Car club plans to aid local charities

By Frances Vanderploeg

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | midnight

"Guys with cars" shouldn't necessarily conjure up images of men with attitudes, cigarettes and not a care in the world beyond their beloved vehicles, Chuck Kittelson of the British Automobile Club of Las Vegas says.

To help change that image, members of the club are getting involved in community events and charity work. To recruit new members and show off some of the work they do, the club will be holding an annual car show and membership drive Oct. 11 at Discovery Park in Henderson.

This show will not support a specific charity, but the money will be used to fund future events, and chances are much of that will go to charity, Kittelson said.

"Some people have a lot of negative opinions of guys with cars," he said. "What we're really trying to do is show there's a lot of fun in doing this and there's a lot of good work that we do around the valley."

Owning a British car is not a requirement to come gawk — or to join the club, Kittelson said.

Last year, three members joined who didn't own British cars but had an interest. They have since purchased their own.

Nearly 50 vehicles are expected at the event, including two that have won national show titles, he said.

"We've got some really cool vintage cars that will be there," he said. "We are obviously looking for any new members, but we're not just about vintage cars."

Several newer cars will be on display, and attendees will be able to vote for their favorites in a a people's choice contest. The winner last year was a 1933 Rolls Royce.

An additional highlight of this year's event will be a presentation and demonstration on how to fight garage and automobile fires, Kittelson said. There is also a picnic, a raffle and drawings.