Engines ready to rev at 'Ignite the Nites' show

For three days, the normally quiet streets of Libby will come alive with the roar of engines and squeal of tires. Smoke and fire will fill the evenings, and the sun will shine off lovingly polished chrome and perfect paint from more than 400 hot rods and special interest vehicles.

It’s once again time for the Ignite the Nites Open Car Show, Burn Out Contest and Cruise, and the annual event promises to be as exciting as ever.

Sponsored by the Igniters Car Club, the show has attracted as many as 450 exhibitors and as many spectators.

“The show got started in the early 1980s,” show organizer Darren Short said. “But the club has been in existence since 1961, making it the oldest car club in Montana.”

Held the third weekend in August each year, Short said the show has provided a big boost to the local economy, even though it hasn’t grown much in years.

“The size of our show is limited by the motel space in town,” he said. “We typically sell out the motels by March or April each year, so we really can’t grow much more, even though it would be nice to be able to.”

The lack of lodging space has led to some creative ways to expand the show, including adding an extra day of activities in an effort to attract more visitors. In the past, the show was always Friday and Saturday, but Short said local merchants showed an interest in helping the club expand.

“Now the show actually starts on Thursday, “ he said. “Merchants came to us last year and asked how they could help with the show. We added a poker run Thursday, sponsored by the merchants, and the run on Friday is sponsored by the Igniters. It was a way for us to expand what we have to offer within the constraints of limited lodging space.”

In addition to the two poker runs, the event will feature a poker walk and live music by Men in the Making on Saturday, as well as more than 20 vendors a Friday Night Cruise, Neon Light and Flame Throwers contest, and of course, the show and awards on Saturday.

“It’s a fun and unique show,” Short said. “The cruise is a lot of fun because we close down Mineral Avenue and it’s an open cruise all night. People do burn-outs, spin their tires and just have a good time.”

The fun continues after the sun goes down, with the Neon Lights and Flame Thrower contest, an event popular with kids and adults alike.

“It’s a lot of fun, and everyone really likes it,” Short said. “People really like the neon lights under the cars and it’s a lot of fun when people put the igniters on their exhaust and see how far they can shoot flames.”

Short said the show on Saturday is open to anyone with a “hot rod or special interest” vehicle, ranging from cars and trucks to motorcycles and other interesting vehicles, with no age limits or restrictions.

“We get everything from some of the first cars made to modern vehicles, so there’s really something for everyone,” Short said.

While there is a registration fee to enter a vehicle in the show, there is no fee for spectators. The fees go to pay for the show insurance, music, administrative costs and trophies.

“We’ve got 24 categories that people can compete in, and we make our own trophies, so you get something unique to the show,” Short said. “Next year we hope to change up the categories to help keep it fresh.”

For people willing to sacrifice some rubber, there will be a burn-out contest after the awards ceremony at Millpond Motocross Park, followed by live music at Memorial Center.

“We’ve got Men in the Making for the band this year, “ Short said. “This isn’t the first year we’ve had them, and we keep bringing them back because they’re very popular and have a really unique stage show. They go through the eras of rock and roll, dressing up like different characters like Buddy Holly and Tina Turner. Everyone really enjoys it.”

To register for the show or for more information on the Ignite the Nite event or the Igniters Car Club, visit them online at www.igniterscarclub.com. Registration is $25 for the first vehicle and $10 for each additional vehicle. Proof of insurance is required to register.