Thunder
TitleImage
SpacerHomespacerAbout UsspacerPhotosspacerEventsspacerContact UsspacerSponsors
 

 

 
Breaking News
  • Summer Thunder Cruise-In is proud to have the rock band “Animal’s Planet” to add to the festivities of our event.  Animal’s Planet is a part-time Northern VA based classic rock and blues band and we’re excited to have them provide music for the cruise-in. 
  • Karen Monroe , official Summer Thunder Cruise-In photographer, will be taking pictures of all cruise-in entries and will have photos and/or a CD available for purchase.  Photos will appear on this website and Karen’s website at www.shoot4fun.smugmug.com.
  • WJFK 106.7 FM will become the broadcast partner  The Pit Crew of IN THE PITS- Racing Radio part of WJFK’s “live line-up” will act as the official emcees of the event.  Larry O and Bob Steele have hosted the event for the last 6 years. Hall of Fame drag racer Johnny Rocca joined last year.  This year the three radio personalities will bring their entire broadcast crew to help the charity cruise-in hit its target of raising as much money as possible to benefit The Petty Families- Victory Junction Gang. In addition to Bob, Johnny and Larry, Sprint Cup reporter Kevin O’Rourke, Brian and Ryan Downey, M-Diddy and Indiana Dave Reininger will interact with those in attendance. 

Upcoming Events

Summer Thunder Cruise-In VI for 2008 will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Rain Date:  Sunday, August 3, 2008 Noon to 4 pm).  Franklin Park, the official home of the Summer Thunder Cruise-In in Purcellville, VA will be ready to host this popular event and serve all participants and spectators with a beautiful setting, food, fun and just a great time!                             

We’re looking forward to exceeding 2007’s record of 750+ cars – let’s see if we can make the 1,000 mark!!!  Thousands of people, and tons of fun!  Don’t miss it in 2008!  YOU can make our event even better – we’d love to see you there! 

Here’s what happened at last year’s event:

2007 Summer Thunder Cruise-In V – AWESOME!!

  • Just incredible!
  • The most cars I’ve ever seen in one place!
  • I’ve never seen a car show where there’s such a diverse cross-section of cars, people and just plain old fun!

Well, it’s true – Summer Thunder Cruise-In V came to a veritable “thunderous” close at about 7:45 pm on July 28th.  A record-breaking event with over 750 participants and greater than 3,000 spectators, this year’s Cruise-In was a spectacular success!   Free to all, cruisers registered their vehicles and received a “goody bag” full of fun items and an event t-shirt!

Everyone’s excitement overshadowed the 95° heat and 90% humidity, while the sounds of the Lakota Band entertained the throngs of car enthusiasts, bikers and racers alike.  Legendary radio personality, Bob Steele from WAYZ radio, 104.7, in Hagerstown, MD alongside Larry O’Donohue, cruise-in commentator and emcee, kept everyone informed of the day’s events and tuned in the oldies to carry out the night!   I’m not sure, but we may just have had a Guinness Book of World Records moment, when Bob and Larry got everyone involved with starting up their engines at precisely 6 pm to really get the Summer Thunder Cruise-In event revved up!

This year, Johnny Rocca, famed drag racer of the Iron Horse and “color” commentator for the Speed Channel’s IHRA National events, taped the event and interviewed many participants and spectators.  He and his crew will be putting together a DVD, which will be on sale soon on this website – watch in the next couple of weeks for the announcement!  Maybe, just maybe, our event will be featured on the Speed Channel – don’t know for sure, but there’s been some talk about it……

It was great – from beginning to end - Cruisers brought their pride and joy to Franklin Park, found a spot in one of the ball fields and began to enjoy each others’ stories, while envying paint jobs, chrome wheels and fancy fixings!  There were several vendors this year – some for the ladies and some for the car aficionados, but just as importantly, there were several food vendors serving up everything from hamburgers to BBQ to funnel cakes and ice cream!

A special tribute was made for Peanut Sutphin honoring his 25 years of educational achievements in working with the Automotive students from C. S. Monroe Technology Center in Leesburg.  Peanut has worked with these students in helping them to achieve ASE certification and prepare them for the world of work as certified technicians for our local dealerships.  Everyone celebrated his success and then enjoyed a piece of cake to put the icing on the evening!

Throughout the event, Bob Steele and Larry O gave away many, many door prizes for the participants – things ranging from a Chevrolet teddy bear to a 5-gallon bucket of car care items from Advance Auto and Mother’s and a tool belt full of tools.  Lines grew outside the “Grave Digger” Monster Truck simulator, brought to our event by Advance Auto.  What an awesome ride!

As the evening progressed, a few dark clouds summoned the attention of all and got everyone concerned about the threat of rain – but not before the winner of the 24 ft. enclosed trailer was drawn and announced.  And the winner was there!  He was SO EXCITED!!

Thanks to everyone for your generous donations.  The Automotive Class at C. S. Monroe Technology Center will get more equipment thanks to your generosity! 

Whew!  What a party!  That’s it – it’s the largest car party in the United States!! 

Will you come to our CAR PARTY next year?  Here’s our challenge to you – come to Summer Thunder Cruise-In VI, bring everyone you know!  Help us to double our car count and be the largest Cruise-In CAR PARTY in the U.S.!  You can be part of this exciting and rewarding day! Visit our website often for updates. 

Join our e-mail list and we’ll keep you updated throughout the year!  See you on August 2nd, 2008 at Franklin Park!  Be part of the excitement!