everyone to know that it’s not just hot rods, classic cars, and trucks that they work on. “A lot of people don’t know they do custom painting of Harleys,” he said. “Whenever someone pops in and asks, they always seem surprised that we do Harleys. Of course we do – we do it all!” 22
Color Craft’s work has been recognized on both the local and national levels. “We won Best in the Region from the Times and the Good Guys award from Good Guy Nationals,” Bates said. “I have an office full of trophies, but it’s the work I do that gives me the greatest sense of pride. I love watching someone’s expression when they come in to pick up their vehicle – that excitement
is worth anything.”
more
than
The guys at Color Craft take a lot of pride in the quality of their work, and it’s their numerous repeat customers that prove over and over again that they are doing it right! Bates loves getting his hands on the cars himself, and loves to share the stories of some of the magic he’s made. He has several of his own vehicles that he loves to
talk about. “I did this ’37 Ford 2 door coupe,” he began, “Mini Cooper headlights, custom leather interior, painted it blue, put a 17 inch TV monitor in the trunk, and a sound system. Now I’m doing another ‘37 Ford in the same style of the original but its red, another full custom.” Color Craft Inc. is located at 677 West State Road 130 in Hobart. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, and always operate with a full-time crew of five. - RR
Written by: Chris Jackson
SOMETIMES life just doesn’t seem fair. Although a statistical analysis would probably prove otherwise, it just seems like the worst things always happen to the best people. Jeff Kubiak of Crown Point is one of those good people. Kubiak, 44, is a well known body man to Region car guys who was working at Color Craft in Hobart in 2009 when he developed a sore throat that wouldn’t go away. After several doctor visits and tests, he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. But the prognosis was not terminal and Kubiak was willing to fight the good fight. So he underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. And after completing the treatments, the doctors were satisfied that the cancer was gone.
24
So Kubiak went back to work and tried to pick up the pieces and resume living a normal life. And all seemed well until the fall of 2012, when suddenly Kubiak found himself losing his voice. After returning to the doctor, Kubiak began
remained on a feeding tube until June 17th, but the cancer was gone. If there is a bright side to a traumatic experience like this, it’s that you find out how much you are loved by the people around you. And while Kubiak still faces an uphill climb with still more procedures to come and mounting medical bills, friends who care about him have stepped up to show how much they care.
another series of biopsies and scopes that culminated in a trip to Northwestern University Hospital for tests, where doctors found a mass on his right vocal cord. Unfortunately a patient cannot receive a second round of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cases involving laryngeal cancer such as Kubiak’s. So in a six hour procedure at the hospital, doctors had to perform a complete laryngectomy, where they removed Kubiak’s larynx, including his voice box and vocal cords. Unfortunately, this procedure meant that normal speech was no longer possible. In cases involving a complete removal of the larynx, doctors also must perform a procedure called a tracheotomy, where the windpipe is surgically moved to the neck for breathing. So Kubiak remained in the hospital for 16 days after the surgery, and
His girlfriend of five plus years, Sherry Armstrong, has taken a leave of absence from her job to be his at-home nurse, and she has been by his side throughout his ordeal. And Rudy Munis of Schererville is a good friend who is organizing a “Car Cruise Picnic Benefit” for Kubiak on Sunday, July 21st from 2:00 until 7:00 pm at Simon Sez (2250 West 81st Avenue) on US Route 30 in Merrillville and the public is invited. John Golfis, the owner of Simon Sez, is donating the food for the benefit. “We’ve been handing out fliers for a month so we hope it’s going to be big,” said Munis. “It’s going to be a family event with lots of food, a car show, a silent auction and a DJ. The lot will hold 200 cars so there will be a lot of cars to see, plus plenty of food and good music too, so it’ll be a fun day. We’re
