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Well, I had to cover this one by myself since Garrick wasn’t able to fly in to shoot it with me. If you’ve ever been to this show, you know that, in itself, is a big-time feat. So, in order to get down to business and bring the best coverage to our readers, I left for NOPI early on Friday. As soon as I arrived in Hotlanta, I got a quick bite to eat, checked in to the hotel and went straight to the Speedway to get started. Even though there weren’t any events planned for Friday, tons of rides and vendors were already set up for the weekend’s events. As I walked around and snapped photos, I knew this weekend was going to live up to what NOPI is famous for: tons of quality rides. NOPI is an event that’s most well-known for a lot of import cars, and to be quite honest, a ton of bad ass Hondas. Yes, the imports were there, along with a lot of other rides like 4x4’s, minitrucks and full-size trucks. After looking at host of rides that were already in the Motor sports park, I took a stroll through vendor’s alley to check out who was displaying their new products this year. Vendors from every aspect of the sport were on hand, showing their latest and greatest products. Focal had a host of wheels, new and old, on display and APC had their latest products for everyone to see and purchase. Toyo Tires had a ton of products on display, along with some of their finest rides. At NOPI you can find just about anything and everything for your own ride that you’re looking for. GReddy, Intrax and DC Sports were on hand showcasing a ton of import performance parts. Meguiar’s brought out Shaun Carlson’s Ford Focus drag car on full display. Even the driver himself was signing autographs and meeting people all day. Other major vendors attending NOPI this year were PIAA, Momo, HKS, Eibach, Alpine, Neuspeed, Xenon, Arelli, Tanabe, Tokico and Erebuni. Also on hand was ESPN, who was shooting the entire event.
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After settling down Friday night, I got up Saturday morning to roll on and get started. After the NOPI crew shuttled me and my small crew of guests into the park, I started my long day of meeting people, snapping photos and looking for possible features. Some of the baddest rides were on hand showing new and old mods alike. Eric from Negative Camber brought out his badder than bad Tacoma and even a west coast classic, Last Look, was on hand keeping people’s interests peaked all weekend. Dave from Acrophobia was dragging ass and throwing sparks around the facility all weekend as well. Trucks are only second to the host of badass imports on hand, as always. Again, for those who don’t know or have never attended NOPI, there are more rides than any one person can imagine seeing. That, along with the ton of contests the NOPI crew puts on, this is one weekend that you can count on not being able to take in everything in the park. Events were happening all weekend, with NOPI having all the contests that show goers have grown to know and love. American Radio and Cellular Communications hosted the IASCA Sonic Boom sound competition for those with the best stereos. Intrax and PIAA hosted the burn-out contest and Lowrider Magazine was there judging the best hydraulics this side of the Mississippi. Along with the North American Swimsuit Nationals bikini contest, there was also a World Body Building Championships competition. Saturday night, after the show was over, there was a Rave party for anyone and everyone to get together and dance, late into the night. After getting into bed early Saturday night (it was a long day and I can’t party like I used to!) I got plenty of rest and got up early to get started again trying to capture everything I could. After getting all the last minute photos taken, talking to a ton of people, and taking in as much NOPI as I could, I loaded up my camera and got back in the car for the four-hour trip back to NashVegas. NOPI is more than a show; it’s a Motorsports spectacular. Anything you are interested in, you’re going to find at this event and I recommend attending a NOPI if you never have before. You won’t be disappointed. By Bobby StewartCoverage continued next page >>
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