Some History
Over the last 8 years, the Spokane Hot Rod Girls have been a part of the Hot Rod community in the pacific northwest. Over 30+ local models have volunteered their time, through those years, shooting with cars, working with fundraisers and helping at car shows.
The SHRGs started out being a simple “Model Team” for the car community. In 2014, the team grew from 3 to 14 in a matter of months. Once the word got out about the new “adventure” for models, we had no problem finding team members.
By January 2015, we had 56 events that the SHRGs had been at. They were at the dragstrip, multiple car shows, repping at the INCCC, promotional shoots at Fastkart, helping with fundraisers and even on TV with KHQ 4.
By the end of 2015, we now knew that we had to create an interview process that would help weed through the multiple model candidates that applied to be a Hot Rod Girl. The panel consisted of SHRG current members, the SHRA members and outside reps from local clubs. The “gauntlet” put potential new members through a Question & Answer session along with an “on the fly” photo challenge.
During the 2016-2019 years, we had learned a lot. We added the creation of magazines, posters and calendars to it all. With having 17 on the team, we also realized that it was a huge amount of work processing all the media required for the team and took away from the model as an individual. So with that in mind, the team went from 17 members down to 10 in 2019.
Enter the covid virus in 2020. The car world, along with everyone else, was brought to a standstill. The SHRGs were put on hold and we only did a few small things with the SHRGs that wanted to continue on with the team. We did manage to create an SHRG edition to the SHRA Magazine, but all the car shows were canceled.
In 2021, covid requirements started to lift a bit, but the team was still at a standstill. A few of the Jacketed SHRGs kept things going through 2022, but the car show scene was very limited and the push to create the media was over.
With covid cutting into everything, the car events were devastated, the clubs were left at a standstill and the cars were mostly parked. The Spokane Hot Rod Association Board Members were now growing tired of the requirements and cost of keeping the non-profit status. At the end of 2022, they decided to end the “official” SHRA as we know it.
As per the SHRA Bylaws, the SHRA will be transferred back to the original owner, me (Darrin Marion).
2023
So where do we go from here? Well, like I said earlier, we have over 30+ models that have earned their jackets as an SHRG. We’d like to continue having fun in the car community with those that wish to continue.
So, the SHRA’s plan… (and this may change)
Over the last 8 years, dealing with the community and running the SHRG team, it has made us realize several things:
- Some wives and girlfriends don’t like the SHRGs (multiple stupid reasons)
- Working with large amounts of SHRGs at the same time is VERY demanding when it comes to time and processing the media.
- The cost to run the team is huge
- There is a revolving door with the SHRGs, for multiple reasons. They come and go with some coming back as well.
- We painted ourselves into the “photo” corner due to the sheer amount of time it takes to put out the basic media, thus leaving little to no time to create other types of media.
So, we want to change it up in 2023. With now having some extra control over what we do, we aim to change the perception of the SHRG from just being a “model” to also having the ability to be a “Spokesmodel” in videos, podcasts and other media.
Of course, we encourage all Jacketed SHRGs to continue to be a part of the car community by volunteering and getting involved with other organizations and clubs. In the near future, we’ll be making new TEAM pink shirts that will be available to any Jacketed SHRG.
—
This is where I put out there that I’m building the Rock Ranch Studio.
First, I want to say that I’m NOT building it so I can make money. It will not be a business. It is MY project to use the facility (my new pole building) for SOCIAL purposes, and to not focus on making money with it. With it being in my back yard, I don’t have the pressure of rent and business costs. We will continue the SHRA like it is a non-profit, but without all the official hassle.
The studio will be big enough to shoot a car inside with a full cyc wall, it will have a heated conference room and plenty of media equipment to shoot photos and video. In the future, we are planning on shooting some SHRA podcasts and fun interviews with people about their cars.
As far as the SHRGs, I want to push forward the idea that they are more than just a model in a photo. We want to also create opportunities for them to be “spokesmodels” and be a part of the studio scene. Get them involved in videos, the interviews and other “SHRA Projects”.
We realize that some models only want to shoot simple photoshoots, and we’re also ok with that. Some models (and SHRA members) are scared of the microphone too.
We aim to change the perception with the wives and girlfriends by showing them that the SHRG is no threat to their guy. (Most of the SHRGs have husbands and boyfriends)
We aim to keep the cost of the SHRGs down by changing a few things about the uniforms and events.
We want to make the SHRGs role in the SHRA more appealing by giving them more opportunities and challenges, so they want to be a part of it more than a few years.
And finally, we are pushing hard to create MORE than just a photoshoot for the SHRG. We’re working them into the “SHRA Projects” scene and will be expanding on that later.
The cons… well, we can’t shoot ALL of the SHRGs at the same time. In addition to having the Team together at the events, we also want to shoot projects in the studio. Our plan is to have one, maybe two SHRGs at a time during each project so we can spend more time on the car or its owner.
Those SHRGs that wish to continue to do some car shows and events with other clubs may do so in “Uniform” as a team too. (We’ll also be out shooting stuff with them too, like before)
Just realize that some studio “projects” will be having a “spokesmodel” in front of a mic, in video, and yes, some photos.
As for NEW Spokane Hot Rod Girls? Well, let’s see how this goes. Once the Studio is up and running, I’m sure we’ll bring this all up again to put on the table.
I hope this clears up the future focus and path of the Spokane Hot Rod Girl. I, along with the other SHRA Staff, are truly THANKFUL for the years and dedication all of the SHRGs have put into the team and the SHRA.
On the SHRA side, we still have a lot of people that want to have fun AS the SHRA. We still have several media people that will continue as well.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at darrinmarion@spokanehotrod.com
Darrin Marion,
Spokane Hot Rod Association.