hoping for the best.” The car show will feature about 25 different classes of cars including muscle cars, street rods and motorcycles and there will be trophies for each class. The silent auction will feature all kinds of car and sports memorabilia and tickets to sporting events. There will also be door prizes and raffles too, all to benefit Jeff Kubiak. “I have a ’70 Cuda and I met Jeff through Mopar and we became good friends,” said Munis. “The (Northwest Indiana) Mopar Association is going to be at the benefit too because Jeff has worked on a lot of their cars. Jeff has a lot of friends.” Not only does Kubiak have a lot of friends, he is lucky enough to have the devotion of Armstrong as well. The pair has been together for over five years and after getting engaged last June plan to marry next June. Kubiak has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. He is off the feeding tube and eating on his own again, but surgery for a speech prosthesis and speech therapy are up next. And Armstrong, who has stuck by him through the entire ordeal, looks forward to the future. “I love him with all my heart,” said Armstrong. “I told Jeff that the worst is over and now the healing process begins. We’ll get through this and life will be good again.” The donation for the benefit is $20.00 to enter a car, and $7.00 otherwise. - RR
The Man • The M Region Renegade - Legendary Pin Stripe Artist - Jody Clark Written By Chris Jackson
ACCORDING to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a
visual form to produce works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. By its very nature, art is diverse and can take many forms, such as painting or sculpture, music or poetry and thus is very subjective in its interpretation. And since art can take so many forms, people differ widely on what they consider art or what type of art they appreciate and admire. Many times people appreciate and admire something
26
without even realizing that what they are admiring is art, so beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. But one thing that can be universally agreed upon is that the ability to create such works of beauty is a gift. And one man who has this creative gift is a man whose name is already familiar to many readers of this publication: Jody Clark. Primarily known for his pin striping and gold leafing, the work of Jody Clark is
Myth • The Artist “I wanted to be just like this guy (Kenneth ‘Von Dutch’ Howard) when I grew up....sometimes I think I may be a lil’ too much like him, and I’ve still yet not decided to grow up.” - JODY CLARK widely acclaimed and internationally recognized. His work has been featured in car and biker magazines such as Hot Rod, Car Craft, Easy Rider, and Low Rider, to name a few, and his art has even been featured in coffee table books.
In 2004, Clark was even part of a Discovery Channel episode of “Biker Build Off”, where he was part of a team that designed, built and custom painted a bike called “The Executioner.” So naturally you would think that an artist who has achieved such renown would reside under the bright lights of a city such as New York, Hollywood or Las Vegas. But Clark lives here, in Northwest Indiana. And the fact that Clark hails from our neck of the woods and remains a Northwest Indiana treasure to this day is what m a k e s him a true “ R e g i o n Renegade.”
Clark, 48, was born in Hammond and attended Calumet High School, graduating in 1983. It was at Calumet that Clark’s talents first came to light. “I used to draw on the desks in school all the time and it got me in a lot of trouble,” laughed Clark. In order to avoid suspensions and other disciplinary action for his drawings Clark would have to clean up the desks, but his artistic ability did not go unnoticed. “When the teachers would find my sketches, they would be pissed off,” said Clark. “But a couple of them had really looked at my work and told me I should make a career out of it.” But the genesis for Clark’s love of art and pin striping vehicles and bikes in particular actually started at a much younger age. “My parents ran a drag racer at the old US 30 Dragstrip when I
was about 5 or 6,” remembered Clark. “I was there all the time and all the dragsters were all painted up and sharp looking, and I knew then that’s what I wanted to do.” “And when I was about 13 I read an interview with Von Dutch in Hot Rod magazine. He was a pioneer in the field and in this article he talked about how you do it; like different techniques to use, different brushes, how to hold the brush and stuff like that.” “There was no one around to talk to about doing it then,” continued Clark. “There were a couple guys like Dick Swan who was a sign painter in Hammond who did stock car signs and lettering but there
was no one out there who did any free hand pin striping or gold leafing”. “So it was from that interview that I was able to figure out what I would need to get to try it myself. He was a huge influence on me. I consider Von Dutch to be the father of modern pin striping.” It was two years later, when Clark was 15 that he was first paid for a job. And considering that Clark’s work adorns many a motorcycle, it is fitting that it was bikers who gave him his first opportunity to express his talent. “It was bikers that gave me a chance,” said Clark. “There were some bikers living next door who let me do some stuff. There was no way a guy with a $50,000 hot rod
“I make pieces randomly and post them on Facebook, but they go quickly. You can also ask me to make you something. No two pieces are ever the same!”
