CRUISIN’ THE LAKE 2009

Lake Somerville, Texas

Scenes from one of the Southwests’s up and coming summer car shows.

By Bob McClurg

Click HERE for photos!

            June 5-6, 2009. The State of Texas has a lot of nice lakes and public parks that are ideally suited for camping, fishing, boating or just lazin’ around, but what about cruising? If everything goes according to plan, promoters Dale and Bobby Ramey, - of “Waco Mini Nationals” fame, - intend on turning Lake Somerville, Texas Overlook Park, located just north of Brenham, Texas, off Highway 36 and FM 1948  into the official “Cruising Lake of Texas!” Well, at least for one weekend a year anyway!

            Now in its second year, and open to 1980 and older American cars, trucks, hot rods and customs, “CRUISIN’ THE LAKE 2009” featured two fun packed days of cruisin’, picknicking, camping and just plain old summer fun, Texas style. This year’s event featured 165+ entries and plenty of things to do including a Friday night Street Dance with a live band, as well as children’s events, car show judging with 1st through 3rd Place awards in seven categories, a total of 10 Sponsor’s Awards, as well as the Tim Ramey Memorial Award, named in honor of the promoters son who passed away in 2007.

            This year also included a 50/50 Raffle with half of the proceeds being donated to the Volunteer Service Council of the Brenham State School, and the event was culminated by a Saturday evening cruise to the Czech Tex Steak House in nearby Snook, Texas.
If you missed this year’s event, Cruisin’the Lake III will take place June 4-5, 2010. You can pre-enter by telephonting Bobby Ramey @ (713) 562-4678, or by e-mail, cruisinproductions@msn.com.

AWARDS

Top 3 Nostalgic Rod

Russell Balusek                Taylor, TX            31 Chrysler

Jerry Hodges                      Magnolia, TX       36 Ford Roadster

David Williams                 Houston, TX        33 Ford Cabriolet

TOP 3 TRUCK

Chris Cowden                    Spring, TX            53 Ford F-100 P/U

Mike Dobbs                         New Caney, TX    57 Chevy P/U

Larry Garrett                     Willis, TX               31 Ford P/U

TOP 3 PRO-STREET

Johnnie Knight       Waller, TX          67 Chevy Nova

Sonny Poteet             Pearland, TX      55 Chevy Bellaire

Raymon Mathews     Houston, TX       69 Chevy Camaro

TOP 3 HOT ROD

Sean Ornduff          Tomball, TX       47 Chevy  Aerosedan 

Jack Kalinowsy       Hempstead, TX      33 Ford Couple

Corbin Chaney          Houston, TX          32 Ford
                                                                                                                             
TOP 3 EARLY STREET CAR

Ron Schindler               Houston, TX        51 Mercury Coupe

Tommy Angella      Katy, TX           59 Chevy Impala

Tonya Ornduff        Tomball, TX      63 Impala Station-
                                                                          wagon
TOP 3 LATE STREET CAR

Gary Groschke          Houston, TX       67 Chevy Chevelle

Evan Bennett             Conroe, TX         68 Chevy Camaro

Andy Hewes              Houston, TX        67 Pontiac                                                                     Firebird

BEST PAINT       

John Jones         Tomball, TX       55 Studebaker Wagon

TIM RAMEY MEMORIAL AWARD

Ben Boeker            Brenham, TX       

10 SPONSORS CHOICE AWARDS

Roy & Ann Chaney:  - Camaro Concepts

       Mike Churchman – 67 Chevy Camaro

West Side Performance

          Sam Palazzolo – 69 Chevy Camaro

Texas Performance

         Steve Green – 59 Chevy Wagon

H & S Building Materials

          Russell Balusek – 67 Cadillac Limo

 

Fat Boys Auto Restoration

          Chad Dupree – 56 Belair 2-Door Hard Top

 

Evan’s Transmissions

        Frank Tarbert – 67 Chevy Camaro

 

USA United Welding

        Jorge Limon – 67 Chevy Malibu

 

Northside Building Supply

        David Dunlap – 57 Chevy

 

Fleet Filter.com

        Dustin Meier 73 Dodge Charger