2004 Custom Sounds' Texas Heat Wave - Custom Truck Show

When you think of the biggest of the big monster shows that are held throughout the year, there is one show that comes to mind that covers the most ground, gives away more than $50,000 in cash and prizes, and does this all on one of the hottest weekends of the year -- that show is Custom Sounds' Texas Heat Wave. The 15th annual edition of THW was held at the end of July at the Travis County Expo Center and boasted more than 1,600 vehicles, 38,000 spectators, and damn near 100 degree weather. Like they say, "Everything is bigger in Texas." Perhaps they should add hotter in there, too.

On Friday, the Expo Center opened its gates to vendors and show vehicles in order to set up and register for the show. All across the 600 acre showgrounds, people could be seen unloading trailers, wiping down trucks, and melting under the summer sun. EZ-ups have always been a must-have at THW, since the Texas weather gods have been known to throw anything from sunshine to hail and thunderstorms at everyone throughout the weekend -- just to spice things up.

Saturday was, in Texas terms, the meat-and-potatoes day of the show. Everything from sound-offs to hop-offs filled the day, along with the famous THW burnout competition that saw burnouts from lifted Ford F-650s to mini bikes. The audio competition and dB drags saw sub' hits in the 150dB range.

Sunday was a rather unusual lineup of great weather, a great bikini contest, and then a great big storm. The bikini contest held at the main stage brought out thousands of spectators and a multitude of southern sweethearts, who made sure they gave the crowd just what they wanted. Once the show was over, Mother Nature decided to put on a show of her own, and rolled in thick black clouds, spewing bolts of lightning and enormous claps of thunder.

Thanks to Nitto, Audiobahn, MA Audio, Ekstensive Metalworks, Truck Toys, and Sound Creations, the show was once again a hit. To join in on the natural insanity of Texas Heat Wave next year, call (866) 905-SHOW (905-7469), or point your MP3-stealing computer to www.texasheatwaveshow.com.