Students planning to pucker up next Monday in hopes of winning some new wheels are in for a disappointment.

The second-annual “Kiss the Car” contest, modified this year to a smooching-a-Cy-Ride-bus contest, has been postponed until the fall.

The delay, organizers said, is due to bad timing and the absence of an important component of the competition — the car.

Mark Anderson, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, which teamed up with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority to sponsor the event, said the decision to delay was made about two weeks ago.

“We probably could’ve held it, but instead of doing it in a mediocre way, we wanted to do a superb job,” Anderson said.

He said the time slot of the contest — the Monday before Dead Week — was a major concern.

“We didn’t want to risk the academic standings of students,” Anderson said.

Anderson also said dealerships that were supposed to help fund a car, such as Benson Motors of Ames and Central Iowa Chevy Dealers, were “uncooperative.” He said representatives from the businesses were not looking to support the activity.

Organizers for this year’s competition were hoping for a sports car, such as a Camaro or Chevrolet Cavalier. Last year’s winner, Matt Schwenn, planted his lips on a new truck for 76 grueling hours before claiming his reward.

Anderson said no money was lost in the postponement because donations would have funded most of the contest. He said businesses, including Cyclone Stereo and SignPro, had planned to contribute, and the television and radio publicity would have been free.

Officials planned to bring in a bus so more people could pucker up.

The competition, which drew 29 contestants last year, raises money for Habitat for Humanity.

Anderson said about 90 students would have competed in this year’s “Kissathon.” He said the contest was expected to bring in more than the $5,000 raised last year. The initial goal was $10,000, which would have helped fund eight to 10 Habitat for Humanity homes.