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Let me first say that, I like most others were a bit pessimistic when I heard the news of this show being moved from Pigeon Forge, Tn to Bristol, Tn. It just didn’t seem right to say that Nopi Mini Nats was going to be held anywhere other than Pigeon Forge. This show was a show that put Pigeon Forge on the map in the eyes of minitruckers all over the country, But after attending the show this past weekend, I am here to say that I do believe this show will be the one to put Bristol on the map as well. With a new venue this year it gave the show lots of new opportunity for things it couldn’t have in the old location. First and foremost being the fact that the show was held at the Bristol Motor Speedway, offering lots of room for not only show vehicles, but also a huge display of vendors offering everything you can imagine from vehicle accessories to the latest automotive apparel. And we cant forget that one of the coolest parts of the show was that Bristol Motor Speedway is also home of the NDRA’s Race Wars, giving you the opportunity to not only show your rides looks but also show what it could do on the drag strip.The gates opened on Friday to allow a day for everyone to register and also opened the judging lanes to give you an opportunity to drive on through and get judged before the majority of people would arrive on Saturday. Then finally on Saturday a day that I had anticipated for months along with so many others, had finally arrived. I hit the show grounds at about 9am after my long 25 minute journey from my house, a perk of this show being near my hometown. As soon as we pulled up to the show grounds I was amazed at how many people had already arrived in one short hour of the gates being open. After finding a place to park we set up our club tent and did some last minute touch up on the cars before heading to the judging lanes. The show offered four lines for drive through judging which made it easy to get in and out without a lot of problem. I then started out to take pictures and talk with lots of friends that I have made being in this sport. There was something there for everyone, whether minitrucks or imports are your thing you could certainly find it at this show.
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Some of Saturdays events also included some things that NOPI shows are famous for such as the NOPI foam party. You could also catch the light show and neon contest. As well as two rounds of the bikini contest. An afternoon rainstorm put a pause in the activity on Saturday. But not for long. After the rain stopped and the sun came out again it was back to business.Saturday night offered lots of cruising in Bristol. It was great to meet up with friends and watch Shawn (scr8pnbyu) work in his own special way to get beeds from a passing vehicle who, Im sure didn’t quite have Shawn lifting his shirt in mind when they brought along the beeds for the night, but being the good sports they were , told him to get as many beeds as he would like, probably in an attempt to get him away from the car, but none the less a nice gesture on their part. You could also occasionally catch a glimpse of sparks being thrown as cars and trucks lined the streets into the early hours of the morning. Sundays events brought an end to the first year of a great show in Bristol. With yet another day to maybe see rides that you missed the day before as well as a chance to see the bikini contest finals and the burn out contest. This show proved that it can make it in Bristol. I think that everyone would agree that Charlie Cobble and the crew from NOPI did an excellent job in making sure that everyone had plenty to keep them happy. I cant wait to attend this show next year. I think it will only get better. Laura Joneslaura200sx
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