You have to give props to any truck club that sacks up and decides to throw its own show. After all, that simple decision is what keeps our entire truck scene alive and kicking from coast to coast. The only problem is that the simple decision to throw a truck show is usually anything but simple, especially when securing an area to drag is one of the top priorities.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, chapter of Aftermath knew everything it wanted to see at a truck show and set out to emulate that in its own. First, the crew members needed a venue that would not only allow them to park all the rides, but also a place that they could legally spark their rides as well. The answer came in the form of Coconut Creek Indian Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida. The great thing about American Indian land is that local police have zero control with what happens there, and thanks to a rarely used frontage road, it became the perfect place to rail up and down.
Saturday began roll-in at the show under a mixed sky of dark patches and brilliant sunlight that Florida is infamous for. More than 150 show vehicles made their way through the front gates and lined up along the grassy parking lot that was professionally painted by Florida's own Eddy Cebreco. Just above the parking lot sat a giant air-conditioned tent filled with featured vehicles as well as a giant stage for the awards ceremony.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, more than 5,000 spectators walked the rows of trucks, and when the Florida sun became too much, they took some time either perusing the featured trucks housed within the air-conditioned tent or sitting in front of slot machines inside the casino. As soon as the sun began to dip down below the horizon, though, trucks rolled out to take advantage of the local hospitality and lit up the entire front of the casino with sparks.
Thanks to Mad Modz, The Shop, Speed & Truck World, and Coconut Creek Indian Casino, Aftermath was able to pull off a great first-time show. For more information on how to join in next year, point your internet chat wagon to www.itdontstop.com.