Article by: Lizett Bond
More than 7,000 automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts flocked to Boys Republic in Chino Hills, California on June 6 to attend the 8th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show. The appreciative audience was treated to an up close and personal staging of 450 fast, rare and vintage two and four-wheeled beauties, displayed on the expansive grounds of the campus.
This year’s theme revolved around director Bruce Brown’s 1971 documentary film “On Any Sunday,” in which actor Steve McQueen appeared. The film is credited with setting the standard in motorcycle racing photography.
The action kicked off Friday night as supporters sipped wine and sampled hors d’oeuvres at a reception that included a wide range of silent auction items. The group, 500 strong, then adjourned to the recently reconditioned campus gym to dine on steak and prawns, a meal planned, prepared and served by Boys Republic students.
The dinner program, hosted by Dave Kunz, ABC7 Eyewitness News Automotive Specialist and co-host of Los Angeles based KPFK’s The Car Show, introduced notables in the audience including Bruce Brown himself and Sally Stevens the “On Any Sunday” theme song vocalist. Television personality Matt Rogers took to the podium to chant a rousing live auction, raising nearly $115,000 for the school. The original movie themed poster, created annually for the event by automotive artist Nicolas Hunziker, sold for $17,000, with all proceeds donated back to the school.
The car and motorcycle show took center stage on Saturday with an eclectic array of cars, motorcycles, vintage trucks, combustion engines and travel trailers. Tours of the campus were ongoing and for those seeking a bird’s eye view of the festivities, glider rides circled silently overhead. Motocross exhibitions took place all day long on a track constructed specifically for the show.
Mecum Auctions was on hand with a display of McQueen’s 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo. The vehicle will serve as the headline offering at the Mecum Monterey Auction in August, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Boys Republic by the seller.
Nearly 70 vendors presented a wide variety of wares and tasty treats, including a booth of breads and sweets baked by Boys Republic students at their own teaching bakery.
“The Friday night sellout and the 7,000-plus attendees for the show is incredibly rewarding for Boys Republic,” said Chris Burns, Executive Director of Boys Republic. “The specific impact on the school from this year’s event will be a tremendous lead gift toward the construction of the new culinary training kitchen.”
Over the past eight years, the car and motorcycle show has raised more than $1 million dollars, with the gross amount this year reaching $361,034 so far, with more donations rolling in.
“This is the largest undertaking most of the students have ever been a part of. Many have a hard time believing that so many people, who they have never met, would invest so much in their future. However, the turnout makes it undeniable and serves as part of the larger set of catalysts that really help us make significant changes in their lives.”
“The Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show combines two McQueen passions, one being the Boys Republic, the other being cars and motorcycles,” noted Chad McQueen, son of the famous actor. “Supporting the school is something my Dad always did. In fact, when he passed away, he left money to build the recreation room there.
“My Dad always said, ‘This place turned my life around’.”
Gallery
(Images Provided by: Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show)
