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 What’s
up everyone! The month of May is upon
us and the excitement is building
for the hot summer nights. The chance
to catch up with other enthusiasts
that you have lost touch with over
the winter is getting closer. The
great relationships that are built
throughout the show seasons make’s
this sport feel like one big family.
Sometimes drama and differences can
be a downfall of being in a car or
truck club, but the bond and respect
created can be worth a lifetime of
priceless memories. New faces and
rides pop up in the show scene every
year looking for their place in this
great sport we call a hobby. There
isn’t a better feeling than rolling
into a show with a pack of custom
vehicles and the jaw dropping expressions
seen while cruising down the interstate.
If you are new to the scene
and looking to be apart of a group
of die hard enthusiasts in your area,
check out our club listings at http://archive.gaugemagazine.com/carclubs/.
On the cover this month we bring the
return of one of the fine creations
from Shane Thompson
representing Frameworks Customs
in his 2000 GMC Jimmy.
It has become a ritual for the past
2 Years at the Spring Fling
show held in Panama City Beach,
FL to feature Shane’s new
mini that is built over the winter
months. Shane’s S-10 was featured
last year in the May 2004 Issue in
the same location that this months
impressive layout was conceived. Shane
always seems to add that unique touch
to set off his ride from the rest
of the competition and receiving much
love along the way. When Shane’s “Houdini”
received a 6” Body Drop it had a mysterious
way of making the 22” wheels disappear
at the flip of a switch. We’ll just
have to see if Shane can pull another
fine custom vehicle out of his hat
to continue the tradition for a possible
3 peat of May Issues shot in Panama
City Beach next year. To check out
Shane’s previous ride in last years
issue, check out http://archive.gaugemagazine.com/2004/may/index.htm.
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The
Gauge Magazine
Lifestyle Tour:
The Gauge Staff, Behind
The Scenes Entertainment, and I will
be firing up the Lifestyle Tour this
month at the ever popular Cruisefest.
The event will be held in Lucasville,
OH at the Scioto
County Fairgrounds on Mothers
Day weekend May 6-8 2005.
Gauge will be having its annual Lifestyle
Party bringing live entertainment
throughout the day into the early
morning. Be sure not to miss this
party, for more information or directions
check out www.CruisefestNationals.net
Next
up we will be heading down south for
a little southern hospitality at Showfest.
The annual event hosted by
Assorted Miniatures will
be held in the infamous town of Greenville,
MS on the weekend of May
13-15 2005. The event will
pack in some of the hottest vehicles
around the world, and the best ground
scraping nightlife you can handle
in a weekends time. To check out the
crew over at Assorted Miniatures visit
www.ClubAssorted.com
On
the final weekend of May the Gauge
staff will mount up to hit another
year of Slammin' & Jammin'.
The annual event will be held on Memorial
Day weekend May 27-29 in
Lebanon, TN at the
James E Ward Agricultural
Center. Come see Charlie
Cobble and crew put on an event with
ease. Be sure to stop by the
Gauge Booth to catch up on the 2005
propaganda. For more information
or directions to the show, check out
www.AutoShows.cc |
We
added our own final touches to the
“Houdini” with the dead sexy May
Gauge Girl Kelly Thomason.
I was able to catch up with Kelly
moments before the bikini contest
at Spring Fling held this past March.
Shortly after receiving 2nd
place and a handful of cash, we headed
over to Piers Park to capture one
of the hottest Gauge Girl features
this year. Kelly has been representing
manufacturers such as Black Magic
Car Products at events to continue
working towards her goal of becoming
a Professional Model. Kelly’s not
just another gorgeous girl from a
small town in Alabama, with her spare
time Kelly is turning the wrenches
on her Supra and a Prelude. If you
don’t think it could get any better
than that, hold on guys…she’s even
single! Be sure to see if you could
measure up with Kelly’s standards
in her Gauge Girl Interview.
We have a long list of events for
you this month. We start off with
Matt Petro and I
loading up the Project Air
Dancer and headed south
for the 39th Annual
Carl Casper International Auto Show.
