RUMFORD — A local group of diesel truck aficionados will hold its first car show on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Black Mountain of Maine as part of the mountain’s Summerfest event.
David Adley, who co-founded the group 207 Diesels with his friends, said the car show will begin at 2 p.m. at Black Mountain. Cost is $5 for spectators or $10 for contestants.
Adley said that 207 Diesels began about a year and a half ago with four of his friends.
“We all had diesel trucks for four or five years, and we liked modifying them, working under the hood to make them run good or make them look nice,” he said. “We made a Facebook page called 207 Diesels where people could post pictures of their diesel trucks.”
Within several months, the number of people in the group ballooned to more than 2,500, Adley said.
“We started holding small cruise events, where a bunch of us would ride around, go out to eat, or hang out,” Adley said.
While the group started as a casual way for like-minded diesel truck fans to interact, Adley said the group’s scope changed after they heard about a young boy named Layson.
“Layson had autism and we heard from someone that he loved it when trucks drove by him and blew smoke while he waited for the bus,” Adley said. “We ended up planning a cruise event where a bunch of us would drive past him, blow a little smoke with our tires, and try and raise some money for autism.”
More than 400 members of the 207 Diesels group showed up for the event, which took place in the spring.
“We ended up raising more than $2,500 towards autism,” Adley said. “It was the first fundraising event we did. It was tough to pull off, but it felt really good to do.”
With one fundraiser under its belt, Adley said the group has its sights set on holding the first car show, where cars and trucks alike can participate.
There will be a barbecue at the same time, he said.
Before the car show begins, the Rumford Riders ATV Club will hold a ride at 10 a.m.
Following the 2 p.m. car show, the band Skosh will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Adley said that while 207 Diesels started off as a photo-sharing Facebook page, he’s happy with how it’s taken off over the last year.
“This is our first really big year, events-wise,” he said. “Next year, we’re hoping to be even better.”
For more information on the car show, email Adley at dadley2662@gmail.com.
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