Hardcore Minis in Orlando, Florida, one of the oldest clubs in the state, is truly hardcore in their approach to the sport. Charter members have grown up in the hobby, now celebrating their 15th anniversary together as a club and holding fast to the concept of friends first and club members second. Furthering the club's family atmosphere, many members are already busy raising mini-truckers of their own. When it's time for their annual car and truck show, this close-knit group uses the same family approach, dedicating the event to a friend lost a decade ago.
Members of Hardcore began the show in 1995 as a way of remembering a fallen friend. Larry Neal Oliver was killed by thieves who stole his truck. Each year, club members, friends, and members of the Oliver family get together to keep Larry's memory alive and celebrate the friendships that have withstood the test of time. It's also a way to celebrate life, and Hardcore members live it to the fullest. As a result, tons of fun is cranked into the weekend menu.
The event has become a Florida favorite, this year with 32 clubs and hundreds of vehicles arriving to enjoy the fun at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, Florida. In addition to the great collection of rides for spectators to admire, club games were added to the fun with the "Car Stuff Competition," which is as much fun to do as it is to watch. (With 21 club members squeezed into a Toyota, chiropractic treatments later were optional.) The Bikini contest kept the excitement level high with half a dozen beautiful Southern belles competing for cash. Event sponsors kept the momentum going with a huge collection of fabulous door prizes that included tools, stereo components, restaurant gift certificates, and more. Junior Gutierrez was really happy to have his pickup truck handy. It was necessary to get his new set of 20-inch wheels home!
The awards ceremony sent lots of drivers home with new additions. Capturing "Best of Show" mini-truck was Jennifer Lacey's beautiful, bagged '91 S-10, our cover truck for the November 2005 issue. Kustom Kreations CC captured the "Club Participation" award. Giving back is important to Hardcore. A portion of the profits from the LNO show supports the Baby DJ Fund, helping underprivileged children in the Orlando area. If you'd like to be part of a great, fun weekend event, one that has a thoughtful side as well, put the 2006 Hardcore LNO Memorial show on your calendar now. For pictures of the 2005 event and details on 2006, check out their website, www.hardcoreminis.net. Special thanks to the event sponsors, like Ultimate Audio, Pep Boys, 5th Gear, Drop 'Em Wear?, Rhodes Auto Works, and Scrape-N-Customs, for their help in making the show the fun event that it was.