The Heights Car Show raised $8,000 and 1,200 pounds of food for the Network Food Pantry of Richardson

God smiled down on The Heights Car Show once again. For the ninth consecutive year, the show was blessed with good weather (translation: no rain -- despite its early spring date.) And if that doesn’t speak of divine intervention, then you don’t know springtime in Texas.
 
“We started the car show to reach the community,” said show organizer Brian Ratcliff. “We want men to see that there are guys at The Heights with interests similar to theirs. Hopefully they’ll also see that we love our neighbors and we’re trying to provide for the less fortunate in our area.We’re not here to judge anyone… except their car if they choose to compete. In the process, we also get to give back to our community. Over the years, our show has grown into something of a family-friendly festival with live music, food and games for the kids.”
 
The 9th Annual Heights Car Show, sponsored by Crest Cadillac & Infiniti of Plano, was held April 2 at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson. A record setting 425 cars were in attendance and the event raised more than $8,000 and collected more than 1,200 pounds of food for the Network Food Pantry of Richardson.
 
“With more than 400 cars, it has become the largest single day show in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” continued Ratcliff. “Maybe even the largest in Texas. It certainly displays one of the best range of vehicles in one place. We had everything from Model A’s and rare muscle cars to military vehicles and Ferraris, Porsches, McLarens and even a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce. There were multiple Lamborghini Aventadors (valued at  $300,000+) as well as Dennis Collins in the Gas Monkey world-record Ferrari. But we also have a high school senior who has showed his ’71 Mustang Fastback daily driver three years in a row.”
 
NASCAR Chaplain Jim Cote was a guest speaker at a luncheon in the church’s mezzanine. He spoke to a group of more than 100 men.
 
“Jim was the chaplain for Dale Earnhardt and has led chapel services for several pro football and baseball teams, including the Cowboys, Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers,” explained Ratcliff. “Jim shared his story of how he wasn’t raised in church and some of the trials he’s overcome. He challenged men to be the spiritual leader in their home.”
 
Stephen Giles of North Dallas won Best of Showfor his 1957 Buick Roadmaster, which has previously won awards at the Lone Star Nationals; the 2015 Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada; and it was a finalist for the 2015 Goodguys’ Custom of the Year. The 1957 Buick also received the Prestigious Diamond award at the 2016 Dallas Autorama.
 
A total of 46 large trophies in 22 classes were awarded, including Best of Show, First & Second place winners in each class, Longest Distance (Austin Tramnell drove his 1997 Nissan 240SX from Temple, Texas), Car Club Participation (Dallas Area Pontiac Association), and the Sponsor’s Choice (Charles Chewning’s 1934 Ford 3-Window Coupe.)
 
“We’re already talking about how we can make the 10th anniversary show the best yet,” concluded Ratcliff. “The trophies will be over the top. We’re planning some great giveaways as well. Everything will be bigger and better. Weather permitting, of course.”
 
More information about The Heights Car Show is online at http://heightscarshow.com.

Celebrating 60 years of serving the Richardson and North Dallas area, the Heights Baptist Church is located at 201 W. Renner Road at U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) in Richardson. More info at http://www.theheights.org.