28
was going to let a 15 year old kid at his ride,” laughed Clark. “But a biker let me try something on his bike with the understanding that if he didn’t like it, I would wipe it off. But he loved it so I didn’t have to wipe it off.” “Then I started working in a body shop doing collision work but I was still fooling around with painting on the side,” said Clark. “But there was an old timer there, and I can’t even remember his name, but after he saw my work he told me that I should quit banging on dents and stick with my brush.” From that point on, Clark was incessant in his efforts to become known, talking to and giving his phone number to anyone and everyone who would listen. And the more work he did, the more the phone rang and the rest is history. O v e r t i m e ,
Clark’s reputation spread to the point where he no longer had to beat the bushes to showcase his talent and eventually his fame spread to the point where his art was sought out by clients. Today the name of Jody Clark is known around the world and his artistry adorns countless rides. His designs can be found on the walls of tattoo parlors, barbershops and other businesses and even on human bodies too. But fame has not changed Jody Clark. His art was never about fame and fortune. Clark is as humble and unassuming an individual as you could ever meet. He just loves what he does. But after all these years, Jody still has a dream: to own his own studio. “I work for everybody like all the car and bike clubs”, said Clark. “But when I work I travel to the job or I use someone else’s studio. My dream is to someday have my own studio and garage.” After 35 years of practicing
his craft, today Clark works as much as he wants to. He is active in charity, and through his participation in the Chicago Brushmasters, Clark has helped raise thousands of dollars for Ronald McDonald House at the association’s annual Pin Stripers Charity Auction. And Clark has not forgotten where he came from either. Remembering the lack of mentors and influences he had when he was young, today he gives back what his art has given him by mentoring aspiring young artists. “I remember there was no one out there to talk to when I was young so I think it’s good to try and help mentor and influence the young guys”, said Clark. “I feel like my art is a gift, and if it’s a gift, you’ve got to give it back.” - RR
Written by Chris Jackson
FOR the first time ever, Monster Trucks are coming to Northwest Indiana. In a Monster Truck Throwdown promotion at Illiana Speeedway on July 13th, rain or shine, Region fans will be treated to six of the biggest and baddest monster trucks on the circuit. Appearing in the show are “Bad Habit”, the reigning Young Guns world champion driven by Joe Sylvester, and “Razin Kane”, driven by JR McNeal, a finalist at last years’ world championships in Las Vegas. Other monster trucks scheduled to appear include “Ice Cream Man”, “Illuminator”, “Samson” & “Nitemare”. A key figure in helping put the event together was 24 year old Monster Truck track announcer Matt Isbill, 2007 Whiting High School graduate. “I’ve wanted to bring a show here since I first got in the business,” said Isbill. “I talked to Mike Mikuly, the owner of Illiana Speedway about the possibility of putting on a show here and he was interested in putting something together. So I hooked him up with Elliot Miller, the owner of Monster Truck, and two weeks later they had a show put together”, said Isbill.
30
“This is a big deal for me because it’s my first hometown show, and I don’t want to disappoint the hometown fans”, continued Isbill. Given the lineup for the show, Northwest Indiana monster truck fans won’t be disappointed.
