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Poynter dealership sponsors Jeep Invasion
There’s just something about Jeep people.
They can be seen waving as they pass each other on the roadways, just like motorcyclists do.
They all just share a unique bond and love taking rides around country roads and highways.
“That’s just the way Jeep people think, and that’s the way they act,” he said. “Jeep people, they are like family. It’s like you’ve never met a stranger. It’s like one big family whether you know them or not. We’re just one big Jeep family.”
He organized the second Bob Poynter Jeep Invasion on Saturday, and it drew more than 100 Jeeps.
They left the parking lot of the Jeep dealership in Seymour, and then took U.S. 50 for a short while until going on mostly county roads the rest of the way.
The ride took about three hours, and participants went through several Jackson County communities and saw various sites along the way.
After a 45-minute stop at Brownstown Central High School for people to get out and stretch, they went through Skyline Drive, Tampico and Dudleytown before heading back to Seymour.
“Skyline Drive, that just speaks for itself,” Starkey said. “The Tampico area, it’s just a beautiful view. You can see for miles.”
People came from as far as Indianapolis and Muncie, so Starkey said it was good for them to get out of the city and check out the scenic views in Jackson County.
“They get to see Jackson County and are impressed with it to be able to ride in the country and to see that as opposed to going on the highways and interstates,” he said. “When people ride Jeeps, they are not ones to go out and cruise on the highways. They go in the country, not get in a hurry and just enjoy the day.”
As people gathered for lunch, music and prize drawings before the ride, Starkey got on the microphone and asked people how far they had traveled for the ride.
Rusty Rogers of Lockport, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, had come the farthest. It was his first time in Jackson County, and he said it was good to see something different.
It was his fifth Jeep Invasion, including third this year. The others were Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan and Great Smoky Mountain in Tennessee.
“Silver Lake Sand Dunes, we do that every year in Michigan,” Rogers said. “Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion, they expected 7,000 Jeeps, and I think there were over 10,000. They were everywhere you looked.”
Rogers has two Jeeps — a 1959 CJ5 and a 2016 Rubicon. On Saturday, he drove the Rubicon.
Like Starkey, Rogers said he likes the camaraderie of Jeeping.
“Jeep people, it’s kind of like the Harley-Davidson guys,” he said. “Everybody waves at each other. Everybody talks to each other. If somebody’s got a problem, they help them out with it. It’s the camaraderie.”
There also were a few Jackson County residents participating in the ride.
Scott DeZarn of Seymour was the first one to leave the parking lot Saturday when the ride started at 1 p.m.
“It’s real good to get something into the community where everyone can be involved,” he said. “There’s not just Wranglers here. There are Renegades and anything like that.”
DeZarn drove his orange 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK. He said the style and versatility of Jeeps set them apart.
“Being able to take the top off and just a couple of panels, you can do about anything you want to it,” he said.
He tries to go on rides as often as possible.
“I take the doors off, and you just really get out and feel the open air. I’d say wind in your hair, but I don’t have any hair,” DeZarn said, laughing.
Tina Sullivan and her mother, Donna Sullivan, of Seymour rode in Tina’s blue 2015 Sahara.
“It drives so easy,” Tina said of what she likes about her Jeep.
“Everything comes off of it, but we didn’t have time to do it today,” Donna said of the top and doors.
Donna said they like to turn the music up and take the top and doors off to go on a ride whenever time allows.
Tina was glad to hear about the Jeep Invasion and decided to invite her mom to go along for a fun day.
“Driving Jeeps is fun,” Tina said.
“We do this all the time anyway on a good day,” Donna said. “On a Sunday, we go Jeeping.”
The inaugural Bob Poynter Jeep Invasion had 76 Jeeps, so Starkey was happy to see that increase this year.
“It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s a very nice and large event,” he said.
