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Burnout brings a crowd 19 participants in each session, plus another 114 in car show
A beautiful fall Saturday in Ely served as the backdrop to one of the community’s popular fall events.
The area around City Hall was filled with cars and people for the 2024 Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show and Burnout Competition.
The bleachers put up were full as hundreds turned out for both morning and afternoon burnout competitions that attracted 19 participants each.
Meanwhile, the car show portion of the event was more popular than ever with a whopping 114 cars entered. As they did at previous events, burnout competitors spun their wheels and made “road art” on Chapman Street, to the delight of spectators who watched behind giant barricades.
Ely native Kael Richards, an electrical lineman, small business owner, and former classmate of Jake Forsman, offered up a $250 bounty for the winner of the morning session on behalf of Righteous Republic Clothing.
“Kael is working to restore power in North Carolina but still wanted to be a part of this event,” said event organizer and Ely council member Al Forsman. “ His generosity inspired Fenske Tree Service to offer the same award for the afternoon session. The champion of the finale also got a beautiful lighted desktop sign to take home provided by Pengal’s Basswood Trading Company.”
Running a 1991 Black Ford Mustang, Vinnie Wood of Cotton won this year’s burnout title.
Wood has been a repeat participant since the early years of the event. His afternoon session won him a chance in the finale to go up against the winner of the morning burnout session -Tommy Nixon from Zimmerman MN in his black 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup.
The weather was very cooperative for the event, with sunny skies and comfortable fall temperatures.
For much of the day, the area around City Hall was transformed, with several blocks closed off for both the car show and competition.
The burnout event was a big draw, but the car show attracted a following as well.
The winners in the various categories were: • Original 1950-1959 - Rob Mattson, Ely, 1955 Chevrolet Series 2 Truck;
• Original 1960-69 - Louis Kotzian, Ely, 1962 Chevrolet Corvette;
• Original 1970-79 - Ken Ross, Britt, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda;
• Original 1980-89 - Eric Gantt, Ely, 1988, Chevrolet Camaro;
• Original 1990-99 - Ed Finnegan, Ely, 1995 Chevrolet S10 Blazer;
• Original 2000-up - Bill Saari, Virginia, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro;
• Modified Pre-1935 Rick Monte, Babbitt, 1934 Ford 3-Window Coupe;
• Modified 1935-49 - T Novak, Gilbert, 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe;
• Modified 1950-59 Warren and Krystal Burger, Lakeland, 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Coupe;
• Modified 1960-69 Darwin Salo, Babbitt, 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS;
• Modified 1970-79 - Jonny G, Duluth, 1978 Ford 150 Custom;
• Modified 1990-99 - Bryan Seliskar, Ely, 1995 Chevrolet 1500;
• Modified 2000-up - Taylor Peterson, Superior, WI, 2011 Nissan 370Z;
• Best Chevy - John Samuelson, Eveleth, 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air;
• Best Mopar - Dave Vesel, Ely, 1935 Ford 5-Window Coupe;
• Best Brand X - Gary Ross, Buhl, 1970 Plymouth Cuda;
• Fan Favorite - Zach Azzabi, Eveleth, 1995 Subaru Impreza;
• Best In Show - Don Baltich, Ely, 1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
As usual, the car show and competition made for a festive atmosphere.
The Ely Fire Department grilled burgers and hot dogs, and a throng of volunteers assisted on Saturday to put the event on.
All proceeds from the event go to the Jake Forsman Memorial Scholarship Fund, with $50,000 awarded in scholarships since the event’s inception to students pursuing careers in building and mechanical trades.
Jake Forsman passed away in 2016, and his father started the event the following year. The two had seen a similar show on a trip to the west and spoke one day of holding one in Ely.
It has quickly become a staple on Ely’s fall calendar and once again proved to be a popular event last weekend.
“Clearly, our community embraces the spirit of giving and support that aligns with the mission of the Jake Forsman Memorial Scholarship,” said Al Forsman. “We are truly grateful to be able to lead this work funding the education of our future workforce. We couldn’t do this without the generosity of time, talent and treasure contributed by so many like-minded people. Thank you all for your support.”