T h e event kicks off with a Pit Party at 5pm, where fans can see the vehicles, take pictures and rub elbows with the drivers. “This sport is different than any other sport in fan participation and interaction,” said Isbill. “At our events, the fans can meet and talk to the drivers, hang out and get autographs.” After the Pit Party the real action starts with all six trucks going at it in three separate competitions, all judged by fan response. The first event is “Dueling Donuts”, where all six monster trucks will compete by doing donuts two at a time in three separate heats. The three heat winners and a wild card will then compete for that competition’s title. Up next is “Figure 8 Monster Truck Racing” where two at a time the behemoths will race side by side for a complete lap of the track’s figure eight. As in the first competition, the three individual heat winners and a wild card will then compete for the event crown. After the first two competitions comes the fans’ favorite, the “Monster Truck Freestyle”. Here the giant vehicles really strut their stuff with donuts, wheelies, rollovers and big air jumps. And during the jumps, as Monster
Truck s h o w aficionados know, cars, vans and other vehicles get crunched underneath the giant wheels of the trucks, sending the fans into frenzied hysteria. Included in the unfortunate objects to be crushed at this show are a school bus and a motor home. There won’t be any lulls in the action between competitions either, as fans will be treated to free style motocross between events where three different riders will entertain fans with “can cans” and back flips. And for those who will be unable to attend the event at Illiana Speedway on Saturday night, there will be two separate locations where the monster trucks will be on display on Friday, the 12th of July. “Bad Habit” will be at Xtreme Powersports on Kennedy Avenue in Hammond and “Razin Kane” will be on 119th Street in Whiting from 2:00 till 6:00 pm, where fans can get pictures of the trucks and get autographs from the drivers. Both events are free to the public. The Whiting appearance is courtesy of Mayor Joe Stahura, who is thrilled
Saturday th July 13
to bring the display to Whiting. “I’m ecstatic to bring the Monster Trucks to Whiting,” said Stahura.
a year so all the jitters about doing a show are gone.”
Isbill has been a track announcer on the monster truck circuit for four years and is the main track announcer on Monster Jam events on the Speed Channel, but to him there is no show more important than this one.
“But I don’t want to disappoint the home town crowd so I am anxious about this show,” said Isbill. “I am going to have my family, my friends and my girlfriend at this show so making it a good one is really important.”
“I’ve announced events in stadiums with 70,000 people in attendance but there is no better feeling than coming home,” said Isbill. “I’ve been doing this for four years and I travel all over the country doing at least thirty shows
Deep down, Isbill knows he no cause to worry given the top monster trucks on the card for the show and he hopes to make it an annual event. “I know
this is going to be a great show, and it will sell out. There are going to be tons of giveaways for the fans and the louder the fans are, the more I’ll give away,” said Isbill. “And if it’s as successful as I think it will be, we can make this an annual event.” There are no advance ticket sales for the event so fans should get there early. For more information, fans can visit the Monster Truck Throwdown online at MonsterTruckThrowdown.com - RR
4th Annual Winfield Ac Written By: Jeremy Daniels
THE 4th Annual Winfield Ace Hardware Car Show is set to take place on July 27th. Registration is from 9am until noon and fees are $15. Judging starts at noon and the last ballot with will be taken at 1pm. This car show is always a big hit, and it’s probably because Winfield Ace Hardware General Manager Bob Kleinaman
32
has such a passion for cars. “I’ve been a car guy my whole life – I grew up around cars and it’s just something I have always loved,” he said. “It’s amazing to see how much this car show has grown –it’s great.” The first year of the car show, Kleinaman said they had about 30 cars enter. Last year, they had over 100, and he expects this year will be even bigger. “I think what people like about our show is the fact that when it comes to car style - anything and everything can enter,” he said. “We have a special interest groups, any cars that don’t fit
into one of our classes’ falls into this category.” The other classes available for registration include: Pre-1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000-present, 4x4 truck, and 2-wheel drive truck. Trophies for 1st through 3rd in every category will be given in these classes, as well as Special Interest, and Best of Show. The Winfield Ace Hardware Car Show will also be giving dash plaques to the first 200 cars that register. “We give out more trophies than most car shows in the area,” said Kleinaman. They will also be giving out door prizes and goody bags for the first
ce Hardware Car Show 100 entrants. The Winfield Ace said Kleinaman. “our Best in Show Hardware Car Show is a great event winner last year a 1950 Mercury for the whole family. Last year they owned by Larry Snell.” You can had close to 700 spectators and are check out his amazing Mercury in very excited to welcome some great this month’s issue! entertainment acts. “We will have Captain Kid racing, and U.S. 30 Dragstrip Memorablia,” he said. “The - BOB KLEINAMAN legendary No Big Thing will Ace Hardware General Manager be there. Kids will get the opportunity to take a picture either sitting inside of it, or standing Again, the entry fee for this car by it.” show is $15 and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. There will be food available by Small “We always do these shows to Sweets and Treats, but the best part benefit different foundations, and we is all the cool cars you’ll get to see. chose the American Cancer Society “In the past we had an old ‘39 Ford again,” said Kleinaman. “Last year Flathead that was a real nice truck,” we donated $1,200 to the American
“It’s amazing to see how much this car show has grown –it’s great.”
