|
Only one word can describe July AWESOME!! Brandi and I got to go to three shows for starters. We met some really cool people, and we got to show the dually for the first time. Set your ride down, and I'll try to recap all the excitement of July. Three out of state shows in one month! For July, Brandi and I started out going to Pigeon Forge for the MiniTruckin' Nationals, then we flew to Texas for the Texas Heat Wave, and a week later we packed up her Tahoe, and headed north for the East Coast Nationals. To say July was a busy month would be an understatement. This was my first trip to Pigeon Forge, and I must say I was impressed by some of the rides. The two shows going on at the same time makes it a toss up of what show you should go to, and whether you get to see all the customs that roll in that weekend. Overall though, I would say that the weekend was a blast. Once back home, we waited until it was time to go to Texas. When it came time to fly out to Houston, I was quite excited to be showing my dually for the first time. After a slight delay in leaving, we made it to Round Rock and the fun started. Friday night after dinner, we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning cleaning and sticking my new logo. A very close friend of mine helped us do the cleaning and even stuck my logo. I mentioned this because my friend is in another club and felt a little weird sticking a logo that wasn't for his club, so to him I say thank you. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I had managed to get a parking ticket at the hotel and place 2nd in full size phantom dually street. The only complaints I have about the whole THW weekend is that I got the ticket, couldn't park in the show grounds on Sunday, and that I can't figure out how my 2001 crew cab dually is all of a sudden a phantom. Our last show of the month was East Coast Nationals in Richmond, VA. This being our first time to this show, I didn't know what exactly to expect. Once getting to the show and seeing over 1000 vehicles on the grounds you can understand how the excitement started building as we walked the rows of customs. I'll be going back to ECN from now on. Ashton, the crew from SubCulture, and Low Rollers did a heck of a job keeping things going smoothly all weekend. To make things better, the two "best of" awards that they gave out were made of billet in the shape of a cross boned steering wheel with flames coming off of them. They were very sweet looking trophies. Basically if you can go to any of these shows, make a point to. You won't be disappointed.
|
I've gone to a total of 5 shows this year. Here are some observations I would like to pass on to you. One, the number of entries and spectators at shows are growing fast. At all the shows I've been too this year the numbers have been at least a couple hundred more then they were last year per show. Two, the level of customizing as a whole is being pushed to new limits with 3d graphics, tucking major wheel, and an overall desire to make the sweetest, baddest, wildest, and smoothest custom that makes people drool at night over your ride. Three, I see a lot of new faces coming into customizing which means that our way of life that we love is not going anywhere for a while. At ECN last weekend I saw TWO fully done trucks that were not only built by the owners but were being shown for the first time. One of these said trucks you'll see soon in Truckin' Magazine as it was sweet enough to get shot for a feature. Fourth, I've seen more cops at shows and heard of more problems at hotels this year than in the past. I think that if we police ourselves more that we would see a decline to this side of shows though. By this I mean we should pick up after ourselves more, control the parties more, and try to downplay the stereotypes that proceed us. All towns have their little group of people that assume we're trouble, and that we don't spend any money while we're in their town. Because of this, the cops get all worked up to the point they go looking to give tickets. In fact while we were in Pigeon Forge, Brandi and I stopped at a Christmas store to buy some things to go on our tree. While shopping we overheard one of the checkout girls talking with a women and complaining that "these kids come in here for the weekend, and the only people that benefit are McDonalds and the hotels." To say this struck a nerve is an understatement. We had two baskets full of stuff, needless to say we put one basket full of stuff back, bought the other, and Brandi told the manager that we would have spent twice as much if his rude employees wouldn't look down on us for being MiniTruckers. Finally, I say that I foresee shows and everything else involved with customizing growing more, and more; hopefully for the good. As our journey this month comes to a close, I encourage all of you to have fun, go to shows, and let's help each other keep this way of life on the up and up. As usual, fornicate with protection, and keep it low. Russell ITFELL007@aol.com
|