The show was held at the Kentucky
Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville,
KY on the weekend of
February 25-27 2005. Vehicles
from all over the world were on display
for the ever popular event, and pulled
in a record crowd to witness the fun
and excitement. CCE put together one
of the largest hydraulic competitions
and gave the spectators their moneys
worth with one hell of a show. For
more information on next years event
or other Carl Casper events, check
out www.CarlCasper.com.
Next we caught up with the crew over
at Down 2 Earth for
their 2nd Annual
Event the Last Blast Car Show.
The show was held on the weekend of
October 2-3 2004
in Peoria, IL at
the IT00 Hall. While excepting the
challenge Jim Wike and his club members
with Down 2 Earth showed
off their skills on how to successfully
fill up a show field. For more information
on next years event or Down 2 Earth
email Jim Wike at Frdrcg6@hotmail.com.
Next up we took a trip with Photographer
Robbie Dotson for a weekend of… Dropfest!
The event took place at the Wisconsin
International Raceway in Kaukauna,
WI on the weekend of
June 12-13 2004. It just
seems to step up the class a notch
when you spend a couple days sitting
on the 3rd turn at a Raceway.
The 4th Annual Event was
presented by Sweet Customs
and hosted by Twisted
Fantasies Car Club for
one of the largest events held in
the Mid West. Preparation for this
year’s event is already in the making
and the crew from Dropfest
wants to welcome you to an atmosphere
of wicked contests and a weekend of
live entertainment. For directions
or information for the Dropfest 2004
DVD, check out www.Dropfest.com.
We caught up with the crew over at
EnVuS Car Club for
their 2004 event. The show was held
in Columbia, IL at
the Columbia City Saloon
on September 12th
2004. The 5th
annual event pulled in some of the
hottest vehicles in the mid west for
this 1 day extravaganza. Come see
how the guys over at EnVuS Mid West
put on a show “Honoring Heroes”. For
more information on next years event
or extended show coverage, check out
www.EnVuScc.com.
Last but not least Donnie
Babb, Jowee
and I hit up the Motor City
for a weekend at the 53rd
Annual Detroit Autorama.
This glamorous event was held at Cobo
Hall in Detroit,
MI on the weekend of March
4-6 2005. The Ridler Award
is presented here every year to the
outstanding vehicle shown for the
first time: it is one of the most
prestigious awards to receive in the
automotive industry. The hard work
and creativity that went into the
vehicles that were competing for the
Ridler were breathtaking to witness.
After a long weekend of rigorous debating
between the judges, Ken Reister was
able to go home accomplishing what
he came for… the Ridler Award! To
check out the division winners of
the indoor show circuit check out
www.worldofwheels.com.
We have a stunning line up of vehicle
features for you this month. We start
off with Josh Richburg
representing Darkside
Kustoms in his 1996
Mitsubishi Eclipse. In the
6 years Josh has been involved in
the automotive scene he has built
up his ride for the pure enjoyment
of the sport. With some help from
his friends and club member he was
able to create this stunning ride
rightfully named “Lay1Lo”
in 4 years time. Its Lambo doors and
immaculate paint finish sets off its
aggressive stance leaving it a one
of kind ride to cruise the streets.
Next up I was able to hook up with
Jason Jeanette representing
Wicked Customs in
his 1998 Isuzu Hombre.
Having too much time on his hands,
Jason made the initial investment
of $350.00 to purchase his ride…and
to let the games begin. Jason stripped
down his ride and gave the frame an
8” notch surrounding the ride with
Slam Specialty Bags circulating 3/4”
air line, 1/2” valves, and strapped
down 2 5ft Nitrogen tanks to give
it some air born abilities. While
cleaning up the body and removing
the wasted accessories, his creation
had come to life after its slick green
finish bounded the body panels. Be
sure to catch up with Jason to get
a closer look at this clean cruiser.
Last but not least I had the chance
to meet Brad Jones
at the Spring Fling event held in
Panama City Beach, FL this past March
to see his 1996 GMC Yukon.
Brad took this Yukon and converted
it over to a custom “Yukad”
by swapping the dog house over to
a 2000 Cadillac Escalade and added
his own unique touches. With enough
fiberglass to build a small boat Brad
smoothed out all the interior panels
for an overall slick finish inside
and out. The appreciated help from
close friends was enough to create
this sick ride in 1 year’s 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
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