Cancer Society, and we hope to donate even more this year. Our store is very close to the cause and we want to do whatever we can to help those suffering from cancer.” The Winfield Ace Hardware is located at 11702 Randolph Street in Crown Point. Parking for this event will be in the surrounding grass field at Ace and around the store. Everyone is welcome. For more information, go to facebook. com/winfieldacehardware, or call 219-663-7676 & ask for Bob. - RR
NORTHWEST INDIANA MO Written By: Chris Jackson
When the Northwest Indiana Mopar Association holds the association’s picnic on July 7th, it will be the second annual celebration of a hobby. There will be food, muscle cars and plenty of fun, but more importantly, there will be fellowship; a gathering of people who share a common love. And that love is Mopar.
always hung out together at car shows and cruise nights and enjoyed each others’ company. And somebody was always saying that we ought to
and Plymouth banner and do things together, enjoy each other’s company and really enjoy our hobby.” So Molino started the nonprofit association, informally at first, and the group started small, traveling together from one place to another on cruise nights. Then he began to organize runs to places like Redamak’s Hamburgers in New Buffalo, Michigan. The first run started with 25 cars, and the last time the group made the run the number had grown to 60 cars.
“There’s no judging because it’s not a car show, so everybody leave the egos at the door.” - Paul Molino
Paul Molino, the association founder, began the Northwest Indiana Mopar Association two years ago to informally bring people together under the Mopar banner to celebrate the hobby and pass the torch on to the next generation. And when Molino came up with a logo earlier this year, the association became official, with Molino serving as founder, president and treasurer. “I decided to start the association a couple of years ago because someone needed to do it,” said Molino. “There was a bunch of us who love Mopar that
have events, we should have runs and somebody should do this or somebody should put something together. So I decided I was going to do it because somebody had to.” “We always had a great time together but we got tired of just sitting around at cruise nights and car shows because we like to drive our cars too,” continued Molino. “So I formed the association to unite everybody under the Chrysler, D o d g e
Molino is clear on the point that the group is an association, not a club. There is no
OPAR ASSOCIATION PICNIC membership, there are no dues and there are no meetings. “There is no formal membership, if you have a Mopar vehicle, classic or modern or a muscle car, you’re in,” said Molino, who owns a 1970 Charger and a 2010 Challenger. “The common thread is Mopar,” continued Molino. “We’re all regular guys who like hanging out together, having fun and we all love Mopar.” The annual picnic is just one in a series of events that the association will enjoy over the course of the summer, including a run to the Monster Mopar Weekend in Indianapolis at the end of June and the Muscle Car Beach Party at Bosak Chrysler, Dodge & Ram on US Route 30 in Merrillville on July 18th.
