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November 23 and 24, 2002 saw downtown Kansas City's Bartle Hall as host to the 15th Annual USACi World Finals. For those of you that do not know, USACi (United States Auto sound Challenge International) holds various sound-offs throughout the year where people bring out their rides and compete in contests for both SQ (Sound Quality) and SPL (Sound Pressure Level). Winning or placing in these shows earns you points towards an invitation to World Finals. Earn enough trophy points and you get an invite to the big show. This is an invitation only event, so you know that the vehicles here are the best of the best.USACi's Finals have grown since they first came to Bartle Hall years ago, each year adding more and more to the show and this year the exhibit area had grown to nearly 400,000 sq. ft. Features this year included the Exhibitors area for the audio companies to show off the latest gear and installs, a stage for live music, bikini contests, and trophy presentation, head to head SPL competitions, sound-off car display area, a car show and more. Select Products brought their Installer Challenge marathon installation race to the Finals and there were even golf cart wheelie races. All in all there was plenty of things to do to fill up two days worth of time.Wild customs were well represented at the Finals again this year. Kicker featured "Madillac" the chop top lambo yellow Tahoe recently featured on the cover of Truckin, and the Beast, Alma Gates' Bronco. Pioneer again rolled in with the 18-wheeler and F1 car, and had a good-looking H2 Hummer in their exhibit as well. Mitek was showing off a couple of vehicles including a new Saturn Vue and a Silverado 4X4.SPL is all about being loud, and the vehicles competing in the SPL lanes at this year Finals were just that... LOUD. From the mini monsters (you know, those cool little battery powered plastic toy vehicles that kids ride around in) all the way to the kilo-watt per speaker phenoms, there was a vehicle for every taste in the SPL lanes this year. It's fun to watch these audio gladiators fight for the glory of a World Finals win, you never know when a record might fall.
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The SQ cars have taken a big hit in numbers with the huge surge of SPL popularity in recent years. There are still top notch vehicles out there though, take a look at the Expert class for example. Two of the Worlds top SQ competitors are Mark Eldridge and Gary Biggs of the Kicker Competition Group, both had completely remodeled their vehicles since the last time I checked them out which was at the Spring Break Nationals in Daytona Beach this March. These are no holds barred, full on show cars that have next level sound systems, if you see the 4Runner or Regal at a show, you MUST go listen to them, and then go home and upgrade your system. Enough time, money, and great sound, you could be invited to the 2003 Finals. See ya there!By Travis S
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