Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today

By Curtis Goodrum

Hot Nite in the City

Thousands gather in Kamloops as Hot Nite in the City continues record-breaking streak

Aug 11, 2025 | 5:24 PM

KAMLOOPS – It was a record-breaking year for Hot Nite in the City with over 575 vehicles on display across downtown Kamloops this past Saturday (Aug. 9).

The vehicles ranged from classic American muscle to modern-day tuners.

Phil Sufak, owner of a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle and a 1950 snub-nosed Chevrolet truck, has been working on cars his whole life. The 80-year-old made his way to Kamloops from Hinton, Alberta to showcase his vehicles.

“I just love the car. I know that it’s just the love of my life. I know there are going to be tears in my eyes when it drives out of my driveway,” said Sufak.

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Sufak says he custom-built both vehicles, noting he just about rebuilt the truck from the ground up.

“I think I found the worst one in the province. You know, this door here, these seventeen bullet holes. My friend says ‘you’ve got to be insane,'” Sufak continued. “I was ready to throw in the towel. I said, ‘I’ll take it to the landfill. They can crush it and I’ll have a relaxing life’ but anyway, we overcame those hurdles.”

Also catching a number of eyeballs at the annual show and shine was a one-of-25 orange-coloured 2008 Porsche Cayman Boxster.

“My favourite part is that it always gets more comments than any other car I’ve ever had,” owner Paul Young said.

Young bought the car in 2018 as a temporary replacement after a car crash.

“Even though I had, I didn’t have an intention of keeping it long term. It’s got to the point where I don’t even think about getting rid of it now,” Young said. “I think, even if I get another car, I’ll keep this one.:

Cars are often a reflection of the person who drives them, added Stephanie Moniuk, the owner of a tuned Subaru Forrester.

“I am the most bubbly-ish person ever. I’m very outgoing and in general, I am that person that is super girly when it comes to my car,” she said.

“I’ve put that all into my car, so it’s custom and I love it. It’s the best thing ever.”

This year’s edition of Hot Nite in the City is the last one put on by longtime organizer, Ron Popove. After 25 years at the helm, he is ready to drive off into the sunset.

“Joe Doyle is taking my job and I think he’s going to be a good chairperson,” Popove said “Hot Nite will carry on.”

Then again, Popove said he will be Doyle’s “shadow” for “one or two years.”

“We enjoy the cars,” he said of the event. “We have Alberta, we have Vancouver, Dawson Creek, Victoria, people come here from all over and they enjoy the show.”

“And we keep a lot of people in Kamloops happy as well.”