Without any dues or any formal club structure, it’s natural to wonder how anyone would be able to pay for an event like a picnic, but volunteers step up to help and sponsors chip in to help support the event. “People volunteer to help and we have sponsors who step up and help us by providing goodie bags, door prizes and gifts,” said Molino. “Simon Sez in Merrillville is donating the food. John Golfis, the owner, is a stand up guy who has been very supportive of the association.” “John Schulteis, the Sales Manager of Bosak Chrysler is a guy I met when I bought my Challenger,” continued Molino. “And since then he and I became friends and he has been real helpful to the club. And there are others too like Mr. Norm Krauss of Grand Spalding Dodge.”
Of course, the main ideas behind both the association and the picnic are fellowship and passing along the hobby to the next generation through family fun. “We expect about 75 cars at the picnic,” said Molino. “There’s no judging because it’s not a car show, so everybody leave the egos at the door. And there is no alcohol because we want everyone to bring the kids, have some fun, look at cars, and have some burgers.” “The average age of the association is over 50,” said Molino, who himself turns 49 this year. “We have to pass our love of this hobby along to the next generation. We can’t have the kids finding these muscle cars in the garage some day and say, what’s that,” laughed Molino. “We can’t let the kids forget about it.” The picnic is at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 7th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. - RR
CALUMET HARLEY DAVIDSON IN MUNSTER
CELEBRATES 20 YEARS Written by: Chris Jackson
IT was 110 years ago, in 1903, that the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company was formed and 2013 marks the company’s 110th anniversary. Coincidentally, it was twenty years ago, in April of 1993, that the Calumet HarleyDavidson dealership was formed, so it’s fitting that as the famous motorcycle manufacturer celebrates its 110th anniversary that Calumet Harley-Davidson celebrates its 20th anniversary as well. Prior to 1993 Harley-Davidson dealers were not what they are today. They were no frill cycle shops, plain and simple. But Harley-Davidson had a different vision for the future that included branded apparel, accessories and home products.
36
The dealership began with a small shop at the intersection of Calumet Avenue and Kenwood Street in Hammond with less than ten employees. At that time, there were no territories for Harley dealers. HarleyDavidson had expanded so rapidly that there were plenty of dealers but not enough bikes. New Harleys were hard to get and there were waiting lists to get them. But once HarleyDavidson had established territories for dealers and began weeding out the less successful ones the HarleyDavidson brand and the Kreisl family business began to grow. “I grew up at that location,” said Anna Kreisl, Chuck and Cindy Kreisl’s daughter and Marketing Director for the dealership. “We
lived in Hammond and I would walk to the dealership every day after school. Our dealership was all about family.” As the dealership grew with the Harley brand there soon wasn’t enough room for the inventory, so in 2003, Calumet Harley-Davidson built its present location at 10350 Calumet Avenue in Munster with a spacious, beautiful showroom for both motorcycles and apparel.
“As the quantity of available bikes and the Harley profile grew because of the new branded product lines we outgrew the old location,” said Kreisl. “So we moved because we needed the open look of the new building. Obviously, security was a very important consideration, but we needed a spot that had a lot of open space, and not just for the show room, but because we host a lot of events too.” Today, it’s obvious that the HarleyDavidson vision that drove Harry Molenaar out of the business twenty years ago was a stroke of genius. Riding a motorcycle has become more main stream than ever before and the popularity of Harley-Davidson branded apparel and products has exploded.
