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It seems that with the growing popularity of imports , so does the awesome shows that tailor to the import scene. Every year you hear of another new show for import owners, and the fans that love to attend them. Well add one more to that list because this show is one that will definitely top the list to attend for next year. Just a short drive north of Tampa hold a show grounds that is known for hosting one of the nations largest antique shows and swap-meets, Festival Park. What better place to host a large gathering of import fanatics then on a 208 acre site that is simple beautiful. Upon arriving to the show I was meet at the gate by over 25 vendors and quickly said hello to the guys from Drop-Em wear. If your ride was lacking anything from nitrous to 22's, there were sure to be a vendor there that had just what your ride was lacking. It wasn't long till all you could hear was the sound of loud exhaust coming from the vehicles on the Dynojet 248c dyno, as show goers got to put there vehicles to the test in the dyno competition. As I made my way around the show grounds it wasn't long till I had the camera out of the bag and began snapping shot after shot of some awesome looking imports. Being the die-hard mini trucker that I am, I was on a mission to find some mini's , fullsizes and oldies. It didn't take long. But wait I thought this was an import show! Well who said we can't all get along. It was a great feeling to see such a gathering of the entire show scene in one place, at a show that was organized for the import scene. After a couple hours of shooting some of the sweetest rides in south Florida I had a chance to meet the show promoters who had worked so hard to promote this event. After a quick bite to eat it was back to work. After setting up a feature or two for Sunday and dark quickly falling, I was off to Tampa to get ready for a night in Ybore City, Tampa's answer to New Orleans Bourbon Street. Sunday proved to be a real busy day because I had made arrangements with the promoters to shoot the bikini contest. Oh I hate this job! After making my way to the front of the stage I found my camera was working overtime as the south Florida cuties made there way across the stage. After my heart rate returned to normal it was back to work. Sunday over 50 new rides arrived that were not there Saturday, and it was only fair that they got there respects also. As I made my way around the show grounds I had the pleasure of meeting some great people such as Bruce Riviera who had brought out his freshly finished Isuzu, the laugh a minute crew from Mini-Madness and some members from Acrophobia.
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As Sunday drew to a close I made my way to a secluded spot and shot the feature I had set up from the day before. As the sun was quickly falling and my adventures in Ybore taking there toll on my stomach it was time to say good-bye. With over 250 entries this was a first year show that was one I will add to my "must attend list" for next year. I was assured by the promoters that next year would only be bigger and better. For more information make sure you visit there web site at http://www.z-hills.com . By: Ben HusserSpecial thanks goes to Andre Garcia and Dennis Dominguez.
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