What's up everyone! Spring has finally arrived! Being located in the Midwest "unpredictable" can be an understatement in Mother Nature's vocabulary. You know it is springtime when there are brief heat waves before major snow or rain storms. As we slop our way through the month of April you find the days before show season on a countdown and coming at us full speed.

The Gauge Magazine Lifestyle Tour is gearing up for a jam-packed summer schedule. As usual you can expect us to bring you the wildest event coverage and aggressive vehicle features on the web. The hottest events around the world have returned locking down their dates and locations for the 2005 season. To stay on top of these shows religiously; just check out our event calendar. It is updated daily so you don't miss a beat. http://archive.gaugemagazine.com/eventcalendar

On the cover this month is Trent Vanarsdalen representing Trent's Trick Upholstery in his 2004 Chevy Colorado. Trent is no stranger to this game; he has produced some of the hottest vehicles to hit the news stands in the past 16 years! Since Opening Trent's Trick Upholstery, Trent has perfected the art of custom interiors. Trent's abilities and stress factor were put to the test on this SEMA project. Trent had just 2 months to produce this GM Sponsored vehicle for the 2004 SEMA Show. Needless to say Trent took this bull by the horns and won the rodeo.
The hard work paid off: Trent's "Coloradical" was honored with a SEMA Design Award, The Best on Bridgestone's and a Cover Shoot for Mini Truckin Magazine (April 2005 Issue).I was able to capture Trent's radical truck in Indianapolis at the SEMA Spring Expo held this past February. Check out Trent's extensive vehicle feature layout and see what total dedication can produce in 2 months time!
For more information on Trent's Trick Upholustry
http://www.trentstrickupholstery.com

To top off the "Coloradical" we added the gorgeous April Gauge Girl Kelly Jo Lanham. I was able to meet Kelly at the Indianapolis World of Wheels this past February. Since the young age of 6 years old Kelly has won over 500 Beauty Pageants and is pursuing her dream with a career in Modeling. Be sure to check out Kelly's sexy Gauge Girl Layout and see if you measure up to her standards in her up close and personal Interview.

We start off the shows this month with Photographer Jowee Pruss visiting the windy city for an all day photo shoot at the Chicago World of Wheels. The event is held annually at the impressive McCormick Place on the weekend of January 28-30 2005. Once again Championship Auto Shows pulled in an elegant collection of custom vehicles to keep spectators and enthusiasts busy for the entire weekend. To view current point standings or prepare your schedule for next year, check out www.worldofwheels.com.

Next up the Gauge Staff and I set up shop at the Indianapolis World of Wheels to present the Gauge Magazine Lifestyle Hall. The event was held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on the weekend of February 4-6 2005. The Lifestyle Hall attracted some of the hottest premiere custom vehicles in the Midwest to represent the kustom automotive world. The entertainment and eye-candy was constant in the Gauge Magazine Hall throughout the weekend. Stay up-to-date on the 2006 Gauge Magazine Lifestyle Hall at the Indianapolis World of Wheels by visiting www.worldofwheels.com.

During the weekend of March 12-14 2005 Photographers Smalls, Scott Powers, and I teamed up to kick off the Lifestyle Tour ...Florida style baby! There is nothing like our ever popular Spring Break trip to the Spring Fling. This annual event is held by Vital Signs Car Club. You just can't go wrong to have your show smack dab in the middle of the madness of Spring Break in Panama City Beach, FL. This year the crew over at Vital Signs had to get more space at the Frank Brown Park to fit all the custom vehicles at the show. For extended coverage and details for next year's event, check out www.vitalsigns.org.

We have another stunning line up of vehicle features for you this month! We start off with Paul Bullis representing Acrophobia in his 1995 Ford Ranger. Photographer Smalls was able to pull Paul and his ride to the side for these photos at Spring Fling last year. With help from friends and club members Paul was able to create his masterpiece in 3 years time and pull off this stunning feature layout.

Next up is Adam Drake representing Costly Obsessions in his 1995 Honda Civic SI. I was able to meet Adam at the ITB Ohio event held this past May at the Quaker City Dragway. It's easy to lose track of the numerous mods performed to this fine tuned machine, the close attention to detail prevails in every aspect. It took Adam eight years to complete this immaculate 12 second ride of green fury. With not one inch going untouched on this Civic SI, Adam is normally the guy seen at the end of the award ceremony collecting his deserved best of show!

Last but not least we check out Jason Logan representing Street Art Kustoms in his 2002 Chevy 2500 HD. I had the pleasure of catching up with Jason last year at Southern Showdown held in Louisville, KY. In the past Jason has owned lowered rides, but his goal was to take this daily driver to new heights... going up? Refinishing vehicles for a living gave Jason more of a reason to make his ride a notch above the rest of the competition in just 12 months time.

As usual, if you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me!

Until next month keep your heads up and at least one frame rail on the ground! Peace!!
BIG WOOD
bigwood@gaugemagazine.com