The Torquemasters Auto Extravaganza is back with a car show featuring classic cars and the beautiful backdrop of Sidney.
The footprint of the show is fairly large, going from Beacon Avenue right down to the pier. The show, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, will also be using side streets between Sidney Avenue and Bevan Avenue.
An estimated 300 to 400 cars, trucks and motorcycles are expected at the show, as well as approximately 10,000 people, according to Ken Coward, president of the club.
The club has been around since 1967, with Coward being president for the past three years. He said the event needs a lot of volunteers in order to run. This year, there will be about 80.
“The volunteers that participate will help with parking cars, manning gates, taking care of booths — pretty much whatever we need,” Coward said.
Beacon Brewing is one of their many sponsors. Some of other sponsors include Small Gods, Star Cinema and Farmer’s Daughter. Many of the sponsors will be open and offering a patio set-up for people to enjoy what they have to offer.
Bursary donations are also on the way for students in the Camosun College automotive program.
READ MORE: Car show set to sizzle on the streets of downtown Sidney
On Saturday, Aug. 5, Torquemaster will be hosting a poker run for the Mary Winspear Centre to Star Cinema. Each poker hand will be $10, with participants collecting one card at each of the run’s five stops. The best poker hand will be awarded the jackpot.
After the run, Torquemasters has gotten permission from the town to close Third Street from Beacon Avenue to Bevan Avenue, to host a mini-car show of 50 to 75 cars. It is also allowing them to show classic car movies from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: one movie for adults and one for kids. Admission for the movies can either be cash or a non-perishable food item donation to the Spanish Peninsula Alliance Food Bank.
READ MORE: Torque Masters car show coming to Sidney
While pre-registration just closed July 22, there is still space for people to register their cars on the day of the event. Most cars will gather starting at 6 a.m. at Mary Winspear Centre, and everything would be set in place by 8 a.m.
The event will be offering a lunch truck hosted by the Sidney Lions Club, as well as a military display in the parking lot.
Coward says that everyone is welcome, whether people come with their brand-new Corvettes or hot rods, as long as it’s something they enjoy and want to share with others.
“It’s more about the people than the actual car. People are passionate about their cars,” Coward said. “If you feel your car is worth sharing with other people and you want to come to the show and talk to people about that, then that’s awesome.”