The bikers of today come from all age groups and all walks of life. And Calumet Harley-Davidson has reached out to these potential new riders by offering state certified riding classes. “It’s exciting to learn to ride as an adult,” said Kreisl. “And we offer a 25 hour in-house class complete with a simulator and a riding course. It’s a better, more interesting experience because just like the students, our instructors come from all walks of life.... we’ve trained over 600 people to date,” continued Kreisl. “And 86 to 90% of our students pass and we have received a 94% approval rating from those who have taken the class.” The family still lives in Hammond, and Chuck Kreisl is on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Hammond. “My dad is a great face for our business because he’s a very giving person,” said Kreisl. “He’s been involved with the Boys and Girls Club for over ten years
and through the dealership, we sponsor events like bike runs to raise money for charity. We know that we’re lucky to have what we have, and we have to give it back.” To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Calumet Harley-Davidson is holding an open house on July 27th at the dealership and the public is invited. There will be a pig roast, a “Bikini Bike Wash” to benefit Disabled American Veterans and the South Suburban Humane Society will sponsor a pet adoption. There will also be riding classes and vendor booths. “Jeremy the Cowboy” will provide musical entertainment. - RR
CROWN POINT CORVETTE CLUB’S THIRD ANNUAL
CAR SHOW
Written by: Jeremy Daniels THE Crown Point Corvette Club is proud to announce their 3rd Annual Christenson Chevy Car Show. Rain or shine, the show will take place Sunday, July 21st registration is from 8am to 10am. “The first 50 cars registered are guaranteed a spot in the showroom of Christenson Chevrolet” said Bill Gnerlich, President of the Crown Point Corvette Club. “If we have room to fit any more we will, if not, they will be outside in the parking lot.” Last year the show had 85 entries – Gnerlich is hoping to break the 100 mark this year. “We have 34 Classes including Stock and Modified Classes,
plus a Best in Show,” he explained. “We will be presenting awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in their respective classes, plus a People’s Choice Award.” Registration for this event is $25. The first 75 registrants will receive a t-shirt, dash plaque and goodie bag. The Christenson Chevy Car Show always donates proceeds to the Humane Society and a local charity, and this year they’ve chose then family of a fallen solider. “Proceeds from this event will benefit the Humane Society of the Calumet Region and the family of Indiana National Guard Sgt. Willie Cook,” Gnerlich said.
The Crown Point Corvette Club is a notfor-profit organization comprised of a group of passionate Corvette enthusiasts. The group formed in September of 1999 with just four friends who had fulfilled their lifelong dreams of owning Corvettes. The club has continued to grow, not only in size but activities. You can find the club participating in numerous cruises, parades, car shows, and picnics. Membership is open to all generations of Corvettes. For more information on the Crown Point Corvette Club, and to download your registration form for the Christenson Chevy Car Show, visit CrownPointVettes. org. - RR
This family friendly event will feature food, refreshments and music. Kids can also pet some of the furry friends the Humane Society is bringing to the event.
34 Judged Classes
38
1. Pre-1950 Stock Cars 2. Pre-1950 Modified Cars 3. 1950-1959 Stock Cars 4. 1950-1959 Modified Cars 5. 1960-1964 Stock Cars 6. 1960-1964 Modified Cars 7. 1965-1969 Stock Cars 8. 1965-1969 Modified Cars 9. 1970-1974 Stock Cars 10. 1970-1974 Modified Cars 11. 1975-1981 Stock Cars 12. 1975-1981 Modified Cars
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.
1982-1989 Stock Cars 1982-1989 Modified Cars 1990-1998 Stock Cars 1990-1998 Modified Cars 1999-2007 Stock Cars 1999-2007 Modified Cars 2008-2013 Stock Cars 2008-2013 Modified Cars Pre–1960 Stock Trucks Pre-1960 Modified Trucks 1960-2013 Stock Trucks 1960-2013 Modified Trucks
25. C1-C2 Stock Corvettes 26. C1-C2 Modified Corvettes 27. C3 Stock Corvettes 28. C3 Modified Corvettes 29. C Stock Corvettes 30.C4 Modified Corvettes 31. C5 Stock Corvettes 32. C5 Modified Corvettes 33. C6 Stock Corvettes 34. C6 Modified Corvettes Stock vehicles must have FEWER than 3 modifications.
THE
WORLD’S MOST REFRESHING CAN ESSENTIAL SUMMER TECHNOLOGY .
TM
Like us on Facebook!