We've lost a lot of good shows in the circuit during the past couple of years, it was particularly nice to see an old favorite return. Blood Drag is back on the circuit with its first show in two years, and it looks like it's here to stay. You may recall, the event was established to help a club member, who had been involved in a life-threatening traffic accident. It was designed as a source of revenue for his medical bills, and also to help the South Florida Blood Bank respond to the needs of the community. Before long, the event transitioned from a worthy cause to a wild weekend, then quickly developed a strong following.

September
(1) Lake Front Tour
September 6-7
Lake Charles, LA
Hosted by Midnight Fantasies and held at the downtown Civic Center. For more information, call Roger Miller at (337) 905-1109, or visit midnightfantasiesshow.com.

Relaxed Atmosphere. Nothing else needs to be written, as this describes the type of show. The entire day went off without a hitch, except the mad riots that broke out when the 50-cent tacos sold out, but more on that later. From cover trucks to future cover trucks, the vehicles that lined the rows were exceptional, to say the least. The host club, Relaxed Atmosphere, is known for high quality rides; so delivering an average show just isn't in their cards. Not only were there top-quality trucks on hand, but also the host location, K&N Engineering, brought out its own array of sponsored vehicles, including full-blown dragsters and off-road trucks. Kinetic Batteries also didn't disappoint us, bringing out some impressive vehicles showcasing its products. Tons of vendors were on hand to sell clothing and hand out stickers.

For those who have been fortunate enough to attend West Coast runs, the past few years have been a very trying time. River runs are basically a thing of the past, even though they were always wildly popular. The Severed Ties Texas chapter decided enough was enough, and since they were already two years into their own show, Tex Mex, what better way to accomplish their dream than a change of venue? That's exactly what Severed Ties did. Tex Mex '08 proved that runs are not only still very popular, but can still work without all of the problems that surfaced in the past.

August
6th Annual Ludikrs Show
August 17
Rialto, CA
Presented by Master Image Customs, hosted by Xtreme Lowz, and produced by Ludikrs Kustomz. This will be held at the Rialto Municipal Airport in Rialto. For more information, log onto myspace.com/ludikrsshow website, or send an e-mail to ludikrsshow@hotmail.com.
NOTE - CANCELLED

Those people who have been in the scene for a number of years remember attending single-day events on a regular basis. Back then, that's what a majority of the shows were like, but these days having a one-day event usually means a minor event with limited attendance. However, Corey Hingle has successfully shot that notion out of the water by holding one of the most insane events of 2007: Big Easy Motorfest 4.

Every time a show changes location, show goers are a little apprehensive about how good the show is going to be. Well, if you are one of the people who stayed home, you missed out big time. With more than 500 vehicles in show and more than 4,500 spectators walking through the gates, Gator Drag was still one of the biggest shows of the South. There was an amazing amount of participants; considering there was a competing show only a few miles away.

July

Pandemonium
July 11-13

Pineville, LA
With on-site camping, you get to party with some kickass companies like KEG, DIB, KIK, Keef's Rods & Custom, and more. For more information, check out pandemoniumshow.com, or call B.J. Mills at (318) 792-9391.

Following on the heels of the State-2-State Cruise from our home offices in Anaheim, California (which also happens to have a Hooters in the same parking lot), to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was the Havoc Havasu Show. As the 5-hour trek came to an end, the welcoming view of Lake Havasu proved to be a much-needed second wind for many of the participants.

Danger Zone '08, was once again held at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia, California, and it was unreal. The reputation of the show brought out all of the big hitters from the Central Valley area-and then some. What was once a small area for the custom-truck scene has exploded into a mini- and fullsize-truck mecca. Central California has overtaken Southern California in the custom-truck world as the dominant force in the West.

When it comes to a true minitruck show, this is one of the first that comes to mind. We've attended this show for the past several years, mostly due to the fact that the town has 100-percent support for the show. This was the first show that we saw trucks dragging, while the mayor and police chief sat on the court house steps watching and cheering it on.

Being that the Pebble Pushers crew are hard-core minitruckers themselves, they knew what people were looking for at a show. They made sure there was plenty of things to do and see, like vendors, crazy club games, bikini contests, a draggin' contest, a stereo contest, and more. The show is now locked in at the Concord Motor Speedway, which provides plenty of space, restrooms, food, and of course, a good spot for dragging. The draggin' contest took place on pit road of the race track that not only provided a smooth stretch of asphalt to tear up, but solid concrete barriers to protect the spectators and staff. On top of an awesome show for the people and by the people, the P.P. crew also won the coveted Mini Truckin' Club of the Year award a few years back. Stay tuned for an extended exclusive club profile in an upcoming issue. For more information on the show, check out the Show Lowdown.

With one of the nicest show locations that we've seen, Freaks of Nature unleashed its first event on the East Coast, and it was a huge success. The Georgia chapter of Freaks of Nature attended many shows and asked a lot of questions before hosting its first event, and it showed! Living up to the words of an old song "The Freaks Come Out at Night," the FON crew rolled out a nighttime drag session that rivaled the size of the show itself. If you find yourself looking for a killer Georgia show, then be sure to mark down Summer Showdown with the same great hosts and same great location.

SHOW: 2008 Havoc East
LOCATION: Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky
DATE: August 2-3, 2008

Over the first weekend in August, Havoc East returned to Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for two awesome days packed full of frame dragging, quarter mile dragging, burnouts, babes, venders offering all the stuff you wanted, and everything else you'd expect from a memorable truck show. Attracting an array of mild to wild lifted trucks, slammed minis, diesel beasts, cover trucks, and under construction trucks, undoubtedly Mini Truckin', Sport Truck, Truckin', Diesel Power, and 8-Lug Magazines know how to throw a rockin' show.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the show coverage!

