Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
82 nAugust 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Felicia Morgan VACAVILLE, CALIF., JUNE 5—Temps were already climbing towards triple digits by mid-morning on this recent sunny Sunday. We were well aware that it was going to be a scorcher as we rolled into the already- packed parking lot at Iron Steed Harley-Davidson in Vacaville, but sometimes ya just gotta go where the fun is, regardless of the thermometer readings. Hot rods were gleaming in the midday sun as scooters sat glis- tening just across the lot. The Terry Sheets Band was providing the tunes as vendors hawked their wares and we managed to fi nd a few friendly faces heading for the water fountain and a bit of air conditioning as the judges cruised the blacktop, making notes and chatting amongst themselves about the serious competition. There was a lot full of quality iron vying for the $250 Best of Show cash, which was incentive enough to enter, but the cool trophies were also worth the effort and are coveted by those who show up year after year to compete. With 13 bike categories and six car classes, there was ample chance to score a sexy new addition to the trophy case and folks seemed serious about taking one home. Billed as a family event, it was evident that folks took advantage of the opportunity to blend a little shop- ping and sightseeing down at the local dealership with time with the kiddies since strollers seemed to be in high concentration. We found a family gathered in the customer lounge and cooling off while embracing the biker bad side of life. Dad was busily spong- ing tattoos onto 3-year-old Valentino's bicep and telling him to show his muscles while Mom and big sisters looked on. About that time the sexy ladies cruising the crowds to hand out swag came by as young Valentino was fl exing and he was instantly starstruck, a condition not lost on Dad as they both openly gawked at the shapely, scantily-clad young women. Dad was overheard admonishing his son not to stare at the nice ladies before he then mumbled under his breath, "That's Daddy's job, son." The car and bike show, sponsored by the local ABATE chapter, Local 17, is notorious. The hot rod show was in its 19th year while the ride-in bike show was realizing its 22nd iteration and the trophy cere- mony proved that folks hereabouts are very familiar with the members, specifi cally the pres- ident. Glenn Phillips, ABATE state board chairman and Local 17 president, took a lot of crap from the hecklers in the crowd as he tried to conduct the awards ceremony in the heat of the day. Turns out attendees felt the award announcements should come with some bike details and descriptions as well as entry num- bers so they could understand which bikes were which, a criticism Phillips took under advise- ment and said would be implemented at the next show. Several good-natured jabs fl ew back and forth as the crowd cheered and jeered through the ceremony but it appeared that the choices made by the judges met with the approval of all gathered under the pop-up canopy. The patriotic red- white-and-blue theme of the paint on the Best of Show winner owned by Sam Fernandez made it a no-brainer. Steve Bone took two trophies for his 1940 Flathead daily rider. With fi rst in both the Antique class and the Rat Bike category, Steve went home a proud rider but it was the Youth cate- gory that gave us a smile. Young Caleb Palmer posed next to his mini-bagger and two trophies with a bit of an attitude swagger. ABATE gives an award to every youth entered so each kid's efforts are honored, but 8-year-old Caleb is a real-deal competitor. He currently owns three minibikes and has awards for them all. Decked out in a leather vest with an "Infi del" patch, the fourth grader has ridden his motorcycles in parades and is well known in the local bike show arena, yet he was patient enough with us fi rst timers to allow the time it took to shoot a few frames in the blazing heat before he casually started up his bike and rode off into the sun. We can't wait to see what direction this confi dent little man takes as he lives out his life. Show up to next year's Iron Steed's Hot Rods and Harleys show and you're sure to catch a glimpse of him. 4 IRON STEEDS HOT RODS AND HARLEYS BIKE SHOW Cool fun in the hot sun Bring 'em young Show Winners Bikes Antique: Steve Bone Shovelhead: John Durham Road King: Leonard Terrazas Dyna: John Shipman Softail: Scott Weaver Dresser: Brian Hendricks Trikes/Sidecars Metric: Jac Luke Sportsters: Shannon Dooley Street Custom: Johnnie Rhynes Shop Custom: Sam Fernandez Rat Bike: Steve Bone Youth: Caleb Palmer Cars and Trucks Up to 1939: Robert Fuchs 1940's: Robert Baugher 1950's: Cody Hearn 1960's: Lee Askin 1970 and up: Dan Fitzgerald Trucks: Frank Gonzales Best in Show Best in Show Bike: Sam Fernandez Best in show Car or Truck: Jason Dean Sam Fernandez's patriotic themed bike was an eye-catching custom and earned him a Best of Show trophy Steve Bone cleaned up, taking home two trophies for his 1940 Flathead that is a daily rider for the Vacaville resident Caleb Palmer, the 8-year-old man of the hour, exuded a calm, cool demeanor as he posed with his miniature bagger