Although it's been said before, we'll say it again. The car-show scene in Arizona has been seriously lacking for some time now. A few staple shows have been around for a few years, but in the past few months, dates have been dropping off the calendar like flies. That's why we're glad to announce that Ground Zero is back, with a brand-new show for the area. Like fresh rain in the desert that is Phoenix, enthusiasts flocked to the show like there hadn't been one in years, which helped to make it very successful.
Once upon a time, there was a guy who went by the name of Peanut Butter. Back in 1995, Peanut Butter founded a truck club that he called Ground Zero. There's a long history with GZ in AZ (Arizona), just like any other club, but for almost 10 years now, its had a strong presence in the microcosm of the custom-truck world that revolves around Phoenix. With such a presence driving the club, it was simple fate that one day the organization would give back to the mini-truckin' community by hosting a show for those very people who make its existence worthwhile.
Just 24 hours before Ground Zero's show was slated to begin, the Arizona desert was being assaulted by unseasonable rain. The weather in the usually sunny area was horrible, with buckets of water pouring from the sky. There was a lot of debate as to whether or not the show was going to still happen, but word was spread quickly: "Rain or shine, the show is a go." Enthusiasts were buzzing all over town and online before the event, rushing to their garages to detail their trucks for the assembly at the parking lot outside Go-Kart Racetrack, where the show was to be held.
We showed up relatively early at 9 a.m. to a slightly overcast sky and a foreboding forecast. Looking around, there were a few vendors setting up and one lonely truck sitting in the roll-in line ready to go. It was like that for an hour or so, which started to worry everyone there for Ground Zero. By 11 a.m., though, the sun was out and the rides were dragging through the parking lot of the F1 Race Factory, an indoor kart-racing arena in Phoenix. Before long, there wasn't a thing to worry about. The show was going to be a hit, regardless of rain or the moronic weatherman's predictions.
By the end of the day, there was a concert, a ton of killer trophies, and a lot of fun being had. The venue itself held a lot of entertainment, with karts to throw around the track. Additional pleasure for the masses included video games, food, and all kinds of drinks. Without a doubt, Back 2 School Madness has become a show to mark on your calendar. For just its second show, GZ put on a killer event, and we're looking forward to the next one. Until then, drag on. For more information, contact: Ground Zero, (602) 505-6429, www.groundzeroaz.com.