The Story of Crafty Kate & the Classic Burgers Car Show
Who Is Crafty Kate
Her name is Katherine Savoie, but everyone in the classic-car world knows her simply as “Crafty Kate.” Her nickname didn’t come from scrapbooking — it’s rooted in more than 30 years working craft services on film sets in Hollywood.
But her true passion has always been for classic cars, racing culture, and helping animals.
Over decades she lived and breathed automotive culture: working as a spokesmodel at trade shows, serving as a promotional “BUG girl” during the high-octane 1980s and 1990s, and working with legends such as George “The Bushmaster” Schreiber and the original Christine Pro Mod.
She represented Rods West — a premier custom Gasser builder from Ridgecrest (also known as “Gasser Haven”) — becoming the heartbeat of a community built on horsepower, history, and heart. She believes that “horsepower is just one part of the story.
It’s the people, the history, and the heart that make this culture what it is.”
But her true passion has always been for classic cars, racing culture, and helping animals.
Over decades she lived and breathed automotive culture: working as a spokesmodel at trade shows, serving as a promotional “BUG girl” during the high-octane 1980s and 1990s, and working with legends such as George “The Bushmaster” Schreiber and the original Christine Pro Mod.
She represented Rods West — a premier custom Gasser builder from Ridgecrest (also known as “Gasser Haven”) — becoming the heartbeat of a community built on horsepower, history, and heart. She believes that “horsepower is just one part of the story.
It’s the people, the history, and the heart that make this culture what it is.”
March 23, 2019 — A Dream Takes Shape
When the owner of Classic Burgers restaurant in Inyokern opened his spot along West Inyokern Road — complete with plenty of outdoor space — Kate saw more than a restaurant. She envisioned a gathering where classic cars could shine and the community could come together to support a cause.
Crafty Kate's
On a sunny March day in 2019, the first Classic Burgers Car Show launched.
It was modest — a local meet-up of car lovers and animal-welfare supporters. But by the end of the day, they had raised $1,277 for the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter. True to Kate’s ethos, every penny went directly to the shelter — no administrative overhead, no profit, just compassion and community.
Crafty Kate's
On a sunny March day in 2019, the first Classic Burgers Car Show launched.
It was modest — a local meet-up of car lovers and animal-welfare supporters. But by the end of the day, they had raised $1,277 for the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter. True to Kate’s ethos, every penny went directly to the shelter — no administrative overhead, no profit, just compassion and community.
Inyokern: A Desert Town with Racing in Its Blood
Inyokern isn’t just a backdrop. Its history runs deep: old-timers still speak of the former Inyokern Drag Strip — once one of California’s oldest and most storied racing venues.
Though the track is gone, its spirit lives on every spring when rumbling V8s roll into the Classic Burgers parking lot. The car show is more than nostalgia — it’s a living memorial to the golden age of American motorsports.
Though the track is gone, its spirit lives on every spring when rumbling V8s roll into the Classic Burgers parking lot. The car show is more than nostalgia — it’s a living memorial to the golden age of American motorsports.
2020–2021 — The Pause That Made the Heart Grow Stronger
Then came the pandemic. Like many community events, the Classic Burgers Car Show was silenced for two years. The parking lot remained empty, silent — no engines, no music, no crowd. But Kate and her dedicated volunteers never stopped planning or hoping. They never stopped thinking about the shelter animals waiting for help.
Those two years were hard, Kate admitted — but they reaffirmed why the show matters. It reminded everyone that this isn’t just about cars; it’s about compassion, community, and giving hope. The pause only made their mission stronger.
Those two years were hard, Kate admitted — but they reaffirmed why the show matters. It reminded everyone that this isn’t just about cars; it’s about compassion, community, and giving hope. The pause only made their mission stronger.
The Comeback and Steady Growth
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March 12, 2022: The show returned, raising $2,510 — nearly double the original 2019 amount.
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March 11, 2023: Word spread beyond Kern County; classic-car fans made pilgrimages from across Southern California. Donations surged to $4,895.
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March 16, 2024: The show hit new heights — over 200 vehicles (some from as far away as Ventura) filled the air with nostalgia. Thirty-seven hand-designed trophies were awarded, live music played, cackle cars thundered, and by night’s end, they had donated $6,250 — a record.
With each year the community grew, the event gained momentum, and the purpose deepened.
Looking Ahead: 2025 & 2026 and the Philosophy That Drives It All
By March 15, 2025 — the show’s fifth anniversary (discounting the COVID pause) — the momentum and community support had cemented Classic Burgers as a must-attend event on the Southern California car show circuit. The volunteer force expanded; so did the reach.
As of 2026, over 200 vehicles have participated, $15,000+ has been donated to animal welfare, and every show remains 100% volunteer-run. The next show, scheduled for April 18, 2026, promises new features: expanded trophy categories, upgraded goody bags, better layout for spectators and participants, designated photo areas, and possibly special guests.
What truly sets Classic Burgers apart isn’t glitz or profit — it’s community. Kate insists every penny left after expenses goes straight to the shelter. There are no hidden fees, no inflated costs. Just real people, real cars, and a real mission. Whether you own a pristine ’57 Chevy Bel Air or a rough rat rod — if it has a motor, it has a place at this show.
As of 2026, over 200 vehicles have participated, $15,000+ has been donated to animal welfare, and every show remains 100% volunteer-run. The next show, scheduled for April 18, 2026, promises new features: expanded trophy categories, upgraded goody bags, better layout for spectators and participants, designated photo areas, and possibly special guests.
What truly sets Classic Burgers apart isn’t glitz or profit — it’s community. Kate insists every penny left after expenses goes straight to the shelter. There are no hidden fees, no inflated costs. Just real people, real cars, and a real mission. Whether you own a pristine ’57 Chevy Bel Air or a rough rat rod — if it has a motor, it has a place at this show.
Beyond the Show: Crafty Kate’s Ongoing Mission
The Classic Burgers Car Show might be the centerpiece, but it’s only one chapter in Crafty Kate’s larger story. Though she’s sidelined from racing for now because of an injury, her spirit is undimmed. She continues to promote custom Gasser builds through Rods West, supports other shows and events across California, and volunteers tirelessly for community causes.
Her social-media presence — under both “Crafty Kate” and her real name — keeps the community connected, and her craft-services background underscores everything she does: from feeding film crews to feeding hope for shelter animals. It’s never been about the spotlight: it’s always been about the people, the cars, and the heart behind them.
Her social-media presence — under both “Crafty Kate” and her real name — keeps the community connected, and her craft-services background underscores everything she does: from feeding film crews to feeding hope for shelter animals. It’s never been about the spotlight: it’s always been about the people, the cars, and the heart behind them.
