Classic cars filled the parking lot of OK Auto Parts in Peebles on May 29 as part of the fifth annual Tim Adams Cruise-In For Cancer benefit event.
Classic cars filled the parking lot of OK Auto Parts in Peebles on May 29 as part of the fifth annual Tim Adams Cruise-In For Cancer benefit event.

All proceeds donated to local girl stricken with rare form of cancer

Story and photo by Patricia Beech –

Tim “Satch” Adams was the kind of guy who cared about people. He cared about their pain. He cared about their happiness. He cared about their souls, and he cared enough to take action when action was needed.

According to those who knew him best, his caring spirit was what led him to the ministry, and in 2004 it led him to begin his Jesus Motorsports Outreach Cancer Benefit, a yearly fundraising competition featuring classic and vintage automobiles.

“Tim loved old cars and racing,” said his sister, Sally Cunningham. “ He started this benefit because he wanted to make a difference for people who were suffering with cancer.”

Adams did make a difference, but his battle with cancer would become much more personal when less than ten years later he was diagnosed with an extremely invasive form of cancer. When he succumbed to the disease in Sept. 2010, two of his friends, Ronnie Shriver and Larry Shaw took up his cause.

“Tim started this benefit not knowing he would end up with cancer himself,” said Shaw. “It was all about Tim giving to other people, so all the proceeds from the benefit are used locally to help cancer victims and their families.”

“Tim was a good friend,” Shriver says. “He really cared about this benefit, so we decided to keep doing it in his memory and in his name, because there’s always a need.”

On Saturday, May 29, Shriver and Shaw hosted the fifth annual Tim Adams Cruise-In for Cancer Benefit at OK Auto Parts in Peebles. Over 50 classic and vintage car owners competed in the event. Russ Grooms took home the Tim Adams Award for his 1962 Chevy Biscayne and Larry Smalley won the Phil Swayne Choice for his 1964 Impala.

This year’s benefit raised almost $3,000. All proceeds went to Melody Smith, an eighth grade student at Peebles High School who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer.

“It’s a very worthy cause to help someone who is in need,” said Brian Fulton, emcee for the event. “Cancer hits everybody, and we really want to help this young lady.”

Before his death, Adams also served as Chaplain at the Brushcreek Motorsports Raceway in Jacktown.

“Tim was always happy to be at the raceway,” said raceway promoter Steven Partin. “He loved being a part of the sport, and when he was around he just kind of brightened everybody up. As Chaplain he prayed for the safety of the drivers, then he’d go around and talk to the fans to make sure everyone was having a good time.”

“Tim was such a good person,” said Rose White, who worked with him at the Brushcreek Raceway. “He loved racing, but I think he loved helping others even more, he was such a people person.”

The 2016 benefit sponsors included: OK Auto Parts, Peebles CDJR, Malcom Classic Cars, Larry McFarland Towing, Truitt’s Auto Body Shop, Perdue’s Body Shop, Cutler and Pate Roofing, Dan Swank Auto and Machine Shop, Swayne’s Heating and Cooling, Union Hill Church, Peebles First State Bank, Gemini Satellite, Home Town Pizza, Mel’s Main Street Grille, Kidder’s Roadside Produce, and the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home.

Food donations were supplied by Peebles Save-a-Lot, Winchester Wholesale Foods, and OK Auto Parts. Larry Shaw also donated the door prizes and T-shirts for the event. Robert G. Shattuck of B & B Trophies supplied the winner’s trophies.