Well That’s it…
We’re done for the season. With rain this Saturday and the weather not looking so good for next week either, it’s time to call the end for the show until 2026. I can hear the crying from my house, I know. It’s horrible. We all didn’t get to hug or weigh in before we fatten up over winter. There is always Fresno. (A guy wrote me about buying 50 “I Love Fresno” buttons, and I congratulated him on collecting all 50.)
We will resume again on April 4, 2026. We will also be sending out a survey about what you’d like us to change to improve our next season. That will be our 18th season if you can imagine that. Those kids conceived on that drunk night in front of Claim Jumper after a few beers and a giant slice of Motherlode cake are now adults! (They also secretly drive the shit out of your car when you’re gone.) Imagine that. I miss that place. What, you never snuck the car out?
First, we’d like to thank the amazing Parking Thugs for pulling off another incredible season. They really are stupendous. They put the stupe in stupendous! (Sounds weird if you say they put the endous in stupendous.) Stupe sounds better. Not a bad nickname either, but then again, now that I think about it, probably not. We can never thank them enough. Great job to all of you. Above is what most of them look like. The others we have to hide or we scare you away.
Next, we want to thank Fairbourne and Redmond Town Center for all their support. Please do all your Christmas shopping there if you can. They have been amazing all these years and understand the meaning of a community event. We also thank the Archer for always being a great partner. It’s where I stay when I’m in town.
We also want to thank all the participants who brought their incredible cars that enthusiasts love to see. The fact that you’re so willing to share your passion goes a very long way. We also appreciate you helping us preserve the event and keeping it in good standing in the neighborhood. Also, thanks to all you enthusiasts who come out again and again. We’re nothing without the whole community supporting E@RTC.
On a personal note, the reason you’ve not seen me these past two seasons is that I had open heart surgery in 2024 immediately followed by a good cancer fight that spilled into most of 2025. I should be there for opening day and will make it out in the 2026 season. Through all of it, I still managed the business side and kept writing this blog, and the website, even from my hospital bed and all through chemo. Tip: Chemo is the opposite of Disneyland, in case you were wondering. Getting that news felt exactly like when you realized you just locked yourself out of the house.
I’ll keep writing all winter as we need your feedback on a lot of improvements we’d like to make to E@RTC if we can get the volunteers, so it’s not goodbye from me. We still answer all email, so you can always write us.