SARASOTA – The Classic Car community in the Suncoast said goodbye to the man that started the classic car show circuit.
“Pretty much on the Suncoast Lance started it all 21 years ago,” said Candy Mausser.
Lance Gregory Hubschmitt was known around town as the – classic car enthusiasts of the Suncoast. For more than two decades he severed as the operator of Lance’s Cruzin’ to the Hop car shows.
But on Monday the community he brought together said their final goodbyes to their dear friend. Last week Lance lost his battle to cancer at the age of 67.
“Well I met Lance 21 years ago at the Chick-Fil-A on Frutiville Road for his first classic car show,” said Mausser.
For most of his career, Lance has organized classic car shows alongside the Suncoast; and Mausser, his partner in crime, otherwise known as Candy Girl on WSRZ 107.9 has been there every step of the way.
The duo shares a passion for classic cars, which started their friendship of more than 20 years.
She says the classic car shows were just the tip of the iceberg of what Lance’s has accomplished. He had his own television show for nearly 12 years where owners would bring in their vehicles and explain their histories.
But most importantly he helped raised money for as many charities as he possibly could.
“We ran shows together probably for about 12 years, all benefiting Suncoast Charities for Children during the Sarasota Powerboat GrandPrix,” said Lucy Nicandri.
Nicandri serves as the vice president for the nonprofit. She says, Lance brought more than timeless cars to impress the crowd. He brought a desire to help others, something he always put as his main priority.
“Lance had such a positive attitude,” she said. “And he certainly was an inspiration not only to me but to everyone he came in contact with.”
And though the car shows will go on, Mausser says not being able to host the shows together with Lance may tough for a bit.
But to honor the legacy Lance created – she knows he’d want her to live by his famous saying, that he’d always close off every car show with….
“Get your motor running – it’s time to be wild, and he’d play Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf….and that’s the hard part,” said Mausser.
For a list of what classic car show may be in your area Mausser has the full schedule posted on carnewsbycandygirl.com
Lance is survived by his wife, Brenda; his three children and five grandchildren.