Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama Draws Crowd of 35,000 to Cleveland

CLEVELAND - April 26, 2013 - PRLog -- (Cleveland, Ohio) More than 35,000 attended the Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama, featuring 1,000 vehicles at the I-X Center in Cleveland. From the moment attendees walked into the show they were amazed to see more than one million square feet of piston powered vehicles. Led each morning by a parade of prestigious military color guard, enthusiasts spent hours, and in some instances days, soaking in the horsepower of the largest indoor showcase of custom cars, trucks, antique construction equipment, motorcycles, tractors, planes, military equipment and more of its kind in the world. Merging the Piston Power Show and the Cleveland Auto-Rama into the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama, produced by the I-X Center, proved to be a great combination and will return to the I-X Center March 14–16, 2014.

Vehicle registration for participants opens May 1, 2013 at ixpistonpoweredautorama.com and Summit Racing Equipment in Tallmadge for the 2014 show.  “Tens of thousands of enthusiasts came to the show including many fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and grandchildren, bringing an undeniable presence of the timeless knowledge in this industry and how that knowledge is passed along from generation to generation,” said Steve Legerski, show manager. “With the success of the 2013 show, we expect vehicle space to sell out quickly for the 2014 show.”

The vehicle registrations sold out in 2013, filling the entire I-X Center show floor, and more than 600 ISCA and Piston-Power Driven Series trophies, plaques and cash prizes were awarded to participants including the $2,500 Cleveland Gold Cup, for a first-time shown vehicle in Cleveland, won by Allan Woodall and his 1965 Corvette and the $1,500 Duck Award, for the first time show motorcycle, won by Brian Becker with his custom motorcycle. “After working with many of these participants over the past year to lay out the floor plan, and then see the I-X Center filled with such a variety of amazing vehicles, it was fitting that I was able to personally present such prestigious awards to the men, women, and even children who put forth so much time and effort to be part of this show,” said Bill Perrien, I-X Center director of operations.

Not only did the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama bring smiles to those award winners; it also was the setting to create many special memories. “Seeing families, friends and enthusiasts gather together in one place to talk about old times while admiring the vehicles was an incredible experience. These are the kind of memories that last a lifetime.  We are honored to be part of those memories now and for years to come,” said Steve Legerski, show manager.

The show will hold a special place in the heart of one participant, Ron Fischer, of Strongsville. Ron knew displaying his Studebaker at the show this particular weekend was not going to be easy, as he lost his beloved wife, Betty, on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009. What he didn’t know was that the days to come would turn into a great tribute to his gal. “I have always wanted to put a little remembrance on our Studie because she sure was a good co-pilot, right from day one when we went to Niagara Falls to pick-up the car,” said Ron Fischer. As fate would have it, Ron ran into an Ohio Technical College pin striper while at the show. Compassionate about Ron’s heartfelt story, she graciously offered to paint the memorial, Betty Forever, on his Studebaker giving Ron a most precious gift. “Having it done on St. Patrick's Day was something extra special.” said Ron.

The collaboration of generous contributions at the show did not stop there. Many community members also generously donated to help support wounded soldier Nick Vogt, 21st U.S. Army, who was injured in Afghanistan. The Medina VFW 5137, and many other local military troops dedicated their time daily to raise $3,400 and also raise awareness of other fellow wounded warriors. Bob Bader also revealed Ohio’s only life-size Wounded Warrior Monument, being created by Milano Monuments and hand crafted out of black granite from Africa. It is scheduled to arrive at its final resting place at the Medina VFW 5137, 3916 Pearl Road, Medina, Ohio 44256, on May 18th, 2013.

The Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama is the largest indoor showcase of custom cars, trucks, antique construction equipment, motorcycles, tractors, planes, military equipment, and more of its kind, in the world filling more than one million square feet of space with over 1,000 vehicles at the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The show will return March 14-16, 2014. For more information please call 216-265-7223 (RACE), or visit ixpistonpoweredautorama.com.