MHRC’s PRS — Working to Insure the Gearhead Future Story by David Marin Photos by Bob Roseberry & David Marin Tick-tock, the clock is running and many, if not most of us are into the second half of our first hundred years. So the question is, what happens to the gearhead hobby as we move on to that great garage in the sky? The answer is obvious; either the gauntlet will be picked up and carried on by the next generation, or, the hobby will shrink, projects will cease and ultimately, at some point in the future, the cars we know and love will be museum pieces, dinosaurs if you will, mere memories of a different time gone by. The Multnomah Hot Rod Council, through work within the community, and, with the Portland Roadster Show, are doing their best to make certain that the “gauntlet” is picked up, carried forward, new ideas will emerge, new projects will be initiated and completed, and, the “Gearhead Future” will prosper and grow. It’s up to us to make that hope a reality. For their part the MHRC has, as part of their Community Projects Program, staged “The High School Challenge (HSC)”. The HSC, coordinated by Larry Maynard, is participated in by 13 schools: Barlow, Centennial, Clackamas, David Douglas, Estacada, Gladstone, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Reynolds, Rex Putman, Sabin Skill Center, Sandy and Silverton. Each of these local schools stages their own car show and the winners of these events are invited to enter and have their vehicles showcased and judged at the PRS. Another “Youth Project” appearing at the PRS was a ’32 Ford Roadster, built from the ground-up by students in the North Clackamas School District Automotive Program. Step by step, the students took the project from frame rails to finished rod and the end result is impressive. Everyone at the PRS also had the opportunity to check out the “Model T Speedster” project being built by students at Roberts High School. This project includes students Taylor, Josh, Jessie, Zack and Jesus. These and other students are being mentored by volunteer members from the Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum in Salem. Mentoring the project are Bert Harrison, Mike Schlag, Jay Clark, Ed Weber, Don Blain, Blair Wasson, Ken Logan, Ron Hill and Doug Nelson. They are to be saluted for finding the time and making a difference. Each of these programs is doing exactly what needs to be done to secure the future of the hobby. Are there such programs in your area? If not, why not? If yes, we’d like to know about them and give them recognition in CruZin’. Remember... The print version of CruZin' Magazine contains the content above, plus MANY features not available online. Pick it up at your local newsstand, or subscribe today and never miss another issue! Home | Club Roster | Calendar | Classifieds | Connections | Archives Subscribe | Advertise | Interact Copyright, 2005. Island Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.