Typically, burnouts and donuts are illegal to perform on the street.

However, every year since 2017, Ely residents and drivers from all over the Northlands come together to watch some of the loudest and fastest cars around.

“It went pretty good,” said Brandon Perushek, one of the competitors. “Gave her all she got. It’s a good rush, it’s a good rush.”

For the last six years, the Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show and Burnout Competition has hit the streets of Ely in a big way, BUT those that show up to the event may not know the reason behind its name.

“My son Jacob died in 2016 and he and I took the car that we had built in and took it on a cross-country trip back in 2015,” said Albert Forsman, the President of the Jake Forsman Memorial Scholarship. “It was the first time he had a week’s paid vacation.”

In 2016, Jake Forsman passed away due to contact with a downed power line after an accident.

“This is all a memory for Jake. He was a big car fanatic,” said relative of Forsman, Maddie Hill. “It’s just great to get the community together and share the love.”

Each year, the community shows up in droves for the event. It’s even sparked interest in cars in some of the attendees.

“Definitely gets me more interested in cars and stuff like that,” said Henry Arana. “Definitely didn’t grow up super into cars, but it’s definitely peaked my interest a lot more.”

The Jake Forsman Car Memorial Car Show and Burnout Competition takes place on the first Saturday of every October in Ely.