With many clubs and shows falling by the wayside in the past few years, the guys and girls at Animated Attractions proved yet again that the family who drags together, stays together. Without any big corporate sponsors or a large advertising budget, Animated brought the house down for the 14th straight year. The show had a mix of great trucks, great people, and nighttime events that have to be seen to believe them. Next year will be the 15th year for the Slam Session Super Show. Don't miss this show on your calendar of events for 2008, where Animated Attraction plans to unleash the biggest party yet.

Sparks in the Ozarks is a perfect example of the great people in this sport coming together to help one another. Definite Obsessions decided from day one that all the proceeds from Sparks in the Ozarks would go to a charity that would help one of their members who was in need of a kidney transplant. Not only did Definite Obsessions put on a great show, they also raised more than $3,000 to help out one of their club brothers. These guys put on one of the most well-run shows and are so organized, they already set a date for next year's show. Mark your calendars for October 4 and 5, 2008, and we'll see you there.

Bring the Noize is a rapidly growing car show thrown every year by the Art of Noize car club. Held in Glendale, Arizona, in February, you can expect phenomenal weather to enjoy the show with all your buddies. BTN has quickly matured into one of the West Coast's must-attend car shows. It draws participants from Arizona, California, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, and many other states.

June
Scrapin' the Smokies
June 14-15
Asheville, NC
Held at the WNC Ag Center, featuring a draggin' contest, bikini contest, giveaways, club games, a huge vendors area, one-off trophies, and more. For information, contact Brandon at (828) 275-5182, or visit scrapinthesmokies.com.

Oaktown Trucks hosted its 3rd Annual Custom Rides for Saving Lives show, which was held in Lake Orion, Michigan. Participants came from all over Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana to hang with fellow custom fans and help support this great cause.

The only thing we can say about this show is ... awesome! The show, as usual, was off the chain. The weather was great-not a cloud in the sky-and temps were in the low 80s. More than 600 vehicles filled the show grounds from one end to the other, and just under 7,000 people walked through the gate to check out the new hotness.

HAVOC EAST COAST IS HERE!

The Bowling Green, KY HAVOC is the 2008 East Coast HAVOC stop!!

DATE: August 2 & 3, 2008
LOCATION: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Beach Bend Park
798 Beech Bend Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Registration: $30.00
Sport Truck and Mini Truckin' Magazines are teaming up with Help from Truckin', Diesel Power & 8-Lug Magazines to bring back the age-old tradition of journeying to a far-off destination in search of the fabled truck run. You remember what a truck run is, don't you? It's that place you head for when you are looking to have a good time with your truck. It's that place where you spend a few days camping out with good friends, showing off your ride and participating in activities that real truck owners live for. This is THE show to plan your whole summer around. This year's show returns to Beach Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. So make plans to hang out with the editors of Sport Truck and Mini Truckin' in August, and we guarantee you'll have a good time and possibly walk away with some cash and a trophy just for building a kick-ass custom truck.

Bowling Green, KY Hotels

Drury Inn
270-842-7100
3250 Scottsville Rd. Bowling Green

Holiday Inn
270-782-7751
270-745-0088
University Plaza Bowling Green

Quality Inn
270-846-4588
1919 Mel Browning St. Bowling Green

Red Roof Inn
270-781-6550
3140 Scottsville Rd Bowling Green

Best Value Inn
270-781-9594
250 Cumberland Trace Rd Bowling Green

Courtyard Bowling Green
1010 Wilkinson Trace
Bowling Green, KY 42104

Super 8 Hotel
270-781-4900
110 Willamette Lane
Interstate 65, Exit 28
Bowling Green, KY 42101 US

May Fair Motel
270-782-3282
1540 Old Louisville Rd Bowling Green

Microtel Bowling Green
(270) 745-9922
1980 Mel Browning Rd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Hometown Suites
270-846-3311
1929 Mel Browning St
Bowling Green, KY 42104

Econo Lodge Bowling Green
(270) 842-6730
181 Cumberland Trace, Bowling Green, KY, US, 42103

Comfort Inn
(270) 843-1163
4646 Scottsville Rd. I-65 at exit 22 , Bowling Green, KY, US, 42104

Sleep Inn
(270) 842-3800
185 Greenwood Lane, Bowling Green, KY, US, 42104

Hampton Inn
270-842-7100
233 Three Springs Rd
Bowling Green, KY 42104

Classes are subject to change; check back often!

The Show Lowdown
Name: Wheelz-N-Heelz
Location: Gentleman's Club 10, WilkesBarre, PA
Date: May 20
Total vehicles in attendance: More than 200
Spectator attendance: 1,000

The Far East closed another show season with a bang as the Truck Masters Finale outnumbered its previous year with record numbers. The best of the best came to compete for the top trophies. Trucks came out from all corners of Japan for what turned out to be a wonderful, sunny day. As always, however, the day started out cold with menacing clouds overhead. This year's show pulled in more than 500 trucks with ease, which led to a parking lot packed to the brim.

In the last three years, Missouri shows have really stepped up and become some of the better shows around, Midwest Slamfest being no different. With most of the people who run the show being active-duty military, they try to do the show for fun and give everyone another chance to get together and have a great time, which destines the show and the show-goers to have a great time. The weather was great all weekend, which brought out some great minis and all the people that support these shows and make them what they are. See you next year!

As show season starts winding down, a group of Texas showpromoters keep the good times rolling by hosting a collaboration called Weeniestock. Taking place on the grounds of Bagwurx Customs, a custom shop located right outside of Houston, Texas, Weeniestock is not only a truck show, it's an absolutely free truck show. And free entrance isn't the only perk. It's just the beginning of how these appreciative promoters planned to thank those for attending their shows throughout the year.