Classic vehicles ready to roll into Cape

Gearheads, hot rodders and grease monkeys rejoice: Classic cars and bikes are on the way to Cape Girardeau.

The River Tales Classic Car Show, Cape Cruise In, Vintage and Unique Bike Show and the Race of the Century all are happening this month. The Race of the Century will feature almost 100 bikes, all made before 1916, making a pit stop Wednesday in Cape Girardeau during their 17-day trip from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Carlsbad, California.

The riders come from all over the world, riding classic motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Indian, Henderson, BSA and others. The race showcases not only the bikes but the resourcefulness and endurance of their riders, since keeping the antique bikes on the road is a full-time challenge.

The race allows for modest alterations to things such as brakes and wheelbase in the name of safety, but some participants forego even these in the spirit of completing the trip as its namesake, Erwin “Cannonball” Baker, would have preferred.

“We encourage everyone to bring their families downtown to meet the Cannonball riders and check out the Cannonball bikes, along with a large number of local cars and bikes that will be on display,” local organizer Danny Essner said in a news release. “All while listening to oldies music playing in the background. This promises to be another awesome downtown event that you won’t want to miss.”

A 1938 Chevy coupe owned by Don Dannenmueller of Kelso, Missouri, is on display Sept. 20, 2015, during the 38th annual River Tales Classic car show hosted by the River City Rodders in downtown Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

For more information about the Race of the Century, go to www.VisitCape.com/RaceoftheCentury.

For more information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Run in its entirety, including route details, visit www.motorcyclecannonball.com.

The following Saturday, Sept. 17, the River City Rodders and Old Town Cape will host a Cruise In at Capaha Park with free barbecue, music and door prizes.

The 39th annual River Tales Classic Car Show will be held downtown Sunday morning, Sept. 18.

Awards will be presented for several classes of make and model. Registration will be from 8 a.m. until noon for vehicle entries, and spectators are welcome from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m. Proceeds from the $15 entry fees will go to support Toy Box, the Safe House for Women and other charities.

The Vintage and Unique Bike Show Charity event will be held simultaneously with the car show at 28 S. Spanish St. and 35 S. Spanish St. and hosted by Grass Roots BMW.

For more information on the River Tales Classic Car Show, call the River City Rodders at (573) 979-2169 or Old Town Cape at (573) 334-8085, or visit www.rivertalesclassic.com. For bike-show registration, call Pat Taylor at (800) 888-1BMW or email pat@grassrootsbmw.com.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627