Shop Rat at Jackson Wheels of Thunder

posted on June 12th, 2007

The 2007 Jackson Wheels of Thunder turned out to be a fantastic event that celebrated the art of motorcycles. The key to this event is that it did not only celebrate motorcycles, but that it brought together families from all around to enjoy coney dog contests, stunt shows, and the Shop Rat Foundation Bike Build off. The students from the Shop Rat Program in Munith, Michigan and the Shop Rat Program in Chelsea, Alabama had been working for months building a Custom Chopper to be a part of the bike build off between the two classes.

The Alabama team found there way up to Michigan and the two teams met for the first time Saturday morning. This event started with Jimmies 24 hour Service meeting the two bikes at the Shop Rat Headquarters in Munith and loading the bikes on two separate flatbeds. Once the bikes were strapped down the flatbed trucks were escorted downtown Jackson by Proud Vets of Mid Michigan and met the students of both classes in front of the Michigan Theater. At the Michigan Theater the students climbed aboard the flatbeds and road through the streets of Downtown Jackson. Once they reached the location of the build off the students began to shine their beauties as the crowd gathered around them in amazement.

After a breathtaking day the students gathered around the stage at the awards ceremony while the team leaders, Bubba and Brian Copes, revealed the winners of the Bike Build-off. The judges included some of the top bike builders of the event and personally handed each student a special achievement awards that was custom made by Speedcult.com. After each student received their awards, it was time to see who won the Bike Build Off. After the judges looked carefully at each bike they came to the decision that the winner of the Shop Rat Bike Build Off was……… BOTH TEAMS!!!

The trophy was then held by a member of each team and was split in half so that each team had their own trophy to take back to their shop. “The event turned out better than I could imagine” said Amanda Proctor, the Marketing Administrator for Shop Rats. “Both the students and parents of the teams seemed to enjoy the event and the smiles of the students said it all”.

There are still $20 raffle tickets available for a chance to win the Custom Bike Built by the Munith Shop Rat Class. Contact The Shop Rat Foundation for more information 517-596-8000.

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