L-R : Nate Marotto , Jose Luis Sanchez ,
Ken Elliott , Jim Roush , Jeff Brammer , Carl Asaro , Auggie Sickinger , Paul Spinetti , Pete Yoes . Spence Yoes
The Terra Nova Car Show
INTERVIEW WITH FOUNDERS PETE AND SPENCER YOES
We had the honor to sit with the founders of the Terra Nova Car Show , Pete Yoes and his son , Spencer Yoes , and talk about the return of the Terra Nova Car Show ( Saturday , May 14 , 2022 , from 9 a . m . to 3 p . m . at 1450 Terra Nova Boulevard in Pacifica , California ).
Pete , Why Did You And Your Son Start This 15 Years Ago , And Where Did The Idea Come From ?
The Terra Nova High School was losing all its funding . I knew the value of this program because I attribute a lot of my success to the high school Industrial Tech program . It ’ s all part of a well-rounded education .
The whole idea came about when Spence , my son , and I were out at a different car show for another high school in South City . But it wasn ’ t for Industrial Tech . It was a private car show held on school property . As we were driving home , the light bulb went on , pretty much simultaneously . We looked at each other and went , you know , it ’ d be a good idea to put on a Car Challenge . And that was it . The rest is history . So in 2006 , 2007 , we went around to all my buddies who own shops — they were mostly mechanics , carpenters , contractors , etc . They were more than gracious and gave us funds to bolster the program . The first car show had about 75 cars . Now we are at around 300 .
Pete , Did You Grow Up Around Cars ?
I have always liked cars , but I wasn ’ t into the mechanics of it until I was older . In high school , metal shop was my big thing . I grew up near the mission in the city , and we used to hang out . It was cool because we had the low-rider community down the street . We all became good friends spending time together with the different car cultures . We would chop away at something like a ’ 54 Chevy . I ’ d cut the windshield and the door glasses down and everything else so they would work . By the same token , they would paint a car . If I had a car and wanted to paint it , they could do that for me . It was just like a brotherhood that you get to hang around with .
Spence , The Low-Rider Influence On California And Our Culture Has Only Recently Been Recognized For Its Importance , Right ?
Yes , their work is amazing . All those guys could throw down a paint job . Some of these guys go through hell . Engrave every inch of the car . It is wild .
Spence , You Grew Up With The Car Bug , The Mechanic Bug .
My mom had a Trans Am before I was born . It was a treat to go out in it . It always sat in the garage with a cover . We took it out occasionally . I remember during Fog Fest when I was little , a friend of ours , Steve , had a drag car . It was so loud it shook the whole house — it was awesome ! Headers were the first things I thought were super cool .
Pete , Did You Ever Think When You Started The Car Show That It Would Become Such A Huge Part Of The History Of Pacifica ? It ’ s Getting Passed Along To Another Generation With Your Son , Spence .
I never thought it would be what it is . I dreamt what it could be . The favorable response we get throughout the community is mind blowing . Once , there were Hells Angels at the show . They said , “ Man , what you ’ re doing here is a great job . We really enjoy it .” That was cool .
Spence is running the show now , and I ’ m proud of him . It ’ s moving right along briskly , especially after a two-year hiatus . Everybody ’ s excited about it coming back .
6 • PacificaAnchor . com